Secret Invasion

The Quest of Hercules in space continues here.

Overview:

The God squad starts out their quest to find the Skrull Pantheon.  There is a slight problem they don’t know the way.  So Hercules decides to stop and ask directions.  So how does he go to?  They travel to, Nightmare master of dreams and all around somnambulant villain, for the answer.
Hercules starts out with reminiscing about his time with Jason and the Argo.  He even goes so far as to cast his motley crew in parallel roles. Casting Ajak as Orpheus, Atum as Pollux, Snowbird as Atalanta, and Mikaboshi as Pericymenus.  He refuses to call Amadeus Hylas, which leads to the foreshadowing of things to come.
Snowbird question Amadeus as they come upon Nightmare leading to a mutual Skrull accusation, which also gives us the name for Amadeus coyote pup, Kerberos.
Nightmare demands to know the fears of the gods in return for the location of the Skrull Pantheon.  Amadeus believes it is a trick and tries to dissuade Hercules.  Through the dreams Nightmare learns Hercules fears failure as a result of his afinity for humans and how it could call his failure.  Snowbird is revealed to be suffering from survivor’s guilt after Alpha Flight was killed.  Atum or Demogorge is revealed to fear that the universe will go on for eternity and he will never be allowed to feed fully.
**Spoiler**
Mikaboshi is revealed to be nothing but a shadow.  Hercules used his ability to fool Nightmare while Mikaboshi steals the maps.  Hercules is then awoken by Kerberos and proceeds to fight Nightmares creatures.  Atum then criticizes Hercules only to realize his plan.
The story ends with Hercules comforting Snowbird.  He is not alone however as a very sinister green-eyed Kerberos looks on.  He is sporting some kind of tech leading to the question is he a Skrull or is it Amadeus controlling him?
 
 

Right after Secret Invasion #3, Ms Marvel appears in Manhattan and encounters a never-ending horde of skrulls. Without the Avengers, without the Initative, will Carol survive the Invasion?

Story by Brian Reed
Art by Adriana Melo

Overview

SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO-----? Rewinding the clock to Avengers Dissassembled we reveal how one of the main players in SECRET INVASION was replaced by a Skrull and what the fallout has been. A major SECRET INVASION chapter is here! Oh, but you want to know exactly who we're talking about right? Spoilers, dude!

This issue centers itself around one of main keys in the Invasion: Henry Pym and how was he replaced.

Spoilers

The issue begins with Hank giving a lecture on "Advanced Genetic Analysis" in the Sheldonian Theatre.  We jump to after his speech were he allows the many students watching to ask him questions.  One asks does Hank think that his adventures with the Avengers have changed the "course of [his] research".  He explains that he does think it did, and that anything can change everything, as tells the audience a story about Reed Richards, and when he once got an idea for a one of his biggest success from watching his son (Franklin Richards) play with building blocks, and he continues to talk about how the smallest things can affect their work.  He does this while staring at a blonde girl in the audience, who raises her hand next and asks why did the Avengers break up, to which  he smiles slightly and tells her that in his mind, they're just taking a break, and if they are needed he believes they will return.  The two then stare at each other.

In his office at home (we presume), Hank types away on a computer, and then here's a door crash behind him.  It's Wasp, Janet, and she tells him she's home, and he tells here that he's "in here".  She states that he's still up, and she tells him that she forgot where they lived, and he replies sarcastically, to which she says that they've only lived there a month, and he asks her, obviously angry, where she was, and she explains that she was with Tom Ford, a friend who she had dinner with, and Tom brought friends and they talked business, and then Hank points out to us that she is drunk.  She replies telling him she was out, and that she had a good time and she's sorry she has friends, and that she has to "shmooze a little" to get the business back up and running, while she enters the bathroom.  Hank asks her, well more demanded her to go to bed, and she shouts back, carrying a tooth brush and now in her under garments, that he was the one who wanted to move to England, and he repeats his earlier comment, adding that she is drunk, and then Janet pops her head around the door saying that she could have kissed someone, but she didn't.  Hank raises her voice, and tells her to go to bed, and she slams the door, questioning herself on why she didn't stay in New York, and after she leaves, Hank quietly asks "Why didn't you?"

Next morning, and it appears that Hank fell asleep at his desk, as he wakes up in his chair.  He calls for Janet, and walks to the bedroom to she that the bed is empty, and then he moves onto the closet, to see that all of Janet's clothes are gone.  He walks into the bathroom to see a not taped to the mirror, saying bye, to which Hank remarks "Classy."

Next, and we jump to Hank in bed with the blonde student from his lecture before (the one who was staring at him).  She asks can she ask him sothing, and he tells her to go ahead, and she asks "Aren't you married?", to which he replies that now she asks (presumably because they're in bed, naked, together, I think its safe to assume that they slept together).  She explains that she knows that he's married, but why did he sleep with her if he is.  He explains that he's seperated, and then they talk about that.  She then tells him that he's the oldest guy she's slept with, and Hank takes offence, telling her that he's not old, she then comforts him saying it wasn't an insult.  He asks does she have a roommate, which she tells him no while putting on a t-shirt that's to big for her, and then he asks does she have the internet, and she replies affirmative.  He then goes to tell her that she can't tell anyone, but before he can finish, she tells him that she won't.  She tells him that her mother would die if she saw her "canoodling" with anyone, and he appriciates that.  She then claims that he'll probably be going back to America, and he asks why she'd think that, and she shows him the laptop displaying a picture and article about the New Avengers, but he explains that they have nothing to do with him, as it was another life, and he intends to work on his research there in England.  She confirms this by asking if he's staying to which he replies yes, and he asks her out to dinner, and she accepts, excited as she has a "billion questions".

The next page shows the two doing various things together, eating out at a restaurant, the two in a kitchen and Hank making coffee, the two taking a stroll, the two coming out of a shop and then in a bar, and she is asking a different question in every different situation.  The last panel of this page then shows her asking about the Kree-Skrull war, and then we see that the two are sitting on a bed, her naked and Hank in his underwear, Hank also with a tub of ice cream, the two with spoons, and Hank going to feed her.  He tells her that's going back, and she asks if it was real, to which he replies yes.  She tells him that her brother constantly visits conspiracy websites and stuff, and Hank then tells her that from his experience, most conspiracies are true.  He then tells her about the Kree, and about that they're noble, and that "we" will most probably be like them in ten thousand years.  He asks if she knows who Captain Marvel is, and continues on telling her that he's a Kree, and then she asks about Skrulls.  He says its going to bother her, but he tells her that they're shapeshifters

(Tarnax VII, many months ago)
In the far reaches of the Skrull Empire, plans are afoot. Chrell and Fremin are chatting. Fremin doesn't understand what they are doing there. Would the Empire really give these warlords the next Super-Skrull to resolve a border dispute? He is soft. Chrell replies that the child shows promise, and can be hardened. He asks him to come along as their guest has arrived. Fremin is surprised to find that the guest is Queen Veranke. She informs Commander Chrell that she has need of him. Fremin is surprised. He thinks this is insane. He cannot listen to her. He cannot trust her. Chrell, without a word, takes out his weapon and shoots Fremin dead. He informs Veranke that Fremin was a close friend and an excellent instructor, but he was not a believer. Queen Veranke then entrusts Chrell with two tasks for the glory ahead. She needs an army trained, and when the day comes, she needs the Prince eliminated. He is too dangerous to live. Chrell replies that when the day comes, he will end his blasphemous life himself.

(Earth, present)
It is a bright day and the runaways are in New York City, with Molly showing Klara the sites, such as the Empire State Building, the Baxter Building and a rooftop where they once beat up a guy. Times Square is only four blocks away. Xavin finds this unacceptable. Nico explains that it's called hiding in plain sight. It's only for a few hours so that Klara can say goodbye to her home. Then they will return to Los Angeles and drop off the radar. Chase stops at a hot dog vendor and Karolina is appalled. They brought Klara from the past to save her, not poison her. Chase asks what she's going to feed her. Tofurkey? That freaks him out and he's from this century. Klara talks to Molly. She feels that the clothes people wear seem awfully... sinful. Should Nico not cover her shoulders?

Xavin is still complaining. She says that in the Skrull language, hiding in plain sight also means 'begging to get caught.' They shouldn't even have to be running. They shouldn't have to hide. "Here it comes," sighs Victor. Xavin adds that New York City is where they should be. Is this city not home to Earth's superhumans? And yet, they are fugitives. They are treated like criminals when they should be the rulers of this world. Everyone, including Karolina, stops and looks at Xavin. She blushes and nervously admits that it sounded bad. What she meant was, they should be more like leaders, like the Fantastic Four and the Avengers. Karolina places a hand on her shoulder and figures she should quit while she's ahead. "Or maybe stop thinking in general," adds Victor.

