The second volume of the Marvel Gold line of Excalibur takes us on a journey through virtual parallel dimensions from the hands of Chris Claremont and Alan Davis, published by Panini Comics.

Panini Comics brings joy to readers who love classic material by reviving long-out-of-print issues in deluxe format. This is the second volume of the mutant series that Chris Claremont and Alan Davis made their mark on in the late 1980s, coming to us under the title Marvel Gold. Excalibur 2 – Parallel Dimensions.

Parallel dimensions

During the first great saga, which takes up more than half of this compilation volume, we get at least one big crazy story about the ideas. What else can be said about a narrative that begins with him sitting on his horse and listening to music on the sidewalk in shining armor and almost killed by a Nazi armored train attack that is far removed from reality?

We see our group of British mutants wandering from the far west to the farthest reaches of Mars in the craziest situations, always rolling out comical waves and uncovering fascinating and exciting concepts that will appeal to anyone. The purpose of this journey, as is clear (the TV series Jump to Infinity has lived on this for years) is to return home, the destination is inevitably reached.

But until that moment comes, we can enjoy the art we were born and raised on these subjects, this crazy saga full of science fiction elements, references to the media, winks, tributes and metallic language (Was Warren Ellis inspired when he designed this planetarium?). In one of the most spectacular moments in memory. Or if we only keep the good part and forget the rest…

Flipando with Davis

An important requirement for the travelogue presented here is not only the quality of the graphics, but also the fact that the presented facts impress the reader. Fortunately, it was an acceptable challenge for Davis…

And not content with creating an incredible world, the artist develops all his skill in depicting the characters and moving them through the panels, something that, although not new to those who know him, is always something to be admired. And Davis is one of those cartoonists who, when they got into the business, saw many mainstream comics change course and directly inspire new creators (say that to Brian Hitch, for example).

But even Davis couldn’t improve on the low points of this great story. On the one hand, we have Claremont who doesn’t let go of two of his most damaging habits: verbal intransigence and the urge to open a melon without a plan or intention to ever close it. The first one suffers while reading, while the second one is like picking a fruit to realize later, when you are going to eat it, that it is already rotten.

It’s said that it was these issues that kept Davies’ future away from the series (though not for long in reality), and perhaps the decline in quality in the following similar issues was a big part of the problem. ..

Bitter end

With Davis gone at the end of this dimension-traveling saga, the numbers that remain, while fun and entertaining, represent a steep and sustained decline. Claremont also ends up leaving the scripts in the hands of other screenwriters with little imagination, and even people like Barry Windsor-Smith, Bill Sinkiewicz, Rick Leonardi or Ron Lim (and even less so Chris Woznick) can’t mask it. Absence of your partner.

Published by Panini Comics in hardcover, the volume measures 17 x 26 cm and contains 480 color pages. And the US edition includes #12 through #30 of the regular series Excalibur as well as an extensive extra chapter and text by Raimon Fonseca. It has a recommended retail price of €49.95 and goes on sale in November 2023.

Brilliant gold. Excalibur 2 – Parallel Dimensions

ISBN: 9788411507561

Chris Claremont and Alan Davis’ extraordinary streak continues like no other in the X-Men franchise.

The English Mutant Team will be performing throughout the multiverse! A fantastical journey through fantastical alternate dimensions featuring any hero or villain you can imagine.

Authors: Michael Higgins, Dennis Jensen, Ron Lim, Chris Claremont, Chris Wozniak, Alan Davis, Barry Windsor-Smith, Bill Sinkiewicz, Rick Leonardi and Colin Doran.