New Avengers: Illuminati #1 *Spoilers*

[CaptainCanada]

Summary:

We open on the Skrull Throneworld, where the Emperor is berating subordinates about all the crappy stuff that has been happening lately, such as their entire fleet being paralyzed by a single guy, and a Kree warrior making time with his daughter (wait, forget that last part, he doesn't know about that yet). One of his minions tells him that they cannot hope to conquer Earth given their ridiculously high number of superheroes and mutants.

Then: a flash of light! It's the Illuminati: Mr. Fantastic, Iron Man, Namor, Professor X, Black Bolt, and Doctor Strange! They have teleported into the throne room of the Skrull flagship, and proceed to inform the Skrulls that any future attempt against Earth will meet with an ass-whupin' that they ain't never seen the likes of. The Emperor is dubious about this, and threatens to murder all their families and drink their blood! Iron Man tells Strange to get ready to teleport them away, and asks what, pray tell, is Black Bolt's opinion of all this?

We don't get to hear what Black Bolt has to say, but we do see the aftermath: Skrull flagship go boom! A single craft flies away from the explosion, with the Illuminati teleporting inside. Namor is delighted by this, telling his comrades to rejoice, while everyone else is a bit more downcast. Things promptly get worse when it turns out their ship's cloaking isn't nearly as good as they think it is, and the Skrull Armada blows them up good, ejecting them into the vacuum of space!

Well, they're dead. Good going, Bendis, I don't now how this fits into canon; oh, wait, they aren't dead, just captured by the Skrulls, who proceed to torture them/study their superpowers for fun (they decide to find the maximum width/length they can stretch Mr. Fantastic to, and, from the look on his face, he's going far beyond what is healthy). Iron Man ends up naked in a cell, trying to keep calm and prevent his heart from stopping. Just then, the doors of his cell blow open, and...

...it's the Avengers: Captain America, the Mighty Thor, Wasp, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and the Vision! Or, as Tony suggests, it's a bunch of Skrulls who think Tony is an idiot! The Skrulls are disappointed that this doesn't work, deciding that dissection is still their best play; however, "Cap" realizes that Tony's reaction means he doesn't expect anyone to come rescue them. "Thor" is gleeful, and decides to punch Tony. However, Tony kicks "Thor"'s butt (while naked), and then proceeds to defeat the other fake Avengers and the Skrull guards. Hardcore!

We then get a "run 'n save" marathon as Tony rescues Professor X, and they then go free one Illuminatus after another, while pursued by Skrull guards. Strange gives Tony a little magic to hold his heart over until they get back to Earth. The Illuminati try another escape attempt, pursued in their ship by the Skrulls; Strange doesn't think any illusion he casts will fool this many people, but Professor X backs him up by using his psi-power to make the Skrulls believe it. The Illuminati gets away, as the Skrulls find themselves faced with Galactus himself!

Namor thinks the Skrulls will come for them now; X corrects him, saying them were coming for them anyway. Tony says that the Skrulls at least have seen how powerful they are, and will perhaps go bully someone else rather than fight. No one else seems to believe this, so Tony amends his statement and says that at least the Skrulls know it will be a good fight.

In the ruins of his city, the Skrull Emperor (who is somehow still alive despite being on the ship that went boom) doesn't care about the damage report, but asks if the scientists got what they needed from their examination of the six. Affirmative. Well, then, says the Emperor, they should get to work, no matter how long it takes...
--------------------------------------
A good start, with some fantastic Jim Cheung art (although, Dammit, Jim, give us some different goddamn facial types). Tony gets the most focus in this issue, I suppose, and gets to defeat a bunch of Skrull guards while naked and on the verge of a heart attack. The other five each get some action moments, and show off what their powers are. I thought the team seemed a bit underpowered at first, but then this is the Silver Age, when everybody was less powerful, and Strange's power levels are never consistent (for the record, I much prefer the levels of power here, which makes him less of a deus ex machina).

A lot of people are buying this just for the art, and it's worth it; we get Cheung drawing the Illuminati, the Skrulls, the Thomas-era Avengers (no Giant-Man, though), and Galactus.

This is structured as a series of one-shots, but the final moments suggest the Skrull Emperor's little ploy will outlive him (although, if he survived that explosion, I don't see why he couldn't survive the destruction of the Throneworld) and come back to bite the team in the present day.

I originally put this in MU since most of the members of the Illuminati aren't Avengers, and the thread about previews went here, but it seems that has seen been move elsewhere, so that would be appropriate in this case as well.

[Brian M.]

The art is amazing. I think Jim Chueng is one great artist. His Galactus was nice, his Avengers was nice...it all...niiiiice.

[Krazy]

Great issue. They make a pretty strong team. Looking forward to see what there involvement was during the infinity gauntlet.