Klara is looking skywards, and Molly reminds her that Chase said she shouldn't do that. She looks like a hick tourist. Klara keeps her eyes aimed high, replying that she is sorry, but she doesn't think she will ever become accustomed to the wonders of their world. Molly says sure she will. She wouldn't believe the things she has gotten used to, like vampires and giants. As she speaks, a shadow crosses them and Molly turns to look up. "Whoa!" she exclaims as she sees a Skrull invasion force approaching.

Numerous Skrulls along with their equipment descend from the skies. "It's raining Xavins," jokes Molly, not realizing the seriousness of the situation. "Um, sweetie," says Karolina, as Xavin tries to figure out what's going on. The Skrulls land and Nico tells Xavin to snap out of it. What is this? she asks. Xavin's eyes glow and she turns to them before creating a flat forcefield which hurls them all away from danger, but which also knocks them out.

(several blocks away)
In Times Square, the Young Avengers swing bravely into action. The Vision, Speed, Wiccan, Hawkeye, Patriot and Hulkling charge towards Times Square with Eli calling the shots. He orders them to spread out and protect the civilians. Tommy reckons they're a little outgunned, but Eli says they will hold the invaders until help arrives. A Skrull picks up a New York Transit bus and Speed turns to the Vision. He thought the Skrulls couldn't do powers. He thought it was only the Super-Skrull guy and he only had the FF's bag of tricks. The Vision replies that it would appear they were wrong. Billy asks Teddy if this is about him. Have the Skrulls come back for him? Teddy has no idea. He doesn't know what to do. Watching from afar, a Skrull spots Hulkling and thinks it's a potential match. "Inform the commander."

(meanwhile)
The runaways are slowly recovering from the concussive effects of Xavin's forcefield. Nico and Victor come round first and they see two Skrulls talking to Xavin. Unfortunately, they are speaking Skrullian so they have no idea what is being said. Victor needs a little more time to fully reboot. The others are still unconscious. He asks Nico if she has any ideas. Nico reckons she's already done a teleportation spell, but she's still got a spell that will stop Xavin's heart - assuming she's got one. She asks him to wait for her signal.

Xavin shouts at the two new arrivals, and they decide to leave for the time being. Xavin then turns and sees her friends sprawled across the ground. She checks on Karolina who emits a groan, and uses her Invisible Woman powers to place each of her friends inside small capsules with which she can move them. Xavin looks extremely unhappy at what's going on. She takes the runaways over the stranded cars and away from danger, but, not realizing this, Nico casts a spell. "Pop," she utters, and the capsules explode, dropping each of the runaways to the ground. As soon as Nico lands, she tells Victor to hit Xavin with everything he's got. He asks about the others, but Nico tells him that if they don't take Xavin down now, it won't matter. Xavin sees the kids fall and creates invisible cushions to protect them, but Victor takes the opportunity to use wreckage around them to wrap Xavin up in slithers of metal.

Xavin insists that she was taking them to the Leapfrog. She's trying to save them. Nico asks what makes her believe her less. She attacking them, or her extended family playing 'space invaders' in Times Square. She asks Victor to squeeze, and the metal tightens around Xavin's Skrull body. She tells them that they have to trust her, but Victor replies that the team isn't big on trust. All she is, is another Skrull, just like the invaders. Xavin assures him that he's wrong. She isn't like them. The Skrull Empire has attempted invasions of Earth before. Her own parents did so, but this is different. These Skrulls are religious extremists. They believe in a prophecy that Earth belongs to them, and that their god has promised it to them. They think it is their by right. They will kill everyone that stands in their way... human or Skrull, she continues. They should forget everything she has said about standing up and fighting, and about her calling them cowards. They must get away. They have to run.

Xavin adds that because these Skrulls see every human as a sin against their god, and they won't hesitate to kill them all, even the children like Molly and Klara. Nico turns and looks at her still-unconscious friends. "This invasion..." she begins. Xavin cuts her off. She informs Nico that if it has come to this, then the invasion is over. They have won. Now it's just a matter of cleaning up. She begs Nico, and asks her to remember her battle cry. Nico says, "Try not to die," and quickly wises up. She asks Victor to grab everyone and get them outta there. She knows that Karolina will hate her for this, but Xavin tells her that at least she will be alive.

(elsewhere)
Hulkling thinks that, because he is half-Skrull, he can talk to them. He rushes over to a group of Skrulls and introduces himself to his 'brothers of the Empire' as Hulkling, the son of Princess Anelle. He tells them that they have to stop this. They all turn on him and blast him from all directions. Teddy screams in pain as he takes everything they've got. Nearby, Hawkeye think that this is insane. Where are the Avengers?

From afar, Chrell is watching footage on a large screen with X'iv, and he pauses the image to ask for a genetic match on Hulkling. The computer is unable to identify Teddy due to the subject's form being in flux. This is due to the energy attack from the other Skrulls. Chrell tells it to extrapolate, and the computer states that there is a 57% match probability. Chrell is convinced that it is Dorrek and feels that it's fortunate that they attacked so quickly that they didn't recognize him. He can't believe that the prophesised savior of the Skrull Empire is living amongst them, and an Avenger no less. Chrell thinks that if news of his presence spread through their armada, it could instil confusion, and then doubt. Doubt is the enemy of faith. X'iV informs him that more heroes are coming. On Earth, the Initiative charge into action led by Gauntlet. Chrell doesn't think it matters. Their victory is promised to them.

(New York City)
The runaways have retreated to the Leapfrog which is cloaked atop a tall building. Nico looks after Karolina who is still unconscious. She hopes Karolina won't hate her for this. The Leapfrog's systems come online and he warns Nico and Victor that he has detected multiple spacecraft. Vic already knows, and he takes the 'Frog high into the air. Vic is feeling torn. He doesn't think this is right, but Nico asks him to trust her. It's her decision, and it might have been wrong, but their luck is only going to last so long, and this is too big. Vic replies that Xavin was going to help. He should have stayed with her. As Nico assures him that she needs him there, two extremely large Skrulls appear right in front of the Leapfrog; both ready to attack.

On the ground, the heroes are struggling. Stature is battered to the ground, and Speed is concerned for Wiccan who can't seem to pull it together. Billy wants to find Teddy, but Speed tries to get through to him that they're going to die there.

Elsewhere, Xavin has wriggled free of her shackles and flamed on. She lands on a building overlooking the action in semi-invisible mode. Xavin then looks over and sees a couple of Skrull ships coming in to land. This is band news, she feels. They're all going to die. She has to help. She then notices what the commotion is about. "Oh no, no please... not him," she gasps. Two Skrulls step out onto the street. One of them is Chrell. He tells the other that he knows his orders. If their target talks, he will lie. He is a deceiver and a betrayer. He should treat him like the Kree he is. Xavin looks at the forlorn figure lying before them. "Dorrek."

Xavin acts quickly. He rockets in and causes an explosion between Teddy and the Skrulls. By the time the smoke dissipates, Chrell sees a hole in the ground and no sign of Dorrek. Xavin has taken him into the sewers beneath New York. As she drags him along as quickly as she can, she tries to wake him up. He finally wakes up, though he is still groggy. "Billy... have to stop them..." he whispers. Xavin agrees, but first he has to survive. That will actually require being conscious. "They're coming, do you hear me?" she warns. Xavin turns to see the tunnel behind them light up in flame. They are soon bundled over by a blast and sent sprawling into the water. Dorrek falls unconscious again, and by the time Xavin regains her facilities, she finds three Skrulls standing over them. Their leader says, "Die sinners."

Overview

SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!

The Avengers are trapped in the Savage Land, battling friend and foe. And Spider-Man heads to the one person in the entire place he knows he can trust: Ka-Zar!! But is it really him? This important chapter rewinds the events of the very first New Avengers story and shows how it connects to the Invasion.

SYNOPSIS ASSEMBLE!

• The Mighty Avengers and the New Avengers face off against the heroes, assuming that the newcomers are in fact Skrull imposters. The battle is chaotic, and before either side can gain the upper hand, things are thrown into further disarray when a huge Tyrannosaur stomps his way into the battle…

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE!

• The heroes and the imposters scatter, trying to avoid the crazed dinosaur. Spider-Man jumps atop the T-Rex, hoping to gain better position. All he gains, though, is a quick way out of the fight…

EXIT STRATEGY

• He lands some distance away from the battle, and as he rises to his feet, he finds that he is not alone…

• Ka-Zar, the so called Lord of the Savage Land, and his wife Shanna lead a group of Savage Land tribesman. They explain to Spider-Man that they are under siege and that they are fighting for their lives.

• Spider-Man thinks they might be more Skrulls in disguise, and isn't sure he can trust them. Ka-Zar does his best to explain what has happened to them over the past few months.

• He tells Spider-Man that they found out that SHIELD was harvesting the natural vibranium found in the Savage Land. They discovered the operation even before the Avengers did, back when the Captain America and Iron Man first brought the New Avengers together.

• Not believing that Nick Fury would allow this to happen, Ka-Zar was determined to find out what was going on. He and Shanna captured a SHIELD sentry…and Shanna accidentally killed her trying to keep her silent.

