Uncanny X-Periment # 20: "Secret Wars"

My apologies for the delayed up-date. I've been uber-busy with real life stuff. Hopefully I can get back on track here.

"Secret Wars" was, and is, a huge ass story. Of the many events in the Marvel Universe, I'd say "Secret Wars" is probably among the top in both quality and importance. Basically, the story goes like this - one by one, the X-Men, the Avengers, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and Iron Man are teleported to "Battleworld" by a being known as the Beyonder. The Beyonder also brings the Wrecking Crew, Absorbing Man, Galactus, Doctor Doom, Magneto, Kang, Klaw, Doctor Octopus, Absorbing Man, and Lizard Man along for the ride. Upon arrival, they all learn that whichever team ("heroes" versus "villains") takes down the other team, wins whatever they desire.

Of course, this all goes askew when Galactus decides to eat Battleworld. And then things get crazy when Doom not only absorbs the power of Galactus, but then takes the power of the Beyonder as well.

There's a lot going for this story. There's a surprisingly large amount of character development and character subplots, especially the size of the cast. There's not a character featured that at least doesn't get some moment in the sun. We see Cyclops and Mr. Fantastic talk about the wives, we see Magneto break away from the heroes in an effort to seek out his own role, Colossus falls in love, etc.

The ideas brought in here break it away from the standard mega-crossover. Doom's omnipotence is featured very well, as we see just what happens to a mortal when he has all this power. These great, bold moments overpower any of the weaker ones.

The art fits the story, from the arrival on Battleworld to the teleport away, capturing both huge battles and intimate character moments.

In so many ways, "Secret Wars" is an epic of its own time. I think its best viewed as a product of its age: ambitious, larger than life, and just a massive story. I see it as the "Ben-Hur" of Marvel comics. Sprawling, epic, and momumental. Maybe not the best, but damn, if it's not a great read.

~W~