Secret Invasion (Thus Far)

One-Sentence Summary: Marvel's summer epic is being done precisely as an event like this should be.

Alright, so if you really wanted to you could go back through my archives and read about my opinions you'd know that I wasn't a big fan of World War Hulk last summer. I thought there was essentially little to no story behind it, and the tie-ins were even worse in that regard (see World War Hulk: X-Men for the biggest waste of 3 issues ever).

That being said, it's just not the case for Secret Invasion. In a reverse of World War Hulk, I'm actually enjoying the series much more than the lead-up to it. Bendis has made not only a good story, but it's a story that's almost perfectly adapted to actually work with tie-ins. I'm sure that, to some degree, this was a very business-based decision, but the flow of the tie-ins is organic enough that I don't care.

If I were to bring a criticism to it, it's that the last few issues of several of my favorite comics have, as their tie-in, done flashbacks to show how the Skrulls set up team A to fall. This is interesting, and on an individual scale each of these issues has its own merits, but, as someone who wants to see how the heroes are dealing w/Secret Invasion outside of just that title, it is a touch frustrating.

Overall, this is such a stupendously better summer for comics than last year that they don't really compare. Secret Invasion is a good book, it will be a good trade, and, so far, I really haven't been too disappointed with the tie-ins. Marvel learned its lesson from World War Hulk -- let the guy writing everything leading up to it go ahead and write the event, too. For that, I'm thankful.

New Avengers Illuminati #4 (of 5)

One-sentence summary: Opening with some good "Oh women" dialogue, this issue of Illuminati's not too bad, with some great Namor scenes.

This wasn't too bad. The art was good, and the dialogue was, when actual dialogue and not monologues, pretty good. I like Bendis for that. However, the monologues seemed to be a large portion of the issue and, well, that doesn't make for much excitement. Still, though, seeing Namor beat the crud out of the kid was pretty good.

Pretty neutral towards this one. The debates on power use are really the best reoccurring part of this book, I will say. I didn't think it was as good as any of the other issues from the series, but it still had its moments.

Mighty Avengers #4

One-sentence summary: Bendis and Cho deliver an issue of high quality, with plenty of story, fighting, and some beautiful art.

I like this series, and I liked this issue maybe the best of any so far. The art was fantastic (who knew Cho could draw robots so well?), and the story didn't just progress, but had multiple major events happen. The shot of Sentry's wife...that was so well done. I really hope it has a major point. I really like how Bendis is making the Avengers global again; by that I mean that he's having them face problems which are affecting everyone, and not just, say, targeted specifically at them. Having Ultron, with conviction, threaten the entire world? Pretty cool.

Cho really does just a fantastic job. I'm in love with the backup Iron Man suit. Also, Ares is awesome. As he was brought on because he was a Wolverine-Thor, it's funny that I like him better than either of those characters. His fight choreography at the end of the issue was probably some of the best I've seen in quite awhile (certainly up there with Karate Kid and Batman's flying martial arts fight from Brave and the Bold last week). Just awesome.

I thought the though bubbles were briefly overused at the beginning, but only for about a page or two, then it slacked off on them. Not a horrible complaint, really, but I felt I shouldn't just call the book perfect, because it's not. Still, though, the fact I had to go to that for a complaint should tell you how good this issue is.

Ultimate Spider-Man #111

One-sentence summary: A cool departure from the normal format, we have Peter explaining everything to Aunt May one one-half the page while his day goes by on the other half of the page without dialogue, and the whole issue is generally well-done and a good wrap-up of this mega-saga.

Ultimate Spider-Man again doesn't disappoint, giving us a very different issue that succeeds on all levels as a touching moment between Peter and the aunt that raised him explaining the who and why he is, as well as why he will continue to be who he is. This is the last issue for Mark Bagley, who's done a great job, but Stuart Immonen will do a good job too. Bendis continues to do a great job on this title, and this issue's no exception.

This was a pretty good issue of Ultimate Spider-Man. I loved the format, just due to it being novel. The issue served well to segue to the next portion of Ultimate Spider-Man without being too tied to what has already occurred; a new reader wouldn't be too lost in this. This was a good issue of a good comic.