SECRET INVASION #1(2008).
© Marvel

Mania Grade: A
Title: Secret Invasion
Issue: 1
Author: John Rhett Thomas
Art By: Leinil Yu
Publisher: Marvel
Price: Free

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SECRET INVASION SAGA #1

The Secret Invasion Saga is a free preview for kickoff of next month’s Secret Invasion event, Marvel’s big storyline for 2008. It’s funny the way both Marvel and DC Comics both have their tried and true storylines for their major events. With DC it’s the mega-powerful foes that threaten to destroy the universe such as we’ve seen in the various Crisis saga, Zero Hour, Armageddon, etc…For Marvel, they like to go more for the clandestine type of events…Secret Wars, Secret Invasion, Civil War, Acts of Vengeance. They both seem to go to the well a bit too often but in most cases, they deliver entertaining storylines, continuity gaffes aside.

I have to give Marvel credit here for making the Secret Invasion saga a free book. Oh, it’s not out of benevolence, of course. They want to draw as many readers as possible into the Secret Invasion and what better way than to give away a 32 page preview, recapping all of the recent Skrull events. Besides, it’s a tough economy out there so if you can get something for free then take it by all means! 

Now, this issue can be summed up as, “For those of you who have just joined us…” as it recaps not only the recent events, such as the revealing of Elektra and Black Bolt as Skrulls, but also recaps the entire Marvel Comics history of the Skrull race and the encounters that the various superheroes have had with the evil race over the past forty plus years. They are one of the oldest villains in the Marvel Universe, making their first appearance in Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #2 way back in 1962. This initial encounter between the Skrulls and the F.F. is summarized and even done in the style of Jack Kirby artwork…The Super Skrull, the first of his kind to not only be able to imitate the look of a superhero, but also their powers is also noted. This leads into one of the most famous, and still one of the greatest storylines in Marvel Comics’ History, The Kree-Skrull War, originally published in Avengers Vol. 1 # 93 – 97 in 1971. 

The entire Skrull history is covered and even if you don’t plan to read the Secret Invasion series, this is really a nicely done book. It’s nice to see Marvel embrace their long, rich history. Too many of today’s egotistical comic writers seem only concerned with re-writing or even totally ignoring the past. A well-done book and I have to admit, it is getting me jacked for next month’s Secret Invasion #1.