Civil war erupts on Battleworld.
Aside from the massive (but inherently pointless) battle between two Earths in Secret Wars #1, there hasn’t been much actual warring going on in this series. That changes in a big way with issue #7. Thanks to the survivors of the Marvel Universe and Ultimate Universe, open revolt has broken out across Battleworld. This chapter provides plenty of spectacle and great character moments, even if the series is struggling with pacing problems at the moment.
This time around, God Emperor Doom is left with no other option than to watch as his loyal generals wage war against the Prophet and his uprising. Between Apocalypse laying waste to his enemies, Thors battling Thors and Hulks a plenty smashing their way through the opposition, this issue is about as big and epic as any we’ve seen so far. Hickman finds plenty of time for fun character interaction amid all this carnage. The interaction between regular and Ultimate Reed Richards remains a highlight, as is the reluctant alliance between Namor and Black Panther (the latter of whom shows what a “King of the Dead” is truly capable of). Plus, Mister Sinister is able to inject some comedic relief into the story.
With all this spectacle afoot, it should come as no surprise that Esad Ribic’s art leaves a terrific impression. Scale is something Ribic handles exceedingly well. This issue basically opens up the toy box and allows Ribic to run wild with the many colorful denizens of Battleworld. Once again, it’s great that Marvel has elected to keep Ribic as the sole artist rather than relying on fill-in artists to speed up the shipping schedule. This book simply wouldn’t be the same without Ribic’s distinctive, otherworldly style and Ive Svorcina’s ethereal colors.
There are some flaws with the execution of this issue, unfortunately. As with issue #6, Jonathan Hickman is leaving too much off the page when it comes to some of the lifeboat survivors. It would have been nice to glimpse more of the relationship between Captain Marvel and Sinister. And if you didn’t read Thors #4 today, the sudden division among the Thors might seem out of the blue. It’s also frustrating that some of the biggest developments from last month aren’t acknowledged in this issue. There’s possibly too much material for Hickman and Ribic to wade through at this point. At least they can’t be faulted for their ambition.
If you’ve felt that Secret Wars has been lacking in action so far, issue #7 will be just what the doctor ordered. This issue takes full advantage of the fun and spectacle that comes from pitting all the heroes and villains of Battleworld against one another. The series is suffering from some pacing troubles and plot elements that are glossed over, but this issue certainly deliver when it comes to sheer entertainment value.