• Upon the SHIELD Agent's death, they were shocked to see her body transform into that of a Skrull. Even more baffled by what this could all mean, they decided there was only one way to get some answers…

SHANNA: AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D.?!?!

• Dressed in the stolen SHIELD uniform, Shanna tried to find out what was going on. She was soon discovered by the group's leader, and had to fight her way out. She and Ka-Zar managed to escape, and that is when they rallied the tribesmen to their cause.

• They then set out to put a stop to the Vibranium mining…only to discover the New Avengers had arrived on the scene, and were attacked by SHIELD. Had it not been for Iron Man, the New Avengers would not have lasted long.

• Spider-Man remembers all this, of course, from his first adventure with the New Avengers. He explains to Ka-Zar that they never managed to find out the reason behind the attack…just that Captain America, before he died, believed that there was a rogue element in SHIELD that wanted the Avengers dead for some reason. Spidey then says that he isn't buying Ka-Zar's story…but before Ka-Zar can really refute Spider-Man's accusation, they are interrupted by a new arrival…

SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!

The Eisner-award-winning team of Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev (NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI, HALO: UPRISING) reunite to answer the question that has been on every comic fan's mind for years...WHERE THE HELL HAS NICK FURY BEEN?? Rewinding the clock to Fury's time in SECRET WAR, follow Fury as he puts together the pieces of his life and starts finding clues to a Secret Invasion that makes him TARGET NUMBER ONE. A major Skrull reveal happens in these pages!

Flashback to several months ago. During the "Secret War," the heroes discover that the Nick Fury they were working with was an L.M.D. (Life Model Decoy). Nick's voice tells them that they are true heroes and they will never see him again. Nick watches through television monitors in his hidden bunker.

A month later, Nick and the Countess Valentina Allegra Defontaine are enjoying their time together alone, away from S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick figures that maybe they'll just live happily ever after. The next morning, the Countess decides she's going out to get Nick breakfast in bed.

Nick gets up and activates an invisibility device to follow her. She meets with a strange man in an alley. He asks her if she "got them." She says she'll need at least a week. The man wants the S.H.I.E.L.D. passcodes and Fury eliminated.

When she returns to their place, Nick is sitting in a chair waiting with a gun. He asks her who she really is. She tells him he's acting crazy. She continues to refuse to answer his question and Nick shoots her in the head. Green blood emerges and Nick is left staring down at the dead body of a Skrull.

Later he stands on top of the building across from his place and watches with his invisibility device on. He has monitoring devices in place and the language of the men that arrive in the room to claim the body are speaking in the Skrull language.

Two weeks later on the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier, Nick is using a computer in Maria Hill's room as she sleeps. She wakes up with a start. He says he has two things to tell her. He says she is not safe. She is surrounded by people who are out to get her. He tells her to have several life model decoys made of herself and to use them whenever she feels something strange is going down. The second thing he tells her is that he will be watching over her. He says to remember this, unless she is already "one of them." He jumps off the helicarrier.

Two months later Fury meets with Spider-Woman. He wants her to get back into the good graces of S.H.I.E.L.D. Basically now she will be a triple agent working with him for the sake of mankind. He tells her about the Skrulls. She asks him what he's going to be doing. He says he'll be getting ready. When the Skrulls make their move, he'll be ready to deal with them.

Overview

Who is the target of the next Skrull outing? The hunt for the wrinkly chinned space invaders continues and Sentry may be next on the list.

A continuing enigma to the Marvel Universe, Sentry’s fragile mental state makes him a ticking time bomb, leaving everyone around him in constant danger. In the Sentry’s darkest hour, one could only expect an appearance from his arch-nemesis, The Void…but how does this tie into the Skrull invasion?

Years ago the Sentry is flying over New York when he comes across a robbery in progress. To his surprise and dismay, he finds that the Void is leading a bunch of thugs in the crime. The men start shooting at him as Sentry lifts a taxi cab over his head to throw at the Void when they are all distracted by a bright light in the sky. Sentry recognizes that the ship flying by is not human and leaves the Void to investigate.

The ship is heading straight towards Manhattan. More specifically it's heading straight for the Baxter Building. Sentry gets in front of it and notices the green-skinned aliens on board. He manages to stop the ship and pull it back out into space. He rips open the hull to ask them what they are after. The aliens appear to be meditating when the entire ship explodes. Sentry comes to inside the Baxter Building. Reed Richards tells him they caught him after the explosion and brought him there. Reed tells him that those were Skrulls out to get them.

Some months ago at the Avengers Tower, the "New" Avengers are enjoying some refreshments after an apparently successful mission. "Jarvis" approaches Tony Stark and asks for permission to access Sentry's file. He says that after the Scarlet Witch had her break down, he felt he could have done something before. He just wants to be sure if there's anything he should know that could help him serve them better. Tony tells him that Wanda's break down wasn't his fault and he has complete access to the files whenever he wants them.

Later, "Jarvis" meets with the Empress and some other SKrulls that are preparing to do their infiltration. He tells them that their best bet with Sentry to leave him be. He's so unstable that he's about to lose it any time now. He also mentions that they don't know his full potential so getting too close could be dangerous as they don't know if he'll be able to detect them. They figure the perfect targets to get close to him would be either his wife or his therapist. It seems that they're going to go with his therapist. "Jarvis" then mentions the Void. He tells them that all they need to do is shape-change into the Void to further rattle his sanity. They just need to say that it's all his fault and the only way to stop everything is to throw himself into the sun.

In the present, in the Savage Land, the battle is underway with the heroes/Skrulls that emerged out of the wrecked spaceship. The Skrull posing as Vision tells Sentry that he's the Void and it's all his fault. Sentry loses it, starts crying again and flies out into space. He curls up into a little ball and embraces the darkness.

In Times Square, the Young Avengers are trying to fend off the attacking Skrulls. In the Avengers Tower, Lindy Reynolds is awaken by the Cloc. It tells her that they are under attack. Her room is smashed open and a super-Skrull stands before her. It speaks to her in an alien language. She asks it if it knows who her husband is and where they're at. She says that her husband will kill him if he even touches her. A figure zooms in and starts fighting the Skrull. Lindy can't see who it is but finally the Skrull is taken care of. She asks the person who they are and surprised to see her husband covered in darkness. It tells her that Bob couldn't handle things and ran away. She's safe now that he's there. It reaches to embrace her and Lindy, trying to fight back the tears, has no choice but to allow it.

While skrulls keep appearing all over the world, New York is in the front line of the Invasion.

It’s Science Fiction versus Fantasy as the war machines of the unstoppable Skrull army invade the magical realm of Avalon. Can Pete Wisdom and the rest of MI 13 keep the Skrulls from taking control of the world’s magic? Will this be our heroes’ finest hour? Or has the sun finally set on the British Isles? And what is Spitfire doing to that Skrull on the cover?

Overview

Five stories from across the Marvel Universe, illuminating key elements of the SECRET INVASION!

Captain Marvel takes a stand!
Marvel Boy (Noh-Varr) makes a choice!
Wonder Man and the Beast face off!
Abigail Brand, Agent of SWORD finds the foe!
And the Agents of Atlas enter the fight!

spoilers

I nearly jumped up and cheered when I saw the Agents of Atlas fight back. They had the head of the Skrull General in a bottle, as they made plans to slink away into obscurity until the Agents made they move. This is awesome, and I hope this plays out nicely. Funny that there are 2 Marvel Boys in this issue. One from Neptune, and one from the Kree Empire.

So, what happened? 5 stories by 5 different creators:

•  The long awaited reason why Captain Marvel attacked the Thunderbolts mountain? I don't know. Marv gave himself up to the Skrulls and said he wanted to rejoin the Invasion. Then, next second, he is after the ThunderBolts. The only thing that links this is when Marv was watching the ThunderBolts on TV and saying they are an abomination.
•   Agent Brand floats in space, and recounts her first time on S.W.O.R.D. and dealing with Skrulls. Then she bumps into a Skrull batle ship and she looks like she can get into a vent. Pretty Meh
•   Wonderman now is trapped with Beast from the Shuttle, and they discuss their past friendship and mistrust because of their situation. Then they separate.Pretty Muh.
•   Noh-Varr in the cube has the Warden doped up on nanobots in Noh-Varr 's spittle, so Warden can report to Maria Hill. All the prisoners are getting a docile making wavelength from a program rescued from MB's ship computer until the Skrull virus breaks the wave transmission and it all goes to hell. A Skrull is the cause and MB destroys him while MB goes about forming his army. Interesting development.
•   The Agents of Atlas story is the most stunning. The Skrulls captured Namora and dehydrate her like Namor, but Gorilla Man and M-11 rescue her, take the Skrull General captive, and Marvel Boy, Bob Grayson, dissects him, and beheads him, in preparation for the counter attack of the humans. The General is commenting the whole time and eventually realizes these Agents are doing the self same thing the Skrulls were doing. I could just shout. But this is the only story not cross-referenced to another issue in Secret Invasion.

