Miracleman # 1

Writer Alan Moore started out early in his career writing stories for the Marvel Comics UK line.  One of the titles he wrote was the groundbreaking Miracleman.

Originally called Marvelman the series had to go through a name change for obvious reasons--Marvel and DC had dibs on the name.  Marvel for its company name and DC because it owned the rights to Captain Marvel the old Fawcett series.

DC successfully sued Fawcett for copyright infringement because Captain Marvel was too similar to Superman, won and eventually purchased Fawcett‘s library of characters.

DC Comics renamed Captain Marvel SHAZAM.

Writer Alan Moore offered a story in two parts: a nostalgic tale set in the 1940s/50s when Miracleman first appeared complete with his magic word and cast of characters and a modern tale where Miracleman reappeared.

But, times being as they are he is unprepared for many of the changes over the decades and must adjust especially to his once former kid sidekick who has a life of his own and a hidden agenda.

While this is an early Alan Moore story the seeds of his groundbreaking literary skills are evident.  His story pacing, characterizations and talent for reading more into a story than it first appears are all evident.

Recently Miracleman #1 (although it is a reprint published by Eclipse Comics in 1985) has risen in value.  Number one hovers around $10 for a raw copy and $100 for a slabbed version.