[Lord S]

Wait a sec...is this the same 'Illuminati' issue that was released back in May? Cause I don't remember any of that stuff happening in that issue.

[mattbib]

Wait a sec...is this the same 'Illuminati' issue that was released back in May? Cause I don't remember any of that stuff happening in that issue.
No, this is the new miniseries. Do a quick search to find info on it.

[Lord S]

Thanks! I'm checking it out on Marvel.com...I had originally avoided this, cause I thought it was a reprint of the May issue.

[Captain Exaggeration]

Is it just me or did this week really show juts how much Tony kickes ass even without his armor. Anyway I really enjoyed the issue. I read that Bendis would like to make this into some kind of ongoing team eventually if people enjoyed it enough. I personally wouldn't mind a powerhouse team like that secretly saving the universe one crazy adventure at a time.

[wulfstone]

Fair story Great Art though im wondering when did tony become jack bauer beating up 6 skrulls while staving off a heart attack???

[Cayman]

A really fun issue with fabulous Cheung art. I loved his rendition of "The Avengers".

I was surprised at how action-packed and quick-moving the book was. For some reason, I expected it to be quite talky. Good stuff.

[Wild Card13]

For some reason, I expected it to be quite talky.

Probably because Bendis and "talky" are practically synoymous. That's not always a bad thing, but it's true.

[StoneGold]

Fair story Great Art though im wondering when did tony become jack bauer beating up 6 skrulls while staving off a heart attack???

Who do you think24 stole it from? It's what they used to do back in the day, whenever they needed to prove it's the man, not the armor.

[Captain Exaggeration]

Who do you think24 stole it from? It's what they used to do back in the day, whenever they needed to prove it's the man, not the armor.
Tony is the man, ain't he?

[XPac]

Is it just me or did this week really show juts how much Tony kickes ass even without his armor. Anyway I really enjoyed the issue. I read that Bendis would like to make this into some kind of ongoing team eventually if people enjoyed it enough. I personally wouldn't mind a powerhouse team like that secretly saving the universe one crazy adventure at a time.

I think an on going might be fun, though I hope not all of it takes place in the past. That's a LOT of retconning behind the scenes.

And Civil War really is splitting the Illuminati right down the middle almost as much as the New Avengers.

[Captain Exaggeration]

I think an on going might be fun, though I hope not all of it takes place in the past. That's a LOT of retconning behind the scenes.

And Civil War really is splitting the Illuminati right down the middle almost as much as the New Avengers.
I think Bendis was talking about future adventures... I could be wrong.

[Expletive Deleted]

I think an on going might be fun, though I hope not all of it takes place in the past. That's a LOT of retconning behind the scenes.I could be misremembering, but I think at least two of the five issues will take place in the present (or the very recent, pre-"Civil War" past). The timeline will jump around a lot.

My only real comment on the issue is . . . man, Jim Cheung draws a killer Galactus. I loved the effect around his face and helmet.

[The Purple Skull]

From a recent interview, if I remember the link I'll add it later, I believe the mini will go like this:

#1: Kree-Skrull War
#2: Infinity Gauntlet
#3: Secret Wars
#4: Marvel Boy
#5: Top Secret (I think this is where the Illuminati are outed)

EDIT: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=94866

[Deadpooligan]

My only real comment on the issue is . . . man, Jim Cheung draws a killer Galactus. I loved the effect around his face and helmet.

Seconded, to the max.

This miniseries is looking stellar. A nice behind the scenes look at the good ol' epic storylines of Marvel.

[seeso]

Wow, I loved this issue. Some retcon is good retcon. This is the good kind.

[Sean Whitmore]

Very cool issue. And not just 'cause Black Bolt blew @$%& up, I mean the rest of it was good too. :)

This and New Avengers Annual #1 seem to be the best one-off issues to show people who are wary of Bendis just being yap-yap-yap all the time.

(Not that he isn't some of the time, just not all the time)

And Infinity Gauntlet next issue? Hell yeah. I'm curious to see how (if) Bendis handles Warlock and Thanos.


SEAN

[Omega Alpha]

Black Bolt screaming = always cool:cool:

But i did not like it very much. I guess i was expecting more out of it, but i did not find amazing in any way.

[Lord S]

Am I the only one who sees the obvious, here?

The Skrull Empire is behind Civil War.

[Omega Alpha]

Am I the only one who sees the obvious, here?

The Skrull Empire is behind Civil War.

Sure, the real Tony Stark died several years ago. This one is a Skrull.

[PastePotPete]

I, too, was surprised at how action-packed this issue was. Maybe Bendis is finally taking some of that "too talky" criticism to heart?
Naaaaaah.