Overview;

SECRET INVASION TIE-IN! 

  "SACRED INVASION" takes a shocking turn! Betrayed by one of their own, their strategy in shambles, Hercules and the God Squad find themselves marooned on a hostile world with countless hordes of alien slave-deities between them and their final goal of the Skrull pantheon! They have no choice but to fight against impossible odds for their very lives, for in this realm, gods can die, and in this issue -- A GOD WILL DIE! 

Overview:

Go behind the scenes of the event that will change the Marvel Universe forever! The shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls has secretly infiltrated every super-powered organization on Earth with one goal: full-scale invasion! Now, get closer to the action than ever before! This bonus edition reprints SECRET INVASION #1 in its entirety – plus the SECRET INVASION PROLOGUE, previously available only online, and other choice extras!

SPIDER-MAN VERSUS CAPTAIN AMERICA IN THE JUNGLES OF THE SAVAGE LAND! But who is who and what is what?? At least one of these people isn't who they say they are. Plus a huge chapter in the Secret Invasion story as more information as to how the Skrulls set their major plans in motion is revealed...

Guest-starring Ka-Zar and Shanna and featuring spectacular artwork from rising star Billy Tan.

Welcome to Paranoia. It's the New Warriors vs the New Warriors. When you cannot trust in your oldest friend or even you team leader, when there's no trust in the man next to you, maybe you're already defeated and you still are not aware of that.

Overview:

Overview:

New York has fallen to the Skrulls, and humanity is struggling to survive. Brian Reed (CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Marco Castiello (P’N’P) bring you the Skrull Invasion through the eyes of the man on the street in the Marvel Universe.

(Tarnax VII, many months ago)
On this alien Skrull world, within a city of spires with spacecraft of varying sizes and shapes floating overhead, a teacher stands before his attentive class. He informs his pupils that the time is coming. Their people are scattered and their homeworld shattered. The end is near, it would seem. All their empire has known is conflict. This is their way now. But, he adds, there is another way. There has come a savior... one who will unite their people and bring peace to the empire.

Listening carefully to his teacher is a young Xavin. Chrell wanders over to him and informs him that training calls. Xavin gets up and departs with Chrell. As they wander through the grounds, Xavin asks if he knows of the prophecies; of the uniter. Of course, replies Chrell. All children learn such fairy tales. He suspects that tomorrow, his shaman will tell him of the Dire Wraiths. "You mock him," states Xavin, surprised. Chrell replies that he has seen many things in his time, but no half-breed can bring peace to the Skrull Empire. Only death can do that. Xavin asks if he believes in anything. Chrell tell him that he believes that he is important to the empire, but he has much to learn. Rather than concern himself with his beliefs, he should concentrate on his training. No matter what prophecy he believes in, he has to be alive to see it come true.

(Earth, now)
Xavin is being punched in the face by a Super Skrull with bear's hands. Two other Skrulls stand over them. Xavin falls backwards against the unconscious Hulkling, groaning in pain. The Skrulls speak to her in their own language, and she replies that she isn't a traitor. They have to listen. They don't appear too interested in doing that. Before they can punish Xavin further, Wiccan teleports in with Speed alongside him. "Get away from him," yells Billy. Tommy immediately uses his super speed to take out two of the Skrulls with his punches, and jokes that Billy's call wasn't exactly 'Avengers Assemble.' He comments on the bear arms, and reckons they're running out of ideas. Wiccan uses a spell to toss Xavin's assailant against a wall, but he is caught from behind by one of the other Skrulls exhibiting Human Torch powers. The Skrull leaps towards Billy and Tommy and grabs them both by the throat. As he says something in Skrullian, his face is smashed into the wall between them by Xavin, using his right arm like the Thing.

"What just happened" exclaims Tommy. Billy pauses a moment before telling him that it's Xavin. She asks him to get up. They have to get Dorrek to safety. Billy rushes over to teddy who is lying in the water, and Tommy asks him how they can tell it's Xavin. Does he have a mole or something he's missing. Xavin says she doesn't have time for this. He'll have a second team in place. Billy asks who she means. Why is this happening? They left Eli, Kate and Vision up there. They have to... Xavin interjects forcefully. "We have to get Dorrek to safety! That's all that matters," she yells, her fist clenched. "Oh, right. It is you. I can tell now from the stick up your... hey," says Tommy, "Where's your team. Where are the runaways?"

(meanwhile, New York City, invasion 13 minutes)
The Leapfrog is confronted by two Skrulls, and one of them crashes through the windscreen and into the cockpit, startling Nico and Victor. The Leapfrog begins to descend as Victor unleashes an electric bolt at their assailant. Vic tries to get Karolina and Chase to wake up. One of the Skrull's speaks to them but they have no idea what he is saying. It appears to be an exclamation of surprise, as Old Lace leaps from the back of the 'frog and grabs him in her large teeth. The Leapfrog descends with alarming speed, and Nico asks Vic to do something. "Like what?" he asks, "Use a spell?" The 'frog hits the ground with a crunch, with the Skrull in hot pursuit. He lands and yanks Victor from the wreckage. Vic asks Nico to cast a spell... quickly, but the Skrull stands on Nico's arm. Something snaps and Nico screams. As the Skrull's eyes light up, he is hit hard from behind by a powerful burst of flame. It's Chase, and he's getting some use out of his new gauntlets. He tells the 'little green man' to get up. They haven’t even started yet.

The Skrull turns and sees Chase standing next to Molly. He says something in Skrullian, but Chase doesn't need to understand. "Not scared of me? That's okay," he grins. "I'm not the one you should be scared of. Sic 'im Mol." Molly rushes towards the Skrull and smashes him so hard that he is flying through a skyscraper and heading skywards in seconds. Chase helps Victor to his feet, and Vic jokes that he was just about to unleash on him. Molly helps Nico, and she asks if she is okay. Her wrist looks extra bendy. Nico tells her it's fine. She wants everyone back into the Leapfrog. They're going. Chase looks at Old Lace and asks what that is on her mouth. He then realizes it's Skrull blood, and nervously cuts his question short. Molly hands Nico her Staff of One back and asks where they are going. There's a billion space invaders over there. Shouldn't they go beat them up? Chase asks what the hell happened. Before Nico can respond, Karolina appears with Klara and asks where Xavin is.

(Times Square)
Several Skrull ships hover over central Manhattan. On board one of these is Commander Chrell. X'iv informs him that there is no response from the strike team. Chrell replies that the target was down. Someone is protecting him. Maybe it's the magician, but he doesn't think so. This was something else. It looks like X'iv will be needed after all. She asks what her orders are. Chrell tells her to kill Dorrek and kill his protectors. She can also kill every Skrull who sees him. "I am his servant," replies X'iv, before teleporting away.

Down in the tunnels, Teddy wakes up a little confused. He asks what's going on. Billy tells him it's okay. Teddy asks how he found him. Billy replies that he'll always find him. They're under the city, and Xavin's helping them. Teddy asks where the others are. They have to get back to the fight. Billy asks him to calm down. They were going to kill him. He used a spell to get to him. He promises that he'll explain. Xavin then appears and tells them that she will explain. She informs them that what is going on, is that there is a full invasion of Earth by Skrull extremists. They believe that their God has promised Earth to them, and now they've come for it. It's something Teddy could have prevented. Teddy is surprised by the accusation. Xavin explains that if he had just accepted his responsibilities, he could have united their empire and spared the Earth from what's happening. It didn't have to come to this.

Teddy responds by telling Xavin that she can't put this on him. He never asked for this. Xavin barks back, asking how he could be so selfish. He was supposed to show their people a better way. "This isn't my fault!" shouts Teddy back at her. Billy tries to get them both to calm down, but Xavin is furious. She says that perhaps this will calm him down. She informs Teddy that the single deadliest Skrull in the empire is on Earth and he's coming for Dorrek, despite the fact that Dorrek has turned his back on his destiny like a spiteful child. His presence could put a stop to all of this. So, the extremists have marked him for death. Billy is shocked that his partner is being targeted in this way. Teddy asks how he could have stopped this. He tried and they attacked him. "Try harder!" exclaims Xavin. This is their home. It's his beloved's home and now it is hers. She will die to save it. Will he?

