Secret Invasion Saga (Marvel, April 2008, free)
This freebie context setter would have been useful while reading New Avengers: Illuminati and Incredible Hercules #120—and will be useful to anyone exploring or revisiting the Secret Invasion event from a decade ago. Written by John Rhett Thomas based on research done by Jeph York, the 32-page synopsis incorporates exposition in the form of a briefing compiled by SHIELD's Maria Hill for Iron Man, combined with reproduced art from the original comics.
The text is laid out in pretty horrible computer typography, but it's still interesting reading. The issue covers most of the history of the Skrulls, at least in terms of how it relates to the Secret Invasion storyline. The artwork, a mix of new and old—with some original work for the framing introduction—has been edited and recolored, so it's not entirely true to the original publications. Artists range from John Byrne to Jim Cheung, with plenty of creators in between.
Similar in style to Marvel Saga, this kind of approach to a forthcoming event is an interesting idea, akin to best-of books like Wolverine Vs. the Marvel Universe.
Showing posts with label 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008. Show all posts
Friday, May 25, 2018
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
The Sound of a Skrull God Dying
Incredible Hercules #120 (Marvel, October 2008, $2.99)
Writers: Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente; Penciler: Rafa Sandoval; Inkers: Roger Bonet and Greg Adams; Colors: Gracia with Calero and Trevino; Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna; Cover: Romita, Janson, and White; Production: Joe Sabino; Assistant Editor: Nathan Cosby; Editor: Mark Paniccia; Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada; Publisher: Dan Buckley.
New Avengers: Illuminati might have been my first exposure to the Secret Invasion event. This strange Hercules comic book was my second. This title has an odd lineage. It's not so much a Hercules series in the sense that the miniseries published in the '80s were as it is a continuation of a Hulk title—with an ever-shifting name. The title was called at various times Hulk, Incredible Hulk, Incredible Hercules (for almost 30 issues!), and Incredible Hulks.
This issue sports an eye-catching John Romita, Jr., cover. Even though the book showcased Hercules, it was a team book of sorts, featuring the titular hero, Snowbird (of Alpha Flight), Ajak (one of the Eternals), Mikaboshi, Atum, and Amadeus Choi. Up against two Skrull gods, Kly'bn the Eternal Skrull and Sl'gur't of the Infinite Names, the team is floundering.
Snowbird is thought dead, and Ajak wrests the group's leadership from Hercules before attacking Kly'bn. Atum takes on Sl'gur't before dying at her, ahem, hands... before Amadeus himself falls. In the end, Kly'bn falls, but at the expense of many of these characters, some of whom I'd read of for the first time.
Given the awesome subject matter—gods and Skrulls? Lovely.—Pak and Van Lente have plenty of paper to play with. The issue's opening mythological exposition was very interesting, as was the story of Snowbird's return—and the destruction of the Book of Worlds. Ajak's criticism of Hercules is apt, and I'm sure we'll see him again. "Earthbound Eternals have a habit of resurrecting themselves."
Otherwise, it's a fight scene: blood, and bones, and entrails. Sound effects abound. My favorites include "Whakachakaboom!!!", "Shkkraakkkoww," "Qwfoosh!", and "Ga-Bloik!" For that is the sound of a Skrull god dying, impaled on the bone of an elder god.
Availability: This issue was collected in Incredible Hercules, Vol. 2: Secret Invasion. We also recommend Secret Invasion.
Writers: Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente; Penciler: Rafa Sandoval; Inkers: Roger Bonet and Greg Adams; Colors: Gracia with Calero and Trevino; Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna; Cover: Romita, Janson, and White; Production: Joe Sabino; Assistant Editor: Nathan Cosby; Editor: Mark Paniccia; Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada; Publisher: Dan Buckley.
New Avengers: Illuminati might have been my first exposure to the Secret Invasion event. This strange Hercules comic book was my second. This title has an odd lineage. It's not so much a Hercules series in the sense that the miniseries published in the '80s were as it is a continuation of a Hulk title—with an ever-shifting name. The title was called at various times Hulk, Incredible Hulk, Incredible Hercules (for almost 30 issues!), and Incredible Hulks.
This issue sports an eye-catching John Romita, Jr., cover. Even though the book showcased Hercules, it was a team book of sorts, featuring the titular hero, Snowbird (of Alpha Flight), Ajak (one of the Eternals), Mikaboshi, Atum, and Amadeus Choi. Up against two Skrull gods, Kly'bn the Eternal Skrull and Sl'gur't of the Infinite Names, the team is floundering.
Snowbird is thought dead, and Ajak wrests the group's leadership from Hercules before attacking Kly'bn. Atum takes on Sl'gur't before dying at her, ahem, hands... before Amadeus himself falls. In the end, Kly'bn falls, but at the expense of many of these characters, some of whom I'd read of for the first time.
Given the awesome subject matter—gods and Skrulls? Lovely.—Pak and Van Lente have plenty of paper to play with. The issue's opening mythological exposition was very interesting, as was the story of Snowbird's return—and the destruction of the Book of Worlds. Ajak's criticism of Hercules is apt, and I'm sure we'll see him again. "Earthbound Eternals have a habit of resurrecting themselves."