Anyway, even with all the action this issue had great character moments. My favorite moment was when they were all in the shuttle after escaping and Tony says [paraphrasing] "Well, at least now they'll never try to mess with us again."

::Annoyed stares from the rest of the group::

"Well at least now they know it will be a hell of a fight if they mess with us again."

Very funny. Also dramatic. And it really shows Stark's character. He's such a pro-active alpha male type-A personality.

[agrich]

I thought it was good, not great.

My favorite part was Namor's Ha! Look at that! reaction to the Skrull ship being blown up. Everyone else is like, we don't have to celebrate death/destruction, and Namor's "Well, I'll get excited for all of us." Classic.

I like Jim Cheung's art, but I'm not as Wow about it as some here I guess. I love Alex Maleev, so....

Anyway, it was fun.

[bloodyarts]

I thought it was okay. Black Bolt is always badass, even when he's just standing there doing nothing. His costume design and regal aura are just so damned captivating, you can't help but dig that character. Kirby is King, indeed!

Anyway, Jim Cheung reminds me of Arthur Adams, one of my favorite working comic artists, so needless to say, I loved the artwork, especially the Skrull Monarch. He always looks appropriately threatening. Reed's torture session was downright shocking!

Bendis dialogue is irritating to me, as usual, but the Skrull dialogue was fun to read, especially their musings on Sub-Mariner being homo-superior. I simply don't buy the fact that armor-less Tony can take out a cadre of Skrull warriors bare-handed. I know he's had some training by Cap (re-iterated in this month's "Casualties of War" Civil War tie-in), but really, this was asking too much.

Finally, I have to wonder just how much good (or bad) this Illuminati is really doing. Sure, gathering Earth's most powerful and intelligent beings to handle major threats to the Earth is a noble concept, but they come off as just another band of super-heroes here. An Illuminati is expected to make plans which touch the lives of everyone, with far-reaching future effects and furthering of goals. An attack on the Skrull Empire accomplished what, exactly? The eventual Skrull counter-attack? The birth of Super-Skrulls, with data taken directly from the genes of Earth's most gifted? Actually, that should have already happened, as the Kree-Skrull War takes place after the introduction of the first Super-Skrull...

Okay, granted, we don't know what the far-reaching future effects of their actions will be, and I guess that's the point, but they seemed much more like an Illuminati in the first one-shot released earlier this year than this showing.
Seriously, what separates them from the Avengers?

[agrich]

Finally, I have to wonder just how much good (or bad) this Illuminati is really doing.

I think that's an intentional question being asked -- the end of the issue, they're all sitting around, and it occurs to them that all they've done is brought MORE trouble on the Earth, and probably accelerated a future attack. How much good ARE they doing? I think they realize they overstep their bounds here...it will be interesting to see if that affects their actions in future issues, or if it's part of why they ultimately break up.

[Jeremi]

Did anybody else get the same idea that the Skrulls were going to create
a Super Skrull with the same powers as the Illuminati?

[FanboyStranger]

I definitely agree with all the praise for Jim Cheung. I remembering hating his art when I first saw it back in Force Works, but he has grown so much as an artist in the past decade.

But the story itself just seemed wrong to me. I like the idea of the Illuminati, but I can't see them just gathering together and flying off to the Andromeda galaxy without some sort of contingency plan. Particularly Dr. Strange and Reed. It amazes me that Reed would do something like this with the Illuminati, not the Four. And then there's the continuity geek question concerning Black Bolt, who, at the time, should have been busy getting Attilan back under his control, not galavanting across the universe to confront the Skrulls, even though he certainly suffered more from the Kree-Skrull War than any of the other Illuminati.

Still some promise there, though. Like I said, I like the concept. And I too now suspect the Skrulls have some stake it Civil War. It certainly explains how strange Reed has been acting. (Tony's always been kind of a jerk, in my opinion.)

[XPac]

From a recent interview, if I remember the link I'll add it later, I believe the mini will go like this:

#1: Kree-Skrull War
#2: Infinity Gauntlet
#3: Secret Wars
#4: Marvel Boy
#5: Top Secret (I think this is where the Illuminati are outed)

EDIT: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=94866

Infinity Gauntlet BEFORE Secret Wars? Kind of weird that they didn't do it in any kind of chronological order.

[Sean Whitmore]

Did anybody else get the same idea that the Skrulls were going to create
a Super Skrull with the same powers as the Illuminati?

A Super Skrull with the Illuminati's powers? :eek:

We're talking, like, ridiculously powerful.

Composite Superman-level powerful.

I hope it happens, now.


SEAN

[ilovemoney]

i can't wait for everyone else to find out about them...oh the s#@% is going to hit the fan!

