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) 

Well, it’s nice to say that issue thirty of She-Hulk continues the pace from book twenty-nine (which fans were crying out for), but has Peter David finally found his feet in telling Jennifer-She-Hulk tales?

Short answer - probably not. Slightly longer answer - good lord I hope not.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Although this book is a fun read (Jennifer ending up in bed with Hercules, then booting him out with his trousers around his ankles did make me smile), it’s still not up to the standard of Dan Slott’s run. Yes, I know I probably should be cutting Peter a little more slack than I am at the moment, yes, I know he did define much of Hulk history, and yes, I know all about how Dan has a different writing style.

And yes - I do know that Dan’s latest work has put him on my ‘kick in the balls’ list.

But you know what - this is a good comic book, but it isn’t Dan Slott She-Hulk good. Peter seems to have forgotten how to write anything above ‘good’ or ‘passable’ Jennifer stories. And although this issue does fall into the ‘good’ box - I’m still not feeling it as a series so far.

So, by the skin of its teeth (because of the ending, and the nice Herc cameo), She-Hulk issue 30 scrapes a score of…

Pete’s Score: 4 out of 5
(pick it up and give it a go - then let me know what you thought)

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)

Phwwwooaaarrr…

***SPOILER ALERT***

Green Hulk going up against Red Hulk in an all out war = Petegasm. What can you say about issue four of Hulk? Well, let’s start with the art by Ed McGuinness, and try to sum it up in three words. Hmmm. How about…

Jaw. Droppingly. Brilliant.

Yeah, that’s a fair assessment.

So next up, what about Jeph Loeb’s script? Let’s give this only a couple of words.

Fricking. Stunning.

From the opening moment where Red Hulk decks the Watcher (yes - that’s right - the Watcher) to the closing moments with Red Hulk and Thor standing face to face atop what appears to be the Brooklyn Bridge, this book is a complete powerhouse.

So if that’s the case - why have I give it a four, and not a five? Well - just as with Ultimates 3 issue four - I’m getting tough on ‘crime’, and docking Hulk a point for lateness. Yes, we had some badass books in between because of the delay (such as King-Size Hulk and Giant-Size Incredible Hulk), but you know what?

We all wanted this book to come out, because we knew how badass it would be after reading issue three. And now that its here - guess what. It’s everything we wanted it to be.

Pete’s Score: 4 out of 5
(get the book quickly - it will fly off the shelves)

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)

This is one of those ‘was it worth the wait’ books. Issue three came out quite awhile back, but was a damn good read (as were the first two issues), proving well that the book stands up alongside Mark Millar’s original Ultimates, and Ultimates 2.

Buuuuutttt… As great as the artwork by Joe Madureira and script by Jeph Loeb is - both would be even better if issues of The Ultimates 3 actually came out on time. Something that seems to be the curse of the Ultimate Marvel Universe.

***SPOILER ALERT***

That aside - you can’t deny that Joe’s jaw dropping work compliments every tense moment in the book, making some truly awe inspiring moments with Sabretooth / Hawkeye, Juggernaut / Wolverine, and Thor / Magneto.

Sadly, as wonderful and as truly grim (in some places - see Valkyrie’s final expression followed by Pyro’s errie words) as this book is - I just can’t forgive the delay. It took me half the book to remember what was going on - which is never a good thing.

Therefore - Ultimates 3 issue 4 - docked one point for timekeeping.

Pete’s Score: 4 out of 5
(late - but brilliant nonetheless)

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)