Miraclewoman

Last updated

Miraclewoman
Miracleman12MarvelCover.jpg
Miraclewoman on the cover of Miracleman #12, by John Totleben.
Character information
First appearance Miracleman #10 (1986)
Created by Alan Moore
In-story information
Alter egoAvril Lear
SpeciesHuman
Place of origin Earth
PartnershipsMiracleman
Qys
Warpsmiths
Huey Moon
Notable aliasesDoctor McCarthy
AbilitiesFlight, strength, & durability via forcefield
Publication information
Publisher Eclipse Comics (1986–1993)
Marvel Comics (2010–present)
Genre
Publication dateDecember  1986

Miraclewoman (Avril Lear) is a fictional comic book character originally created by Alan Moore for publisher Eclipse Comics in 1986, and debuting in Miracleman #10, dated December of that year.

Contents

Creation

While Mick Anglo's Marvelman and Young Marvelman characters were based on Captain Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr. respectively, when the time came to add a third member to the line-up he devised Kid Marvelman, whereas Fawcett Publications had created Mary Marvel as the third member of the Marvel Family. Anglo's reasons for doing so were unclear, though both Moore and Denis Gifford would later speculate that this was to forestall any prejudice from the comic's predominantly young male readership against a female character. [1] [2]

When Moore revived the characters in 1982 as part of the Marvelman story in the anthology Warrior , Moore retained Kid Marvelman but also began planning to have a female character join the Anglo creations. Marvelwoman was mentioned in the chronology he and Steve Moore devised for the planned combined Warrior universe, being mentioned as marrying Marvelman in 1989 and bearing his son. [3] The name "Lear" was first mentioned in Warrior #20, dated July 1984. Soon afterwards however the "Marvelman" strip disappeared from the magazine, which was cancelled soon afterwards. When the story returned it was under the aegis of Eclipse Comics and both it and its lead character were renamed Miracleman. The mention of Lear and Rebbeck was reprinted in Miracleman #6 in February 1986, leading to much speculation as to who it regarded in the title's letters page. In response a humorous note in the framing story of Miracleman #8, featuring artist Chuck Austen complaining that Moore wouldn't even tell him of their identity. [4] Miracleman #10 in December 1986 saw Lear appear in her human form, with what would later be revealed as Miraclewoman's face and boots glimpsed without context before the superhuman version was finally revealed in Miracleman #11, published in May 1987. [5]

Fictional character biography

As part of his plan to create a superhuman baby to allow his mind to live forever, Gargunza decided to create Miraclewoman as a breeding partner for Miracleman. Without the knowledge of his Spookshow superiors he abducted the orphan Avril Lear as the template and successfully used the same recovered Qys technology to grow a superpowered clone of the girl, who was then subject to the same somatic induction and para-reality programming as her male counterparts. However, unlike them Miraclewoman was created at a secret facility, allowing Gargunza to indulge his base sexual desires without oversight from Sir Dennis Archer. As such he immediately began molesting Lear and repeatedly raped Miraclewoman as she slept. Meanwhile the fictional adventures she was subjected to were also more perverse, frequently revolving around bondage, torture and humiliation.

Alongside Miraclewoman, Gargunza also developed two other unsanctioned superbeings - the bestial Miracledog and Young Nastyman. As the latter, based on orphan Terence Rebbeck, was a villain he was also used in an increasingly degrading series of scenarios by the vicarious Gargunza. The scientist's lust eventually led to the continuity of the para-reality breaking down, causing Young Nastyman to awaken and escape, still believing himself to be a brutal supervillain. To avoid discovery, Gargunza awakened Miraclewoman, programming her to recruit the aid of the Miracleman Family to defeat the villain. During the meeting she became convinced that Young Miracleman was attracted to the oblivious Miracleman. However after leaving them, Miraclewoman discovered a bunker on Salisbury Plain that contained the truth of her origins. She was delighted to find she was more important and powerful than the para-reality had suggested, even finding Gargunza's abuse of her body laughable. Miraclewoman then tracked Young Nastyman to Iceland and attempted to take him with her. However he was beyond reason and attacked her, and after a battle was killed in a volcano. The fight convinced both the Miracleman Family and by extension Gargunza that Miraclewoman had perished. She used this opportunity to escape his clutches, taking in a new identity and using her human self to become general practitioner Doctor McCarthy. When the opportunity arises she still becomes Miraclewoman and greatly enjoys the possibilities the superhuman form allows her. [6]

When Miracleman returns in 1982 she initially decides to remain undercover, [6] but Miraclewoman is flushed out by the searches of a pair of Qys agents sent to investigate Earth's encroachment on infra-space. [7] After evading them she goes to the Moran home and saves Liz and Winter from one of the envoys. [8] Her frequent use of her superhuman body has left her more learned than Miracleman, and she readily accepts the Qys request for parlay, calmly recounting her life to Miracleman and Liz while the aliens make arrangements with the Warpsmiths. [6] Even a journey to Qys itself does not faze her, and her frank, confident attitude helps negotiations. [9] She joins Miracleman as a representative of the Qys on a station behind Earth's Moon to observe the planet's development along with the Warpsmiths Aza Chorn and Phon Mooda; the group are soon joined by the Firedrake Huey Moon. [10]