All of a sudden, Speed appears and warns them that they're in trouble. They become invisible, probably Wiccan's doing, and X'iv teleports in. Somehow she can see them, despite being invisible. Dressed like Elektra, she pulls out a sai from underneath her cloak and hurls it instantly towards Teddy. Just before it strikes his chest, Teddy uses his speed to catch the blade in his fingers before rushing towards her. Xavin tells the others to attack her. She will not hesitate to kill them. Wiccan tries to send her back to where she came from with a spell, but X'iv avoids the blast and smacks him in the face. She then takes down Speed by clothes-lining him as he sprints towards Wiccan. Hulkling wants to join in, but Xavin keeps him away, telling him that he's too important. Teddy doesn't want to leave without his friends. X'iv listens to Xavin's heartbeat and recognizes her as Prince Xavin. Xavin creates a tubular forcefield and slams it into X'iv, before creating small discs from the same material upon which each of them sit. She takes them along the tunnel, though Speed reckons it's too slow for his liking. Left behind in the dark tunnels, X'iv contacts Commander Chrell. She informs him that they have a situation. Two of the target's teammates are present, but there's someone else. She doesn't know how it is possible, but she recognized Prince Xavin's heartbeat. Chrell is all too familiar with Xavin. X'iv asks what her orders are now that she's lost them. Chrell doesn't reply to her, but tells his crew that he needs a city-wide scan for an alien bioenergy signature.

(elsewhere)
"You did what?!" screams Karolina. She asks Nico how she could just leave Xavin like that. Nico tries to get her to listen. This is what Xavin wanted. Karolina asks since when did she care what any of them want. Vic tells Nico that she doesn't understand. It’s bad. There's an army of those things, all with multiple powers. Molly asks why, now that they're all awake, they can't go back and help. Xavin's one of them. They can't just leave her. Nico says no. They are all her responsibility and they're leaving. Xavin's a soldier. They aren't. This isn't them. Chase asks what's the matter with them. They're going back right now. Little Klara interrupts them and points at a television screen in a shop window. On screen are images of the remaining Young Avengers in Times Square. Vic realizes that they are live pictures. They see a Skull attacking Hawkeye, Patriot and Vision. Karolina's eyes widen as she recognizes their friends. "They're in trouble," exclaims Molly. Chase covers up Molly and Klara's eyes. They watch helplessly as the Skrull blasts Vision right through the head. Nico covers her mouth. She tells Karolina that Xavin saved their lives. If they had stayed that would have been them. A white flash behind them sees the arrival of Chrell, X'iv and three more Super Skrulls. "It still can be, children," says Chrell. "But before you die, you're going to help me kill two princes."

It's the final battle for Britain as MI-13 makes its last stand against the Skrulls. But the door to the darkness has been opened, and evil is loose in the world, and that might make even the end of the Secret Invasion look like the beginning of something much worse. Be here for the moment a team is created, a hero returns and a new legacy is born.

Overview:

SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!  
"SACRED INVASION" reaches its cosmos-shattering climax! Hercules leads the ragged remains of his God Squad into desperate battle with the unimaginably powerful Skrull pantheon -- and if they lose, Earth dies!  

Overview:

When their HQ is sabotaged, the universe’s scrappiest squad of butt-kickers must ask themselves: “Who do you trust?” Is there a Skrull amongst the Guardians? Maybe the recently returned and revamped Adam Warlock? Or Star-Lord, who now hides behind a mask? And a talking raccoon and a telepathic dog? C’mon, people, you just know they’re evil infiltrators!

Before the Secret Invasion, the Skrulls spent time figuring out and developing new technologies so they could come to earth, infiltrate and take over, undetected.

Hank Pym vs the skrulls... wait a second. Wasn't he already a skrull?

New York is full of Skrulls and Spider-Man... where the heck is Spider-Man, anyway? Now, thanks to Brian Reed (MS. MARVEL) and exciting newcomer Marco Santucci, Jackpot and the rest of the cast of Brand New Day must pick up Spidey’s slack and go toe-to-toe with Super-Skrulls-- including one that might just be Spidey himself!

Overview:

The Skrull armada rains destruction on our nation's capitol! The only thing standing in their way? The Thunderbolts. But if salvation depends on a group of criminals and madmen who can barely keep from killing each other, is Earth doomed? Or are they exactly what we need against the merciless alien invaders? A major turning point for the Thunderbolts begins here!

Overview:
The nation of Wakanda has never been conquered by any outside invader, but then again, they've never faced an army of Super-Skrulls before, have they? As war rages on the plains of Africa, the Skrulls strike a major blow against the Black Panther. Could this be the end for all of Black Panther? Could this be the end of Wakanda? No really, could it? 

After last issue’s bombshell revelation, the hits keep coming for Mockingbird and Ronin as they begin their infiltration to stop a weapon of mass destruction from destroying an entire city. Plus, the question that’s been on everyone’s mind, especially Clint’s: What happened to Mockingbird while she was held captive by the Skrulls? Find out here as the Reunion 15 years in the making continues!

While the machinations of Norman Osborn's DARK REIGN have our favorite heroes on the run, what's life like for the everyday folks of the Marvel Universe? See how the Amazing Spider-Man changed one man's life - and how this new world order can undo that good in an instant in DARK REFLECTION by Marc Sumerak and Javier Pullido! Meanwhile, over in THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL, May Parker must contend with threats on all fronts - a conspiracy that's rocked the foundation of her high school and friends, and keeping tabs on her new "cousin," April Reilly, the former Spider-Girl Clone! Back in Queens, Aunt May takes one last adventure as The AMAZING SPIDER MA'AM! And finally, May Porker, the SPECTACULAR SWINEY-GIRL faces down her deadliest threat yet in part two of CRAYFIN'S LAST BUNT!

Sssshh! There's this invasion, see, and it's a secret... No, no, not that one. I mean the one where dastardly SKRULLS impersonate Marvel's premiere all-kids super hero team, commit crimes around the universe in their form, so intergalactic bounty hunters capture and imprison Alex, Julie, Jack and Katie in Space Juvie...the dreaded reform-school planet Hadith-VI! And the only ones with any hope of springing them are FRANKLIN RICHARDS, H.E.R.B.I.E., and SMARTSHIP FRIDAY!

Contains the following Issues:
Ms. Marvel #25
Ms. Marvel #26
Ms. Marvel #27
Ms. Marvel #28
Ms. Marvel #29
Ms. Marvel #30

 
From the pages of CIVIL WAR comes the tale of a man out of time! An accident in the Negative Zone propels Captain Marvel from the past to the present day. Now, he must come to terms not only with his own impending death, but with the way the world has changed in the time he has been gone. Brian Reed (NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI, MS. MARVEL) and Lee Weeks (DAREDEVIL, SPIDER-MAN: DEATH AND DESTINY) bring you the story that returns one of Marvel's greatest heroes back where he belongs. 

Reprints Civil War: The Return and Captain Marvel #1-5.                          

Overview:

Ms. Marvel discovers the Skrulls’ dark secret hidden away within Riker's Island. Something even worse than the armies already rampaging across the Earth? Most definitely. Brian Reed (CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Adriana Melo (Witchblade) bring the tale of Ms. Marvel and the Skrull invasion to its brutal conclusion.

(Tarnax VII, many months ago)
Xavin continues his training under the tuition of Commander Chrell. Xavin is under pressure and sweats profusely. Chrell says, "He loves you, Xavin, but you will fail him." He adds that he will fail the Skrull Empire. He will die and his loved ones will die because of him. He tells Xavin to try again. The young Skrull leaps into the air, forming his fist into that resembling the Thing's. As he punches, Chrell moves and Xavin's fist shatters the ground underneath. "Too slow, my pupil," gloats Chrell. Xavin immediately creates a flame from the same fist and unleashes it at his teacher. Chrell is far too experienced to get caught out by that maneuver, and he reminds Xavin that his mind is his weapon. He should use it to out-think his opponent. He should win the battle before it starts.

Xavin forms an invisible hammer, utilizing yet another of the Fantastic Four's powers. He brings it down hard at Chrell, but his teacher blocks the attack with his staff. "No... that's not possible," gasps the young prince. Chrell replies that, even if he hadn't taught him everything he knows, Xavin is still telegraphing his attacks... even the invisible ones. He smacks Xavin to the ground with the staff and stands over him. He hopes Xavin makes a better groom than he does a warrior.

Xavin admits that he is a failure. He is a disgrace to the great Kl'rt's name. Chrell informs him that Kl'rt fared no better when he faced him during his training. Even when he learned to use all of his powers together. Xavin should always remember that when you face a superior opponent, learn their weakness. Exploit them. "That is the Skrull way," he adds with a wink.

(Earth, New York City, Invasion 49 minutes)
X'iv watches over the city from high on a ledge about two thirds up the Empire State Building. She hears the screams and panicking of the populous below, and finally hears Dorrek's name mentioned. She informs Chrell by radio that her target has been re-acquired. "Prepare to receive."

Down below, Speed rockets from a subway station past the running crowd, having decided not to take a trip on Xavin's invisible discs. Xavin is annoyed. "I said low profile! Is he insane," she asks Teddy. Possibly, he replies. Probably, adds Wiccan. Tommy runs off, telling them that he's going to check on the others. Wiccan calls after him but it's too late. Xavin says they should forget him and keep moving, but Teddy asks where to. Speed is right. They have to get back to their team. Xavin turns and asks if he's been listening. Doesn't he understand? He can't help them by dying!

