Secret Invasion
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Secret Invasion is an upcoming comic book storyline scheduled for 2008, to be published by Marvel Comics. It will focus on the revelation of an alien invasion by shapeshifters known as the Skrulls who have been secretly posing as various characters in the Marvel Universe.
Contents |
Production
Though it is unknown how the Skrull invasion began and for how long it has been going on, Brian Michael Bendis revealed in interviews that the motivation is the destruction of the Skrull Empire in Annihilation; the Skrulls believe that Planet Earth "is religiously and rightfully theirs".
According to writer Brian Bendis, there have been hints of the Skrull plot placed as far back as New Avengers #1, when an unknown figure hired Electro to break into the superhuman prison known as the Raft, and 2004's Secret War, which culminated in Nick Fury being removed as head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and going underground for many years.
Starting in November 2007 and leading up to April when the event starts, several ongoing comics and mini-series will be branded as tie-ins to the main Secret Invasion storyline, bearing the branding: "Secret Invasion: The Infiltration". These tie-ins include New Avengers: Illuminati #5, Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1, Mighty Avengers #7, New Avengers #38-39, Captain Marvel #4 -5 and Ms Marvel #25-27.Secret Invasion: The Infiltration Tie-Ins - Marvel.com News
The primary story of the Secret Invasion will be told in an eight-issue limited series which will pull all parties involved together, while the current titles of New Avengers and Mighty Avengers will focus on the past three years' worth of events and how those have been affected by the Skrull invasion, including the return of Nick Fury to the Marvel Universe. Other books such as the Fantastic Four will not tie in although their characters will still appear in the Secret Invasion books; the main story will mostly stick to Avengers-related books. Major impact from Secret Invasion has already been stated to be felt in Avengers: The Initiative, but whether this impact will relate to current events or reflect past events which will be revealed in this book is unknown.
When asked about the plot, Bendis stated that the series would not deal with heroes trying to work out how the Invasion had started, but show the reader the details; he stated that "if there's a character on the team who's a Skrull, we will rewind from when they got on that team, or from before they got on that team, so when they infiltrated, how they became who they became and the effects of their actions from their "point of view" is shown. He also stated that the story has been brewing since 2004's Avengers Disassembled.
Plot synopsis
Illuminati
Shortly after the Kree-Skrull War, which Earth's heroes were involved in, a small group of heroes representing the various factions of the Marvel universe banded together to secretly confront the Skrull emperor. This group consisted of Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, Namor, Black Bolt, Professor Charles Xavier, and Doctor Strange. They attacked the capital of the empire, and then threatened the emperor that another attack by the Skrulls would lead to war. However, they were captured, separated, and then experimented upon. The Skrulls analyzed their captives (physiology, genetics, technology, etc) and gleaned information from their behavior, until Iron Man is able to lead an escape. The Illuminati recognized that another attack is inevitable, while the Skrull Empire began to make use of the data they compiled.
The Infiltration
Recently, a battle broke out between the New Avengers and the Hand over the fate of Echo. During the fight, Echo is freed from the Hand's influence, and stabs the Hand's leader Elektra. Moments after her death, Elektra is revealed to be a Skrull. Tensions rise amongst the New Avengers, as they surmise any one of them could also be a Skrull. Spider-Woman suggests that they hand over the Skrull corpse to Iron Man, but she is rebuked by Luke Cage, who believes Iron Man to be a Skrull as well. During a fight, Spider-Woman knocks out Wolverine and steals the corpse to bring to Iron Man.New Avengers #32
Spider-Woman informs Tony Stark of what had happened in Japan, including the suspicion by his former teammates that he is a Skrull himself. A disturbed Stark accepts this, claims that his possession and DNA restructuring by Ultron verifies his authenticity, then demands to know where Nick Fury is, because he would know what to do. Jessica doesn't know. Stark agrees with Wolverine's opinion that this is just the beginning of an invasion, and convinces her to join the Mighty Avengers, even though she still absolutely refuses to sign the Superhuman Registration Act, since it will throw the Skrull off guard. Stark assumes that one of the Mighty Avengers is a Skrull sent to kill him, and with Spider-Woman on the team the Skrull will know that the Avengers are now aware of the Skrull threat. Spider-Woman convinces the others that she merely wanted to get back to doing something useful, and does not tell them what happened in Japan.Mighty Avengers #7
