Post by jakefury on Aug 14, 2011 19:25:16 GMT -5
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
This trade collects the Secret Invasion: Dark Reign one shot and New Avengers #48-50.
Secret Invasion/Dark Reign One-Shot
The SI:DR one shot covers Osborn gathering the Cabal. It consists of Norman himself, the Hood, Dr. Doom, Namor, Loki & Emma Frost. There's not a whole lot going on in this one. It's basically Norman making a bunch of political promises to everyone in the group. He also threatens them with his, at this time, unknown "friend" if they get out of line. The art is by Alex Maleev and it's not some of his best work. He draws a pretty decent Emma but his renditions of Namor and Loki (who at this time was female) are both laughable with Namor and a little creepy with the female Loki.
Not much to see here people
5/10
New Avengers: Power Issues #48-50
This arc picks up right where Secret Invasion left off. There's quite a bit going on in this one. Luke Cage & Jessica Jones are trying to track down their missing baby girl Danielle. Jessica thought she left the baby in the hands of Jarvis but it turns out he was a Skrull.
We also see the team taking up residence in the secret HQ of Bucky Barnes, who at this time was Captain America. The team is also adjusting to the return of Mockingbird and Spider-Woman not being a Skrull queen. The team gets some help from the FF in tracking down their baby but eventually Luke is forced to get help by making a deal with Norman Osborn. After Norman helps him get their baby back Luke reneges on the deal and kicks the crap out of Bullseye and Gargan-Venom.
The final straw for the New Avengers in this one is the unveiling of the Dark Avengers team. With many of its members' identities being stolen they draw up a plan to take them down. However, Osborn turns the tables on them and sics the Hood's gang on them. After a pretty epic battle they're able to escape and live to fight another day.
Thoughts:
The one-shot to start this trade could have easily been left out. It doesn't add much to the main story at all. After it the rest of this trade is pretty good. The art by Billy Tan is outstanding and it definitely isn't short on action. Great art plus good action makes for a worthy buy in my book.
6.5/10