[Black Atom]

I definitely agree with all the praise for Jim Cheung. I remembering hating his art when I first saw it back in Force Works, but he has grown so much as an artist in the past decade.

But the story itself just seemed wrong to me. I like the idea of the Illuminati, but I can't see them just gathering together and flying off to the Andromeda galaxy without some sort of contingency plan. Particularly Dr. Strange and Reed. It amazes me that Reed would do something like this with the Illuminati, not the Four. And then there's the continuity geek question concerning Black Bolt, who, at the time, should have been busy getting Attilan back under his control, not galavanting across the universe to confront the Skrulls, even though he certainly suffered more from the Kree-Skrull War than any of the other Illuminati.

Still some promise there, though. Like I said, I like the concept. And I too now suspect the Skrulls have some stake it Civil War. It certainly explains how strange Reed has been acting. (Tony's always been kind of a jerk, in my opinion.)

I felt the same way. I'm not a huge Bendis fan, but thought the idea of this comic was really cool. But I have a tough time believing that Reed, Xavier and Strange would be involved in what essentially becomes a terrorist attack. I thought their methods would be a little more covert...having stuff blow up is cool, but not as interesting (nor true to character) as I originally thougt.

[Will.S]

So far the book is off to a great start.

Lots of action and interesting moments between the group and the skrull reactions to them. My favorite scenes were the Skrull analyzation of the Illuminati under a proverbial microscope, Tony letting loose on some skrulls and Namor's enjoyment of blowing up the ship and parts of the city.

I liked the initiative they had like confronting the Skrulls once they were attacked during the K-S War, it seems like an appropriate enough response from Blackbolt, Reed, and Iron Man considering that they had the biggest roles during that war. But at the same time they're also being shown as f**k ups which makes them a flawed even if powerful group which will ultimately lead to their spiriling down seen in the New Avengers Illuminati special.

Almost forgot to comment about Jimmy's art, in a word; awesome. He makes every scene work perfectly and the characters all have the endearing characteristics and traits that are usually associated with them. I also liked how even though it's a retro story, the technology is still advanced which is funny because it rings true about skrull tech vs Tony's tech in comparison when they're talking about the armor (although with his armor now he could destroy everyone there).

[MrPunch0]

Infinity Gauntlet BEFORE Secret Wars? Kind of weird that they didn't do it in any kind of chronological order.

Well - is it Secret Wars with the Beyonder – or that lame-ass Secret War Bendis came up with not too long ago?

[CaptainCanada]

Well - is it Secret Wars with the Beyonder – or that lame-ass Secret War Bendis came up with not too long ago?
Beyonder. The issue is about Professor X attempting to uncover the origin of the Beyonder.

[Leebenhouse]

Well, I thought it was an awesome issue, with the exception that:

*Tony should have died the instant his chestplate was removed. Did they even bother to say that they used Skrull superscience to partially fix his heart?

*It just didnt feel... long enough to be one issue.

One of the best Bendis stories I've read. When I read a Slott book, I feel like I've read two comics, when I read a Bendis book, I feel like I've read 10 pages, generally speaking of course. This was an improvement over that.

I can't wait for the rest of the series to hit shelves.

[Sean Whitmore]

*Tony should have died the instant his chestplate was removed.

Why? Back in the day, wasn't Tony's life-support system always being turned off for minutes at a time?


SEAN

[Leebenhouse]

Generally i'd say it was off or almost off for less than a minute or two, and he sure wasnt running around with a gun killing Skrulls...

*shakes fist at the sky* BENDISSSSSS!!!!!!!

[UniqueFrequency]

interesting and Cheung's art was spectacular! agreed with everyone else that the "Bendis-ness" is easily observable. while i can't see what exactly the big picture is, i can see myself picking up the rest of the mini.

[Harding Prime]

Is it just me or did this week really show juts how much Tony kickes ass even without his armor.

Yeah, thanks to Cap! Boooyeah!

[DoctorDoom]

I loved it! Great art, and great story. Can't wait for the next ish.

[Shyft]

Awesome Awesome Awesome. The Corny " BlackBolt, what do YOU have to say?", to the cut of blackbolts eyes, to the whole ship exploding was possibly one of my favourite moments in recent comic history.

[Shyft]

I definitely agree with all the praise for Jim Cheung. I remembering hating his art when I first saw it back in Force Works, but he has grown so much as an artist in the past decade.

But the story itself just seemed wrong to me. I like the idea of the Illuminati, but I can't see them just gathering together and flying off to the Andromeda galaxy without some sort of contingency plan. Particularly Dr. Strange and Reed. It amazes me that Reed would do something like this with the Illuminati, not the Four. And then there's the continuity geek question concerning Black Bolt, who, at the time, should have been busy getting Attilan back under his control, not galavanting across the universe to confront the Skrulls, even though he certainly suffered more from the Kree-Skrull War than any of the other Illuminati.

