Given the potential estrangement between Marvel’s comic and movie branches, it is unclear whether or not the simultaneous release of two separate “Invasions” was intentional or not.
This Wednesday saw the release of Disney+’s latest Marvel Cinematic Universe offering, Secret Invasion. In a surprising act of cohesion, Ultimate Invasion #1 found its way onto comic book racks at the same time. Is there truly any connection between these titles? Outside of the word “Invasion,” absolutely not.
Secret Invasion acts as a loose adaptation of the 2008 comic event of the same name. On the other hand, Ultimate Invasion #1 is an event in its own right, returning readers to the Ultimate Universe of Marvel Comics. The honest resemblance between these two projects lies not within wordplay but overall timing of release. Both events are actively chasing a bygone era, one which consumers eagerly wish to return to. While that is truly admirable, the current offerings present within their initial releases are lacking. There is surely still time to grow, but at present, we can only judge them on their first episode or issue.
Secret Invasion
The first episode of Secret Invasion marks the return of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. He faces a new threat, one that is actually quite old for him, the Skrull army. Following the events of Captain Marvel, they are still desperately searching for a new home planet. In the comics, this concept of a war against the Skrulls became an overarching initiative for Marvel. The Skrulls possess an innate ability of transformation, allowing them to take the forms of others. This creates the opportunity for a grand mystery. Which Marvel heroes have secretly been replaced by aliens? In a world with Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Iron Man on the roster this presents some high stakes drama. Alas, the MCU does not currently live in that world, so they opted for a smaller story revolving around Nick Fury.
A number of years have passed since we last saw Nick Fury in any meaningful action. Which in turn, becomes the main plot point of the episode. Around every corner is another human waiting to remind Nick Fury that he is not as capable as he once was. It goes without saying that this will become a throughline for the miniseries, but it is already redundant within the first episode.
Marvel’s D-Listers
If the script actively attempting to retire its lead character isn’t distasteful enough for viewers, the cast and their performances will be. Joining Nick Fury on his journey are characters such as Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), and Rhodey (Don Cheadle). A who’s who of the espionage side of Marvel, without all the characters you care about. Each one being equally disinterested in the television they are producing as the last. Ben Mendelsohn is a standout in that department. You would never be able to tell that he is the only Skrull ally of the group, because he never transforms into his original self. A decision understandable for his scenes in the human world, but even in his private moments he chooses to conceal himself. It is only safe to assume that after his time acting in Captain Marvel, Mendelsohn no longer wanted to don the green makeup.
It is hard to judge the entire series on one episode, but for now, Secret Invasion feels hollow. A concept with such grand potential as this one leaves viewers constantly asking themselves where the real heroes are. Instead of the squad present within either Winter Soldier or Black Widow we are left with the borderline geriatric Avengers. Hope for this series as a whole still lives, but it has to quickly find a way to justify wasting the potential of this story.
Ultimate Invasion #1
Marvel’s other Invasion of the week, Ultimate Invasion #1, finds itself suffering from similar problems. Writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Bryan Hitch are actively attempting to revive the defunct Ultimate Universe. Earth-1610 was the home of characters such as Miles Morales and The Maker before they were rolled into the main Marvel continuity.
The Maker, an evil iteration of Mr. Fantastic, acts as the protagonist of Ultimate Invasion #1. He orchestrates an overly complicated prison break for himself before beginning his master plan. A scheme that remains a mystery throughout the issue, but surely has something to do with Earth-1610.
Should Ultimate Marvel Return?
Hickman’s storytelling and Hitch’s art are undoubtedly not the comic’s overall obstacle. That award belongs to the current state of Earth-1610. The universe is a shell of its former self. Ultimate Spider-Man was the flagship title of the Ultimate Marvel brand, but Miles Morales no longer lives there. Yes, somehow Peter Parker returned to that world relatively inexplicably, but a lot of other characters’ whereabouts remain unknown.
Perhaps that is solely what Hickman sees in this project, a blank slate to toy with. If so, is his endgame truly the return of Ultimate Marvel? Or is it just the return of Ultimate Marvel until he’s done with it? If it is the latter, then why even bother? Even Miles says, “Nah, I’m good,” when asked if he wants to go home, because perhaps Earth-1610 is better off dead. It gave comics all it had to give, and now it’s gone.
Lackluster Beginnings
The final products for both of these “Invasions” do not currently exist. There is room for either of them to present some truly groundbreaking ideas, but as it stands, both of them are just retreading old territory.
Secret Invasion as a premise contains everything people love about Marvel. Even still, this holds no impact if the connections viewers possess with their beloved characters isn’t present. There is no high stakes drama to consume in regard to the wellbeing of Nick Fury and his associates.
Ultimate Invasion holds slightly more promise. Hickman must be cautious though, or he may fall into the trappings of Spider-Men II. Ultimate Marvel represented a moment in time, which is a near impossible thing to replicate. That isn’t going to stop him from trying. Ultimate Comics ran for over a decade to great success, a halfhearted return will not suffice.
Secret Invasion Episode 1: 4/10
Ultimate Invasion #1: 6/10
