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Secret war is where it all begins. Together with Avengers Disassembled,
the book forms what is essentially a prologue to Bendis' run in charge of the
Marvel universe. The plotlines which come from this story are ultimately only
resolved in Secret Invasion.
Nick Fury, head of Shield, discovers a link between Marvel's
technology-based villains, a link leading back to Lucia von Bardas, prime
minister of Latveria. Finding the government to be unresponsive to his argument
for pre-emptive action against her country, and with memories of September 11th
firmly in the back of his mind, Fury puts together a team: Spiderman, Luke
Cage, Daredevil, Wolverine, the Black Widow and a young Shield agent, Daisy
Johnson, who later plays a prominent role in Secret Invasion.
But the assembled heroes' objections to their mission once
they are in Latvia lead Fury to erase their memories of the event. One year
later, Latvia strikes back at the heroes in New York, and they start to ask
questions about exactly what happened.
It's an event storyline, and this is, despite its subtle,
understated art and short length (just five chapters), an event comic. BY the
finale, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men have gotten involved as well, even
it's just to stand around and look outraged. The plot, which sees Nick Fury leave
the Marvel universe for a good long time, helps frame many of the themes
(mistrust, paranoia and the a flux in the hierarchy of the Marvel universe)
which go on to dominate the House of Idea's output for the next few years.
But compared to later events, such as House of M or Disassembled,
this is infinitely darker, more mature fare. The tone is hard-edged, downbeat and harsh,
and the pace is controlled, rather than relentless.
Gabriele Dell'Otto's art compliments the story perfectly. In
fact, there's almost no way to overstate the extent of his accomplishment here.
Dell'Otto is an interesting man. His
other work includes calendars, scientific illustrations and some lithography,
as well as the covers for the later Marvel series Annihilation. It would be nice if he worked within the front
pages a little more. He has the enviable
ability to portray the character as at once heroic and human. Daredevil particularly stands out, as does
Fury. The tone and texture of his art is just wonderful, and you'll soon find
yourself getting held up on a page just to gaze at the level of detail and exactness
in his work.
One panel, in which Daredevil startles Spiderman, prompting Peter
Parker to spit milk all over Matt Murdoch's face, is a genuine masterpiece. In
one panel, Dell'Otto details movement, perfect expression, tone,
characterisation and storytelling - all in the space of an eighth of the page.
This level of accomplishment is made easier by Bendis'
mastery of dialogue, and his sporadic – but in this book fully switched-on - ability
to master the pace of a story. The characterisation is first class. The best
scene of the book, where the heroes talk on the plane to Latveria in their 'civvies',
demonstrates just how perfectly Bendis knows these characters. Watching them
interact under his expert eye is a real pleasure.
The story itself is different and almost a statement of
intent. Noticeably mature and rooted firmly in the real world, this opening salvo
of Bendis' gives us some indication of the sophistication he sought to
introduce to mainstream hero comics. He hasn't always managed to maintain this
mission, but he deserves thanks for trying. Some of the implications of the
politics in the story were irritating and unresolved, but that's nothing to get
hung up on.
The espionage element is brilliantly realised. At one point
Fury eyeballs Captain America nervously as he threatens to tell the others what
Fury did, and for a moment you feel as if you're reading a genuinely adult
measurement of the Marvel universe, with all the judgement calls, half-truths and politics that accompany power and
responsibility in the real world. If there's a complaint to be had it's that it doesn't go far
enough. With all the pieces in place the story quickly resolves itself and
wraps everything up into a rather sudden ending. It doesn't feel rushed, or even unsatisfying,
but, frankly, I could have done with another couple of chapters. As far as
complaints go, being left wanting more is a flattering one for the creators,
but that doesn't take away from the fact that more could been done with the
story here.
This is a rich book, which begins to flesh out themes and
plotlines that play their course over the next few years of the Marvel
universe. The action is relatively limited, although a big fight in New York is
well executed and enjoyable. Don't let that put you off – Secret War is
well-worth your time if you have even a passing interest of the characters
featured in it. And that applies whether you're planning to take Bendis' road
all the way to Secret Invasion or not.
7/10
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