In 1985 Kid Miracleman returns, killing 40,000 in London before the group notices and are transported to face him. After Aza Chorn warping the Bank of England onto Kid Miracleman fails to stop him, Miraclewoman is next to attack. Despite her experience, grade and skill she is brutally beaten by Kid Miracleman and plays no further role in the unfolding battle. [11] Their presence public knowledge, the superhumans take control of Earth and reshape society as a utopia. Miraclewoman takes on a role analogous to Aphrodite, devising a computer matchmaking service so that everyone can find love and co-authoring a series of video sex education tutorials with Miracleman, with whom she makes love above England. [12]

In the resulting golden age she becomes a hugely popular and influential figure, and comics featuring her outsell those of her male counterparts. [12] Her sense of sexual liberation meant she had little compunction about sleeping with John Galloway in both her Miraclewoman and Avril Lear forms in order to teach him beauty is only skin deep. [13] Whereas Miracleman occasionally frets over the transformation of humanity, Miraclewoman is much more confident in their actions and frequently chides him for seeing the previous state of humanity as something special worthy of preservation. Their relationship comes under strain when she finally persuades Miracleman to act on the newly resurrected Young Miracleman's feelings for him. However, the latter reacts with anger and flees Olympus. [14] Miraclewoman however maintains her belief that it is the root cause of Young Miracleman's unhappiness. [15]

Powers and abilities

Miraclewoman can fly, has super-strength and is invulnerable due to reverse engineered Qys technology. Due to her high level of intelligence and empathy harnessed to her high level of confidence, Miraclewoman is unusually perceptive. She also has highly attuned senses.

Reception

Reviewing the Marvel version of Miracleman #12 (reprinting Miraclewoman's origin story) in 2014 for ComicBook.com, Michael Brown criticised Miraclewoman's dismissive attitude towards discovering her sexual abuse and rape at the hands of Gargunza, noting that "It doesn't help that just about every one of Moore's stories that I've read has included some form of sexual violence, whether it be Hyde and the Invisible Man in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the Joker and Barbara Gordon in Batman: The Killing Joke, the Comedian in Watchmen, etc.". [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miracleman (character)</span> Comic book character

Miracleman, whose civilian name is Michael "Mike" Moran, is a British Golden Age comic book superhero appearing in comic books first published by L. Miller & Son, Ltd. Created by Mick Anglo, the character first appeared in Marvelman #25. The character was subsequently revived in 1982 by Alan Moore and Garry Leach as the lead of Marvelman in the pages of Warrior. After that publication was cancelled the revival was continued as Miracleman by Eclipse Comics in 1985, with the character renamed accordingly, but went out of print following the company's demise in 1994.

<i>Warrior</i> (comics) British comics anthology

Warrior was a British comics anthology that ran for 26 issues between March 1982 and January 1985. It was edited by Dez Skinn and published by his company Quality Communications. It featured early work by numerous figures who would go on to successful careers in the industry, including Alan Moore, Alan Davis, David Lloyd, Steve Dillon, and Grant Morrison; it also included contributions by the likes of Brian Bolland and John Bolton, while many of the magazine's painted covers were by Mick Austin.

The Jack Kirby Comics Industry Awards were a set of awards for achievement in comic books, presented from 1985-1987. Voted on by comic-book professionals, the Kirby awards were the first such awards since the Shazam Awards ceased in 1975. Sponsored by Amazing Heroes magazine, and managed by Amazing Heroes managing editor Dave Olbrich, the Kirby Awards were named after the pioneering writer and artist Jack Kirby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Buckingham (comic book artist)</span> British comic book artist

Mark Buckingham is a British comic book artist. He is best known for his work on Marvelman and Fables.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eclipse Comics</span> American comic book publisher

Eclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel intended for the newly created comic book specialty store market. It was one of the first to offer royalties and creator ownership of rights.

Derek "Dez" Skinn is a British comic and magazine editor, and author of a number of books on comics. As head of Marvel Comics' operations in England in the late 1970s, Skinn reformatted existing titles, launched new ones, and acquired the BBC license for Doctor Who Weekly. After leaving Marvel UK, Skinn founded and edited Warrior, which featured key works by Alan Moore.

Garry Leach was a British comics artist and publisher.

Michael Anglo was a British comic book writer, editor and artist, as well as an author. He was best known for creating the superhero Marvelman, later known as Miracleman.

John Thomas Totleben is an American illustrator working mostly in comic books.

<i>Jaspers Warp</i> Comic book storyline

Jaspers' Warp, sometimes referred to as Crooked World, is a superhero comic book storyline from the British Captain Britain strip printed across several Marvel UK titles between 1981 and 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kid Miracleman</span> Comic book character

Kid Miracleman, whose civilian name is Jonathan James "Johnny" Bates, is a fictional British Golden Age comic book character, originally created by Mick Anglo for publisher L. Miller & Son in 1955, and debuting in Marvelman #102, dated July 10 of that year.

