Nov. '86 - D.P. 7 # 1

To celebrate the 25th annivesary of the birth of the Marvel Universe, Marvel decided to create a new universe. It would reflect the real world with only a few fantastic elements. They launched eight titles, most of which didn't last very long and weren't very good. Jim Shooter, then head of Marvel, blamed it on budget cutbacks that limited the money spent on creative people.

I bought all the New Universe first issues when they came out to see what the fuss was about. This and Justice were the only ones I bought past that first issue. D.P. 7 had a concept similar to mutants in the regular Marvel universe. Certain people started developing weird abilities and some of them went to a clinic seeking help. The seven main characters were in a therapy group together. Finding out the head of the clinic wanted them for his own purposes, the 7 escape and live on the run.

The seven characters were very different from each other in backgrounds and personality. It was an enjoyable comic seeing them trying to survive together. Mark Gruenwald was the writer who did an excellent job on the Squadron Supreme limited series. The art was by Paul Ryan who wasn't a fancy artist but did good work.