Teddy asks what he's supposed to do. If he's this big savior, what is he supposed to do? Xavin doesn't have an answer for that particular question. She thinks that they should broadcast to the entire Skrull armada. They have to know that he is alive and that he is there. They have to know that their prophecy is a lie and that there is a different way. They ought to know that this invasion is the work of mad Skrulls and not the love of Gods. They need to find a satellite uplink; some kind of communications center. Teddy informs her that there is a TV network on Rockefeller Plaza. It's close by so they can broadcast from there. As he speaks, Tommy returns and tells them that they have to go. Nick Fury is in Times Square. "Vision is..." Before he can say what has happened to their friend, a circle appears around them. It’s too late for Xavin to warn them as they disappear into thin air.

They reappear in a heap, some distance away in a large plaza. Xavin and Dorrek are deposited a short distance away from where X'iv appears. She is carrying Tommy in one half of her cloak and Billy in the other. Teddy warns her to let them go. Xavin says that he knows her. She is X'iv, right? They trained together on Tarnax. She asks her not to do this. The prophecy is wrong. She has to listen. A voice behind them says that X'iv did listen. Xavin turns and gasps. Standing there is her old tutor, Commander Chrell. He stands with one foot on Old Lace's neck, as Klara looks over the sleeping Molly. He has Chase, Victor and Nico trapped inside invisible forcefields and his elasticized arm wrapped around Karolina - his fingers gripping her throat. Chrell tells Xavin that he has always liked her. He always has. She did her duty for the Empire and he respects that. Now she can do her duty for her God.

Xavin pleads with him not to do this. She says that he said he didn't believe in the prophecies. Chrell admits that he doesn't, but what is happening here is divine right. He tells Xavin that she can have her bride back, and together, she and her Majesdanian tramp can go anywhere in the universe. But first, she will kill Dorrek for him, because the Skrulls do not need a savior. They have Earth. Meanwhile, Klara tells a recovering Molly that she doesn't know what to do. She starts to cry and wishes she was elsewhere. Xavin's fist bursts into flames, and Chase asks her not to do this. They can take them together. Xavin replies that she cannot. Chrell trained her. She cannot defeat him. She tells Teddy that she is sorry. Klara grinds her fingers into the dirt and wishes she could go to the City of Angels. "Make it go away." All of a sudden, a huge tree shoots up from the ground and slams into Chrell, whose hold over his four captives and Wiccan is loosened.

Instinctively, Nico starts formulating a plan as soon as she lands. She tells Victor and Chase to help Tommy and Billy. She and Karolina will... Nico can't even complete her sentence before Karolina is up and pouring her rainbow-colored energies on Chrell. She is furious and swears at him. "Leave my fiancé alone. Do you hear me?!" she cries. "And I am not a tramp, you chauvinistic $*@!!" Molly is impressed. She didn't even know Karolina knew words like that. Chase is awestruck at her ferocity. Victor attacks X'iv. "Let them go, lagarto!" he warns, as he slams into her torso. X'iv responds with a solid right hand punch which knocks Victor backwards. Chase uses his new gauntlets to fire missiles at her. Chrell gets up and informs Xavin that her choice was poor, but it's no surprise to him. She was never a particularly good student. He begins speaking in Skrullian. "Oh, no!" exclaims Molly. "He's a parseltongue!" Nico asks Xavin for a translation. "Enough games. Kill them all," she replies.

They look up to see that X'iv has taken to the air and is preparing to strike. Xavin asks Nico which part of 'run away' did she not understand before. Nico quips that she's all for trying again. As X'iv prepares to fire, Hulkling puts himself between them and takes the brunt of the blast. Xavin then dashes towards Chrell and asks Dorrek to stay alive. X'iv grabs a sai and hurls it at Teddy, but he manages to avoid it and he asks Nico if she's okay. Did she hit her? Nico's cheek is cut, and she replies that she is, but it's only fun and games when she gets hurt. She utters the magic words, "When blood is shed, let the Staff of One emerge." The staff shoots from her chest and into her hand.

Meanwhile, Xavin and Chrell begin their battle. Xavin fires a burst of flame at him, but, as he did in the past, he avoids it easily. He warns Xavin that Dorrek will die, and that any Skrulls foolish enough to believe in him will see the truth. Their 'savior' will never be found. He protects himself against shards of invisible forcefield thrown by Xavin and then becomes entangled as they both use their elasticity to try and place each other in a stranglehold. Chrell grins as he believes he is superior. He warns Xavin that the invasion is done. This is as it is written. No Skrull or man can change that. He attacks Xavin with spikes of forcefield energy that hurt, and follows this up by punching Xavin in the face with his 'Thing' fist which is now on fire. Xavin falls to the ground, hurt. She tells Chrell that she doesn't want to fight him, but Chrell replies that he would hardly call this a fight. She still can't even use her powers concurrently. How is she going to beat him?

Chrell picks Xavin up by the throat and holds her high above him. Xavin tells him that she is a Skrull. She knows his weakness and will exploit it. "And what is my weakness?" asks Chrell, defiantly. Xavin replies that his beliefs are empty and filled with hate, yet she believes in her friends. From behind, Karolina attacks Chrell once again and he is forced to drop Xavin.

Elsewhere, X'iv blasts Old Lace with a beam of energy fired from her eyes as Chase leaps at Wiccan, saving him from a blast of darkforce. Speed grabs Molly and Klara and deposits them safely several hundred miles away. Molly shakes her fist as he returns to the battleground. Klara is in awe at the sight presented before her. "Mr. President!" she exclaims. Speed rushes back to Manhattan just in time to get hit by a darkforce blast from X'iv. Nico is winded by a burst of light from X'iv's other hand. Chase is hurt by a billy club. X'iv is using her powers well. Hulkling punches X'iv, but she gets up quickly and warns him that his friends will not save him. Their powers dwarf theirs. All he has to do is die. She attacks him with her sais, but Teddy replies, as he tries to avoid being pierced, that he is the son of Princess Annelle and the Kree named Mar-Vell. It is his destiny to save the Skrull Empire and to unite their people. He tells her that she knows the prophecies. She has read them. But there is only one truth and it is he. "I was chosen by out God. He speaks to me," he adds, "And he told me he does not love you." X'iv's eyes widen upon hearing this, and this momentary lapse in concentration allows Dorrek to headbutt her which knocks her out cold. "Sucker," says Teddy as he stands over her defeated body.

Teddy asks if everyone's okay. Chase can't believe that the Skrull's secret alien weakness was getting head-butted. Nico asks where Xavin is and Billy asks where Karolina is. Teddy turns and sees Karolina and Xavin in a fierce battle with Commander Chrell. "Over there... fighting my fight," replies Teddy."

Chrell warns them that they can send a thousand children. It will not matter. Xavin asks Karolina to keep pouring it on. Chrell creates a forcefield to hold them off, and Xavin begins to sweat. Karolina asks what' wrong. Xavin replies that Chrell is going nova. They have to get out of there, now! Chrell's body becomes hotter and hotter. He tells Xavin that despite her failure, 'he' still loves her. Xavin surrounds Chrell with a forcefield and struggles as the strain takes its toll. She must hold the field in place. Chrell's face suddenly shows concern and he asks what Xavin is doing. Her powers are not strong enough to beat him. As he goes nova, he cries out before exploding into a pile of Skrullian bones.

Xavin releases the forcefield and collapses, only to be held up by Karolina. "He was right," she gasps, "My weakness beat him. I cannot use my powers together... but it has made me stronger... individually... I did it... I... saved..." Karolina lays her down and hopes that she is okay. Xavin turns to her and says she is better for seeing how scared she was for her. Now Karolina knows that Xavin is okay, she asks how she could tell Nico to leave her like that. "Don't ever do that again, do you understand me?"

Watching them, Dorrek reckons that was kinda harsh, but Billy just says she was worried about him. "Can we never come to New York again?" Chase asks Nico. "Done," she replies. Karolina asks what now. Billy tells them that they have to get back to Times Square. The rest of their team is there and they have to help. Teddy tells Xavin that she risked her life for him, despite him turning his back on all his responsibilities. She still believes in him. Why? Xavin tells him that to not believe in him; in the savior and the uniter, is to not believe in hope. She chooses to believe in hope.

Teddy kneels before her and tells Xavin that she is his savior. He thanks her. Nico places her hand on Billy's shoulder and tells him that they are the super heroes. Do they have a handbook for this? What's the next step in the 'alien invasion' chapter? Billy asks her to get out of there. They're heading back in. Nico thinks not. No more running. They're in this. Billy replies that it's not running. It's prevention of suicide. He asks her to take a look at her team. Even their dinosaur is trashed. Besides, he adds, if they lose, they've gotta come and save them. Nico resigns herself to acknowledging that Billy is right. She asks him to win. They've lost enough friends.

