On the first page or so we see the Skrull Homeworld and we see that this has been planned for a long time. Then jump to SWORD's headquarters and see Brand with Dum Dum Dugan gabbing away while a Skrull cruiser crash lands in the Savage Land.

And the proverbial shit hits the fan.

Okay, from the moment we see Tony discussing the fact that the Skrulls are invading or have invaded with Hank Pym and Reed Richards, we know that one or all have to be Skrulls. On the operating table lies Skrullektra and the world around them is crumbling down. Director of SHIELD Stark gets a call about the ship, and the first person he contacts is Spider-Woman. Why? He thinks he can trust her because she brought him the Skrullektra.

The first person she calls? Luke Cage and his New Avengers, the anti-registration team (are we still calling them that?). Things just tumble down and down from there. We witness the Cube where Marvel Boy (Noh-Varr) watching as the inmates attack each other and the guards and then we step into the Thunderbolts Mountain and see them attacked by Captain Marvel (Skrull? Or does he think they're Skrulls?). Essentially, this entire book is me slapping my forward screaming what?

We go to all corners of the Marvel Universe (except for Spidey and the X-men). Witness as a Skrull impersonates Susan Storm The Invisible Woman and proceeds to get the entire Baxter Building sucked into the Negative Zone while Johnny Storm and the Richards's kids get sucked in too. Bear witness as the downed Skrull ship reveals a smattering of Marvel heroes, all dressed in their outfits from the 70s (TIARA CAGE! WHISKERS WOLVIE! CAP ALIVE!). And the constant Skrull reveals hit fast and hard.

Dum Dum destroys SWORD headquarters and leaves the SWORD and SHIELD members out in space to die. Skrull Jarvis infects Iron Man (Inept yet again) with a virus that all but takes him out of the equation. And Skrull Hank Pym shoots Reed Richards as he is on the verge of discovering the truth behind how these Skrulls can hide from the heroes.

So for the real commentary: I loved this comic. It was a true opening to a true event. No immense characterization. We hit the ground running and we ran fast. There were a number of reveals in this first ish. There were strange quotes (He loves you, assuming that means the Skrull King?). There was hidden background info and possible hints at further Skrull reveals. And it all made sense. The artwork was tight. The sketchy linework of Yu that I love was nearly completely cleaned up and easily fleshed out (save for one panel featuring the New Avengers that looked slightly rushed). Bendis' talky dialogue was almost completely non-existent. A lot of work was put into this comic, and it shows.

All I can say past that is that this is the event comic for people who hate event comics. Things are bound to change because of this. If you hate Tony Stark, tough, because the one infected with the virus has got to be the real Tony Stark. The best news about this book is it keeps the questions firing on all cylinders. How long has so and so been a Skrull? Man, Luke Cage sure acted Skrully in this ish.

And it makes you read the way they interact and look closely at their body language when they talk and fight and interact with the characters around them. How often does a comic make you do that?

This is truly the most interactive experience I've ever had with a comic, and I believe I am completely happy to be along for the ride. Bring me more Bendis. And we all should all continue to wonder:

Who do you trust?