Jul 10, 2008 > Secret Invasion > #4 (OF 8)

Secret Invasion #4 (OF 8)

Review by Unoob:

WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: LEINIL FRANCIS YU
INKS: MARK MORALES
COLORED BY: LAURA MARTIN
LETTERED BY: CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
COVER BY: GABRIELE DELL'OTTO

Price: $3.99

This review contains spoilers, click here to read

This book starts out with the bleakness that has been the Invasion so far. Earth is in chaos, and the Skrulls are running rampant. The narrator is a Skrull (Jessica), and her commentary adds to the exceptionally bleak picture that is painted. We are given glimpses of Skrulls having their way with us, as the narrator continues to drive home the point that we have already lost.

We see Reed Richards attached to an alien taffy pulling machine that is working him over. We see massive property damage and assumed loss of life in New York. And we are shown tons of happy Skrulls.

But in between all of that are little hints that, "OK the shit has hit the fan, but all is not lost yet. Lets start to get our shit together and see if we can change any of this".

We see the battle in New York start to swing a little bit thanks to Nick Fury and his all new Howling Commandos. We see the Black Widow just plowing through Skrull after Skrull in the Savage Land. It is also confirmed that Tony is indeed human. Wolverine is still alive and Snikting. So by the end of the all but the last page, it looks like we could be gathering ourselves for a possible rally against our alien overlords. Tony, 'Tash, and Logan are together. Fury and the rest have withdrawn and are plotting their next move and...

.....then it happens. We see Skrulls menacing a group of confused civilians. It looks like they will become this invasion's next casualties, when we see a bolt of lightning fry the Skrulls. The civilians look up to see the silhouette what appears to be THOR. The Thunder God himself! HOLY CRAP! Not only that! But then we see a small shot of someone with what are probably Skrull detecting goggles. This person appears to have an A on his head! The next panel confirms it, we see the shield, and most of the rest of Captain America's costume, springing in to action! Instant Nerdgasm!

Now I know it still needs to be borne out whether it is indeed Bucky, and the modern day Thor, but if it truly is them, then I think we know how this battle is going to be turned. Keep an eye out for the return of Dr. Strange too! I dont know if it will be for good or bad, but I know it will be important to this story.

Story
I read 99% of this book and felt underwhelmed. The last page pushed it to a 4. (I haven't gotten a rush like that since Cap read Thanos the riot act.)

Art
This is good art, but it is not my favorite style. For myself I would call it a little more than a serviceable 3.

Story: 4 - Very Good Art: 3 - Good

699

pulls

Avg Rating: 3.5

Users who pulled this comic:

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Users who reviewed this comic:

levitakis CleophusWayne mrmister reg5000 Unoob Tork

Comments

I wasn't really feeling the reveals at the end like you were. While it's cool to see these two guys in the fight, it's no surprise as they've each been in their own series. In my mind, it makes sense that they would get involved, especially after we see the villains wanting to help too.

I felt that the whole speech about how we've already lost is just drawing this thing out. Hasn't that same thing been said in every single SI related issue?

Nice review.

Posted by Neb on 07/10/08 at 03:27 PM

Yeah, I already saw the cover for 5 so I knew Bucky and Thor were coming into the action so my reaction was lessened. It's a good moment, but it didn't save the issue for me like it seemed to for you. Good review regardless though. You've got an nice organized style to yours.

Posted by Tork on 07/10/08 at 03:40 PM

neither you or Tork mention Carol D. being shot by Nick Fury?

Posted by FACE on 07/10/08 at 08:14 PM

I mentioned it! Liefelder rifle! Liefelder rifle!

Posted by Tork on 07/10/08 at 09:17 PM

I agree. There's just nothing really happening here. Half of each issue is recapping what happened in the previous issue, but casual readers (i.e., me) are kept in the dark as to what is happening in other titles like Young Avengers or Mighty Avengers.

And it would be nice if those were Skrull-detecting goggles in the last page. That actually hadn't occurred to me.

Posted by BrianBaer on 07/11/08 at 12:17 PM

Thanks for the comments fellow Ifanboy faithful!

Is it just me, or does it seem that Thor and the Hulk are AWFUL BIG loose ends that theSkrulls have left untied.

They have taken care of all of the big powers in the 616 U, so I cant imagine them just overlooking the 2 most powerful beings on the planet.

And for that matter, it is going to be completely unbelievable if the mutants dont make some kind of appearance. What are they doing? Watching the events unfold on cable news, and eating Ho-Ho's? It's going to be a HUGE GAPING HOLE in this story if they dont get at least a little bit involved. (Asides from Captain Britain that is. Wait. He isnt even a mutant is he?)

Posted by Unoob on 07/11/08 at 01:52 PM

@FACE

Yes I did neglect mentioning Ms Danvers getting capped. I dont know exactly what is happening there. THe Skrulls are swarming on here, buther eyes are open and it appears that she is still alive. Be interesting to see if they touch on this in her book.

@Neb & Tork

I didnt read any previews of this issue so I had no idea that Cap and Thor were going to pop up. I am REALLLLLY geek-i-fied when it comes to stuff like that. lol. Call it my inner 14 year old. For me it was a pump the fist moment. ;)

Posted by Unoob on 07/11/08 at 03:52 PM