Siege: The Cabal

Mega events have always frustrated comic book collectors but no event is more convoluted than Dark Reign. Unlike its predecessors, it does not have a core book from which the satellite titles revolve around. Like much of Bendis' 616 Avengers universe writing, its disjointed. What's going on in one title has no relevance to what's going on in another. One-shots, limited series tie-ins, and the List were all vague attempts at establishing Norman as a @#$% but more than 2/3 never captured that concept. If you really want to see Norman at the top of his game, Joe Kelly's Spider-man American Son arc and The List: Punisher were probably the two finest examples of Norman being evil. If you spent the $300+ it would cost to complete every issue with the Dark Reign brand, I'm afraid you bought a very expensive albatros of an idea. 
 
Siege: The Cabal is a one-shot issue re-connecting the readers to Norman's fragile psyche. Norman is pissed off Asgard is sovereign in Oklahoma City. Of course, the Green Goblin who has played his conscience advised him to take control of the situation. Norman calling an emergency meeting of the Cabal, tries to order Doom around with Taskmaster replacing Namor's place at the table. This act displeases Doom and of course Norman shows his master hand who destroys Doom. 
 
Of course, the reader NEVER sees who is Norman's ace in the hole nor is it really Doom. It was a Doom bot who proceeds to release nanites that almost chew the Avengers tower down to the last piece of iron. (If you saw the re-make of The Day the Earth Stood Still you know what I am talking about). 
 
So its a complete stalemate with Doom pretty much telling Norman, he's on his own. Unable to find a way to lay Siege to Asgard (where this fits in with Thor title and the kingdom in Latveria is vague), Norman rigs a disaster involving the U-Foes vs. Volstagg where an energy feedback destroys an entire football field full of people to trigger a reason to invade. 
 
There you have it. A fat Asgardian and 4 Hulk B-foes kill thousands and that's what starts the ball rolling. 
 
Rating: Skip it. This was nothing but a tease that didn't really reveal anything other than an excuse to lay Siege on Asgard. For $4, spend your bones on something with more substance.

I've just read through "Siege The Cabal" and I have to say it has me excited for what is to come in the next three months at Marvel. 
 
First though I would state that the prior review  by Dr. Detfink on this page is accurate. Dark reign has been a jumbled mess and a squandered opportunity to do something really different in a crossover story. Also this one-shot is a four dollar teaser. I just happen to feel that it teases really well and for four dollars it did a lot to get me excited for the coming close to Dark Reign. This book acts like a dramatic trailer for a film. It is an extended prelude that accomplishes its goal, it builds tension, establishes mystery and creates excitement for the coming storyline.
 
In summary this book plays out like a mexican stand-off. We once again get a seat at the table of Osborn's Cabal, and here, a year later, the roll call looks very different. Norman is losing allies and those that remain at his table only begrudgingly do so. In this book we see that Norman truly has accomplished nothing throughout his Dark Reign, and this issue shows his final attempts at claiming a spot in history. These are the first punches of the final round, Norman is down in points and needs to score that one big shot to establish his position and legitimize his legacy. 
 
So true, you can probably skip this book and still understand "Siege" when it drops next month, but personally I feel that this one-shot did a great job of getting me hyped up for the coming storyline and will make that first issue all the more sweeter when I finally have it in my hands.

 This first issue delving into what will be siege has got my attention.
Pretty much, Siege: Cabal has shown me exactly what i was looking for (and failed to find) in the rest of Norman Osborn's run as top dog: really good scheming. Not just by Norman, mind you, but by Dr. Doom, And Loki as well. And the action in this story is more of what i like, less punching of people and more calculated response. And i'm soooo excitred to find out who Norman's mystery guest is, mostly becuase of the way everyone reacted to him.
 Going completely against my character, i'm not going to spoil this Marvel comic becuase (forgive me Dan Didio) i actually want people to go out an buy this issue. Siege is very likely to turn out exactly how Civil War did, with a bunch of pissed of readers. But it could also end fantasticaly. Either way, im happy (cuz if it fails i have more fodder, and if it doesnt i have another great set of comics in my pile).
p.s.  i think its Mephisto. HOW AWESOME WOULD THAT BE!?!?!

Spoilers:
 
Osborn is freaking out over the arrival of Asgard that could pose a greater threat to him, until his "alter-ego" tell's him to pull it together. Later in the meeting room, Osborn, along with Taskmaster and Hood, invites Dr. Doom and ask to assist him on taking out Asgard in exchange for not harming Namor, Doom's ally, and his mutant kingdom. Doom refuses, thus having Osborn bring in the "Big Gun" to take care of Doom. However, Doom has the upper hand as it was actually his drone and have his insects to demolish Avengers Tower, thus Doom is Osborns new enemy. As his ask the Presidents permission to engage Asgard, which he deny's, Loki has a different plan in mind.  Afterwards, is a Siege #1 preview.
 
Review: 

 
This was awesome, every moment of it, esspecially how Doom pulled off that stunt on Osborn. The conversations between Osborn and Loki also as a good feel to it. There are some little detailed areas you can't seem to make out because of the art but it didn't ruin it for me. I just like to know what's next after what has happened in this issue. Get it while it's around.