The Twelve is an American comic book limited series from Marvel Comics, which the company announced in July 2007 would run twelve issues beginning spring 2008, with the creative team of writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Chris Weston. The series stars 12 obscure characters from Marvel’s earliest incarnation as Timely Comics from the 1940s period historians and fans call the Golden Age of Comic Books.
Writer J. Michael Straczynski said in July 2007 that the story concerns 12 superhumans randomly kidnapped by the Nazis during World War II in order to study their powers for the Nazis’ “Master Race” efforts. The superhumans were put in cryonic suspended-animation until the present day, when a construction project in Berlin, Germany inadvertently uncovers them. The series explores the culture shock of people from the 1940s being revived in the present day. “I wanted to explore their reactions to us, and our reactions to them … what was good about the World War II period that we lost, and what was not so good about it that we’ve eliminated in all but them”.
In early 2009, Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada said the series was put “on hold” after issue #8 (Nov. 2008) because of Straczynski’s increased demand as a screenwriter after the success of Changeling, and artist Weston’s having taken on conceptual art and storyboarding on a separate film project. Recently Marvel has announced that the series will be completed in 2012, many fans of the project will be happy about that. Marvel has released schedule and cover art info for THE TWELVE, the 12 issue miniseries. In order for newcomers to catch up, they’ll be offering a colelction of the first 6 issues, a must have of issues 7 and 8 and then the rest of the series twice monthly starting in February.
Media Release: The Twelve, one of the most critically-acclaimed comic series in years, makes its dramatic return this January, taking comic shops everywhere by storm once more! Superstar creators J Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston kick the new year off in style as the two conclude their pulse-pounding story of World War IIs super heroes awakened in the modern day and struggle to adapt. Except they’ll have to work fast as a threat hurdles their way that could destroy them all!
“It’s taken a long while, but finally, FINALLY, the balance of The Twelve has been completed and we’re ready to ship it all to our long-suffering fans,” said Tom Brevoort, SVP/Executive Editor. “We appreciate everybody’s patience, and both hope and expect that the conclusion will live up to the wait. And for folks who missed out the first time, we’re making it easy to get back on board no matter how much or how little of the previous 8 issues you may have already read, though the release of the softcover TPB of the first six issues, and a Marvel Must-Have containing #7 & 8. So you’ve got no excuse not to experience one of the best reviewed, best beloved and long-awaited series Marvel has ever produced as it reaches its ultimate climax.” No fan can miss any of Marvel’s Twelve in 2012, including these releases:
• The Twelve Vol.1 TPB—on-sale in January 2012
• The Twelve: Marvel Must Have #1—on-sale in February 2012
• The Twelve #9—on-sale in February 2012
• The Twelve #10—on-sale in February 2012
• The Twelve #11- March 2012
• The Twelve #12—April 2012
Now, the Twelve must survive the greatest enemy they’ve ever faced—one of their own. But how—and why—has this happened? Don’t miss the return of The Twelve, beginning in January 2012.
The 21st century will never be the same with these characters loose. Catch up on what you missed in this great series and enjoy comics at there best. Just maybe it was worth the wait. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. 🙂 Walt
I don’t like the new stuff maybe I will like golden age characters in the modern age.