Otherwise, it's a fight scene: blood, and bones, and entrails. Sound effects abound. My favorites include "Whakachakaboom!!!", "Shkkraakkkoww," "Qwfoosh!", and "Ga-Bloik!" For that is the sound of a Skrull god dying, impaled on the bone of an elder god.
Availability: This issue was collected in Incredible Hercules, Vol. 2: Secret Invasion. We also recommend Secret Invasion.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
For Safekeeping
New Avengers: Illuminati #1-3 and 5 (Marvel, February-July 2007 and January 2008, $2.99)
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis and Brian Reed, Penciler: Jim Cheung, Inker: Mark Morales, Colorist: Justin Ponsor, Letterer: VC's Cory Petit, Production: Kate Levin and Irene Lee, Assistant editors: Molly Lazer and Aubrey Sitterson, Editor: Tom Brevoort, Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada, Publisher: Dan Buckley.
I quite like the idea of the Marvel take on the Illuminati: some of the smartest heroes banding together to develop a unified point of view and strategy on issues beyond the pay grade of lesser heroes.
After the Kree-Skrull War, Dr. Strange, Reed Richards, Iron Man, Professor X, Prince Namor, and Black Bolt warn the Skrull to leave Earth alone—but are then captured. An unarmored Tony Stark, trained in hand-to-hand combat by no less than Captain America, escapes and proceeds to free the others.
At times, the artwork of Jim Cheung reminds me of a younger John Romita, Jr. The last page of #1 is downright sinister: "Did we get what we needed from them? Then it was worth it."
In #2, Mr. Fantastic reveals to the others that he's started collecting Infinity Gems, you know, for safekeeping. He shows them how the Infinity Gauntlet works, as well as how the gems communicate with each other. Several of the Illuminati travel to the collective unconscious of humanity, and the others help Black Bolt make a hole in reality. Neither task is as easy as it might be, and once five gems are gathered, the sixth arrives. As does the Watcher (gosh, I love the Watcher), prompting the Illuminati to distribute the gems, to hide them, and to protect them.
#3 ties in the Secret Wars and the Beyonder, a mutant Inhuman, who were created by the Kree. Because Black Bolt doesn't remember the Beyonder as a subject, they go to look for him, finding him on a recreated island of Manhattan in the middle of an asteroid belt.
In #5, Iron Man reveals that Skrull have been hiding among heroes—without being detected—for some time. After an attack by Super Skrulls, and once the Illuminati no longer trust themselves, the seeds are sown for Secret Invasion, which I've never read. Based on this wonderful miniseries, I think it might be worth reading!
This series had it all: Skrull, the Infinity Gauntlet, the Watcher. A secret organization with a master plan for superheroes? Why wasn't more made of this? Wow.
Availability: The miniseries was collected in New Avengers: Illuminati. Secret Invasion has also been collected.
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis and Brian Reed, Penciler: Jim Cheung, Inker: Mark Morales, Colorist: Justin Ponsor, Letterer: VC's Cory Petit, Production: Kate Levin and Irene Lee, Assistant editors: Molly Lazer and Aubrey Sitterson, Editor: Tom Brevoort, Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada, Publisher: Dan Buckley.
I quite like the idea of the Marvel take on the Illuminati: some of the smartest heroes banding together to develop a unified point of view and strategy on issues beyond the pay grade of lesser heroes.
After the Kree-Skrull War, Dr. Strange, Reed Richards, Iron Man, Professor X, Prince Namor, and Black Bolt warn the Skrull to leave Earth alone—but are then captured. An unarmored Tony Stark, trained in hand-to-hand combat by no less than Captain America, escapes and proceeds to free the others.
At times, the artwork of Jim Cheung reminds me of a younger John Romita, Jr. The last page of #1 is downright sinister: "Did we get what we needed from them? Then it was worth it."
In #2, Mr. Fantastic reveals to the others that he's started collecting Infinity Gems, you know, for safekeeping. He shows them how the Infinity Gauntlet works, as well as how the gems communicate with each other. Several of the Illuminati travel to the collective unconscious of humanity, and the others help Black Bolt make a hole in reality. Neither task is as easy as it might be, and once five gems are gathered, the sixth arrives. As does the Watcher (gosh, I love the Watcher), prompting the Illuminati to distribute the gems, to hide them, and to protect them.
#3 ties in the Secret Wars and the Beyonder, a mutant Inhuman, who were created by the Kree. Because Black Bolt doesn't remember the Beyonder as a subject, they go to look for him, finding him on a recreated island of Manhattan in the middle of an asteroid belt.
In #5, Iron Man reveals that Skrull have been hiding among heroes—without being detected—for some time. After an attack by Super Skrulls, and once the Illuminati no longer trust themselves, the seeds are sown for Secret Invasion, which I've never read. Based on this wonderful miniseries, I think it might be worth reading!
This series had it all: Skrull, the Infinity Gauntlet, the Watcher. A secret organization with a master plan for superheroes? Why wasn't more made of this? Wow.
Availability: The miniseries was collected in New Avengers: Illuminati. Secret Invasion has also been collected.
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