Beyond
#1 of 6
Title: The Great Beyond
Writer: Dwayne McDuffie
Artist: Scott Kolins
Cover Date: September 2006
Background: Spider-man, Venom, and a
group of others marvel characters are chosen to be part of a game of
survival that seems very familiar.
Plot:
To put it basically, we are introduced to Gravity and get an feeling for
him, most likely for new readers. Soon he finds a strange structure (one
that any long time fan of Marvel would recognize). He gets closer to it
and, once he does…he vanishes in a flash.
When the flash dies down, Gravity finds himself on an alien spacecraft surrounded by other heroes/villains, like Medusa, Spider-Man, Wasp, Kraven, Venom, just to name a few. They discuss about how they went into similar devices, and Spider-man and Wasp starts to explain about how almost the exact same thing happened long ago with the Beyonder. Then, as if on cue, the Beyonder (supposedly (check the dislikes for why I say this)) appears and says the same thing he said before in Secret Wars I
I am from Beyond! Slay your enemy and all you desire shall be yours. Nothing you dream of is impossible for me to accomplish!!
I don’t want to spoil the rest but, let’s just say, that for people on this site, it’s a shocker. I will tell you that this issue ends with Medusa looking at Venom with bloodthirsty eyes.
Likes:
- The way this is being handled like a third (or fourth technically) installment to the Secret Wars saga. Almost like it’s SW I being relived with different characters.
- Kraven (or the son of technically) looking like he did in the terrible Get Kraven mini BUT acting like he was prior to that…sort of like he’s come to his senses as it were. I am liking this choice…although I hope he gets a wardrobe change soon.
- Gargan-Venom finally being more unique! I have, since Mark Milliar merged the two characters, so to speak, LOVED this idea for so much. He is handled incredible here and, let’s just say, his previous alias comes through for a moment in a shocking way
- The Aforementioned death of the issue…complete shocker! I don’t want to spoil it for you!
Dislikes:
- Can’t really say much, except I know I the Beyonder CAN’T be involved, despite how they are making it seem like it is, the reason is given in it’s appearance in Thanos.
Favorite Quote: Venom: “You hear that Beyonder! I slew my enemy! I want my reward! Give me what I deserve!”
Rating: 5 out of 5. I Loved this! This mini is off to a great start so far. And the surprise death at the end…well…when I read that I kept on thinking of some of the minor ones…but not what I got! And the art was just as amazing too!
Reviewed by: Spidercraft