Iron Man is shocked by the Skrull corpse, realizing it to be a repercussion of the Illuminati's attack years prior. He reassembles the group for the first time since they splintered shortly before the Civil War, and they debate over whether this means an invasion has taken place. The group is caught off guard, however, when Black Bolt voices his opinion. It is revealed that he is in fact a Skrull as well, and fights the others over the body. This Skrull shows to have the combined powers of all the members of the Illuminati. After Namor manages to kill him, two more Skrulls, wielding other powers, attack. These Skrulls are killed by Iron Man. Namor reminds them that any of them could also be a Skrull, and that no one is to be trusted. The five then go their separate ways. New Avengers: Illuminati #5
The Revolutionary, who leads Pennsylvania's 50 State Initiate team The Liberteens, is shown to be a Skrull as well, contacting an unknown Skrull based within Camp Hammond who reveals his intentions to place agents in every 50 State Initiative team throughout the United States. Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1
Iron Man tells SHIELD Agent Sum, a member of SHIELD strike force Operation Lightning Storm, of the coming Invasion, and states that he believes their leader, Ms. Marvel, is actually a Skrull agent.Ms. Marvel #24
Captain Marvel battled the villains Cobalt Man and the original Cyclone, both supposedly deceased. He is then confronted by a group of Skrulls posing as Kree Soldiers, who attempt to kill him but are quickly defeated by Mar-Vell with the aid of Iron Man. He then goes on to confront Ms. Marvel over her identity, and then shares with her his experiences fighting both Cobalt Man and Cyclone. Shortly thereafter, Mar-Vell goes to interrogate Cobalt Man, who reveals himself to be a Skrull and states "You are not Captain Marvel". Meanwhile, Brother McNally, a member of the recently formed Church of Hala (established after the return of Captain Marvel), is revealed to be a Skrull as well.Captain Marvel #3
The Invasion
Iron Man calls in Mister Fantastic and Henry Pym to examine the body of the Elektra-Skrull that Spider-Woman brought to him, knowing it is just the beginning of an invasion. Meanwhile, a Skrull ship enters Earth's atmosphere and crashes into the Savage Land. Tony Stark gets called in by Abigail Brand, leaving Reed and Hank to examine the Skrull. Iron Man orders the Avengers to assemble, and Spider-Woman tells the New Avengers of the incident, setting up the inevitable clash between the two Avengers groups. Simultaneous strikes happen around the globe, such as the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier losing power, supervillians from The Raft set free, the Baxter Building is sent into the Negative Zone by a Skrull Sue Richards, S.W.O.R.D.'s space station is destroyed, and Thunderbolt Mountain is attacked by the Skrull Captain Marvel. During most of these terrorist attacks, the Skrull Agents say, "He Loves You" before detonating their attacks.
In the Savage Land, as the two Avenger teams start to fight, an assortment of Marvel superheroes and villains escape the downed Skrull craft, all dressed in costumes from earlier Marvel Eras of the 70's and 80's, putting many of the present heroes in doubt like Luke Cage, Spider-Man, and Wolverine as to who is really a Skrull. The escaped heroes claim to have been held captive on the Skrull Homeworld. At the lab, Reed realizes how the Skrulls become undetectable and turns to tell Hank. Pym pulls out a weapon and shoots Richards, which destabilizes him. As Hank transforms into a Skrull, he says "He Even Loves You."
In Manhattan, the first wave of Super Skrull shock troops bearing the abilities of Earth's superhumans arrive, as witnessed by the Young Avengers and the Runaways.[13] The Savage Land is the battleground between the Mighty and New Avengers, who battle and kill the ship's Spider-Man and Hawkeye who revert into Skrull forms. The deception is so complete, that the Skrull Mockingbird knows about the miscarried child that she and Hawkeye had, something the two never shared with anyone else. The Skrull Spider-Woman tries to fool the virus-weakened Iron Man into thinking that he is a Skrull as well, before she is driven off. At the same time, Reed Richards is revealed being held by Skrull forces in Earth's orbit on an unidentified armada ship, stretched to his physical limits and surrounded by a crowd of Skrull watchers and scientists, helpless against the threats and torture. Agent Abigail Brand of S.W.O.R.D. manages to free him, allowing him to build a device to counteract the previously undetectable Skrulls.
Down in the chaotic battle in Manhattan, Nick Fury and the new Howling Commandos turn the tide; they rescue all the downed Young Avengers and Initiative cadets before further execution and casualties. Ms. Marvel proceeds to help, but soon after is shot by Fury, who is unconvinced she is the real Carol Danvers. After being shot back into another street, the Skrull onlookers quickly overrun her. Fury then calls his men to retreat so that they can plan the next move at the new command post. Using generated images of world leaders and celebrities, the Skrulls announce that they intend to assimilate all humans into their culture and way of life, declaring Earth part of the Skrull empire. The only way for the human race to save their planet is to assimilate. The Hood decides to take his rebuilt empire of the New York City criminal roster and battle the Skrulls, as "no more Earth is bad for business". In the Savage Land, the various superheroes clash again with the remaining escaped heroes, each one declaring who they are or who they believe themselves to be. At this time, Reed Richards fires into the center of the crowd of superheroes with a high tech weapon he created. The Skrulls and humans are revealed, with the impostors surprised that their skin turns green, and become disoriented. They are immediately killed.
