Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Crossovers in the world of the graphic novel are to be seen almost as often as the tides turn or as social media finds another person in which chase down in a witch hunt. There was a time when it was seen to be special, a nod to the existence in some gigantic way that for example Captain America could breathe the same air as the Fantastic Four, the Thing and The Hulk could batter themselves silly across several different issues and take in the force of Doctor Strange at the same time. Now it seems all too common place, not necessarily a bad thing but one in which a heavy laden serial such as Marvel’s Original Sin requires so much forethought to carry it off with grace.

The premise behind Original Sin is one that brings together many of the so called A-listers of Marvel’s roster of superheroes and brings in some of the less well appreciated second string heroes. It is a story that touches upon all because of exactly who has been killed, a being who sees all and watches all but never comments on what could have been. In a sense the death of a Watcher is monumental but it is the manner of the murder which raises intrigue. By ripping out the eyes, the team behind this Marvel heavyweight crossover is perhaps alluding to the Greek legend of Oedipus.

With splendid artwork by Mike Dedato, Original Sin stands out as singular unique piece emerged completely in a forest which has become at times too dense to see past, a triumph where arguably there has become the slightest concern of the beige and the mundane becoming to prevalent.

Sin is everywhere, it is recorded, noted and perhaps too swiftly seized upon as a failing of one person and their lack of morals but original sin; that of murder, is one that is harder to ignore.

Marvel’s Original Sin is available from Worlds Apart on Lime Street, Liverpool.

Ian D. Hall