COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Secret Wars #1 – There’s GOD!

This is IT! The End is the Beginning of the End of the entire Marvel Multiversity commences in! Jonathan Hickman shows how to start the mega-comic event with the BIG BANG! Two Marvel Universes—616 (the mainstream Marvel proper) versus 1610 (the Ultimate counterpart) literally slug what remains of their respective universes while sinister forces lurk behind the scenes, contributing to the overall machinations of SECRET WARS.

Hickman already plotted this homage to the 1980s Marvel event of the same name since his tenure in the Fantastic Four series (or more arguably, the Secret Warriors since the conspiracy behind the conspiracies revolve the wheels of time and space is in-place) and further explicitly shown in his runs in The Ultimates and the Avengers books. His first mega-event – Infinity, was a smashing and critical success, and Marvel gave him another shot: SECRET WARS!

The Punisher-insignia imagery that is present in memoriam of the deaths of two universes set the tone and pace of this premier chapter. The so-called revelation of the “existence” of the Supreme Being whom Doctor Doom willingly confronts is itself played masterfully in the hands of the great meta-cosmic narrator Hickman. Come to think of it, Doctor Doom performed a very significant role in the original event. Will the nefarious megalomaniacal genius and master sorcerer remember well those years? How will he fare this latest combat this time around? From my geek consciousness, I say, “HEAVEN HELP US NOW!” And before the inevitable comes by, the classic superhero smack down must ensue, making CIVIL WAR look pale: Marvel 616 versus The Ultimate Universe! How glorious this first issue treats us!

Esad Ribic captures the despair, hopelessness, anxiety, dreadfulness and the ounce of hope left in the faces of the peoples and characters he painstakingly draws. The colors of Ive Svorcina turn Ribic’s detailed illustrations to the level of realisms what a possible world-end scenario could be. With just the minimal amount of colors, Svorcina pulls this difficult execution of conveying the overall message of destruction and nothingness that follows.

There are a number of gut-wrenching moments that readers must prepare for themselves. But, I personally enjoy the scenes of the last Bacchanalian celebration of the foes and/or villains inside a top suite owned by one of Spider-Man’s top villains. And just what, a sudden appearance of Marvel’s greatest anti-hero makes sure these baddies get the punishments of their crimes (and Hickman gives him the dialogue so good, he nails the character itself!).

Alright, is it the end of the Marvel Multiverse after issue one? Technically, NO, in the sense that from issues two onwards, a temporary one emerges and named Battleworld, where other tie-ins (read: other selected Marvel universes based on other past Marvel events….HOW ORIGINAL, House of Ideas!). This is where the real Secret Wars take place in the largest scope possible. Who will survive? Who will emerge as the biggest manipulator(s)? We shall see…

Yes, some odd mouth illustrations are a bit annoying, especially the shocks or surprises the characters display. Even some art inconsistencies are also highlighted, particularly Carol Denver’s or Captain Marvel’s hairstyle (one is Mohawk, then full-haired, then a bit skinned-head). Previous Hickman-Marvel runs are definitely essential to grasp the intensity of this premier chapter. Yet, Secret Wars 1 shows once again why a mega-event like this should be read NOW!