The following is a full review of Secret Wars #3 (Beware of Spoilers) – Written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Esad Ribic – Release: June 3rd 2015.
Marvel Comics‘ biggest event yet still has some explaining to do following last issue, and while we don’t get any real answers in this issue – we finally got to see the people we’ve been missing. And I’m not talking about the Cabal.
This event finally found its footing this week, with an issue that felt really fresh – without feeling unimportant. There are three seperate stories at work right now: The Cabal, Susan/Doom, and Stephen Strange’s findings.
We, surprisingly, don’t get to see a lot of the Cabal. But finding out who was hiding in their raft made up for it. I was definitely missing Miles Morales, and his introduction set the wheels in motion. When the second raft was revealed, I was annoyed by how out-of-place Star-Lord felt – and I’m not sure how he fits in the story – but having Cyclops, Reed, T’Challa, Captain Marvel, and Peter Parker back was lovely.
The most exciting tidbit was the news that Johnny Storm essentially is the sun, and is being worshipped as well. I’m really excited to see how that will be a part of the story.
When it comes to the negatives, one could argue that we still haven’t had a real follow-up issue. Which is to say that issues 1, 2, and 3 feel remarkably different and seperate. Obviously, issue 1 was more of a prologue to the event / epilogue to Hickman’s Avengers, but issues 2 and 3 are still setting up the story.
My biggest criticism, however, is still Esad Ribic’s faces of astonishment. He hasn’t mastered the facial work completely, and gasping still looks awkward. Also, there’s a panel where Susan Richards is gasping – her face doesn’t look right at all. With that having been said, his artwork on Doom’s face was spectacularly creepy.
Final Grade: A- – Issue 3 is the best yet in the Secret Wars Event. It finally features the characters we’ve been missing since the end of issue 1. Ribic’s art is great, but his facial work is still hit-and-miss.
I’m Jeffrey Rex.
I'm Jeffrey Rex 