I only read this because I had heard that it was really good to look at, and that the story was good for Mark Millar. I am not a Mark Millar fan; he’s written a number of critically acclaimed books, but I only actually like one of them (Red Son), and most of the rest I actively dislike. I wasn’t holding out much hope for it.

Overall I thought 1985 was interesting, and the art was very good, but I honestly felt let down by the story. Marvel supervillains showing up in the real world in 1985 is a great concept, but I don’t think Millar carried it out that well. Seeing villains be villainous is cool, particularly in a world where there’s nobody that can hold them accountable, but there was just so much of it, and it seemed to be there just for shock value or to show off, so the story kind of stalled as we kept seeing another villain killing, maiming, and destroying. The last 3 issues were good, when the story started winding up, I just wish they had trimmed an issue or two out of the series. I think Millar could have gotten the story done more effectively with less issues and fewer “shocking” moments.