Queen Veranke arrives at Camp Hammond while the Avengers head to New York only to find it burning. Noh-Varr comes across a damaged Skrull ship. He lands to check it out when Captain Marvel stumbles out. Before he dies, Captain Marvel begs Noh-Varr to stop the invasion, but Noh-Varr says this isn't his world. Captain Marvel says it doesn't matter and he is here for a reason. He has learned so much from Earth's people and the Skrulls have no honor like the humans or the Kree. Elsewhere, the Skrulls restore the global communication systems and announce their plans. Using the restored systems, they try to convince humanity they only want to enhance, not enslave them. Down on the street, a group of people want to welcome the Skrulls, but are saved by Nick Fury and his troops as the Skrulls start to attack them. Thor makes his presence known, calling thunder and lightning down from the sky to herald the final battle. He meets up with the new Captain America, the New Avengers, the Mighty Avengers, Ka-Zar, Nick Fury and his new Commandos, the Young Avengers, the Initiative, the Hood's criminal syndicate, Howard the Duck, and the Thunderbolts. Queen Veranke reveals that "He" is "God." Iron Man calls for the Avengers to Assemble and an all out war between the Skrulls and the superhumans of Earth ensues.
The Watcher Uatu appears, signaling that an event of cosmic relevance is unfolding as the battle rages. As Tony Stark is forced to retreat because of damage to his rebuilt armor, Jessica Jones and Noh-Varr take his place on the battlefield as Daredevil joins the battle. The presence of Noh-Varr, claiming a victory in the name of Mar-Vell and the Kree, is enough to give the assembled heroes back their resolve. Bullseye (present as a member of the Thunderbolts), initially targets Spider-Man, but instead shoots the giant-sized Criti Noll through the eye, knocking him down. Clint Barton, using the bow and the trick arrows of the wounded Kate Bishop, slays several Super-Skrulls before getting a supposed kill shot on Queen Veranke. This causes her to shift back into her natural form, indicating death. (However, Bendis is quoted elsewhere as saying she is not dead.) The distraught Criti Noll gets up long enough to activate the new growth serum in the Wasp which he had given her when she still thought he was Hank Pym, turning her into an explosive trap. The Skrull Jarvis watches from Avengers Tower as the energy washes over hero, villain and Skrull alike. While holding Jessica's and Luke Cage's child, he comments that it doesn't matter if the Skrulls win or lose, so long as "God's" will is done.
As the Wasp begins to explode, Thor is able to minimize the damage caused by Wasp by turning the energy she was exerting on herself; promising to avenge her. Queen Veranke is revealed to be alive and as the heroes go to attack her, Norman Osborn blows her head off. This event is seen around the world. All superhumans with the power of flight take out whats left of the Skrull armada and Tony Stark, who has returned from Stark tower after donning an earlier version of his armor, finds the ship containing the heroes and humans that have been replaced. It was later established that the skrulls needed the original abductees alive because they were the original source material for the skrulls genetic disguises. Among those present in the ship are Elektra, Spider-Woman, Dum Dum Dugan, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Henry Pym,several agents of both S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA, and Mockingbird, whose appearance sugests that she may have been the first hero replaced, as this obviously occured before her "death", but after she started her relationship with Hawkeye. Iron Man rejoins Thor and Captain America, only to find that the deep-seeded resentment from previous conflicts is still inherent; the blame for the Invasion is placed squarely upon the shoulders of Tony Stark. A Skrull reveals to Hulkling, Wiccan and Hawkeye that taking over the Earth was the last chance they had since all their planets have been destroyed. By order of the President, S.H.I.E.L.D. is shut down and anything included in S.H.I.E.L.D., including all Stark Tech, is replaced with the Thunderbolts Initiative. Meanwhile, the Skrull-Jarvis disappears with Luke Cage and Jessica Jones' daughter, leaving Jessica desperate. At the end of the issue the readers are introduced to a Dark Illuminati group, consisting of Norman Osborn, Doctor Doom, Loki, Emma Frost, Namor, and the Hood, who intend to manipulate the future events in their favor.
