The New Avengers: Illuminati lays out the foundation to Marvel’s Civil War. The Revolution was anxiously awaiting this issue. Grab your Goya fruit drink and head on to the review.
Creative Team
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller and Inker: Alex Maleev
Art Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Total Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Synopsis: The issue starts “many years ago” in Wakanda with a meeting between Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Professor X, Reed Richards, Black Bolt, Namor and Black Panther. Iron Man called the meeting to discuss the Skrull-Kree war.
Iron Man decides that if all the different super hero groups would gather together into their own delegation instead of a bunch of little factions, then they could pool their resources and information and do a better job.
Namor objects to the idea. The rest of the group does as well to a lesser degree. Reed mentions that he likes the one idea of sharing information. They agree to meet with each other to share information but that these meeting must be kept secret even from their teammates and families. Iron Man suggests that Prof. X could search everyone’s minds to make sure that they don’t tell anyone about these secret meetings.
Everyone votes in favor of these secret meetings to share information except Black Panther. He says that they are crossing the line by creating a secret organization that is deemed as the only people worthy of being earth’s protectors.
We then cut to one month ago with the Hulk tearing up Law Vegas and the Fantastic Four trying to stop him. The meeting of the inner circle takes place and Iron Man tells them of the idea of solving the “Hulk problem.” . That the Hulk is too much of a risk to Earth and his constant threat must be addressed.
The solution is launching the Hulk into space where he becomes someone else’s problem. Namor objects stating that he has been their ally. The group votes on the issue and everyone votes in favor of sending the Hulk into space except Namor. Namor then tells the rest that if they try to carry out this plan then he will stop them. Namor then punches Iron Man.
The fight between Namor and Iron Man continues under water where Namor pulls of Iron Man’s helmet. Dr. Strange then pulls both of them out of the water and binds them with his enchantments. Namor calls them all fools and that Banner will return and kill all of them. With that Namor leaves the group.
We then cut to the Hulk being blasted into space where he can’t hurt anyone else.
We then cut to present day where Iron Man meets with the inner circle again. Prof. X is missing. Iron man tells the rest of the group about the Super Hero Registration Act. Iron Man suggests that they all voluntarily support the Act. He feels that cooperation is better before someone is made an example of since refusal will be a federal crime. Iron Man predicts that this could lead to a civil war between costumed heroes if they don’t voluntarily agree to the act and incorporate themselves into the process to try and diffuse any war between the heroes.
Namor says he doesn’t care since it won’t affect him and Atlantis, so he leaves. Dr. Strange says it is wrong and teleports away telling the others to never all upon him again. Reed and Black Bolt both agree with Iron Man. End of issue.
Comments
The Good: This was a great teaser to the Civil War. It definitely whet the Revolution’s appetite. We cannot wait for the Civil War to hit the stands. This should be a great mini-series with some serious and long lasting effects on the Marvel Universe.
Brian Michael Bendis wrote a good story that was a nice lead-in to the upcoming Civil War. We now fully understand the motivations behind this secret group of heroes. Iron Man had the best intentions, however, this is going to backfire on him. I liked the solution to the “Hulk problem.” A very cold and calculating decision by his long time “friends.”
Bendis did a nice job pointing out all of the cataclysmic events in the Marvel Universe’s history that have lead up to the Super Hero Registration Act. It makes perfect sense that the natural outcome of recent events like House of M, Nick Fury’s Secret War, the 198, the attack on Avenger’s mansion would lead to the creation and enacting of this Act. Bendis does a great job merging the Civil War into the recent current events of the Marvel Universe. It gives the upcoming Civil War more context and depth than just some new mini-series that is nothing more than an excuse to have a massive hero v. hero brawl.
The Bad: The art was seriously weak. I was ok with Alex Maleev’s art on Bendis’ Daredevil since it fit the off-beat and quirky feel of that title. I never really liked his art, but it worked with the overall theme of Daredevil. However, on this title, his art didn’t match the style or theme. Instead it just looked like messy substandard art. Some people may love Maleev’s art. That is fine, but we aren’t one of those people.
The Revolution has no complaints with Bendis’ story. We are psyched and ready. The Revolution says bring on the Civil War!