Secret Wars (2015) #3-5 Review

Previously in "Secret Wars": Valeria and Franklin Richards, daughter and son of Susan and Reed Richards, made a lift raft to survive a torrent of bad in the multiverse, which was being reduced to nothing because of Incursions. Since they're all a bunch of morons, characters from the Ultimate Universe made one final stand against our regular heroes and everyone died except for a bunch of bad guys and some random assortment of good guys. In the new world, Dr. Doom is God, Mr. Sinister makes fun of Jamie Braddock, and Dr. Strange is still wearing a bathrobe. Neat. 
Am I stupid for doing three extra-long comics in a single review? Does this story have a lot of fluff that I don't have to talk about? If you answered yes for both questions, you are correct!

Though I don't feel too confident about this one. Last time, it was technically three comics, but Issue 0 was mostly just catching people up to the events of the series. Issue 1 was a fight scene, and Issue 2 was a pointless piece of world-building that will never be mentioned again. For me, this next part is the core of Secret Wars and is what keeps it from being downright boring. As I've mentioned many times in the past, Secret Wars #4 was one of the best comics I read last year, and I'm pleased to be able to cover it today. It, and bits of the third issue, is what really set this up to be an epic event, and a be-all-end-all for certain characters. The fifth issue has some problems similar to the second, but it's still new information that's (confusing) interesting. The writer and artist are still the same, though there are more panels where Esad Ribic's artwork seems to falter than there were before. Sue Storm (Sue...von Doom?) and Thanos in particular often look goofy and kinda freaky.

Like last time I won't be analyzing the covers...and also like last time, they're basically the same thing of something happening in the center of the image and characters are either floating heads or are posing around it. Kinda lame (but still rendered beautifully by Alex Ross, who can do little wrong).

Issue 3 begins with our first scene of just Dr. Strange and God Doom together, as Strange lets Doom know about the fallout of the events of last issue. Doom, rightfully, asks why Stephen tells him these things, to which Stephen points out that he is "omnipotent," not "omniscient," and that even he cannot see that happens around him at all times. For some reason Doom also says that the troubles of gods are many, but I'm left to scratch my head at that. If Doom really did bring together bits and pieces from all the multiverse into just one world, Battleworld, what does he really need to worry about? His powers don't come from prayer or faith, they're the powers he's had since he stole them. If it's him being unable to sustain the power that's something never brought up, and there's only one person left in existence that could steal it away but they're locked up. 

One thing I do like, though, is that this issue establishes that despite having created this whole world, Doom is still far from perfect. There's a nice scene later with him and Susan we'll get to, but even right here with Dr. Strange we can see that Doom is not, in fact, a god, but just someone with a lot of power and a lot of authority over this place. Essentially, it's Latveria all over again, except the name of the place has changed and he has changed his "status." It's what makes Dr. Doom a great choice for villain of this story.

Also because the cinematic Dr. Doom we got this same year looked like a glowing green piece of poop so to see him like this is pretty awesome. 

Stephen goes to where Thanos and the Cabal killed Old Thor from last issue and sends the Thors out to find them while keeping the young Thor we'd been following close by, since he's still new. He also notices that there was a stowaway aboard their vessel. 

But did you remember to pack a sandwich? 

Yup, it's Miles Morales. I have no idea how he could have gotten aboard the ship in time, but I also don't care. Sure we have two Spider-Mans swinging around, but Miles is better than Peter (dodges Internet rage) anyway. The most important part of this scene, though, is that Stephen begins to piece together that the remnants of the old Ultimate/ Marvel universe are returned.

Oh yeah, and Stephen remembers everything too. Makes sense and I'm glad that Doom kept it that way. While Stephen has little power over Doom, he does have a way of keeping him in check like this, since he will have records of what Doom has and hasn't done and what methods may have worked or not in the past. Sure Doom is smart, but he's not the Sorcerer Supreme. 

Doom and Susan meet up to chat, which is where we learn that Johnny Storm tried to rebel against Doom and almost convinced Susan to do the same before Doom, with Susan's permission, had him turned into the actual Sun of Battleworld. You know what...that's a pretty great idea. Now the only missing member of the Fantastic Four is Ben Grimm and what happens with him is pretty neat as well. It's just something you would totally expect Dr. Doom to do with his greatest foes. 

There are two key moments in this scene that really highlight what a great character Dr. Doom is presented as in the story: 

Here we see Doom admit his imperfection. He had everything. The power to manipulate the multiverse, the ability to create his own world...and yet he still couldn't make it perfect. While I do think the final issue is somewhat lackluster, there is a similar point there brought up that starts with Doom realizing he is not a good god, and could never be. It adds depth to all of his actions from here on out. He isn't perfect, just like the world he created has its faults to. There was only so much he could do, and it does somewhat explain why places like Bar Sinister exist. It seems as if Doom has power but has little manipulation of it. He can extinguish, but cannot fully create. 

Another great thing about this Doom? Irony.

I love that they kept his face imperfect and broken. He looks, for lack of a better phrase, less than human under the mask, and yet he is the one who is God. Good little bit of irony there. He could fix all of the multiverse, but the one thing he can't heal: himself. 