Still some promise there, though. Like I said, I like the concept. And I too now suspect the Skrulls have some stake it Civil War. It certainly explains how strange Reed has been acting. (Tony's always been kind of a jerk, in my opinion.)



I personally think thats what made it so cool. They are a new group, trying to figure out the best way to go about things. It may be that those character traits you described in Xavier and Reed came about BECAUSE of their adventures with the Illuminati.

[FanboyStranger]

I personally think thats what made it so cool. They are a new group, trying to figure out the best way to go about things. It may be that those character traits you described in Xavier and Reed came about BECAUSE of their adventures with the Illuminati.

Actually, I don't have much of a problem with Xavier acting covertly without the knowledge of the X-Men. Even in that relative timeframe without later retcons like the "second class" (Vulcan), his relationships with Amelia Voight, etc., he often did hide information from his first class, having Changeling assume his identity, faking his death in order to secretly combat the Z'narx, etc. (Actually, that little piece of X-continuity would make for an interesting Illuminati tale, I think.) I wouldn't exactly say it fits for him to fly off into space with a newly formed cabal of heroes, but, at the same time, he was familiar with extraterrestial threats and the costs of doing battle with them via his battle with Lucifer.

It's Reed and Dr. Strange I find it out of character for. Particularly Reed-- it really sees unfathomable to me that he wouldn't tell Ben at the very least.

At the same time, I suppose five issues of guys sitting around a table discussing threats and plans to combat them wouldn't exactly be the most exciting limited series ever.

[sgt pepper]

The Avengers have always been the most boring assemblage of do gooders out there. And this grouping of Marvel's elite and most powerful on paper makes me want to run in the other direction as only mediocrity could possibly ensue.

But Bendis has made them all interesting and worth reading and talking about. These have certainly not been the greatest comics out there, but he's actually made Marvel's most boring characters worth reading.

[Magneto_X]

Summary:

We open on the Skrull Throneworld, where the Emperor is berating subordinates about all the crappy stuff that has been happening lately, such as their entire fleet being paralyzed by a single guy, and a Kree warrior making time with his daughter (wait, forget that last part, he doesn't know about that yet). One of his minions tells him that they cannot hope to conquer Earth given their ridiculously high number of superheroes and mutants.

Then: a flash of light! It's the Illuminati: Mr. Fantastic, Iron Man, Namor, Professor X, Black Bolt, and Doctor Strange! They have teleported into the throne room of the Skrull flagship, and proceed to inform the Skrulls that any future attempt against Earth will meet with an ass-whupin' that they ain't never seen the likes of. The Emperor is dubious about this, and threatens to murder all their families and drink their blood! Iron Man tells Strange to get ready to teleport them away, and asks what, pray tell, is Black Bolt's opinion of all this?

We don't get to hear what Black Bolt has to say, but we do see the aftermath: Skrull flagship go boom! A single craft flies away from the explosion, with the Illuminati teleporting inside. Namor is delighted by this, telling his comrades to rejoice, while everyone else is a bit more downcast. Things promptly get worse when it turns out their ship's cloaking isn't nearly as good as they think it is, and the Skrull Armada blows them up good, ejecting them into the vacuum of space!

Well, they're dead. Good going, Bendis, I don't now how this fits into canon; oh, wait, they aren't dead, just captured by the Skrulls, who proceed to torture them/study their superpowers for fun (they decide to find the maximum width/length they can stretch Mr. Fantastic to, and, from the look on his face, he's going far beyond what is healthy). Iron Man ends up naked in a cell, trying to keep calm and prevent his heart from stopping. Just then, the doors of his cell blow open, and...

...it's the Avengers: Captain America, the Mighty Thor, Wasp, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and the Vision! Or, as Tony suggests, it's a bunch of Skrulls who think Tony is an idiot! The Skrulls are disappointed that this doesn't work, deciding that dissection is still their best play; however, "Cap" realizes that Tony's reaction means he doesn't expect anyone to come rescue them. "Thor" is gleeful, and decides to punch Tony. However, Tony kicks "Thor"'s butt (while naked), and then proceeds to defeat the other fake Avengers and the Skrull guards. Hardcore!

We then get a "run 'n save" marathon as Tony rescues Professor X, and they then go free one Illuminatus after another, while pursued by Skrull guards. Strange gives Tony a little magic to hold his heart over until they get back to Earth. The Illuminati try another escape attempt, pursued in their ship by the Skrulls; Strange doesn't think any illusion he casts will fool this many people, but Professor X backs him up by using his psi-power to make the Skrulls believe it. The Illuminati gets away, as the Skrulls find themselves faced with Galactus himself!

