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Secret Invasion

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Secret Invasion
Variant cover art to Secret Invasion #1.
Art by Steve McNiven.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
ScheduleMonthly
FormatLimited series
Genre
Publication date(The Infiltration) November 2007 - April 2008
(Main Story) April 2008 - November 2008
No. of issues8 plus tie-ins
Main character(s)The New Avengers
The Mighty Avengers
Mister Fantastic
Nick Fury
The Initiative
Inhumans
The Skrulls
Skrull Kill Krew
Creative team
Written byBrian Michael Bendis
Artist(s)Leinil Francis Yu
Inker(s)Mark Morales
Colorist(s)Laura Martin
Collected editions
The InfiltrationISBN 0-7851-3231-7
Captain MarvelISBN 0-7851-3303-8
Incredible HerculesISBN 0-7851-3333-X

Secret Invasion is a comic book limited series and crossover storyline that began in April 2008, published by Marvel Comics. It focuses on an alien invasion fueled by religious prophesy by shapeshifters known as the Skrulls, who have been secretly posing as various characters in the Marvel Universe.

Production and marketing

Though it is unknown how the Skrull invasion began and for how long it has been going on, writer Brian Michael Bendis revealed in interviews that the motivation is the destruction of the Skrull Empire in Annihilation; the Skrulls believe that Planet Earth "is religiously and rightfully theirs."[1] Bendis said there have been hints of the Skrull plot placed as far back as New Avengers #1, and 2004's Secret War.

Starting in November 2007 and leading up to April when the event started, several ongoing comics and mini-series were branded as tie-ins to the main Secret Invasion storyline, bearing the branding: "Secret Invasion: The Infiltration". The primary story of Secret Invasion is told in an eight-issue limited series which will pull all parties involved together, while the current titles of New Avengers and Mighty Avengers will focus on the past three years' worth of events and how those have been affected by the Skrull invasion, including the return of Nick Fury to the Marvel Universe. Other books such as the Fantastic Four will not tie in although their characters will still appear in the Secret Invasion books; the main story will mostly stick to Avengers-related books.

When asked about the plot, Bendis stated that the series would not deal with heroes trying to work out how the Invasion had started, but show the reader the details; he stated that "if there's a character on the team who's a Skrull, we will rewind from when they got on that team, or from before they got on that team, so when they infiltrated, how they became who they became and the effects of their actions from their 'point of view' is shown." He also stated that the story has been brewing since 2004's Avengers Disassembled, and that the limited series will be that story's final end, "and it’s a hell of an end."[2]

In addition the Marvel website features two currently Online-Exclusive and free Comics for the event - Secret Invasion Prologue, a seven page comic that reveals the replacement of a previously unknown Skrull agent, and Secret Invasion: Home Invasion, a special storyline started via a MySpace video blog and featuring a young teenager named Kinsey Walden and her fears regarding her brother acting strangely, and continuing on Marvel.com with one new comic page by writer Ivan Brandon and artist Nick Postic every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, albeit with some exceptions.[3]

Various Marvel titles, even ones not directly tying into the Secret Invasion will have variant covers with the characters on them depicted as Skrulls, much like was done for Marvel Zombies and Marvel Apes.[4]

Plot synopsis

Kree-Skrull War aftermath

Shortly after the Kree-Skrull War, a small group of Earth's heroes banded together to secretly confront the Skrull emperor. Informally referenced as the "Illuminati", this group represented the various factions of the Marvel universe and consisted of Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, Namor, Black Bolt, Professor Charles Xavier, and Doctor Strange. They attacked the capital of the empire, and then threatened the emperor that another attack by the Skrulls would lead to war. However, they were captured, separated, and then experimented upon. The Skrulls analyzed their captives (physiology, genetics, technology, etc) and gleaned information from their behavior, until Iron Man was able to lead an escape. The Illuminati recognized that another attack is inevitable, while the Skrull Empire began to make use of the data they compiled.[5] The research resulted in the creation of clones indistinguishable from the originals, having the capacity of duplicating almost any superhuman power, and fully aware of any memories or emotions of the individual that they copied.[6]

The heir to the Skrull throne, Princess Veranke, claimed that a prophecy foretold the annihilation of their planet and the need to find a new planet called Earth. King Dorrek exiled her to a prison world for inciting religious extremism. After the destruction of the Skrull Throneworld by Galactus,[7] Veranke became queen by lineage, which drew the remainder of the Skrull Empire under her rule. She decided to spearhead an invasion of Earth with the information of the human species obtained from the Illuminati. The plan was to disguise themselves as important people in society and weaken the Earth's defenses from within, thus leaving the planet vulnerable for a military assault. Veranke has decided that she herself would pose as Spider-Woman, reasoning that this is how she could do the most damage.[6]

