My Week in Comics: August 31, 2008

My Week in Comics is a weekly look into my…uh…buying habits. Keep in mind that the reviews to be read here are not coming from a jaded, old comic book enthusiast but more of a wide-eyed fan of these monthly installments of yum or mush.

I love freebies. Just want to throw that out there.

I got an October calendar and a Marvel Universe Saga freebie inserts along with my weekly pulls, which is really a big plus when it's a light week like this one. The Marvel Universe Saga in particular is interesting because it recaps everything that has happened in the past year, just so newbies can get into today's comics with minimal amount of effort. From Secret War to the Secret Invasion, it's got everything you need to know about the Marvel Universe. And I like it.

I wonder if DC can do the same with their universe...

Anyway, two comics this week. Away we go!



MIGHTY AVENGERS #17 (Secret Invasion tie-in)

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Khoi Pham
Inkers: Danny Miki, Andy Lanning
Colors: Dean White
Letters: Dave Lanphear
$2.99/P150.00



Since the start of Marvel's Secret Invasion event, this title has become a recap page of sorts, where Brian Bendis goes to explain in length how heroes were replaced by Skrulls. This particular issue, however, is different. Here we see Skrull Pym in a diner, enjoying little Earth delights like coffee with chocolate syrup. Skrull Dugan shows up, and Skrull Pym tells him what he doesn't want to hear: that he wants to tell the Skrull Queen that their Invasion plans are doomed to failure, and he wants out. Let's just say Dugan doesn't take kindly to that sentiment, and proceed to do what any good Skrull wanting to remove any seditious elements from their ranks would do...

I've criticized the past few Mighty Avengers issues as being reduced to a flashback rag, but this issue redeemed itself some. We at least see some useful insights into the Skrull invasion, from how the Skrull's new shapeshifting process works, to its complications/side effects. As for Koi Pham's work, it isn't as sharp here as it was in Incredible Hercules, which he also penciled. It still does the job, although it doesn't make the better grade here. At least it's a done-in-one that's a shave above the issues before it.

My Rating: 7/10


NOVA #16 (Secret Invasion tie-in)

Writer: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Artist: Wellington Alves, Geraldo Burges
Inkers: Scott Hanna
Colors: Guru eFX
Letters: Cory Petit
$2.99/P150.00



A Secret Invasion tie-in I never imagined would exist. Nova answers a distress call to some planet, only to discover it's a trap launched by Skrulls to eliminate the very human Richard Rider and ensure the victory of the Skrull invasion of the Earth. They would have succeeded if not for a last-minute save by Kl'rt the original Super Skrull, posing as, well, a Skrull. Needless to say Nova learns of the Skrull invasion and goes back home to help. Kl'rt hitches a ride to aid him...but can our hero trust someone whose race is invading us in the first place?

Well, it's no secret I love Nova, but this just doesn't do it for me. Maybe because it's being shoehorned into Secret Invasion and I've had enough of the tie-ins without my favorite title becoming one. Regardless, it's still Abnett and Lanning, and it's still pretty awesome. It has its share of big hero moments for Nova, and where else can you see Skrulls posing as aliens who look like adorable little kitties?

Alves and Burges do well as the tag-team artists for this book, their work alternating seamlessly. The Skrulls actually look pretty menacing here. And did I mention the kitties? Adorable, I tell you!

So it's not just another Secret Invasion tie-in here. Nova is chugging along at its awesome pace as always, but I hope this doesn't further stain D&A's great run so far.

My Rating: 8/10

So what's the verdict? Well, with just two reviews, it's pretty easy to see. It's all well in good in my comic book reading week. Secret Invasion is, well, invading Marvel's landscape right now...but it looks like the invasion is shaping up to be less than stellar. Let's hope otherwise. Thanks for reading!