A skrull ship lands at a baseball game and they think that there is another alien which actually is a game mascott. They surround it and shoot it but it is revealed that Deadpool is behind the mask. He quickly takes care of the skrulls but more of them are already arriving. A cannon from a ship blasts the suit but it is empty. They wonder where he is before realizing that he is on top of the ship. A Super Skrull is sent out to kill him but he is able to blow up the ship. Then he easily takes care of the Super Skrull but allows himself to be captured and taken to the leader. The issue ends with Deadpool saying, "Ready for duty sir!"

Overview:

INTRODUCING NICK FURY'S SECRET WARRIORS! Do you have what it takes to be trained by the greatest agent in the world? Well, do you? Well, you probably don't, but thankfully he has gathered new heroes who just might!

On Knowhere, the Guardian's transdimensional HQ, fear and mistrust boil to the surface as the mismatched team attempts to uncover the Skrull agents in their midst! Who can they trust? And if the answer is "no one", what does that say about the future of the Galaxy's toughest protectors? Intrigue, suspense and Skrull-duggery await in the series that IGN.com says “With a rip-roaringly good cast, trippy visuals, and a great cliffhanger to cap it all off, this has all but cemented its place in my pull list permanently.”

SPOILERS

Deadpool's Weapon X past is explained, and how he became essentially something that was flushed down the toilet. He retaliates by burning the place to the ground. Deadpool joins up with the Skrulls to help them infiltrate earth. Skrull-Deadpools are cloned and Deadpool has the Skrullpools face off against the Super-Skrulls.

As Nova and the Super Skrull reached Eatth, KI'rt fooled the rest of the skrull armada to give Nova some time to defend his home planet. After he heard a message that his brother could be in danger, he visited the Pegasus Labs only to find out that they were victims of several skrull attacks.

While defending the Labs, Richard Rider realized that there was a chance to bring back Worldmind but who really came back from the dead was someone less expected.

A skrull drama. The Super-Skrull has arrived but not as a secret weapon of the Skrull armada, he just wanted to settle the score with her daughter Jazinda who didn't live up to daddy's expectations. But  when Kl'rt understood the real possibility of seeing her daughter forever dead at the hands of Nogor, something weird towards Jazinda awoke in him. It would be naive to call it love.

Overview:

The Thunderbolts are in an all-out war against the Skrulls for the fate of Washington D.C.....and things don't look good for our side! What will bring them down first--the Skrull armada? The Super-Skrull with all the powers of the original Thunderbolts? Or the loose cannons within the team itself? Can a group led by the former Green Goblin keep from imploding under pressure, or will the nation’s capital have to be relocated? Given the Thunderbolts' record, you may want to cancel that field trip...

As the next generation of Super-Skrull prepares to wreak havoc on our unsuspecting planet, Deadpool reveals his ultimate plan -- a plan that is completely and utterly insane. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it…do BOTH!? Don’t miss out on the event that will re-establish Deadpool as one of the most controversial characters in the Marvel Universe!

WE TOLD YOU HE’D BE BACK!!

Summary

Another bright day in the life of Deadpool, totally care free and not a single thing to do...right. As soon as Deadpool finishes his day dreaming of how he see's the world (I.E. mini Nick Fury) the Super Skrull who is out for Deadpools head comes a knocking gunning for Deadpool. The final fight between our merc with a mouth and the extremely angered Super Skrull is at foot.  The Skrull chases Deadpool into the pipeline of the skrull space ship cornering him. A fight breaks and the two have an all out brawl

And the doc of the Skrull finds out that his perfect soldiers aren't so perfect. Deadpool outsmarts a genius (I know confuses me saying that too). And at the end of the day Deadpool manages to screw it up...again. Who is the mysterious man and what will happen next?

Overview:

Before the Skrulls invaded the human race, they battled the noble Kree in a bloodwar that has lasted centuries. And in this special Secret Invasion tie-in, the lives of two of the most famous Kree, Captain Mar-Vell and Marvel Boy, will alter the events of the Invasion forever. This special issue will have very serious consequences for the future of Mighty Avengers.

James Rhodes has the power of an entire army at his disposal. He's the War Machine and maybe the last bastion of human hope against the Skrull Armada. Too bad for Rhodey, he's always been a weapon and is not used to take critical decisions on the battlefield, and his decision to aid the Russian Winter Guard, may be a mistake he'll regret for what's left of his life.

Summary

After kicking some alien tail in space. Rhodey follows a Skrull ship that escaped the initial barrage from his Mega War Machine and takes it down. But as he bounces around through orbit he goes off course and lands in Russia. Where the Winter Guard are in the process of loosing, the skrulls are after their nuclear arsenals. Finding that he cant stand by and watch them be slaughtered.

But Dynamo sees his interference as something not needed, and when the Winter Guard are out numbered an retreat they leave War Machine behind in the middle of a Skrull ambush. And Soon War Machine is captured an wakes up...on the operating table.

Overview:

This is it -- the final battle between the Norman Osborn-led Thunderbolts and those no-good, stinkin' Skrulls! Will Venom, Bullseye and company emerge as heroes - or are they destined to remain villains? The answer will have major repercussions for the Thunderbolts...not to mention the entire Marvel Universe itself!

The notorious Hood and his gang of the most powerful super-villains of all time need a leg up on the Skrulls. But to get it, the Hood will have to find the true secret to his powers. Who is the demon behind the Hood? Find out in this very special Secret Invasion tie-in.

Thor and Beta Ray Bill stand against a god-killing Skrull armada, hell-bent on seeing Asgard rent asunder, and burning Broxton, Oklahoma, down to the ground. With innocent lives to save, two cities to defend, an alien army to stop, and a marauding super-Skrull scientifically engineered to destroy them…can Bill and Thor possibly survive?

Emma Frost is trapped inside Thought-Wall, fighting the Skrulls as the Cuckoos and Cyclops are trying the keep her body alive. Meanwhile, Nightcrawler has a battle of his own yet to win, as this skrullish Bible tries to persuade Kurt that He loves him too.... In the meantime, the rest of the X-Men are facing a skrull ruthless tactic that  menaces he civilians while Beast may have found out the ace in the hole to defeat the skrulls once and for all. Are the X-Men ready to pay the ultimate price to win this war?

Some sins you can never atone for. In the heart of “Secret Invasion,” as the world faces an enormous threat, as every hero in the Marvel Universe is fighting for the very survival of mankind, Frank Castle and Stuart Clarke are trying very, very hard to kill one another. With no more secrets left to be learned and no more places left to hide, these former allies are left with no other choice but to put the other one in the ground. But what about G.W. Bridge? Who's side is he on? And what about all those Skrulls? Who's gonna kill all of them?

The hunt for Black Bolt concludes – launching the Inhumans into their new destiny in the Marvel Universe! It's sister vs. sister, cousin vs. cousin, Kree vs. Skrull! The loyalty lines are redrawn within the royal family as the Inhumans’ mission reaches critical mass! Can Medusa and her tribe get it together to save their once and future King? Or has it all been for nothing? The seeds for the WAR OF KINGS are planted right here!

Summary:

This is the end of the Invasion. Finally, Medusa's quest is over and she and the rest of the Royal family are able to rescue Black Bolt from the treacherous Skrulls. But the aftermath of this attack will mark a new era for the Inhumans. Back in the safety of Attilan, the Royal Family will be finally together, and not only with the return of their King, but with the presence of Maximus as a member of it. Furthermore, the Inhumans will no longer be the victims of wars they didn't ask for. Now, it's time for retaliation, it's time for the Inhumans wrath. This is the begin of War of Kings.

The people of Manhattan struggle to survive the final hours of the Skrull invasion. But if they do survive, is there a world left for them to live in?

It's been leading to this since the Hank Pym Skrull first came up with the idea for a Fifty State Initiative. This is the final assault in the Secret Invasion, a nation-wide plan that will test the limits of 3-D MAN'S superhuman militia, THE KILL KREW ARMY! 
Join 3-D MAN, CLOUD 9, KOMODO, HARDBALL, and heroes around America in the battle that will decide the fate of the planet and the future of the Initiative program. Win or lose, there's no turning back. After today, everything changes.

For those of you who have embraced change, it is time for the DARK REIGN. In the aftermath of the Skrull's SECRET INVASION, the Avengers-verse has been rocked to its core. The New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and Initiative have been broken and battered, and now stand to be renewed. But which heroes will remain standing? Who are these Dark Avengers? With insider accounts from your favorite writers and artists, plus previews of new titles, this special issue of SPOTLIGHT gets you ready for DARK REIGN, the storytelling event for the comics industry in 2009!

Launching out of ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST, Marvel’s sci-fi heroes unite to protect the cosmos! Back-to-back Annihilation wars have weakened the boundaries of our universe. Dark gods and monsters are seeping through the cracks, reigning horror upon those still reeling from the recent calamities. In the face of terror, who stands to defend a desperate universe? Star-Lord and his squad of butt-kickers — the modern day Guardians of the Galaxy! You’ve heard that ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST rocks — the guy at the comic shop keeps telling you to try NOVA — well, now’s your chance to experience the glory that writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and artist Paul Pelletier can unleash! All this…plus a wise-cracking raccoon and a telepathic dog! C’mon, people, time to lock and load! Collecting GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1-6.