The Infiltration

After the events of the Secret War, Nick Fury goes into hiding after he discovers that an alien invasion is taking place. He recruits Jessica Drew to be a mole inside both HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D., while secretly reporting to him, and to keep an eye on anything suspicious.[8] However, the HYDRA cell she approached to have her powers restored turns out to be a group of Skrull agents, thus giving Veranke the chance to replace Jessica Drew. Afterwards, Nick Fury recruits former S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Daisy Johnson in order to gather a group of super powered teenagers whose existence is known only to Fury himself. The teens (Yo Yo, Druid, Stonewall, Phobos, and Hellfire) along with Daisy Johnson form Nick Fury's new Howling Commandos. Within the short time of replacing Drew and the space leading up to the events of the Raft Breakout, Queen Veranke's plan successfully goes ahead; but at the same time, she unwillingly and accidentally forms the New Avengers. She subsequently joins to infiltrate the team.

Under orders from the Queen, a group of Skrull infiltrators disguised as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and led by a new Skrull agent disguised as de Fontaine begin mining vibranium in the Savage Land, using natives as slaves.[9] They are discovered by Ka-Zar, Sauron and Shanna, who organize a guerrilla force to oppose the impending Skrull invasion. The S.H.I.E.L.D. Skrulls, save for the de Fontaine Skrull, are all destroyed by a blast from the Helicarrier when the New Avengers travelled to the Savage Land.

Some time afterwards, a battle breaks out between the New Avengers and the Hand over the fate of Echo. During the fight, Echo is freed from the Hand's influence, and stabs the Hand's leader, Elektra. Moments after her death, Elektra is revealed to be a Skrull. Tensions rise amongst the New Avengers, as no one was able to detect Elektra's true nature, they surmise any one of them could also be a Skrull. Spider-Woman suggests that they hand over the Skrull corpse to Iron Man, but she is rebuked by Luke Cage, who believes Iron Man to be a Skrull as well. During the crash landing of the ship they are traveling on due to the Ultron Virus occurring at the time, Spider-Woman knocks out Wolverine, the only other conscious team member following impact, and steals the corpse to bring to Iron Man.[10]

Iron Man is shocked by the Skrull corpse, realizing it to be a repercussion of the Illuminati's attack years prior. He reassembles the group for the first time since they splintered shortly before the Civil War, and they debate over whether this means an invasion has taken place. The group is caught off guard, however, when Black Bolt uncharacteristically voices his opinion. It is revealed that he is in fact a Skrull as well, and fights the others over the body. This Skrull not only has Black Bolt's powers, but the combined powers of all the members of the Illuminati. After Namor manages to kill him, the Illuminati are attacked by two more Skrulls, with one having the powers of Cyclops, Nightcrawler and Colossus, and one wielding the techological copy of Thor's hammer Mjolnir. These Skrulls are killed by Iron Man, who detonates a small nuclear bomb with his armor. Namor reminds them that any of them could also be a Skrull, and that no one is to be trusted. The five then go their separate ways. [11]

The Invasion

Iron Man called in Mister Fantastic and Henry Pym to examine the body of the Elektra-Skrull that Spider-Woman brought to him, knowing it is just the beginning of an invasion. Meanwhile, a Skrull ship enters Earth's atmosphere and crashes into the Savage Land. Tony Stark gets called in by Abigail Brand, leaving Reed and Hank to examine the Skrull. Iron Man orders the Avengers to assemble, and Spider-Woman tells the New Avengers of the incident, setting up the inevitable clash between the two Avengers groups. Simultaneous strikes happen around the globe, such as the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier losing power, supervillians from The Raft are freed, the Baxter Building is sent into the Negative Zone by a Skrull Sue Richards, S.W.O.R.D.'s space station is destroyed, and Thunderbolt Mountain is attacked by the Skrull Captain Marvel. During most of these terrorist attacks, the Skrull Agents say, "He Loves You" before detonating their attacks.

