REVIEW: Secret Invasion - 4

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)

REVIEW: Ms. Marvel - 28

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)

REVIEW: Ms. Marvel - 27

So here we have another of the tie-in books to Secret Invasion - Ms Marvel issue 27. Generally, the tie in books have been of pretty high quality thusfar - showcasing not only the larger Secret Invasion storyline, but also the creative talents from the individual artist / writer teams.

But does this issue continue with the trend, or has it fallen short of the bar?

***SPOILER ALERT***

Almost from the off, Ms Marvels' Lightning Storm team race after the captured William (who has actually been kidnapped by A.I.M., working with the Skrulls), only to come face to face with a convincing red herring - a holographic projection of an escaping vehicle.

Understandably a little peeved about the bad info that she's been given (from the Skrull previously posing as Carol) Ms Marvel confronts her prisoner, and then all hell breaks loose...

It's worth mentioning that the artwork within the book is beautifully drawn by Andre Coelho, who captures the emotions of Carol Danvers with ease, and fantastically frames the more dramatic action / explosions throughout the book.

Although I wasn't all that keen on Brian Reed's script for this issue, I still thought it was perfectly competent, and a good continuation of the storyline thusfar. And, somehow it did manage to grip me enough for me to pick up the next issue (tie-in or not).

It wasn't however, quite up to the standards set by issue 26, or the recent New Avengers 41.

But having said all that - I think I might just be hooked on this book anyway - which I can't explain for the life of me...

Pete's Score: 3 out of 5
(perfectly competent script and brilliant artwork - but not the best jumping on book - worth picking up to continue the Ms Marvel / Secret Invasion storylines however)

REVIEW: Ms Marvel - 26

Ok - time for a quick rant. 

I picked up Ms Marvel for the first time two issues back, with the express intent of reading it through the Secret Invasion storyline and canning it thereafter.

But since that initial thought, I actually read the comic in question. Twice. Three times if you count this issue.

And you know what? I'm probably going to carry on picking the book up after Secret Invasion ends. It's very well written, it's engaging, the artwork is fantastic, and I find myself truly interested in the character.

So why is this a rant?

Because this one book sums up everything that Marvel is doing at the moment, and everything that DC should be doing. I've read two issues - and I'm hooked. The last DC book that I thought was a worthwhile read was Booster Gold 1. But - when it first came out, because I'd been stung with a year's worth of 'average' 52, I gave it a miss.

Turns out it was a pretty good book. Which I found out, 6 months later - after picking up one of the multiple copies in the bargain bin at my local comic shop. I paid 50p. I would have happily paid the full cover price and put the book on my pull list - if only I'd been enticed to do so.

The covers to the past three issues of Ms Marvel had me more interested than I thought I would be, way before I'd even opened the cover.

Why DC? It doesn't have to be this way. You can be good too!

Having said all this however, I thought it only fair to give DC another try. That's why on Thursday, I'll be reviewing Titans 1. But more of that then. In the here and now...

***SPOILER ALERT***

As you might expect from the above essay, as with the books before it, I did quite like this issue. 

The storyline picks up right after issue 25 - Ms Marvel standing over the body of William staring down the barrel of Agent Sum's gun, with the revelation that a doppleganger Skrull is on the loose...

So after a brief fight with Lightening Storm, a face off between Ms Marvel and Ms Marvel, a battle with another Skrull and revelation at the end of the book - should you buy it?

Hell yes! Did you not read the top part of this review?

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5

(worthwhile on multiple levels - as part of the larger Secret Invasion or in its own right)