Review : Secret Wars 1-3

Secret Wars 1-3

I'm not going to go into much detail, but these books are highly recommended (by me) anyway, so go get reading and check out my review:

Secret Wars #1

You have to read Secret Wars #1 twice to love it: On the first read you'll probably not have a clue of everything that's going one; on the second read (when you're reading to do a review on your blog after having read a few other Secret War tie-in titles) you'll realize how epic it is.

Secret Wars #1 excellently sets the stage for what the rest of the series is going to be. It opens with the war between 616 and 1610, with backstage, evilous players such as 1610's Reed Richards and (I think) 616's Thanos and The Cabal, as the two worlds are colliding. Needless to say, nobody wins the war and the 616 team manages to get some select heroes on a safety raft to survive the incursion.

We also see Doom being set up to become the God of the BATTLEWORD that ensues.

What I liked? : On the second read? EVERYTHING!! Just get ready for a great series. There is so much happening in this book: Look out for development with Phoenix-Cyclops, a mourning 616 Reed, evil 1610 Reed, The Cabal and God-Doom.

The writing is brilliant and creative and the art is excellent.

Dislikes ? : Only 616 characters are heavily featured. On top of it, 1610 characters sort of seemed like the bad guys... 

I give it 9/10

Secret Wars #2

Secret Wars 2 introduces us to BATTLEWORLD and what it is (where as Secret Wars 1 set the stage). The story expertly  expounds on what the structure of the world of God Emperor Doom is, through the the tale of the Thors. 

The Thors are basically Doom's police and after a new Thor has been inducted in their ranks he is shown a clear view of BATTLEWORLD-- it's kingdoms, hierarchies and courts--on his first day as a Thor. 

Also in this book is the discovery of a raft in one of the kingdoms. unfortunately this raft hosts the Cabal and 1610 Richards and all hell breaks loose when the Thors are sent to guard it but a curious commoner opens it up.

What I liked? : It gives a pretty good idea of what the -- otherwise convoluted-- BATTLEWORLD is. (I know very many people are still confused as to what battle world is but if they read enough titles they will come to understand). The storytelling, again, is great. We begin to see the world Doom has created is not without flaws and Doom works hard to have systems in place that maintains his order and divinity.

Dislikes?: There were no dislikes, really. It's just still a little bit much to wrap your head around.

I give it a 9/10

Secret Wars #3

There's a lot going on in Secret Wars #3, It begins by giving us a a glance into Doom's relation with Dr. Strange and shows how, while Strange always preoccupied with keep and eye matters of the state, Doom chooses not to do the worrying that Strange does.

The story then moves into Strange finding out about the Raft discovered in on of the Kingdoms and upon his inspection, he discovers none other that a stowed away 1610 Miles who remembers everything about his world before, there is no sign of the sinisters that were housed in the raft save for one dead Thor.

We also get into a glimpse of Dooms struggle as a God and his relation to his people and his family and wife, Sue (of course).

We later find out that  Strange had been holding another raft, unopened that was discovered years before. This raft holding Black Panther and the other select heroes from Issue #1 who survived the incursion. While on  the outside years had passed, for those on the inside it hadn't been more than an hour.

What I like? : Secret wars has been moving progressively, with a nice pace. The story comfortably fits a whole lot in one issue and quickly builds a world, and characters and plots to be unraveled by the end of the series. Secret Wars #3 continues on that trend and maintains the strength of the series.

Dislikes ? : BATTLEWORLD is still a bit convoluted as a concept but it's okay if you turn a bling eye.

I give it a 8/10