Secret Wars #2

By Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina

Last week readers were treated to the first issue of Secret Wars. It was an issue that knocked people’s socks off. It had action out of the gate and lots of death and destruction. Now we get the second installment, which is equally as important because this has to set up the rest of the series, but I’m sure Hickman and Ribic know that.

Secret Wars pumps on the brakes this week as things slowed down a little. Jonathan Hickman takes us on a trip to a strange world where Dr. Doom rules. We see several different areas in this world, which are all ruled by different barons or baroness’s. This issue starts a bit slow as we get an introduction to the Thors that essentially act as Doom’s police force. Another strike against this issue is that we don’t really pick up from where the excitement left off last week. We have no idea what happened to Cyclops and Star Lord, which is a bummer. All that aside, this issue is a good set up for what is coming, as we get a chance to see different versions of our favorite characters. It just seems like Jonathan Hickman can write anyone great. His work with Jamie Braddock this issue is outstanding. He’s a character that is hardly known, but Hickman makes him cool in his brief appearance. The book picks up the pace in the middle and gets really interesting, so once again, we’re left waiting for what happens next.

The pencils this issue are handled by Esad Ribic with colors by Ive Svorcina. Last issue Esad Ribic did a great job with his pencils, this week it seems like he’s done an even better job. Ribic does a brilliant job of laying out the new world and giving the reader a good look at the layout. Ribic really shines when he is drawing the battle between Captain Britain and Mr. Sinister. This is a well drawn action sequence, and to see Doom just watching motionless is eerie. The colors by Ive Svorcina are just as great as Ribic’s pencils. These two seem to have found a groove this issue and it shows.

Secret Wars #1 was a great issue that was a lot to live up to. It’s not fair to judge the second issue the same way because it’s essentially a different book that deals with different characters. If you take the second book for what it is, then you will like it. Jonathan Hickman writes a very good set up issue that should please most fans. If you didn’t like the story this issue the art should absolutely win you over. Secret Wars #2 is a success as an issue that sets us up for the big payoff down the road.