Man, if this stuff actually comes to pass...
I mean, can you imagine?
Again, I have several important questions:
1. What timeframe are we talking about for these Skrull replacements? Are we talking like post-Kirby, pre-Secret Wars? Or just some s**t that happened five years ago? Because the impact this is going to have on the Marvel Universe (to say nothing of the Merry Marvel Marching Society) is going to be contingent on what length of time we're talking about.
2. Could there be some of the replacements walking around at the same time as the originals, just at different places? (This could answer the age-old question of how Wolverine could be in so many damned books at the same time)
3. Are the originals still alive? What state are they in? Will they feel as if in a time warp like Captain America? Are we going to get a lot of those battles where two versions of the same character are beating each other senseless?
The last question brings up another interesting point:
In the DCU situation, various versions of the same character more often than not end up joining the same club and sipping tea together (Fanboy Superman Prime an exception).
But in this Marvel event, the reasons for the extra versions of the character in question are sinister and confrontational.
If we try to see Secret Invasion -- if it lives up to its hype -- as Marvel's "Crisis"-level event, it is one that can potentially deal with the sorts of inconsistencies in characterization and continuity that plagues older characters by classifying them as "fake" history in a way due to the Skrull infestation. Then the younger, more "pristine" versions of these characters can reemerge.
If this indeed happens, then I do consider Secret Invasion to be Marvel's "Crisis."
And frankly, if it does not happen, I would be rather disappointed.
"Then the younger, more "pristine" versions of these characters can reemerge."
ReplyDeleteHow will they be younger? The same amount of time will have passed even if they are imprisoned somewhere.
And more pristine? One would assume the replaced heroes would have been held in high security prisons and tortured endlessly for intel. I doubt someone would remain "pristine" after that.
kinda hoping Iron Man isn't a skrull myself. I actually like the current trying to do the lesser of two evils and it all going to rubbish thing they've had going on with character since Civil War, and I'd like to see an actual resolution and redemption to that rather than 'Oh Iron Dick was a skrull all along. makes sense, right? Here's your Pre Warren Ellis revamp Iron Man in retro looking 70's armor back and look we even gave him another heart condition because you guys aren't still totally sick of all those stories from the 70s with Iron Man bitching about his heart, right? right?'
ReplyDeleteIf Marvel wants to put out comics featuring the "younger, more 'pristine' versions of their characters, there are already about five million ways for them to do that. They can do an Ultimate story, a Marvel Adventures story, a Marvel Knights story, a story that is a flashback, a story that is otherwise out of continuity, etc. etc. etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't see any reason to revert the Marvel Universe proper back to that. I *like* that there's a place to tell stories about a Luke Cage who's matured and found happiness and then is having it all ripped away because of his dogged adherence to his principles. I like that Tony Stark is someone tearing himself apart because of everything that has happened as a result of him trying to do the right thing. And so on and so forth. Pure and Pristine Iron Man and Hulk stories can come out anywhere and any time. Stories about the characters in their current status quo are kind of great and I don't want that storytelling option taken away.
"
ReplyDeleteIf this indeed happens, then I do consider Secret Invasion to be Marvel's "Crisis."
And frankly, if it does not happen, I would be rather disappointed."
Except that Bendis, nor the Marvel marketing machine, have promised Secret Invasion to be anything but a big story and the next step in the evolution of the Marvel Universe. It seems silly to judge whether a comic is a disappointment based on nonexistent hype.
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ReplyDelete"How will they be younger? The same amount of time will have passed even if they are imprisoned somewhere."
ReplyDeleteAnd you got your degree in Skrull technology where? How do you know? What if they are in stasis? Like this has never before happened in the history of comics (or sci-fi, for that matter). *please*
"And more pristine?"
I meant in terms of continuity. I thought that was clear in my post; sorry you took it literally.
"If Marvel wants to put out comics featuring the "younger, more 'pristine' versions of their characters, there are already about five million ways for them to do that."
ReplyDeleteLike Brand New Day.
"It seems silly to judge whether a comic is a disappointment based on nonexistent hype."
ReplyDeleteNonexistent hype?
Where have you been hiding?
"Nonexistent hype?
ReplyDeleteWhere have you been hiding?"
Or maybe you were in one of those Skrull stasis machines where you never age or are exposed to comic book marketing.
I find it hilarious how totally taken in by this hype you are! I mean, I am curious, but you are gonzo for it!
ReplyDeleteMarvel's Secret Invasion hype has centered around the implications it may carry for the human characters - Bendis has made a big deal, repeatedly, stating that Secret Invasion is not an engineered continuity fix but a story, and that's what the hype is about. It just surprised me that your post seemed to have the impression that Bendis had been promising retcon central, and I haven't really seen that anywhere. Sorry for commenting.
ReplyDelete"Like Brand New Day."
ReplyDeleteI was disappointed in Brand New Day as well. I freely admit that there is a precedent for Marvel choosing to take the simpler way out and make their mainline characters "younger"/"cleaner". But it seems like a foolish move.
I was addressing your "disappointment" at their hypothetical decision not to make this their "Crisis", and how I feel it would be a bad idea for them to make it their next Crisis, not the possibility of them doing it.
Well, we can all read the books when they come out and see for ourselves.
ReplyDelete:-D
We sure can! Let's never talk about comics that aren't released yet again! :)
ReplyDelete"I was disappointed in Brand New Day as well. I freely admit that there is a precedent for Marvel choosing to take the simpler way out and make their mainline characters "younger"/"cleaner". But it seems like a foolish move."
ReplyDeleteIf it happens it might be smart or foolish. But in any event, I crave something significant, and it should have consequences that at least last more than a year (at least give me the *illusion* of consequences).
Without those sorts of things, I cannot follow a huge multi-issue epic from either company.
Love or hate Civil War, at least it presented consequences. At least the death of Captain America had some impact. And that is what I expect from Secret Invasion.
"We sure can! Let's never talk about comics that aren't released yet again!"
ReplyDeleteDon't you have a Newsarama thread to be on?
"But in any event, I crave something significant, and it should have consequences that at least last more than a year (at least give me the *illusion* of consequences)."
ReplyDeleteWouldn't invalidating years of stories in a Crisis-type retcon be the most blatant way of signalling that no one can ever promise 'lasting consequences' in comic books?
It seems to me that by not having some sort of "Crisis" cop-out, by not having the characters revert to their shiny young origins, you're really giving people lasting consequences. The Illuminati really did pull a bunch of strings, one of which is pulling back with this Invasion. A whole bunch of people (including Tony Stark) blame Tony Stark for Cap's death. Magnetos' kids are really messed up.
Luke Cage and Iron Fist and Hercules and Ares and Carol Danvers and Jessica Drew and Scott Summers are all actual compelling characters. Everything that has happened to them in the past few years has consequences. I'd hope Secret Invasion will follow in these footsteps, rather than go "HA HA, welcome back, Afro Cage! SWEET CHRISTMAS!"
Maybe I'm misreading you, or maybe you're going to dismiss me as some sort of Newsarama troll for using the exact same rhetorical joke/snark that you used one post above. Apologies again for reading or commenting on your blog.
"Apologies again for reading or commenting on your blog."
ReplyDeleteIf you can't handle the snark, don't pitch it.
I'm fine with snark I just wish it had something resembling substance attached to it.
ReplyDeleteOr are you too busy posting on newsarama to actually talk about, you know, Secret Invasion?
ReplyDelete(see how completely useless and stupid these kind of comments are?)
Chris, please refer to my remarks on the other post about whiny complainers who think I owe them something.
ReplyDelete