Rejects, benchwarmers, lovable losers, and might-be Avengers…assemble! In the beloved tradition of Assistant Editors’ Month, we the staffers are sick and tired of our bosses telling nothing but Wolverine stories, Spider-Man stories, Captain America stories…and we’re taking matters into our own oddball hands! Little guys can be heroes, too…and when this motley crew of misfits gets their shot – in stories featuring Elsa Bloodstone, American Eagle, D-Man, the daughter of Galactus, Mini Marvel cake-eating Hawkeye, Candidate Luke Cage, and more – it could be the start of something big! Don’t miss this two-issue anthology of also-rans who might – just MIGHT – ascend to the A-list! (Fingers crossed. Really we’re just hoping this doesn’t get us fired.)

Overview

The Invasion is here!! The Marvel Universe is in shambles. The Skrull Empire's plan has birthed itself into perfection. It is hero versus hero!! Resurrections and reunions!! Is Tony Stark a Skrull? And is that actually Captain America leading the heroes into a new era?? EXPECT CHANGE!!

SPOILERS

The Secret Invasion has begun.

The shape-shifting alien race known as Skrulls want planet Earth and they've been infiltrating the world's superhero teams and government agencies in an attempt to claim the planet. The New and Mighty Avengers learned of the covert Skrull aggression nearly a year ago and though they've attempted to figure out what to do and how to combat the threat, their efforts have been hindered by questions and doubts that have left old allegiances in shambles: Who's a Skrull? Who do you trust?

The questions still linger, but the time to ponder them is over. Today, the Skrulls have taken actions that cannot be cannot be concealed. The Secret Invasion isn't a secret any longer, it's war!

Previously… In Secret Invasion…

The Skrulls' invasion of Earth kicks into high gear as a number of reveals and betrayals occurred:

Dum Dum Dugan blew up S.W.O.R.D—the pointier, space-based brethren of S.H.I.E.L.D

Jarvis infected StarkTech (and subsequently S.H.I.E.L.D., Avengers Tower and The Raft) with an alien virus that literally sickened Tony Stark and shut down the S.H.I.E.L.D mainframe.

Captain Marvel attacked Thunderbolts Mountain (we're still up in the air on whether this is a bad thing)

A shape-shifting Sue Storm opened up the Negative Zone gateway, which then proceeded to eat away at the Baxter Building

The issue climaxed when both Avengers teams encountered a fallen Skrull ship in the Savage Land, which opens to reveal '70s versions of a number of Marvel Universe heroes—complete with that sense of terrible/groovy '70s fashion!

Picking up right where issue #1 left off, Secret Invasion#2 begins with the Savage Land confrontation between new and old school Marvel, the two eras stare down one another as Ares, God of War, attempts to dissuade his team from attacking. The effort proves futile as Luke Cage, after months of paranoia and pent up frustration (his wife left), really wanted to hit the sh— out of something...

...which leads us to a giant free-for-all between the two teams! During the scuffle, Hawkeye...er...Ronin knocks out his older counterpart and grabs himself some very familiar weapons: a purple bow and arrow. Taking a sniper position in the local fauna, the ninja-esque archer fires away at the heroes from the ship.

Meanwhile, Ms. Marvel picks up the sickly Stark and retreats to the Mutate Citadel where she drops off her fearless, but green (with sick, not Skrull) leader. Tony orders her to head to Manhattan where he believes the real attack is occurring. In the meantime, Tony decides to put to use the one thing the Skrulls can't imitate: his brain!

The battle elsewhere continues... at least until a T-Rex shows up and crashes the chaotic party. Poor '70s Spidey fell under the giant clawed foot of the dinosaur, leaving behind the crushed corpse of a Skrull. While Luke Cage and Wolverine inspect the Spidey stiff, they encounter Mockingbird mourning over the dead Skrull body of '70s Hawkeye. When Wolverine attempts to attack her, the real Hawkeye/Ronin arrows him and demands Mockingbird tell him something about October 12.

Fulfilling the request, Mock tells Clint that day was to be the day their miscarried baby was to be born. Reunited with his wife once again, Hawkeye and Mockingbird share a tearful and kissy embrace.

Back in Manhattan, the Young Avengers leisurely stroll along... until the Skrull Armada appears and starts wrecking stuff. A beam descends from the ship and teleports in the Skrulls' ground troops...

AN ARMY OF SUPER-SKRULLS MADE UP OF THE VARIOUS POWERS OF EVERY MARVEL HERO PAST AND PRESENT!...

Which absolutely has to be our Don't F—k with Skrulls moment of the week...

Now, on to our other skrull-tastic moments of the week...

We know Luke Cage desperately wanted something to hit for the past couple of months. Between the mistrust spawning from the Skrull situation to his wife leaving and taking their baby to seeing a ship full of older versions of his closest friends and teammate, he's had a rough time. But we think the real reason he decide to SHO-RYU-KEN his '70s counterpart is because he quickly realized that NO ONE looks good in a metal tiara and chain belt. Let's face it. Most of us would uppercut the sh-- out of the us from 10 years ago.

New School Rulez Part Deux

Seeing Skrull-eye...er...Hawk-Skrull or whoever that Skrull S.O.B. is getting "clocked" in the head with some Clint Barton tossed nunchucks only goes to show that the clothes don't make the man, the man makes the clothes. And when it comes to flamboyant purple archer suits, well, it takes one helluva man!

Kiss the Girl

Okay, so we're hopeless romantics at heart. What do you want from us? Let's face it, with so much madness going on, seeing moment of true happiness like this between Clint and long-thought-dead wife Bobbi really feels so much more heartfelt. Hell, we're glad she's back just for her costume alone. As far as the '70s heroes go, Bobbi's actually looks pretty decent.

You've had a good run…. Young Avengers

Yes, we know the Young Avengers still live, but considering they're the only line of defense against an army of Super Skrulls attacking Manhattan… Yeah, you've had a good run Young Avengers. You will be missed.

Cap? Back?

So...um...hmmm? If this Cap makes Clint question his authenticity, then maybe this is the real deal Rogers! Either way, nice to see some classic Cap action in the current Marvel U, but we'll be keeping an eye on this Star-Spangled Skrull-venger!

So, this won't come back to bite them in the ass, right?

Nope, we're sure this won't be a problem down the line! I mean, two lovers reunited after thinking they other was dead...yeah, looks like a happy ending here!

That's it for this issue, but make sure to check back into Wizard Universe next time things get Skrully for a rundown of all things Invasion-y!

The world has turned upside down! The Skrulls have taken the Earth as part of their empire, the Avengers and Initiative are scattered...but there are two people who want some answers. One has a hammer and one has a shield.

Overview:

EMBRACE CHANGE! With these words, the Skrulls have made their intentions clear but not everyone thinks they sound all that bad. Which heroes and icons are hell-bent on defending the Earth from the invasion, and who thinks a new era has dawned for mankind? The final double-page spread of this issue will send chills down your spine, and that is a promise!!

THIS IS IT!! The truly shocking conclusion to THE comic event hit of the year. And you are not prepared for what will happen in these pages. Heroes will rise, heroes will fall...and the Marvel Universe will, and we're not joking, NEVER be the same again!

The final battle seems lost. Wasp's growth formula had been infected as a final weapon.  Thor had no choice but to stop her, vowing that he would avenge her.  The heroes able to get their bearings soon turned to Queen Veranke.  Wolverine was about to deliver the final blow but was too late.  Norman Osborn got the kill shot.

The rest of the Skrulls soon fell without leadership.  Tony was able to find a ship containing those that had been replaced in the Skrulls plan.  Those returning included Spider-Woman, Elektra, Jarvis, Mockingbird and many others.  Seeing Jarvis, Jessica Jones soon realized she left her baby with the Skrulls. Danielle was no where to be found.  Nick teleported his team away upon seeing the Contessa and Dum Dum.  The Fantastic Four were reuninted and the Baxter Building repaired itself

Norman Osborn was the hero of the day.  SHIELD was deemed obsolete and all Stark Tech would be removed from all defense technology.  Enjoying his new position, Norman secretly meets with his new DARK allies.

It’s finally here…WAR OF KINGS! The Secret Invasion may be over, but the Inhumans are still reeling from the terrible wounds inflicted on them by the Skrulls. And this time, the Royal Family and their massively powered people have been pushed too far! You have never seen the Inhumans like this – and it’s only the beginning! Plus: How will the empire-expanding Vulcan react to these recent universe-shaking developments? Before this double-sized shocker is over, vengeance will be had, daring alliances will be forged, and the first shots in a destiny-changing battle will be fired! The acclaimed team of writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (NOVA) and artist Paul Pelletier (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) unite to revamp heroes, reveal villains and rock the universe!