In the Savage Land, as the two Avenger teams start to fight, an assortment of Marvel superheroes and villains escape the downed Skrull craft, all dressed in costumes from earlier Marvel Eras of the 70's and 80's, putting many of the present heroes in doubt like Luke Cage, Spider-Man, and Wolverine as to who is really a Skrull. The escaped heroes claim to have been held captive on the Skrull Homeworld. At the lab, Reed realizes how the Skrulls become undetectable and turns to tell Hank. Pym pulls out a weapon and shoots Richards which destabilizes him. As Hank transforms into a Skrull, he says "He Even Loves You."[12]

In Manhattan, the first wave of Super Skrull shock troops bearing the abilities of Earth's superhumans arrive, as witnessed by the Young Avengers and the Runaways.[13] The Savage Land is the battleground between the Mighty and New Avengers, who battle and kill many of the escaped heroes who revert into Skrull forms. The deception is so complete, that the Skrull Mockingbird knows about the stillborn child that she and Hawkeye had, something the two never shared with anyone else. The Skrull Spider-Woman tries to fool the virus-weakened Iron Man into thinking that he is a Skrull as well, before she is driven off. At the same time, Reed Richards is revealed being held by Skrull forces up in Earth's orbit on an unidentified armada ship, stretched to his physical limits and surrounded by a crowd of Skrull watchers and scientists, helpless against the threats and torture. Agent Abigail Brand of S.W.O.R.D. manages to free him, allowing him to build a device to counteract the previously undetectable Skrulls.

Down in the chaotic battle in Manhattan, Nick Fury and the new Howling Commandos turn the tide; they rescue all the downed Young Avengers and Initiative cadets before further execution and casualties. Ms. Marvel proceeds to help, but soon after is shot by Fury, who is unconvinced she is the real Carol Danvers. After being shot back into another street, the Skrull onlookers quickly overrun her. Fury then calls his men to retreat so that they can plan the next move at the new command post. Using generated images of world leaders and celebrities, the Skrulls announce that they intend to assimilate all humans into their culture and way of life, declaring Earth part of the Skrull empire. The only way for the human race to save their planet is to assimilate. The Hood decides to take his rebuilt empire of the New York City criminal roster and battle the Skrulls, as "no more Earth is bad for business". In the Savage Land, the various superheroes clash again with the remaining escaped heroes, each one declaring who they are or who they believe themselves to be. At this time, Reed Richards fires into the center of the crowd of superheroes with a high tech weapon he created. The Skrulls and humans are revealed, with the impostors surprised that their skin turns green, becoming disoriented. They are immediately killed.

Queen Veranke arrives at Camp Hammond while the Avengers head to New York only to find it burning. Noh-Varr comes across a damaged Skrull ship. He lands to check it out when Captain Marvel stumbles out. Before he dies, Captain Marvel begs Noh-Varr to stop the invasion, but Noh-Varr says this isn't his world. Captain Marvel says it doesn't matter and he is here for a reason. He has learned so much from Earth's people and the Skrulls have no honor like the humans or the Kree. Elsewhere, the Skrulls restore the global communication systems and announce their plans. Using the restored systems, they try to convince humanity they only want to enhance, not enslave them. Down on the street, a group of people want to welcome the Skrulls, but are saved by Nick Fury and his troops as the Skrulls start to attack them. Thor makes his presence known, calling thunder and lightning down from the sky to herald the final battle. He meets up with the new Captain America, the New Avengers, the Mighty Avengers, Nick Fury and his new Commandos, the Young Avengers, the Initiative, the Hood's crew, and the Thunderbolts. Queen Veranke reveals that "He" is "God." Iron Man calls for the Avengers to Assemble and an all out war between the Skrulls and the superhumans of Earth ensues.[14]

The Watcher Uatu appears, signaling that an event of cosmic relevance is unfolding as the battle rages. As Tony Stark is forced to retire because of damage to his rebuilt armor, Jessica Jones and Noh-Varr take his place on the battlefield. The presence of Noh-Varr, claiming a victory in the name of Mar-Vell and the Kree, is enough to give the assembled heroes back their resolve. Bullseye (present as a member of the Thunderbolts) shoots the giant-sized Criti Noll through the eye, knocking him down. Clint Barton, using the bow and the trick arrows of the wounded Kate Bishop, slays several Super-Skrulls before getting a supposed kill shot on Queen Veranke. This causes her to shift back into her natural form, indicating death. (However, Bendis is quoted elsewhere as saying she is not dead.)[15] The distraught Criti Noll gets up long enough to activate the new growth serum in the Wasp which he had given her when she still thought he was Hank Pym, turning her into an explosive trap. The Skrull Jarvis watches from Avengers Tower as the energy washes over hero, villain and Skrull alike. While holding Jessica's and Luke Cage's child, he comments that it doesn't matter if the Skrulls win or lose, so long as "God's" will is done.[16]