Namor thinks the Skrulls will come for them now; X corrects him, saying them were coming for them anyway. Tony says that the Skrulls at least have seen how powerful they are, and will perhaps go bully someone else rather than fight. No one else seems to believe this, so Tony amends his statement and says that at least the Skrulls know it will be a good fight.

In the ruins of his city, the Skrull Emperor (who is somehow still alive despite being on the ship that went boom) doesn't care about the damage report, but asks if the scientists got what they needed from their examination of the six. Affirmative. Well, then, says the Emperor, they should get to work, no matter how long it takes...
--------------------------------------
A good start, with some fantastic Jim Cheung art (although, Dammit, Jim, give us some different goddamn facial types). Tony gets the most focus in this issue, I suppose, and gets to defeat a bunch of Skrull guards while naked and on the verge of a heart attack. The other five each get some action moments, and show off what their powers are. I thought the team seemed a bit underpowered at first, but then this is the Silver Age, when everybody was less powerful, and Strange's power levels are never consistent (for the record, I much prefer the levels of power here, which makes him less of a deus ex machina).

A lot of people are buying this just for the art, and it's worth it; we get Cheung drawing the Illuminati, the Skrulls, the Thomas-era Avengers (no Giant-Man, though), and Galactus.

This is structured as a series of one-shots, but the final moments suggest the Skrull Emperor's little ploy will outlive him (although, if he survived that explosion, I don't see why he couldn't survive the destruction of the Throneworld) and come back to bite the team in the present day.

I originally put this in MU since most of the members of the Illuminati aren't Avengers, and the thread about previews went here, but it seems that has seen been move elsewhere, so that would be appropriate in this case as well.

WTF? :confused:

Strange should no problem soloing a fleet of Skrull ships.

Btw, when did Tony become a martial art expert? During Busiek's run he almost died when a group of assassins fought him. The only reason he survived it was because Black Widow showed up.

Strange martial arts, OTOH, are under-used. He's someone who can give *Mantis* a decent fight with no magic.

[Leebenhouse]

Everybody, and Bendis included, seems to forget that Iron Man didnt even know any self defense crap that Cap taught him until the early 80's when Justin Hammer made him murder a guy using his armor, so Tony abandoned it until he could A)Find out who did it. and B) Find a way to keep it from happening again.

Note: this was well after the first Kree/Skrull War.

[XPac]

Everybody, and Bendis included, seems to forget that Iron Man didnt even know any self defense crap that Cap taught him until the early 80's when Justin Hammer made him murder a guy using his armor, so Tony abandoned it until he could A)Find out who did it. and B) Find a way to keep it from happening again.

Note: this was well after the first Kree/Skrull War.

I think that's one of Marvel's retcons... everyone that's an Avenger when Cap is around is given some level of h2h combat training from Captain America. These days everyone has it, but I think writers today are trying to get acros the idea that Cap was kind of doing this all along from day one.

It's a retcon... but one I personally don't mind too much. Though I suppose Tony overdid it here.

[Kirk G]

I'm hearing a lot about how great the Illuminati special was.
However, several people are now talking about how they can't wait for the next issue...
What are they talking about? Wasn't this just a single one-shot special?
I thought that's how they all were planned. Occasional specials.

As a result, my LCBS did not order any and have totally frustrated their regular customers by receiving only one preview copy and NOT ordering or NOT receiving any copies for sale to the public.

It would appear that we have entered the age of Preview ordering only! (Point of purchase? Never heard of it!)
As a result, if you do not pre-order any issue of Marvel comics months in advance, you will not get a copy when it is finally printed and issued. How screwed up is that?:eek:

[mattbib]

There was a one-shot several months ago.

Now there's the 5-issue mini-series.

[streator]

There was a one-shot several months ago.

Now there's the 5-issue mini-series.

true but this series hasn't been in the solicts for the past two months. only 1 and 2 have been solicited. i know i've asked this question before (and elsewhere) but no one has come up with an answer: what's up with this book not being solicited recently?

[Kirk G]

The orginal was a one-shot special. The current is a 5 issue mini.

Due we have any idea just what's been planned for each issue?////:confused:

[Magneto_X]

I think that's one of Marvel's retcons... everyone that's an Avenger when Cap is around is given some level of h2h combat training from Captain America. These days everyone has it, but I think writers today are trying to get acros the idea that Cap was kind of doing this all along from day one.

It's a retcon... but one I personally don't mind too much. Though I suppose Tony overdid it here.

Even the Avengers Cap's trained aren't exactly kicking any asses they weren't before this retcon. Scarlet Witch is still almost useless in physical combat and Hawkeye rarely, if ever, even gets to use any new combat technicques Cap taught him because his arrows are good enough to defeat most enemies long distance. The times that I *have* seen Hawkeye in close quarters combat he gets KTFO like an amateur (re: when Hawkeye fought Batcroc in Cap Vol.3).