But enough about Dr. Doom, time to finally reunite with, you know, the heroes: 

A pirate, a god, a spider, and a mohawk walk into a bar...

After confirming that these are the original people and not just replicas that may have been seen throughout Battleworld, Dr. Strange informs them that they've been in stasis for eight years. 

Wait. Really? Just eight? 

Yeah, one of the things that I can never wrap my head around regarding this series is the time limit of how long Battleworld has been around. Old Thor mentioned that he'd seen many things in his youth, but were those memories fabricated? Or from his old world? Did Doom make it so people remembered and forgot certain things? Strange tries to tell them that they had to try and sync up the old and new histories, but there are still tons of holes in that idea as well. I suppose Hickman wrote himself in a bit of a corner with this one and had no real explanation to get out of it without some damage.

Naturally, though, when Reed discovers it's Doom who is playing God, he's kinda mad. But, enough about that. We have to catch up with the Cabal! 

The issue ends with them as Thanos tells them that they need to be ready to fight in the event that the Thors do manage to catch up with them, and that they'll need answers, which they do! Congrats. Hide-and-seek is over, you may now commence the fighting. 

Everything's looking up Thanos! 

This issue is a marked improvement from the previous one, advancing the story while also digging into Doom and Strange as characters, as well as shedding some light on their backstories for Battleworld and their intentions behind it. The material with Doom stands out the most from the issue, though getting to see the main heroes back is a relief. It's disappointing that they had to be gone the entire second issue, but at least they're here and mostly caught up.

Issue four opens with--

Did Thanos grow several feet or are these Thors just really short?

Not a promising start for the supposed "best issue," as I keep saying. There are quite a few things wrong with just this one page. For starters: Thanos has pupils in his eyes and looks like a very aged old man. I get that sometimes he's drawn that way, but he also looks like Grumpy Cat. Another thing: is that Maximus or Namor in the background to the left? If it's Maximus I find that ironic considering how later he states that violence is for the foolish (remember that for later), and if it's Namor then when did he suddenly start wearing a jacket? Also: is that their ship in the background? They were on the side of a mountain when the fight started and were nowhere near their ship, either. Did they teleport, or has the battle just been drawn out so long between issues? 

We move away from that fight as Stephen Strange continues to inform them about how Battleworld works. Through some clever bits of writing, too, Hickman also tells the readers about the Beyonders and their abilities, and then goes onto show us this: 

Gotta love Molecule Man just getting pushed aside. Way to go, Victor. 

As was implied, and now confirmed, Strange, Doom, and a third man (spoiler: Molecule Man) managed to kill the Beyonders before their "perfect annihilation" plan could be enacted that would have wiped out the multiverse in its entirety. Sure they didn't save the multiverse, but were at least able to create Battleworld from the ashes. So, in a way, they saved part of the day.

Young Thor notices his hammer glowing like Sting from "Lord of the Rings" and Stephen informs them that they need to move out. Things are not going well for the Thors at the battle, and Dr. Doom watches on as one of the Thors informs him of this through "prayer," though really it's just some sort of telepathic connection. When Stephen does arrive, though, Susan takes a particular interest in one man. 

For the love of Doom, Susan, shut your mouth! Bugs will start flying in. 

One of the best things about this issue in particular is that it begins to make the story feel like a climactic battle between Reed and Doom, the two leaders of, basically, two lost worlds. Susan is in the middle, as usual, and it's interesting that she would remember Reed. It makes me wonder if there is still some sort of unconscious tether all directing back to the members of the life raft. For example: Susan remembers Reed in the same way that we all know something happened, but can't remember. Doom, obviously, remembers Reed Richards entirely. However, I'm curious if Reed was never replicated in Battleworld because, in the back of his mind, Reed Richards could never be a part of Doom's "perfect" world, and now that he's here, Doom realizes that this world will never be perfect for him. It's as if Reed's arrival signals his own...

Doom. 

When Doom realizes this, he immediately calls back the Thors and now, finally, we come to the first huge confrontation. 

*cue epic music*

I could've shown you Doom standing before the Cabal and the heroes of the life raft, but this image always stood out to me. Doom doesn't even bother with the rest. They aren't a threat! The only one left in existence with the means to stop Doom is now before him, and always was. Another great thing about this is how many powerful forces are all together. It's incredible how we jump from Reed confronting Doom to Thanos saying Doom isn't a true god to the freaking Phoenix attacking God Doom!

This part right here, with all the banter and talk that they have, is what makes this issue the best. It raises the stakes and makes everything very personal now. It's the classic case of the hero meeting with the villain before the great war begins. Now the "secret war" can truly start, and boy does it kick off with a bang. 

I've gone back and forth on this next part, regarding whether or not I thought this was really stupid or really cool...and I've ultimately decided that what Doom does after Cyclops attacks him is one of the best Dr. Doom moments ever. 

After Cyclops, who has the full-power of the Phoenix force, hits him with a full blast of energy and Doom seems to be wiped out, Cyclops starts to say that he is all about resurrection and that he will take over the world with this power because he is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I guess I forgot to mention how annoying Cyclops/ the Phoenix's dialogue has been throughout, but don't worry...it ends now. 