Known Skrull infiltrators

Since the beginning of the Secret Invasion, there have been a number of Skrulls who have undergone an mystical/scientific operation to not only look like some characters of the Marvel Universe, but to also absorb their memories and mannerisms. To this date, it is unknown what has happened to several characters that were replaced by the infiltrators, nor is it known how the Skrulls adapted this new method. However, the Skrull scientists deceived a clone of Reed Richards they had made to come up with the method for them. While the Skrulls who undergo this method are told they can never change back, they do so upon death. Yet this has proved inconsistent throughout the series (Elektra reverts upon death, yet Spider-Woman reverts momentarily in House of M due to shock, and Hank Pym reverts at will in #7). The following is a list of the major characters who have undergone this process instead of using their normal Skrull shapeshifting abilities:

  • Spider-Woman - Revealed as the Skrull Queen Veranke in Secret Invasion #3.
  • Elektra - Revealed in New Avengers #31. After Siri's attempt to impersonate Elektra, Pagon is ordered by Veranke to undertake a suicide mission to reveal the Skrull invasion to the humans by sacrificing himself to be killed by Echo.
  • Black Bolt - Revealed in New Avengers: Illuminati #5. Killed by Namor. The real Black Bolt was revealed to be a prisoner of the Skrulls
  • Edwin Jarvis - Revealed in Secret Invasion #1.
  • Henry Pym - Revealed in Secret Invasion #1. He has been replaced several times by different Skrulls, one of which was identified as Criti Noll in Avengers: The Initiative #14.
  • Captain Marvel - Revealed in Captain Marvel #5. A mistake in his conditioning led to his personality being more like Captain Marvel's. He rebelled against his own species and died destroying Skrull ships in Earth's orbit.
  • Invisible Woman - Revealed to be Lyja Laserfist[17]. She was told to blow up the Baxter Building, but sent it into the Negative Zone instead, where she still is.
  • Revolutionary (of the Liberteens) - Revealed in Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1. Killed when Gravity dropped Hope on him in Avengers: The Initiative #18.
  • Cobalt Man - Revealed in Captain Marvel #3. Killed by Captain Marvel.
  • Cyclone I - Revealed in Captain Marvel #4. Killed by Captain Marvel.
  • Valentina Allegra de Fontaine - Revealed in Secret Invasion Prologue #1[18] The first Skrull that posed as her was killed by Nick Fury. Another Skrull later posed as her in the Savage Land and then assumed the form of Dum Dum Dugan.
  • Sir Mortimer Grimsdale (British JIC Chair) - Revealed in Captain Britain and MI: 13 #1. Outed by John the Skrull and killed by Pete Wisdom.
  • Magnitude (of the Point Men) - Revealed in Avengers: The Initiative #14. Killed by 3-D Man II.
  • Longshot - Revealed as a Skrull in X-Factor #33.
  • Kirby the Coyote Pup - Revealed as a Skrull in Incredible Hercules #119. Killed by Atum.
  • Brother Voodoo - Revealed as a Skrull in Black Panther #38. Killed by Cannibal.
  • She-Thing - Revealed as a Skrull in Avengers: The Initiative #16. Killed by the Skrull Kill Krew.
  • Blacksmith (of the Desert Stars) - Revealed in Avengers: The Initiative #16. Killed by 3-D Man II.
  • Ahura - Revealed as a Skrull by Maximus in Secret Invasion: Inhumans #2. Defeated by Maximus. The real Ahura was revealed to be a prisoner of the Skrulls like his father.
  • Slug - Revealed as a Skrull in New Avengers #46. Killed by the Hood.
  • Equinox (of Freedom Force) - Revealed as a Skrull in Avengers: The Initiative #18. Killed by Cloud 9.
  • Thor Girl - Revealed as a Skrull in Avengers: The Initiative #18. Killed by 3-D Man II and Gravity.
  • Iron Man - Revealed as a Skrull in Secret Invasion #8. Arrested and being held by Sheild.

Reception

Issue one was generally well received for its strong introduction to the story, good pacing and "slick" art,[19][20] although some concerns were raised over Bendis' dialogue.[19][20] Sales estimates suggested that around 250,200 copies were sold, more than twice as much as the second highest seller.[21] The Secret Invasion: The Infiltration collected volume also topped the trade paperback chart, with an estimated 7,247 sales.[21] The second issue kept the top slot, with estimated sales dropping to 200,344.[22]

Tie-in issues

Secret Invasion: The Infiltration

The following issues were released with the The Infiltration banner prior to the launch of the Secret Invasion series:

  • Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1
  • New Avengers #38-39
  • New Avengers: Illuminati #5
  • Captain Marvel (vol. 7) #3-5
  • Mighty Avengers #7
  • Ms. Marvel (vol. 2) #25-27

Secret Invasion

The following issues tie into the Secret Invasion mini-series:[23] [24]

Collected editions

The stories are being collected into volumes:

