After the universe-obliterating events of Secret Wars #1, Marvel seemed to put a definitive period at the end of both the main Marvel universe and the Ultimate universe.
But that was just issue #1 of 8, so of course it was never going to be the end. As Marvel has been promising for months, its entire universe and all of its distant corners and alternate realities and timelines have been condensed into a single planet called Battleworld. Spread across this planet are the approximately 40 provinces or kingdoms that make up Battleworld. This makes way for a whole slew of new titles, tie-ins and side stories.
We knew all of this was happening from the solicits and promotions Marvel has already revealed. What we didn't know is what the society of Battleworld would be structured like, what the laws are and how the various cultures would interact.
Now we know, and... It's kind of familiar. Okay, that's a lie. Battleworld is a whole freaking bunch familiar.
Spoilers ahead!
In this enormous, 45-page opus, writer Jonathan Hickman does his best to simplify the incredible complexities of this rich, diverse new world and set up the basic information you need to know. The thing is, the details may not be entirely familiar, but the whole thing bares a remarkably striking resemblance to something that is.
Battleworld is Westeros.
Based (admittedly) on this issue, it's as plain as can be that what Secret Wars is really about emulating Game of Thrones. Issue #2 quickly introduces the "Thors" as the police force, or knights, of this world before dropping its biggest bombshell: The person responsible for Battleworld's existence and now ruling over it and being worshipped as its "God" is none other than Dr. Doom. And the Thors make their home in a floating castle/kingdom known as "Doomgard." Cute.
Soon we're whisked away to Doom's royal court in his capitol kingdom of 'Doomstadt" where he oversees Battleworld. Every kingdom has a Baron overseeing it from one of numerous "houses," and it's a dispute between two of these houses that occupies most of Secret Wars #2's plot. The trial eventually gives way to a one-on-one arena battle when one of the houses invokes the right to trial by combat.
Stop me if this is starting to sound familiar.
There's more. Serving as Doom's Sheriff is none other than Steven Strange, sporting a new look that makes him appear incredibly similar to Game of Thrones' Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish. There's the "Shield," an immense wall that stretches around the entire southern hemisphere, protecting the civilized kingdoms from the "Deadlands" where Wildlings and White Walkers zombies, Annihilation Wave drones and Ultron-bots live.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, George R.R. Martin ought to be blushing pretty heavily today.
Esad Ribic's art doesn't quite live up to the epic grandeur he displayed in the first issue, but it's serviceable. One pet peeve I had trouble getting past is how most of the characters spend much of the issue with their mouths gaping wide open. Over and over again you'll see different characters doing this, usually in shock over something or other. Here and there is fine, but it's all over the entire issue.
It's a fine installment, and at 45 pages you certainly get your money's worth. But its derivative nature is awfully distracting. Hopefully Battleworld will prove to be something distinctly its own after it's had some time to stretch and breathe.
Story:
★★★☆☆
Art:
★★★☆☆
Overall:
★★★☆☆
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