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by Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev
Synopsis: Wakanda, Many years ago: Iron Man gathers several of the world’s greatest heroes: Dr. Strange, Professor Xavier, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, Black Panther, and the Sub-Mariner in the wake of the Kree-Skrull war. Tony blames the war on the heroes for not being unified and proposes all the groups gather in a delegation and gather information and act together, which Namor instantly shoots down. The other heroes also voice concern with the idea and Namor points out flaws within the groups like ex-criminals Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch in the Avengers, a Canadian Assassin on the X-Men (Wolverine), and Black Bolt’s brother, Maximus, who aided in the Kree-Skrull war, and a group of all the heroes would be unmanageable. But, Reed Richards admits that the information is important, and suggests more meetings like the one they are having right now. The idea appeals to the rest of the group, though they agree no family, teammates or friends can know. When a skeptic Stephen Strange asks about the honor system they would then be on, Tony suggests using Xavier to read the group’s mind for betrayal, which Charles disagrees with, saying the entire group would need to be in favor of this group. When the group votes, they are all in favor, save one. T’Challa urges the heroes to stop this immediately and leave, telling the heroes they have decided they are the protectors of Earth and have decided not to trust anyone else. He then asks what will happen if an Earth changing event they are gathering to prevent has the group at odds with each other before leaving the meeting. The other heroes decide to continue without Black Panther and ask if there is anything else to discuss. Xavier says there is, it’s an island, called Krakoa…
The Present: The Hulk destroys Las Vegas as the Thing tries to stop him. Meanwhile, Iron Man talks to Agent Hill on a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. Hill tells him Banner has killed twenty-six and asks Tony if he’s doing everything he can to stop the Hulk, using a Spider-Man analogy. Tony flies off deep in thought.
Hydrobase: The Illuminati meet to discuss the Hulk. Namor angrily disagrees with the group’s plan to send Banner into space and insults Reed for not curing him. Reed angrily lashes out at Namor about doing everything he can to cure Bruce and Ben Grimm and says everything he has tried has failed. Dr. Strange adds that his attempt to banish Hulk to the Crossroads failed and Tony says that Xavier learned that Bruce would have killed himself long ago if he could. Namor still disagrees and says its because of the Scarlet Witch going crazy that they are doing this when the group cuts him off with a vote in favor. Sub-Mariner threatens them not to make a move against Banner when Tony tells him he is NOT a king here on the surface.
Namor punches Iron Man clear right out of the Hydrobase and they fight underwater, in the process Namor rips Iron Man’s helmet off. But before Namor can kill Tony, the two are incapacitated and lifted out of the water by Dr. Strange’s magiks. After some more fighting, Namor angrily leaves, yelling that Banner will come back and will want revenge and saying that T’Challa was right. Catching his breath, Tony explains his plan of using a satellite, and a Life Model Decoy (LMD) of Nick Fury to get the Hulk into space. On the ship, the Illuminati apologize to Banner as he is unwillingly hurtled into space.
Funtime, Inc. Building (Place where Illuminati met in New Avengers #7, 9, 10): Iron Man waits and thinks the other members aren’t coming. He is proven wrong when the others do show up. Namor asks if Xavier is still missing and Tony says he has since the House of M and they should assume he is dead. Tony reveals the purpose of this meeting: The Super Hero Registration Act. Anyone with powers will need to reveal their secret identity to the government and be given a job in a new department of S.H.I.E.L.D. where the heroes will have to answer to a superior (like a police officer) and anyone refusing will be charged with a federal crime and S.H.I.E.L.D. is developing a way to track those who disobey the law. Tony insists the bill WILL be passed, and says the Illuminati should come out and obey it without question. Tony insists everything has come to this, the House of M, the 198, the Secret War, and the attack on the Avenger’s Mansion. Namor mocks Tony, but he tells Namor that he is a “futurist.” It’s how he and Reed have been such successful inventors, by knowing what will happen before it does. He outlines what will happen: A hero, such as one of the Young Avengers or Runaways, will mess up while trying to do the right thing and someone will be killed, most likely on T.V. and cause the government to go into overdrive with this act. The heroes will be split and examples will be made of masked heroes, like Spider-Man. Tony wants them to cooperate now and defuse the situation. Namor still refuses, saying it’s a surface world problem and coming after Atlantis would be an act of war, and that the surface world will probably blow itself up before they get to Atlantis. Dr. Strange also says it's wrong and asks for Reed's support, but he agrees with Tony. Disappointed, Dr. Strange teleports away saying, “I guess we’re done here. Never call upon me again.” Tony then turns to Black Bolt, who makes some hand signs that obviously show disagreement before leaving. Reed tells Tony he needs to go and fight about this with his wife and says, “It was fun while it lasted.”