The only student of Cap's who has shown any improvement in combat is Rick Jones.

[Will.S]

Even the Avengers Cap's trained aren't exactly kicking any asses they weren't before this retcon. Scarlet Witch is still almost useless in physical combat and Hawkeye rarely, if ever, even gets to use any new combat technicques Cap taught him because his arrows are good enough to defeat most enemies long distance. The times that I *have* seen Hawkeye in close quarters combat he gets KTFO like an amateur (re: when Hawkeye fought Batcroc in Cap Vol.3).

The only student of Cap's who has shown any improvement in combat is Rick Jones.
I didn't have that much of a problem with Tony kicking ass because it shows his resolve under dire circumstances and I'm not a huge stickler when it comes to small details like that.

If it works for the story then I think it's all the better for it.

[PatchMadripoor]

So this story happens after Black Panther leaves the Illuminati, yes?

[Sean Whitmore]

So this story happens after Black Panther leaves the Illuminati, yes?

Technically he was never even a member. He left a couple of minutes into the meeting where the group formed.


SEAN

[Nobbel]

Due we have any idea just what's been planned for each issue?////:confused:

Uh, let's see if I remember all they said; One is about their involvements on the Kree/Skrull War, another of their involvements in Secret War (of Beyonder), I'm afraid I forot the other 3, I'm sorry

[Expletive Deleted]

Do we have any idea just what's been planned for each issue? :confused:Only the ones that've been solicited. We have some general ideas on the rest, but nothing confirmed.

[NickThompson]

Uh, let's see if I remember all they said; One is about their involvements on the Kree/Skrull War, another of their involvements in Secret War (of Beyonder), I'm afraid I forot the other 3, I'm sorry

IIRC...

1 - Kree/Skrull War
2 - Infinity Gauntlet
3 - Secret Wars
4 - Marvel Boy
5 - Unknown

[Kevinroc]

IIRC...

1 - Kree/Skrull War
2 - Infinity Gauntlet
3 - Secret Wars
4 - Marvel Boy
5 - Unknown

5 is their exposure to the Marvel Universe.

[Psyco panda]

Marvel boy? As in Bob the Marvel boy? As seen in Agents of Atlas? WTF? He's cool, but how does he rate that high? Or is it the Morrison marvel boy whom the young avengers/runaways recently freed?

[Will.S]

5 is their exposure to the Marvel Universe.
I wonder where the Xavier reveal portion will be in the timeline since he's up in space and the other X-men would have to reference it.

[Will.S]

Marvel boy? As in Bob the Marvel boy? As seen in Agents of Atlas? WTF? He's cool, but how does he rate that high? Or is it the Morrison marvel boy whom the young avengers/runaways recently freed?
Morrison Marvel Boy.

[Kirk G]

IIRC...

1 - Kree/Skrull War
2 - Infinity Gauntlet
3 - Secret Wars
4 - Marvel Boy
5 - Unknown


If 5 is their exposure to the Marvel Universe, I assume this will come out post Civil War? Is this 5 part series coming out monthly, or will we be teased and delayed?

[Poltargyst]

Weren't Tony and the New Avengers captured and naked in the Savage Land? Is it a Bendis rule that any time he forms a new team someone must be captured and naked? If so, I propose a team of Sue Richards, Jean Grey, Wanda Maximoff, Ororo Monroe, and Jennifer Walters next time. :)

[Magneto_X]

Yes, the Avengers did get naked in New Avengers. Even Spider-Woman! :D

[Will.S]

Weren't Tony and the New Avengers captured and naked in the Savage Land? Is it a Bendis rule that any time he forms a new team someone must be captured and naked? If so, I propose a team of Sue Richards, Jean Grey, Wanda Maximoff, Ororo Monroe, and Jennifer Walters next time. :)
Can't argue with that one.

[StoneGold]

Weren't Tony and the New Avengers captured and naked in the Savage Land? Is it a Bendis rule that any time he forms a new team someone must be captured and naked? If so, I propose a team of Sue Richards, Jean Grey, Wanda Maximoff, Ororo Monroe, and Jennifer Walters next time. :)

Chalk it up to the unpopularity of tighty whities. Used to be, back in the day, when Tony would get stripped of his armor, he'd be running around in his BVDs.

[shanejayell]

For a group of guys as bright as they're supposed to be... boy do they seem dumb.

[streator]

If 5 is their exposure to the Marvel Universe, I assume this will come out post Civil War? Is this 5 part series coming out monthly, or will we be teased and delayed?

i assumed it was coming out monthly but it hasn't been in the solicts for the past two months and i haven't seen a reason as to why.

