Each quote is usually accompanied by a comic book panel, but oddly enough not always the panel it is referencing. It's clear that this is a book primarily targeted towards people that are familiar with both the quotes and the stories themselves, and that is a shame as I would have loved a little snippet of context to also be there to provide more information on what each quote means. Some quotes can perfectly stand on their own and hold meaning even if someone hasn't read that particular story, others though not so much. The words "No more mutants" for example, will mean very little to someone not familiar with the story arc behind them. Not every Marvel fan has read all the comics, and it would be a good way to get more people interested in discovering new books.
I'd say that my biggest nitpick about the book is the lack of credit given to artists and writers. For most quotes there is a comic title with the issue number and date, referencing their origin, but no information on the people who wrote and drew them. Despite the misconception that comic books are just shallow pop corn entertainment, there is lots of heart, depth, and insight to be found in many of these stories, and that's thanks to the artists and writers behind them.
It was nice seeing (part of) one of my favourite quotes from Loki: Agent of Asgard #13 (2015), by Al Ewing, Lee Garbett, and Antonio Fabela:
"What is a lie, when it's at home? Anyone? Is it the depressed little voice inside? Whispering in my ear? Telling me to give up? Well, I'm not giving up. Not for that part of me that hates myself. That wants me to wither and die. Not for you. Never for you. What's a lie, Verity? A lie is a story told. That's all. And we can rewrite our stories. All of us. Write our own happy endings. Our own redefinitions. We don't have to be what we're told to be. Even by ourselves."
Thank you to Cider Mill Press for the advance reader's copy, the book is coming out on October 07, 2025.
