Post by goldenfist on Jun 5, 2008 9:44:58 GMT -5
Here's a review from ign on Secret Invasion #3.
Now this is more like it. After a bland sophomore issue that could best be described as uneventful, Secret Invasion picks up the pace and delivers a third issue more in line with what I had been expecting of the series. Brian Michael Bendis finally shifts his focus away from events in the Savage Land and outward to the world at large. As it turns out, Skrulls are invading the world's major cities. Fancy that. I would never have known guessed, being stuck in that accursed jungle for so long.
This month the Avengers take a backseat so that groups like SHIELD, the Thunderbolts, and the greater 50-State Initiative can enjoy their turn in the spotlight. Bendis delivers some great scenes with a SHIELD helicarrier literally reverting to a waterborne carrier, as well as his own take on the troubled trainees of Camp Hammond. The bulk of the issue, however, takes place in the wartorn streets of New York. I've already fallen in love with this new breed of Super-Skrull. Something about the sight of a giant alien with Wolverine's claws, Colossus' skin, and Cyclops' optic blasts just appeals to my inner fanboy. Unfortunately, while I love the Young Avengers as much as anyone, they don't come across as much more than punching bags for the Skrulls. The fight doesn't really get interesting until more heroes show up and one Skrull takes a particularly nasty blow to the face.
Those expecting more Skrull revelations may be a tad disappointed. As Bendis himself indicated, most of the big reveals took place in the first two issues. Only one character shows their true colors in this issue, and it's someone that had been all but confirmed anyway. I don't mind, as I'm much more interested in seeing what Bendis can do with the pieces he's set up. What I find problematic is the continual "mystery" surrounding key characters like Iron man and the supposed Captain America. Is Iron Man really a Skrull? Is Captain America the real deal? Of course not. Anyone who has paid even a tiny bit of attention to various Invasion interviews has seen this confirmed. Trapping these characters in the Savage Land and forcing readers to question their true motives only seems like a method of delaying the inevitable final showdown. Bendis already unceremoniously wrote off Sentry last issue. I'd rather not have Iron Man sit in a corner for another four issues as well.
The real problem with Secret invasion seems to be pacing. Compare Secret Invasion #3 to Civil War #3 and ask yourself which event comic followed a better story progression. By this point in Civil War the core conflict had been established, sides had been chosen, Spidey unmasked, and the first big battle was half over. With Secret Invasion, I still feel like I'm barely past what should have been the end of the first issue. The pacing isn't so much a problem in this specific issue. It's more as if Bendis is stuck playing catch up from the unnecessary detour that was issue #2. Poor pacing nearly destroyed House of M for me. Secret Invasion is nowhere near that level, but pacing is still a noticeable flaw.
Though he's anything but a rookie artist at this point, Leinil Yu continues to show the kind of improvement each month you'd expect from a talented storyteller just finding their voice. The art in this issue is stunning, often breathtaking in its scope and detail. Compared to Yu's New Avengers work, this is like night and day. Mostly because the colors of Laura Martin bring some actual light and color into Yu's formerly dark and dingy world. I did notice a good deal of repetition in panel structure throughout the issue. While it was obviously intentional on the creators' parts, it still struck me as a bit lazy and formulaic. Oh well, I suppose Yu needs to do something to ensure there's still room for improvement in future issues.
With a series of memorable character moments and some truly epic artwork, Secret Invasion #3 helps put Marvel's event back on the right track. That said, I'm still not happy with the overall story flow, and most of Bendis' Avengers tie-ins continue to run circles around the core series. Hopefully a last-minute introduction we've all been waiting for is a sign Secret Invasion will continue to pick up steam.
Review Score: 8.1 Impressive
Now this is more like it. After a bland sophomore issue that could best be described as uneventful, Secret Invasion picks up the pace and delivers a third issue more in line with what I had been expecting of the series. Brian Michael Bendis finally shifts his focus away from events in the Savage Land and outward to the world at large. As it turns out, Skrulls are invading the world's major cities. Fancy that. I would never have known guessed, being stuck in that accursed jungle for so long.
This month the Avengers take a backseat so that groups like SHIELD, the Thunderbolts, and the greater 50-State Initiative can enjoy their turn in the spotlight. Bendis delivers some great scenes with a SHIELD helicarrier literally reverting to a waterborne carrier, as well as his own take on the troubled trainees of Camp Hammond. The bulk of the issue, however, takes place in the wartorn streets of New York. I've already fallen in love with this new breed of Super-Skrull. Something about the sight of a giant alien with Wolverine's claws, Colossus' skin, and Cyclops' optic blasts just appeals to my inner fanboy. Unfortunately, while I love the Young Avengers as much as anyone, they don't come across as much more than punching bags for the Skrulls. The fight doesn't really get interesting until more heroes show up and one Skrull takes a particularly nasty blow to the face.
Those expecting more Skrull revelations may be a tad disappointed. As Bendis himself indicated, most of the big reveals took place in the first two issues. Only one character shows their true colors in this issue, and it's someone that had been all but confirmed anyway. I don't mind, as I'm much more interested in seeing what Bendis can do with the pieces he's set up. What I find problematic is the continual "mystery" surrounding key characters like Iron man and the supposed Captain America. Is Iron Man really a Skrull? Is Captain America the real deal? Of course not. Anyone who has paid even a tiny bit of attention to various Invasion interviews has seen this confirmed. Trapping these characters in the Savage Land and forcing readers to question their true motives only seems like a method of delaying the inevitable final showdown. Bendis already unceremoniously wrote off Sentry last issue. I'd rather not have Iron Man sit in a corner for another four issues as well.
The real problem with Secret invasion seems to be pacing. Compare Secret Invasion #3 to Civil War #3 and ask yourself which event comic followed a better story progression. By this point in Civil War the core conflict had been established, sides had been chosen, Spidey unmasked, and the first big battle was half over. With Secret Invasion, I still feel like I'm barely past what should have been the end of the first issue. The pacing isn't so much a problem in this specific issue. It's more as if Bendis is stuck playing catch up from the unnecessary detour that was issue #2. Poor pacing nearly destroyed House of M for me. Secret Invasion is nowhere near that level, but pacing is still a noticeable flaw.
Though he's anything but a rookie artist at this point, Leinil Yu continues to show the kind of improvement each month you'd expect from a talented storyteller just finding their voice. The art in this issue is stunning, often breathtaking in its scope and detail. Compared to Yu's New Avengers work, this is like night and day. Mostly because the colors of Laura Martin bring some actual light and color into Yu's formerly dark and dingy world. I did notice a good deal of repetition in panel structure throughout the issue. While it was obviously intentional on the creators' parts, it still struck me as a bit lazy and formulaic. Oh well, I suppose Yu needs to do something to ensure there's still room for improvement in future issues.
With a series of memorable character moments and some truly epic artwork, Secret Invasion #3 helps put Marvel's event back on the right track. That said, I'm still not happy with the overall story flow, and most of Bendis' Avengers tie-ins continue to run circles around the core series. Hopefully a last-minute introduction we've all been waiting for is a sign Secret Invasion will continue to pick up steam.
Review Score: 8.1 Impressive