<i>Young Marvelman</i> Comic book series

Young Marvelman was a British Golden Age superhero comic book, published by L. Miller & Son in the United Kingdom between 1954 and 1963. The lead character was originally created in 1954 by Mick Anglo as a replacement for Captain Marvel Jr due to Fawcett Publications ending the latter's titles following legal action by DC Comics.

<i>Miracleman</i> Superhero comic book series

Miracleman is a superhero comic book series, centred on the character of the same name. Originally created by Mick Anglo and published by L. Miller & Son, Ltd. as Marvelman between 1954 and 1963, the character was revived in 1982 for a revisionist story written by Alan Moore, beginning in the pages of British anthology Warrior. From 1985 the character was renamed Miracleman, and the series was continued by American publisher Eclipse Comics until 1993. Since 2009 the rights to the character have been licensed by Marvel Comics, who have published new material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Miracleman</span> Comic book character

Young Miracleman is a fictional British Golden Age comic book superhero, originally created by Mick Anglo for publisher L. Miller & Son in 1954, and debuting in Young Marvelman #25, dated 3 February of that year as a replacement for Fawcett Publications' Captain Marvel Jr., whose civilian name is Richard "Dicky" Dauntless. A comic based on his adventures ran for 345 issues until 1963.

<i>Marvelman</i> Comic book series

Marvelman was a British Golden Age superhero comic book, published by L. Miller & Son in the United Kingdom between 1954 and 1963. The lead character was originally created by Mick Anglo as a replacement for Captain Marvel due to Fawcett Publications ending the latter's titles following legal action by DC Comics.

<i>Miracleman: Apocrypha</i> Comic book series

Miracleman: Apocrypha was an American superhero limited series anthology comic book, published by Eclipse Comics between 1991 and 1992. It was a spin-off of Eclipse's Miracleman series, and ran for three issues.

<i>Marvelman Family</i> Comic book series

Marvelman Family was a British Silver Age superhero comic book, featuring eponymous team consisting of the characters Marvelman, Young Marvelman and Kid Marvelman. The title was created in 1956 by Mick Anglo for publisher L. Miller & Son as a companion title for the company's Marvelman and Young Marvelman magazines.

The comic book character Marvelman has been the subject of several legal issues, even after being renamed as Miracleman in 1985. The character and its derivatives were created by Mick Anglo in 1954 at the request of publisher Len Miller. The copyright has been retained by Anglo ever since, and by Anglo's estate, since his death in 2011.

References

  1. ↑ Moore, Alan  ( w )."M*****man: Full Story and Pics"Miracleman,no. 2(October 1985). Eclipse Comics .
  2. ↑ Gifford, Denis  ( w )."Founding a Family"Miracleman Family,no. 2(September 1988). Eclipse Comics .
  3. ↑ Khoury, George (2001). "A Chronology of Everything (almost)". Kimota! The Miracleman Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN   9781605490274.
  4. ↑ Yronwode, Cat  ( w ), Beckum, Chuck  ( a )."The Guernville Flood" Miracleman ,no. 8(June 1986). Eclipse Comics .
  5. ↑ Khoury, George (2001). "Miracleman Index". Kimota! The Miracleman Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN   9781605490274.
  6. 1 2 3 Moore, Alan  (w), Totleben, John  (a)."Aphrodite" Miracleman ,no. 12(September 1987). Eclipse Comics.
  7. ↑ Moore, Alan  (w), Veitch, Rick  (a)."Mindgames" Miracleman ,no. 10(December 1986). Eclipse Comics.
  8. ↑ Moore, Alan  (w), Totleben, John  (a)."Chronos" Miracleman ,no. 11(May 1987). Eclipse Comics.
  9. ↑ Moore, Alan  (w), Totleben, John  (a)."Hermes" Miracleman ,no. 13(November 1987). Eclipse Comics.
  10. ↑ Moore, Alan  (w), Totleben, John  (a)."Pantheon" Miracleman ,no. 14(April 1988). Eclipse Comics.
  11. ↑ Moore, Alan  (w), Totleben, John  (a)."Nemesis" Miracleman ,no. 15(November 1988). Eclipse Comics.
  12. 1 2 Moore, Alan  (w), Totleben, John  (a)."Olympus" Miracleman ,no. 16(December 1989). Eclipse Comics.
  13. ↑ Gaiman, Neil  (w), Buckingham, Mark  (a)."Skin Deep" Miracleman ,no. 18(August 1990). Eclipse Comics.
  14. ↑ Gaiman, Neil  (w), Buckingham, Mark  (a)."When Titans Clash!"Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age,no. 2(January 2023). Marvel Comics.
  15. ↑ Gaiman, Neil  (w), Buckingham, Mark  (a)."An Alien Walks Among Us"Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age,no. 4(March 2023). Marvel Comics.
  16. ↑ Michael Brown. "Miracleman #12 Review: Alan Moore's Icky Sex Stuff". ComicBook.com .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.