[Ite]

Is part 2 about Secret Wars?

[jackolover]

The thing I most noticed about it was that it was deliberately written in old 70's style. And for writers of the new Millinium, that must have been hard to do. Even the fact that all the illuminati could be defeated by Skrulls was a bit unsettling, but in the style of the time, this is what happened a lot, and eventually, the good guys won. It's interesting they used Black Bolt as WMD - point and click. However, if Black Bolts power comes from his vocal cords, how in heavens name can his power work in space, where this no air for the sound waves to carry?

It ended as a continueing story, with the Skrulls, likely, making a future appearance in this series.

It was rather quant and odd to be reading a story that is so dated in its unsophistication, and shallow character traits, yet written by people who have a reputation of embellishing their characters to the nth degree.

[The Shadow]

The thing I most noticed about it was that it was deliberately written in old 70's style.

Since the original Kree-Skrull War took place in the 70's it makes me wonder if each issue will be written in a similar fashion to the issues of the time the stories take place in.

[Harding Prime]

I hope issue 5 crosses over with World War Hulk, that would seem to be the logical ending.

Maybe I'm wrong, but didn't they disband after making the desicion over the Hulk? Or was it over the beginning of the Civil War? Or I could just look over the comic again.

[Leebenhouse]

I wonder if issue 5 will tie into next summer's crossover, which will be scheduled to end some time in Novemeber of '07, although the crossover will actully end in March 2008 due to constantly delayed books.

[Ogrebear]

It's a retcon... but one I personally don't mind too much. Though I suppose Tony overdid it here.

Either that or the Skrulls where really crap fighters... scientists rather than warriors perhaps?

[Laminator_X]

Either that or the Skrulls where really crap fighters... scientists rather than warriors perhaps?

That actually makes a fair amount of sense. I couldn't buy Tony soloing 6 skrull soldiers. Six Skrull lab-techs in the middle of chuckling at their own prank however is a different matter.

[Capt Hunter]

Infinity Gauntlet BEFORE Secret Wars? Kind of weird that they didn't do it in any kind of chronological order.

Interesting point... I guess Bendis has a plan... maybe a time travel Illuminati adventure...

[Kirk G]

Yes, the Avengers did get naked in New Avengers. Even Spider-Woman! :D

I am beginning to get suspicious that Tony is being stripped so often and so easily.

Now, I am thinking that the Skrulls may be playing a simliar game to what they did in the X-men when Wolverine was "killed" and revealed as a skrull...

Why could they not have replaced Tony Stark with a skrull...and THAT's the reasoning behind Civil War...that a Skrull has been turning Earth's superheroes and meta humans inside out with an inside traitor who's been getting them all registered, and transported elsewhere into the Negative Zone...with no way back!

Why couldn't this be true?

[Sean Whitmore]

Why couldn't this be true?

Oh, many, many reasons.

But probably the simplest one is all the times we've seen Tony alone, angsting about his decisions.


SEAN

[XPac]

Weren't Tony and the New Avengers captured and naked in the Savage Land? Is it a Bendis rule that any time he forms a new team someone must be captured and naked? If so, I propose a team of Sue Richards, Jean Grey, Wanda Maximoff, Ororo Monroe, and Jennifer Walters next time. :)

Is it any wonder Frank Cho signed on as the artist for Mighty Avengers?

[Magneto_X]

Oh, many, many reasons.

But probably the simplest one is all the times we've seen Tony alone, angsting about his decisions.


SEAN

There's another one: telepaths.

Surely Tony must have been around a telepath or two just before and/or during Civil War.

Half the mutant population are telepaths. lol

[JoeMD]

No haveing alot of knowledge about the events this series covers it sounds very interesting to me and #1 was brilliant IMO. I really enjoyed it and it made me want to know more about the Skrull War. Has that been collected into a trade by any chance?

[StoneGold]

No haveing alot of knowledge about the events this series covers it sounds very interesting to me and #1 was brilliant IMO. I really enjoyed it and it made me want to know more about the Skrull War. Has that been collected into a trade by any chance?

Yes.

What are you waiting for, go get it!

[JoeMD]

Lol, dude, I'm not MADE of money, I spend to much on comics as it is! What is the title of the trade? I'll be in Sydney soon where I can get TPs cheaper than I can where I live, so I'll grab it then!

[Magneto_X]

The one thing I *don't* miss about living in Australia is how expensive the comics were.

You have my sympathy, Dougy.

[JoeMD]

Thanks man, but I woudn't want to live anywhere else.

[streator]

finally got my copy...

is the story untitled or is it called "new avengers: illuminati part 1"?

nitpicky, but i'm curious.