Biff Bam Pow Comics

So we’ve hit the halfway point with Secret Invasion. But is it still the roller-coaster ride of previous months? Or is it starting to peter out a little?

***HEFTY SPOILER ALERT***

As you might expect after the cliffhanger ending of issue three (Nick Fury’s entrance / Spider-Woman messing with Iron Man’s mind) - the action picks up almost immediately, taking a quick moment out to link in some moments from the tie in books (The Sentry fleeing earth, Ms Marvel leaving a Skrull in space, Agent Brand in earth’s atmosphere, etc), before throwing us into the heat of the battle in Times Square.

Nick’s Commandos start kicking some ass and taking some names, and Phobos helps turn the tide of battle by turning the Skrulls against themselves. Not before Nick Fury blasts Ms Marvel into Skrull territory however.

Back in the Savage Land, Tony is still on the receiving end of Jessica Drew’s mind-games, which are doing their job in making him believe that he could be a Skrull. The Black Widow provides a timely intervention in the shape of an injection of adrenaline, but Spider-Woman appears to escape…

Over in Times Square, a flash of lightening can be seen, and from the heavens the outline of Thor descends - all watched by Captain America from a distance… But which Captain America?

Happily - Bendis and Yu show no signs of letting up with Secret Invasion, once again delivering a golden example of good storytelling and excellent artwork. Every month that goes by is a testament to the sheer brilliance of this double-act, which I hope (perhaps vainly) will continue far beyond this series.

On a slight downer - I couldn’t help but think that maybe it was time for the battle to change location. People are still fighting in Times Square and the Savage Land, and although this is only a few hours (or probably less) for everyone involved - its been nearly four months for us…

Pete’s Score: 4 out of 5
(ongoing battle or no - still an excellent comic - recommended) 

Woah. Looks like Dan was holding out on us with issue 13… This book’s a complete belter. And when you read it alongside Mighty Avengers 15… Well… Damn.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Just as The Mighty Avengers did, the Initiative issue 14 takes a look at the work of the Skrulltastic Henry “Hank” Pym, and how he’s been using his connections to get other Skrulls into some highly strategic positions. Strategic positions such as - one on every single fifty-state Initiative team.

Dan Slott has done a top notch job with this issue’s script, making you wonder what he was upto a month ago, and why it took a tie-in to inject a little life into the book following the original team’s departure.

That minor dig aside - Stefano Caselli crafts some truly magical scenes, leaving you genuinely surprised by some sequences, and truly impressed with his stylistic accomplishments.

A marked improvement, worthy of your cash.

Pete’s Score: 4 out of 5
(much better than the previous issue - worth picking up)

What an absolutely excellent issue.

One of the hallmarks of a good comic is how quickly you get through it without missing any dialogue. I absolutely consumed this book. Were there seconds available, I’d be coming back around now, reading plate in one hand, spoon in the other.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Brian Reed does a fantastic job of creating a truly memorable Ms. Marvel tale that sits in the heart of Secret Invasion, with Adriana Melo showcasing a truly wicked side of our heroine (a person who delights in the death of an enemy, and loves the heat of battle). Oh - and the ending? Well, if that doesn’t bring you back for more - I’m not sure there’s anything we can do for you.

Truly brilliant stuff.

Happily - I think I can safely carry on recommending Ms. Marvel for awhile…

Pete’s Score: 5 out of 5
(brilliant - another perfect jumping on point for Secret Invasion - just like New Avengers 42)

Wow. What a stark difference to Final Crisis issue two.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Finally, Brian Michael Bendis has given us what we’ve all been crying out for - what happened to Spider-Woman, and what she’s been upto since she became all Skrull-tastic.

To say that this issue has some surprising moments (the Skrulls’ three main priorities for example) is an understatement. Jim Cheung effortlessly portrays some amazing moments, and some truly man-tastic scenes (naked Jessica Drew on a table).

Unsurprisingly - this is the best book in the Secret Invasion saga thusfar.

Pete’s Score: 5 out of 5
(if you’re looking for a good jumping on point to the Marvel Universe, and / or Secret Invasion - this is it)

What a great book. Since the start of Secret Invasion, there’s been a big old ‘how did Henry Pym get swapped for a Skrull’ question looming - and now, finally, its being answered.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Cast your minds back right to the dawn of the New Avengers, somewhere around the ‘Breakout’ storyline. Dr Pym is a lecturer on advanced genetic analysis, and his eyes fall on a girl… Janet and Henry break up, and naturally, our good Dr Pym runs to said woman’s arms, only to learn (much later down the line), that he ran to a Skrull…

As you might expect, Bendis does a truly fantastic job on the script. He interweaves plot moments from past issues of The New / Mighty Avengers effortlessly, and showcasing the more sinister intent of Henry, as he has been drifting through storylines almost unnoticed.

John Romita Jr (in partnership with Klaus Janson and Tom Palmer) does nothing less than you would expect in delivering a truly brilliant book, including a particularly grim moment in a student bedroom (you’ll know it when you see it).