Oh. OHHHHHHH. He dun goofed. 

Doom grabs hold of the Phoenix and snaps his neck with no effort.

Holy. Guaca. Mole.

Naturally, Stephen Strange decides to get his friends out of there and Doom, still in a fit of unfiltered rage, ends the issue by killing Strange, who refused to reveal where he sent the heroes and where in the world they could possibly be. 

Call it a stupid finale if you want, but I feel that's totally in character for Dr. Doom. Now he is clearly beginning to feel backed into a corner. The heroes of Earth are back, of his Earth? That's the last thing he could want. Not to mention that among them are three of the brightest minds and one of the beings that Doom had to help destroy (Thanos) so long ago. 

This issue makes the story more personal than it ever felt before and creates a perfect opportunity for this to become a major focal point in the lore of Fantastic Four. The confrontation between Doom and Reed is awesome and everything Doom does from there is freaking great. The reveal that the trio had to kill the Beyonders is also pretty sweet and barring some awkward artwork and a shaky first page this is an incredibly solid issue. 

Issue 5 begins, as expected, with the funeral of Stephen Strange. What's good about it is that it does feel rather Norse, and it really does feel like a warrior has died. There is a statue erected of him, there are legions of Thor troops (including seeing that Stephen placed our Jane Foster Thor in among the rest of the Thors), and the whole royal house is there. Even Franklin! Although, he seems to have caught a case of Ribic's inability to try decent faces. 

Seriously, dude, he's a kid, not a thirty year-old man. 

Anyway, Valeria and Doom meet up afterward where she laments the loss of Stephen while also asking her father why he hasn't killed the people "responsible." His excuse is...quite valid. He states that, in this mindset, he could rip Battleworld to shreds if he went out of control. Valeria offers to find out things about them, but Doom tells her just to find them and bring them to him. 

What's cool is that this all ties back to what Stephen brought up at the third issue. Doom is omnipotent and unbeatable, but isn't everywhere at once. He cannot interfere with everything despite his best efforts, and especially right now since the Thors were all gathered in one place. It's as if he's now painfully aware of this. All of this little reports Stephen kept track of sure would be helping. 

However, that is not the focus of this issue. Rather, the focus of the issue is on this: 

Yes, we've finally met the man behind the curtain. This is the "middle of the road" issue, if you will. We've reached the point of no return for Doom and our heroes and it's time we learned what's up. As Doom begins to explain what happened with Strange, we are thrown into the backstory that they all devised in order to stop the Beyonders: 

Owen Reece was created by the Beyonders as a time-bomb of sorts throughout the multiverse. When they gave the command, he would detonate and destroy each universe. However, through some stroke of luck, fate, or just pure intelligence, Reece and Doom met up and realized that Reece didn't have to follow the Beyonders, and could make his own choices. 

Thus, they set about killing some of the other Molecule Men around the multiverse (don't ask how they jumped universes, assume Dr. Doom had some sort of machine or stole it from Maker or something, I don't know) through the use of various Black Swans. Then they began to make their own, better Molecule Mans and confronted the Beyonders alongside inter-dimensional bad-ass Stephen Strange (what we saw in the first issue). From there the multiverse was splintered and here we are now. 

I explain all of this because that lone backstory is most of the book and it's much easier for me to tell you. I kind of like it. There are some holes in it that I pointed out but otherwise it makes sense. Now there is just one Owen Reece who is essentially the main battery for Battleworld, though Doom is the vessel through which it is used. Again: he isn't god, he's just some sort of conduit for someone else's power, and that makes it even better. 

The issue starts to wrap up as we cut over to the Foundation, where Valeria has decided to go around her father's requests and wants to know everything she can about these new people and what role they played in the death of Stephen, as well as why they have her father so riled up. Ribic's classic bad face artwork is exemplified here once again, mostly through Valeria, as nobody can keep their freaking mouth shut when they're not talking. We cut all over the place where we see Foster with the Thors, Black Panther and Namor hanging out, Captain Marvel being captured by Mr. Sinister, and Black Swan approaching Doomstadt. The issue ends, though with one man standing before the only thing holding back the great monstrosities of the world. 

Here he comes again...

Issue 5 isn't quite as good as the other two, but it didn't really need to be. It still provided an interesting look back on how Doom, Strange, and Reece all got to where they are now through the eyes of, arguably, the greatest piece of the puzzle for Battleworld. And freaking dang it, I just realized that I was supposed to call Battleworld Latverion throughout this review.

Ah well. 

These three issues are the strongest part of this event comic by far. The pacing is great, the writing is pretty top-notch for Hickman in the series, and the players are used masterfully for the story to give the reader just enough and yet leave them hungering for more. Issue 4 is still the standout for me as it heightens anticipation of the battle to come. Even knowing the outcome I still get excited while reading it. 

However, as is a rule of life, all good things must come to an end. Next week, we return to see just what the big plans for the heroes are...and see how this series begins to spiral in the complete opposite direction.

Yippee. 

Social media: 

Twitter: @seanovan13

Instagram: @seanovan10