The New Avengers #40 *SI Tie-in*

Interesting Tidbit Volume 2 #1: Skrulls, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first appeared in FANTASTIC FOUR Volume 1 #2 in January of 1962.It has been said that in creating the design of the Skrulls, Lee and Kirby drew upon the alien stereotypes common at that time, and especially in science fiction.On the surface, we have the embodiment of the idea of “little green men.”The threatening shape-shifting power that the Skrulls have is an idea extracted from the 1956 movie INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS.In the beginning, Skrulls were pretty one-dimensional, constantly wishing to invade, but as time went on, writers began to harness the Skrulls in other ways and really round the race out.Well, it looks like, in the words of Norman Osborn (SPIDER-MAN THE MOVIE) we’re going “Back to formula.”

Skrulls really know how to hold a grudge.Ever since post Kree-Skrull War, when the Illuminati (a secret organization comprised of several of the world’s most powerful heroes like Doctor Strange, Black Bolt, Professor X, Mr. Fantastic, Namor, and Iron Man) decided to pay a little visit to the Skrull home world and put their foot down on anymore invasions, the Skrulls have been livid!

THE NEW AVENGERS #40

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis

PENCILS: Jim Cheung

INKER: John Dell

COLOR: Justin Ponsor

PLOT: The issue begins with what appears to be a religious-political battle between King Dorrek—who only has his eyes on the destruction of Earth by any means necessary—and Princess Veranke—who presses the king to understand the gravity of prophetic writings that say the Skrull world will pull a quasi-Krypton and be destroyed.There is a brief scuffle between the religious zealots and other Skrulls, and the Princess is sent off-world; since to kill her would only make her a martyr.A meekly scientist by the name of Dro’ge had extracted DNA from the Illuminati and is seemingly able to harness the DNA in many powerful ways.The experiments are moved to another, secure, Skrull world.

We then fast-forward to a strange scene between the Fantastic Four, which is actually a training exercise, showing us that the cloning of the DNA succeeded, and also the extent to which the Skrulls want this invasion to be the best, and the last.Later, true to the words of the prophets, Galactus, who has yet to get that gastric bypass, devours the Skrull throne world.The Skrulls, now believers, find the now Queen Veranke and prostrate themselves before her.We learn here, that as the destruction of the Skrull world was foretold, so too, is Earth said to be the new sacred home for the Skrulls.Upon arriving on the planet where the cloning experiments were taking place, Dro’ge explains that he has downloaded information from the subjects’ DNA that has allowed powers to be duplicated, allowing mixtures of multiple powers.Not only this, but now they can remain on earth undetected, mentally and physically; enter Skull-lektra.The Queen gives her go-ahead for the full-scale invasion, but wants to take a part of the invasion in a role that would do the most damage: Spider-woman.

REVIEW: While it was nice to get an idea of the invasion from the Skrulls’ point of view, I felt like a lot was thrown at me all at once.We start right after the Illuminati leave, fast-forward to the first cloning experiment, fast-forward to Galactus, and fast-forward to the Queen and the initiation of the invasion.I was a little worn out, I had to read the issue really slowly in order to fully absorb what was going on, and even then I would still classify this as a slow-moving issue.

I enjoyed the opening scene a lot because political-religious conflict has happened at major points in the Earth’s history, and it is nice to see Bendis trying to show similarities between the Skrulls and us.The first exercise with the Fantastic Four was humorous to me, and I liked how Sue and Johnny were taken back art-wise to their younger days.I’m glad it was explained how the Skrulls have been escaping detection and that Skrull-lektra made an appearance.All I have to say about Spider-woman is “R’uh r’oh!”

The art is fine.It’s clearly drawn, which I appreciate, Cheung captures the wrinkly-chins well, but it does not take any chances or jump out at me.I suppose the problem could be the fact that, with the exception of the hospital scene, all the tones are quite dark, thus ridding us of exceptional detail.

RATING: 3.0 Webheads out of 5.The story was slow, slightly denser than I would expect, but I can understand the necessity for this issue.It was nice to get a Skrull point of view.Frankly, I’m getting a little tired of the “He loves me.”Bendis, you’ve got some ‘splaing to do!

Reviewed by your Friendly Neighborhood, Spider-Girl!