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Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils by: Leinil Yu
Inks by: Mark Morales
Colors by: Laura Martin
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
It’s
finally here. Is there is any way that this title
could possibly live up to the excitement, the
promises, and the hype? Surely no. Infinite Crisis
couldn’t. Civil War came close (regardless of what
the haters have to say). 52 managed to get a toe
over the line but even it wasn’t as mind-blowing as
we all imagined it would be. The problem with these
uber-events that “shake the very pillars” of Marvel
or DC is simply this – there is no way that any
long-term changes are going to stick. It’s a fact of
the never-ending publishing cycle of the company’s
characters. You have to leave them as close to the
baseline as possible at a story’s end (or get back
there right quick) in order to keep bringing in new
readers.
There’s
a way to make the “pillar-shaking” event work in
that set-up, if you think about it, though. First,
you do a couple of other events that, in their own
ways, “shake” some “pillars”.
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You make broad
changes that everyone knows aren’t going to
stick. You muck about big time with the status
quo. Go nuts.
Then, when the time comes to set everything
back, to undo the changes, that’s when you drop
your biggest, baddest, and best event on the
masses. And the beautiful thing is that the
long-term changes wrought by the event? Those
changes are actually just putting most things
back to the acceptable status quo. You get to
have your “pillar-shaking” cake and eat it, too.
So to speak.
Can you see where I am going with this? ‘Cause
I’m pretty sure Joey Q. and Bendis know what I’m
talking about here…
Secret Invasion kicks off in fine event
tradition with a recap of sorts of the current
situation. I’ve seen all the fanboys complain
that we’ve seen the same discussion with Tony
showing Elektra-Skrull several times before.
Guess what, Tommy McLivesInMom’sBasement – not
everyone reads every 616 Marvel comic every
month (although I am willing to bet you bit
torrent most of them, you jag). This title is
getting mainstream press so you better let a
reader jump in feet first with issue number one.
The bulk of the story revolves around the
Avengers, both New and Mighty, heading for a
downed Skrull ship in the Savage Land. There are
interludes with S.H.I.E.L.D., S.W.O.R.D., the
Thunderbolts, and others, all demonstrating the
depths of the conspiracy and the results of the
first active wave of the invasion. Bendis’
script is tight as far as plot is concerned but
he still takes the time to give us some nice
little character moments, especially with the
New Avengers. I am really in awe of his ability
to give such different, recognizable voices to
so many characters.
I'd also like to give a shout out to, "He loves
you." Man, what an awesomely creepy phrase.
That's one of those things that a writer comes
up with and immediately has to go lie down for a
while. Seriously, that phrase gave me goosebumps
in the last scene.
The issue does a great job of making you
question the Skrulliness of several different
characters and does so mostly through the use of
silent panels, which is a testament to the
evocative pencil work by Mr. Yu. Yu’s been
getting a bad rap lately for his self-inked work
on New Avengers. Personally, I don’t understand
the criticism, as I would take Yu’s work over,
say, Greg Land or David Finch’s any day of the
week. Yeah, sometimes his faces and figures can
be a bit distorted but it always seems to be a
choice, not a mistake. Here, under the inks of
Mark Morales, Yu’s line work is a little more
solid, a little crisper than when he inks
himself. The result is a look that sticks closer
to the traditional while still reflecting Yu’s
distinctive style.
The Skrulls who get outed in this first issue
are interesting if a bit unexciting. The
passengers of the downed Skrull ship are
well-chosen if a bit obvious. The payoff when we
figure out which is a Skrull and which is the
real deal has be quivering with excitement,
though, so mission accomplished.
A quick mention of the appearance of my favorite
criminally under-(or mis-)used character, namely
Noh-Varr from Grant Morrison’s sublimely awesome
Marvel Boy. It makes sense, seeing as Noh is a
genetically altered Kree warrior from an
alternate dimension. Or something. Whatever, he
probably hates himself some Skrulls and I can’t
wait to see if Bendis lets him play a major role
or not.
Overall, I am impressed with the choice of
setting the good guys on the defensive so early.
There have been many comparisons made already to
Battlestar Galactica and I think the quick and
decisive victories claimed by the Skrulls in
this issue is going to pan out as well for this
series as it did for Galactica. I’d rather see
the heroes with their backs against the wall and
it looks like that’s exactly what we’re going to
get. Secret Invasion’s first issue lives up to
the hype for me and I have a good feeling that
we’re in for a treat as the series unfolds.
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