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COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Secret Wars #2 – Kneel Before Doom!

 
SecretWars2
SecretWars2
SecretWars2

 
Overview
 

Story by: Jonathan Hickman
 
Art by: Esad Ribic
 
Colors by: Ive Svorcina
 
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
 
Cover by: Alex Ross
 
Publisher:
 
FG RATING
 
 
 
 
 
4.5/ 5


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Raves


GOD EMPEROR KING DOOM!; awesome Ribic-Svorcina art combo; Alex Ross cover-art—NUFF SAID!; The Thor Corps!; Homage to anything Medieval Europe

Rants


Ribic’s mouth illustrations


To sum it all up..

Truth to be told here, Secret Wars #2 gives us the world of the God Emperor Doom — BATTLEWORLD. This issue gives the readers the taste of something we are all familiar with: Marvel’s tribute to the Game of Thrones. Many comic review sites stand by this rather obvious observation. Yes, Secret Wars #2 has plenty of […]

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Posted May 19, 2015 by

 
FULL REVIEW
 
 

SecretWars2

Truth to be told here, Secret Wars #2 gives us the world of the God Emperor Doom — BATTLEWORLD. This issue gives the readers the taste of something we are all familiar with: Marvel’s tribute to the Game of Thrones. Many comic review sites stand by this rather obvious observation. Yes, Secret Wars #2 has plenty of references to the popular fantasy book/cable series—Royal Families, Trial by Combat, The Hand of the King, The Night Watch (composed of Thors!), The Wall (The Shield), The Iron Throne, political intrigues and machinations, and most of all: The King—DOOM! My part is this, instead of Game of Thrones, why not cite the real one: MEDIEVAL EUROPE, the true inspiration of anything Byzantine, court intrigues, duty and honor, chivalry, and family (plus, social castes). Well, the viewing public is still enamored with anything related to blood, violence, sex, political games and maneuvering, and decapitations.

The story is intriguing and riveting at its best. I argue that Jonathan Hickman is a superior storyteller if given him autonomy or the freedom he wants to do. Unlike Secret Wars #1, the second chapter is easier to browse and very comprehensible, including the interesting and snappy dialogues presented here. I just laughed on Baron Sinister’s snarky and sarcastic remarks to the right hand of the King, plus his biting wit towards the aggrieved party. But, nothing beats to Hickman’s imperial characterization of the Emperor—DOOM! Minimal, but truly majestic; dictatorial, but knows the fine line of rule and chaos; authoritative, yet aware of the gravity of the punishment to the crimes; and simply is, Hickman gives DOOM the image well deserves.

[CHECK OUT… COMIC BOOK REVIEW #1 – There’s God]

Naturally, the presentations of some kingdoms or dominions are highlighted. The beautiful Alex Ross cover art gives great justice to another interconnecting story: Thors! Information about and regarding the guardians of the Battleworld and the new universe itself are explained and illustrated from the rather a bit Shakespearean tone of the group’s oldest member to the rookie or the newly “Worthy”. Even the designs of the cities denote the main characteristics of the respective Barons or Families’ respective sigils/symbolisms that rule them (i.e. Bar Sinister has crystal-like structure, similar to the nefarious and sadistic X-Men antagonist’s crystal emblem). I personally want to see more kingdoms in the following issues to come.

Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina did an excellent performance in crafting the Battleworld. Ribic’s stunning architectural designs of European-inspired castles that represent Higher Avalon and the interiors of the medieval-themed palaces are truly breathtaking, in addition to Svorcina’s water-colored and fine-tuned palettes that captured the ambiance and mood of Hickman’s medieval interpretation of Doom’s iron grip, but possessing the justifiable sense of order nonetheless.

If there is only one thing that bothers this reviewer, (and to even for some), it has to do with Ribic’s mouth portrayals (some say they look like “duck-mouths”). I concur with some critics. His “duck”-gaping mouth drawings are often exaggerated. Take a look on the artist’s illustration of Doctor Strange’s facial expression on Baron Sinister’s remarks, the mouth was so off-putting. Perhaps, that is Ribic’s Achilles, the mouths.


Paul Ramos

 


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