Iron Man sits alone in a chair and replies, “It really was.”
Review: Now, I really liked this issue. But I know a lot of people have expressed opposite feelings. I think some of it might be because it’s New Avengers, which has gotten a certain reputation, and/or because it’s Brain M. Bendis writing it. Now I think Bendis gets too much crap from fans. I won’t go into full rant mode about this, because that would take about 5 more pages, but here’s the gist: He’s a good writer. Is he the best? No. Do I like that he’s gotten so many books at once? No. I think he was spread too thin and is better off taking fewer books so he can focus. Even so, he has done good work on Ultimate Spider-Man and great work on Daredevil. I’m not a Bendis fan club member or anything, but I have no problem when I hear he’s writing something. I’ve heard and read many people just saying “he sucks” or “classic Bendis writing” which is the complete wrong way to this. Constructive criticism. That’s the best way to this, and I’m sure most writer’s would like to hear good, well thought constructive criticism and happily give it thought. Who wants to hear “he sucks” and actually listen to that person or anonymous message board user? Besides, one’s writing doesn’t “suck.” It may just not appeal to someone. There is a difference and Bendis doesn’t get the right end of it. The man has talent. He wouldn’t be so prominent if he didn’t or had no appeal at all, and he can really nail dialogue. That appeal might just be to that specific fan’s liking.
OK, I’m done…for now.
Back on topic, I liked most of Bendis’s dialogue here. Black Panther’s outburst comes first to mind. Stephen Strange’s last line was great and fitting too. I liked Tony’s futurist speech, but some it seemed forced to me. I think he outlined the spark of Civil War too closely. The only real difference from what I’ve scene is it’s the New Warriors and not the Young Avengers or Runaways. The real star here was Namor. The man is a total jerk, but he added that dynamic to the one-shot. I do think Black Bolt wasn’t used enough. He seemed like a token member. Now I understand he can’t really engage in debates, but I would have liked Xavier to say Black Bolt’s thoughts more or had more hand signs. I have no real complaints about the members of the group. I’m also not sure how Planet Hulk plays into all of this, but I haven’t read it, so I guess I wouldn’t know. From this issue, I gather it’s another example of how the Illuminati have decided they are the planet’s defenders and make decisions on their own.
Alex Maleev is an artist. I love the man’s work. His Iron Man is spot on and the battle with Namor is my favorite part artistically. I loved the older Iron Armor in the beginning too. It’s nice to see that era revisited from time to time. My only complaint? He drew a big butt on Namor lol. Seriously. I feel ashamed I noticed that though. I thought it would be funny to mention…sorry. Oh yeah, and the cover is absolutely gorgeous.
I really want to see more of the Illuminati. It’s a great concept and could make an excellent mini series. I’m sad it’s already dissolved before Civil War has started, although it does make sense. I left a lot out as far as the dialogue goes. It’s very good and worth the $4 to pick up. The Spider-Man analogy is interesting and all the bickering makes for a good story. Yes a story about grown men complaining and bickering can make for good entertainment.
By the way, when again is Robert Kirkman taking over Ultimate Spider-Man? : P