The complications of being a god.
Creative Staff:
Story: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Esad Ribic
What They Say:
All the devils dance!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The first two installments of Secret Wars certainly had its work cut out, as the first brought the world to an end and the second had to introduce us to the world at hand. With a few stories so far told through the spinoff books, some of which I’ve read, there’s definitely a greater understanding of how everything is put together and why it works as it does, which is intriguing enough when you know it’s by force of will for the most part. With this installment, the focus does narrow down to a couple of characters in general, but it also brings the catalysts of change into play that will alter the dynamic. Mixing that with other little revelations, there’s plenty of things to take away from it depending on your investment in the Incursion storylines that ran or these particular characters that arrive.
The bulk of the book focuses on both Doom and Stephen Strange, together and apart, which reveals much. The time together brings about the knowledge that both of them are aware of what was, and that the choice was made mutually that Doom become the god of this world as Stephen couldn’t handle the responsibility. There’s a good exploration of some of their choices in the larger sense, how the world works and the why of it at times as well, and both me really come across well in their reasoning for it. Doom is one that’s always had that tragic element and we see it throughout as he believes he’s the only flaw in this perfect world and that he may have made the mistake of being a god present in the world rather than above and away from it all. Stephen, by contrast, is very involved in the world and its affairs, meticulously tracking much of it and doing what he can to ensure that it continues on and that there is an existence for humanity.
Each of them deal with things apart in great ways too. Doom’s time with Susan is of particular interest as we learn why there’s a sun in this world, hinting of the things that went wrong in the past and why Susan is bonded so closely to Doom, as well as his own fears that are still present over his appearance. It’s a humanizing series of moments for him that are familiar, going back decades in the writing of the character, but very well articulated here. Stephen’s time apart is more chaotic though, as he investigates the ship that landed in Utopolis and sets to tracking those that came from within. But it also offers up the arrival of Miles Morales in this world, aware of things before everything ended, which is shocking to Stephen. For him, it’s a sign to open up the other vessel from three years prior that he’s had in stasis, which brings out more familiar heroes that have survived the end. Suffice to say, their learning what the world has become, who is in charge, and Stephen’s part in it, is utterly shocking and disheartening to them.
In Summary:
I can easily see an installment like this being frustrating for fans wanting the bigger sprawl moments, the epic fights that feel like they’re promised, and other aspects that were part and parcel of the original Secret Wars. Those events are happening, but scattered across numerous other spinoff series with the various Battleworld books. And I’m more than fine with that, because this book gives me the kind of Secret Wars book that I wanted, especially from Hickman. With a lot of his books being a lot more dialogue and character driven, this is delving deep into the how and why of things and making it engaging to read. Not something you flip through. Rather, something you pore over, both in dialogue and artwork, in order to soak in all the details and understanding that it provides. It’s not exactly hardcore novel material here when you get down to it, but it is the kind of big picture, grand scale kind of material with enough grounding and importance to it that it feels several steps above most other event series. I’ve been through plenty of those, and skipped a whole lot more, but this is the one that feels and exudes weight and importance while also being utterly human and accessible.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Marvel Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: June 3rd, 2015
MSRP: $4,99
