The second issue of Marvel’s big summer event came out last week. With issue #1 back in early April I did some kind of a so-called “analysis” (you can find it here). It took me hours to write and the final result was very satisfying. It’s also the most watched page of my blog so far. Will #2 break the record?
I don’t know much about Ares. I never read the mini-series written by Michael Oeming (heard positive reviews about it) and I don’t follow Mighty Avengers, so in my eyes he’s just some Greek god, a supporting character. The image above is part of a scene where Ares proves his strength. Not physical, obviously, but as a character. He’s the God of War and he knows not only how to fight, but also when it’s not needed. Even this mighty god recognizes the dangers in the upcoming skirmish. I hope that this is a first sign for the push of Ares to the front. I’d like to see more of him (with him, Thor and Hercules it looks like a great time for gods in the Marvel Universe).
Luke Cage vs. Luke Cage, Power Man/Hero For Hire. Obviously “modern” Cage is the real deal, because only an alien would keep wearing that awful costume after the 70’s. To me it also shows the victory of modern Marvel over the “disco” Marvel. I mean, look at those clothes. Ugh… I hope that cat-like beast shows up and kills that Skrull who impersonated him in the old ape-like look.
Okay, this just makes me sick. I tried to ignore other readers’ negative comments to the Sentry, sometimes I even defended him. With this scene I just can’t stand him anymore. Come on, I don’t believe that Brian Bendis is enjoying writing the character that way for the last 3-4 years. Marvel practically made him the mentally challenged super-strong character who once a year manages to control himself and save the day (and on the way butchered the term “Deus Ex Machina”). I understand the joke on Superman, but it got old long time ago and he’s even worse than the Big Blue. And that’s coming from someone who loathes Superman.
Sorry kids, looks like One More Day/Brand New Day Spider-Man is here to stay for the foreseeable future, at least from the Skrulls angle. Now that I think about it, Peter could really use this dead Skrull as an excuse for the unmasking; But it already been dealt with, so let’s move on.
I never followed Hawkeye. I don’t know a lot about him and most of my acquaintance with him is due to his return as Ronin. Still, it was very touching to see him reunited with his dead wife, Mockingbird, assuming she is not a Skrull. There must be a good explanation if it’s really her, with her death over a decade ago and her appearances as a ghost since. For the time being lets be suspicious and not fall for her tricks.
Captain America is alive. Riiiiight… First, Ronin suspects it’s the real Cap when he shoots at him, but the so-called Captain blocks his arrows. Later Luke, Wolverine and Clint question it, but Bobbi “confirms” it’s the real Cap because “he brought them back to Earth”. For now let’s hope that they won’t fall for this claim (besides Clint, now he’ll believe anything she says as long as he thinks that this is his wife). I don’t believe that Steve Rogers will return from the dead in this story. He died in his own book by Ed Brubaker, and that’s exactly where he will and should return. Someday.
The only scene in the issue not taking place in the Savage Land is of the Skrulls invading (not secretly at all) to Manhattan. A horde of new and improved Super-Skrulls ends this story. Let’s see if I can recognize whose powers they mimicked:
1. Fantastic Four’s The Thing and Human Torch.
2. X-Men’s Wolverine, Cyclops and Colossus. Maybe he has some more X-Men abilities, but so far these are the visible ones.
3. Obviously Hank Pym as Giant-Man. I’m not sure if that thing on his neck is part of his wardrobe or something taken from Iron Man.
4. Looks like Archangel’s metal wings. Don’t know about the beam coming out of his hand. The colors of his clothes also fit Archangel.
5. I think it’s Iron Man, except for the thing he shoots from his hand. Doesn’t look like a repulsor ray at all.
6. Hard to say. He has something on the chest, but I don’t recognize it.
7. Nova.
8. Hard question, moving on.
9. Spider-Man villains/Sinister Six members: Dr. Octopus, Sandman, Electro.
10. Can’t tell. Maybe his nails mean he’s based on a feral character? Sabretooth, perhaps?
11. No idea. He doesn’t do much to help.
12. Captain America, d’oh.
13. Another hard one.
14. The Mighty Thor.
15. Illuminati members Iron Man, Black Bolt, Dr. Strange and Mr. Fantastic. I assume he also has the powers of Prof. X and Sub-Mariner.
16. The design of the costume looks very familiar, but I can’t put my finger on it. Possibly some cosmic character(s?).
17. Magneto, The Wizard or both.
18. Eternals Ikaris, Ajak and maybe others.
19. Pass.
20. Phoenix, it seems.
21-27. Pass. Too hard to tell, especially the last ones. Let’s wait another issue and hope we’ll see more of them and display of their powers.
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That’s it for now. See you next month.
-T.
Spidey_82