Event in its spinoffs - Secret Invasion isn’t stopping to take a breath. It’s just ploughing on - creating quality all the way.

Pete’s Score: 4 out of 5
(very very very close to being a full score - thoroughly recommended in every sense) 

Here’s one definition of a good comic book.

“A book that stays with you almost a full week after you first read it.”

***SPOILER ALERT***

After reading this book, I was planning to give it a 3 out of 5 score, as I’d decided it was a fairly average book. But then my Dad came down, and I got a little sidetracked. Consequently, I didn’t get a chance to post a review. Or much else.

(sorry about that)

But as it happens, it’s probably a good thing that I didn’t. As around about now - I’d be posting my first ever retraction.

I was going to tell you how I wasn’t quite as gripped as I was expecting to be, and how I would have liked to see a little more in the issue, but now… Somewhat surprisingly… I have a different opinion entirely.

This issue of Avengers / Invaders stayed with me throughout the past week. I couldn’t help but remember scenes from the book;

• Captain America, and the Sub-Mariner emerging from a night in the subway;
• Iron Man putting the Invaders ‘down’ with the help of some ‘Mighty’ Avengers;
• The (original) Human Torch, kept captive in an indoor rainstorm;
• Bucky cutting his arm open to facilitate an escape;
• the ‘New’ Avengers plotting to ’save’ the Invaders.

Having thought about it - I think I can explain why my opinion changed. All of the above scenes carry weight. Not just a ‘good story’ weight. But a ‘historic weight’.

Jim Krueger, Alex Ross and Steve Sadowski have created something quite wonderful. So wonderful in fact, that it fits squarely in that ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ area of our collective vision.

If you read issue 2 like I did the first time - quickly, in amongst other books - I bet you’ll be of the same opinion as me a week ago. Average.

But read it when you’re free of distraction, sitting in a relaxing chair, by an open window, with a coffee, and you’ll read a true piece of Marvel history.

This series is shaping up to be more than good. Its shaping up to be special.

Pete’s Score: 4 out of 5
(think coffee - think favourite chair - think relaxing breeze - think avengers / invaders issue 2) 

You can tell a comic is a good read when it inspires debate for 3 days after reading it. I picked this book up on Saturday, and I’ve been locked in a battle of possibilities with my brother ever since.

***SPOILER ALERT***

In a nutshell, this book gives an insight into how the Skrulls deal with the Sentry during Secret Invasion - namely by sending him more than a little off the deep end, bringing him face to face with his inner demon - the Void. Oooorrrr, rather, the Skrull version of the Void.

A pretty nasty insight into the ways Skrulls work - but a damn fine read nonetheless. Now - here’s where the 3 days of debating comes in. Right at the start of this book, there’s an explosion in outer space. The Sentry gets kicked into touch by an exploding Skrull ship, and wakes up in the Baxter Building.

Later in the book, after the Sentry goes a little bat-crazy and flies off into space, he spots something strange in what appears to be the ring around Saturn. Right here is where we begin to have different opinions.

My opinion: The Sentry sees ‘the Void’ in the ring of Saturn (where his mind has placed him), is horrified by the fact that he still exists, curls up into a ball and is consumed by him - then rockets back to earth to save Lindy (who I’m pretty sure is already dead - but that’s another story).

Dave’s (my brother’s) opinion: The Sentry has been a Skrull all along, but isn’t aware of it (a-la Captain Marvel), and he’s horrified to see his true self in the rings of Saturn, where he’s been all along (for reasons yet to be disclosed). A Void then returns to earth, to look after Lindy.

I’m pretty sure I’m right - but then so is Dave. What do you think? Add your comments below to let us know!

Pete’s Score: 4 out of 5
(anything that gets you talking as much as this issue will, is worth $2.99 - recommended) 

Well, I wasn’t all that keen on what happened in The Initiative issue 12, but I (begrudgingly) understood why it had to pan out like it did. Which is why I picked up issue 13 - to give it a second chance.

And to be honest, I had a bit of a mixed reaction to it.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Christos N. Cage takes up the writing reigns this issue, introducing a new team of recruits (Boulder, Prodigy, Annex, Batboy, Gorilla Girl and Sunstreak) to readers, and doing a fine job of creating an interest in them from the moment they step off the bus at Stamford. Steve Uy also once again takes up art duty on the book, giving an interesting but not  amazing take on our new young heroes.

Sadly, as good a follow up to issue 12 as this is - it isn’t a comic that inspires confidence in the life of the book. Christos did a fantastic job of creating a really interesting character (Boulder [or Butterball as Taskmaster nicknamed him]) with some unique points of interest - but commits a cardinal sin almost instantaneously by removing him from view before the end of the book. Although, the way Boulder reminisces about his short time on the base, does leave you with a smile.

Pete’s Score: 3 out of 5
(could have been great, if Boulder had been sticking around for a little longer - but still enjoyable)