  • Secret Invasion: The Infiltration ISBN 0-7851-3231-7
  • Captain Marvel: Secret Invasion ISBN 0-7851-3303-8
  • Incredible Hercules: Secret Invasion ISBN 0-7851-3333-X
  • Ms Marvel vol. 5: Secret Invasion ISBN 0-7851-3019-5
  • Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers ISBN 0-7851-3266-X
  • New Avengers vol. 8: Secret Invasion ISBN 0-7851-2946-4
  • Mighty Avengers vol. 3: Secret Invasion ISBN 0-7851-3009-8
  • Captain Britain and MI13 vol. 1: Secret Invasion ISBN 1846534070

Merchandising

Marvel Heroclix released a Secret Invasion themed booster set based on the storyline, with unprecedented cooperation from Marvel Comics. The set included characters who were released with the same sculpt, but could either be a Skrull or the character they were duplicating. The infiltrators included Captain Marvel, Dum-Dum Dugan, Yellowjacket, Elektra, and Ms Marvel. Spider-Woman and Invisible Woman were released as chase figures in their Skrull-only personality. Also included in the set were the Super Skrull Illuminati, Super Skrull X-Men and Super Skrull Avengers. On the Heroclix roster poster, the infiltrators were redacted with a graphic listing them as a suspected Skrull.

Dark Reign

Dark Reign will deal with the aftermath of Secret Invasion, as described by Bendis: "something pretty bad happens in Secret Invasion to members of Mighty Avengers. And I did one more issue to deal with that on an emotional level. And that's Mighty Avengers #20. It also sets up Dark Avengers"[33] At the same time he will also be releasing a one-shot "Secret Invasion: Dark Reign Special" with artist Alex Maleev, which will "bookend" the series.[33] Marvel is keeping nearly all details about Dark Reign classified until the conclusion of Secret Invasion, as evidenced on their December 2008 solicitations list, however Bendis and Mike Deodato have been confirmed as the writer and artist for the upcoming Dark Avengers ongoing series.

References

  1. ^ "New Avengers" #31: Bendis Talks About the Big Twist, Comic Book Resources, June 14, 2007
  2. ^ Baltimore '07: Brian Bendis Talks Secret Invasion, Newsarama, September 10, 2007
  3. ^ Marvel’s Viral Marketing Invasion - 4/7/2008 9:55:00 PM - Publishers Weekly
  4. ^ Comic Book Resources > Lying In The Gutters - 4-7-2008
  5. ^ New Avengers: Illuminati #1
  6. ^ a b New Avengers #40
  7. ^ Fantastic Four #257
  8. ^ Mighty Avengers #12
  9. ^ New Avengers #41
  10. ^ New Avengers #32
  11. ^ New Avengers: Illuminati #5
  12. ^ Secret Invasion #1
  13. ^ Secret Invasion #2
  14. ^ Secret Invasion #6
  15. ^ http://www.wizarduniverse.com/102508si7commentary4.html
  16. ^ Secret Invasion #7
  17. ^ SECRET INVASION: FANTASTIC FOUR #2 - Marvel Comics Publishing Catalog
  18. ^ Marvel Digital Comics: Secret Invasion Prologue
  19. ^ a b Review of Secret Invasion #1, Comics Bulletin
  20. ^ a b Review of Secret Invasion #1, Comic Book Resources
  21. ^ a b Sales Estimates for April, 2008 Books, Comic Book Resources, May 20, 2008
  22. ^ Sales Estimates for May, 2008, Comic Book Resources, June 17, 2008
  23. ^ Marvel and CBR talk tie-ins
  24. ^ Brevoort talks Secret Invasion Page 3, IGN
  25. ^ Cornell & Lowe talk "Captain Britain and MI:13", Comic Book Resources, February 18, 2008
  26. ^ The British Invasion: Paul Cornell on Captain Britain and MI: 13, Comics Bulletin, April 10, 2008
  27. ^ a b NYCC: DnA talk "Nova" & "Guardians of the Galaxy" tie-ins to "Secret Invasion", Comic Book Resources, April 19, 2008
  28. ^ Tuesday QA: Joe Pokaski - Marvel.com News
  29. ^ Richard George (March 13, 2008). "Exclusive Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers Interview". IGN. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
  30. ^ Secret Invasion Amazing Spider-Man #1
  31. ^ EXCLUSIVE—Secret Invaders: Mike Carey
  32. ^ Mike Carey's "Secret Invasion" Plans, Comic Book Resources, May 7, 2008
  33. ^ a b Getting Dark: Brian Bendis on Dark Avengers & Dark Reign, Newsarama, September 29, 2008
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