The Good
This is what I want in an "event" tie in. INFINITY started last week with a good start. We're seeing the seeds sprout from Jonathan Hickman's AVENGERS series. This "Infinite" comic shows us another part of the Marvel Universe. We see the Builders' razing Hy'lt Minor.
What's most fascinating about this story is we're seeing a Skrull planet attacked. With what happened during Secret Invasion, it would be difficult to ever sympathize with these aliens. But the way Jason LaTour lays out the story, you can't help but feel for them. The story is narrated by the Silver Surfer and it adds a great perspective on the events. It's sometimes hard to remember what he must be going through and how detached he must be since he received the power cosmic.
Agustin Alessio provides some gorgeous artwork. It's almost eerie seeing the Skrulls portrayed with this sort of detail but it fits the story perfectly. The use of the Infinite format allows for some subtle tricks with the art that makes the reading experience more enjoyable. Seeing the Silver Surfer in action here was incredible.
The Bad
The story doesn't appear to be essential to the overall story. At least not yet. It does give a great taste of how vast the Marvel Universe is and that this "event" is having an effect on far off areas as well.
The Verdict
Marvel's Infinite Comics are a blast to read. The little enhancements adds some life to the comics and makes the reading experience a little more interactive. This story ties into INFINITY but doesn't appear to be crucial. For $1.99, it's an impressive story with gorgeous art that should definitely be checked out. Apparently those that redeemed the digital code for INFINITY #1, you may have noticed this comic included at no extra charge. Jason LaTour makes you feel sympathy for the Skrulls. This is something I thought I'd never see. You just might not look at them the same after this.
If you're interested in what impact Infinity arc will have on the rest of the Marvel Universe, this is a great example. You're taken away from the main portion of the action and are treated to an interesting story. Plus, you'll want to see how much butt the Silver Surfer kicks. If you've never read an Infinite Comic, you need to check this out.