Aftermath
Dark Reign will deal with the aftermath of Secret Invasion, as described by Bendis: "something pretty bad happens in Secret Invasion to members of Mighty Avengers. And I did one more issue to deal with that on an emotional level. And that's Mighty Avengers #20. It also sets up Dark Avengers" At the same time he will also be releasing a one-shot "Secret Invasion: Dark Reign Special" with artist Alex Maleev, which will "bookend" the series. Marvel is keeping nearly all details about Dark Reign classified until the conclusion of Secret Invasion, as evidenced on their December 2008 solicitations list, however Bendis and Mike Deodato have been confirmed as the writer and artist for the upcoming Dark Avengers ongoing series. Latest news is that Norman Osborn gains vast control after the invasion, creating a supervillain cabal that will rule the world. Tony Stark is made a fugitive, Stark Industries becomes part of Oscorp, S.H.I.E.L.D. is disbanded due to vast destruction and inside corruption, and Norman creates the Dark Avengers to take down the last superheroes that threaten him.
Known Skrull agents
This section lists prominent characters who have been shown to be agents of the Skrulls, in order of publication date. Some or all have been replaced by Skrulls for an unknown but prolonged period of time.
- Elektra - Revealed in New Avengers #31. Siri, the original Skrull who impersonated Elektra was killed by the real Natchios when Super Skrull agents tried to abduct her while Pagon takes Elektra's identity after she is captured. Pagon is ordered by Veranke to undertake a suicide mission to reveal the Skrull invasion to the humans by sacrificing himself to be killed by Echo.
- Black Bolt - Revealed in New Avengers: Illuminati #5. Killed by Namor.
- Revolutionary (of the Liberteens) - Revealed in Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1.
- Cobalt Man - Revealed in Captain Marvel #3. Killed by Captain Marvel.
- Cyclone I - Revealed in Captain Marvel #4. Killed by Captain Marvel. Skrull identity not public due to destruction of remains.
- Valentina Allegra de Fontaine - Revealed in Secret Invasion Prologue.Marvel Digital Comics: Secret Invasion Prologue #1 The first Skrull that posed as her was killed by Nick Fury. Another Skrull later posed as her in the Savage Land and then assumed the form of Dum Dum Dugan. This Skrull presumably died during a suicide bombing at the S.W.O.R.D. Space Headquarters.
- Edwin Jarvis - Revealed in Secret Invasion #1. Supposedly killed by Maria Hill when she self-destructed the downed Helicarrier.
- Henry Pym - Revealed in Secret Invasion #1. Been replaced several times by different Skrulls, one of which was identified as Criti Noll in Avengers: The Initiative #14.
- Sir Mortimer Grimsdale (British JIC Chair) - Revealed in Captain Britain and MI: 13 #1. Outed by John the Skrull and killed by Pete Wisdom
- Captain Marvel - Revealed in Captain Marvel #5. A mistake in the Skrull Khn'nr's conditioning led to Khn'nr's personality being erased and Captain Marvel's remaining, which has caused him to rebel against his species. Killed in a Skrull ship's crash.
- Spider-Woman - Revealed as the Skrull Queen Veranke in Secret Invasion #3. It should be pointed out though that Queen Veranke still has not been seen reverting back to her Skrull shape as of Secret Invasion #6.
- Magnitude (of the Point Men) - Revealed in Avengers: The Initiative #14. Killed by 3-D Man (Delroy Garrett).
- Longshot - Revealed as a Skrull in X-Factor #33.
- Kirby the Coyote Pup - Revealed as a Skrull in Incredible Hercules #119. Killed by Atum.
- Brother Voodoo - Revealed as a Skrull in Black Panther #38. Killed by Cannibal.
- She-Thing - Revealed as a Skrull in Avengers: The Initiative #16. Killed by the Skrull Kill Krew.
- Blacksmith (of the Desert Stars) - Revealed in Avengers: The Initiative #16. Killed by 3-D Man.
- Ahura - Revealed as a Skrull by Maximus in Secret Invasion: Inhumans #2. Defeated by Maximus.
Tie-ins
- Avengers: The Initiative #14
- Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1
- Black Panther vol. 4 #39
- Captain Britain & MI: 13 #1-3
- Captain Marvel vol. 5 #4-5
- Incredible Hercules #117-119
- Mighty Avengers #7, #12-15
- Ms. Marvel vol. 2 #25-29
- New Avengers #31-32, #38-43
- New Avengers: Illuminati #1, #5
- New Warriors vol. 4 #13
- Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #`1-3
- Secret Invasion: Runaways #1
- Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? one-shot
- She-Hulk #31
- Thunderbolts #122
- X-Factor vol. 3 #33
