There’s not much Secret Wars left to talk about these days. Most series are over and the new Marvel Universe has already launched. Last week saw the conclusions of House of M and Where Monsters Dwell. This week, for the first time since May, there are no Secret Wars books scheduled.
Since there aren’t many issues, there aren’t really any big movers and shakers. Monsters dropped slightly as I wonder if this had anything to do at all with Secret Wars or Marvel just used it as an excuse to hype a tame Garth Ennis book? I don’t think there is one reference to Battleworld in the story. House of M moved up a bit with a mediocre finale, jumping over a couple of other mediocre books.
After the break, this weeks rankings…
1. Thors
Latest issue: 3 (9/2/2015)
Summary: A great mystery involving the murder of the same person in every Battleworld zone. Who is this person? What is their connection to the Thors? And when one of their own falls during the investigation, will vengeance be had by those remaining?
2. Secret Wars (main series)
Latest issue: 6 (10/7/2015)
Summary: The main event, the curse of the new universe, the mega battle to make Beyonders rattle! This is the main storyline that will attempt to explain how Doom is a god who can’t find people and why this is actually a war when it has less people than a Thor Corps wake. Still, a fun overall story to bring the literal fragments together.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
3. Squadron Sinister
Latest issue: 3 (9/2/2015)
Summary: Another compelling mystery, this time surrounding an evil Squadron Supreme taking out rival counterparts from bordering zones. Why does this zone get to not only cross the border but actually rule their conquests? And will the fighting from within bring about its downfall?
4. Planet Hulk
Latest issue: 5 (9/9/2015)
Summary: Steve Rogers is given an assignment: venture into Greenland, where everyone is a Hulk, and assassinate the Red King. Can he do this with the help of Doc Green and his trusty steed Devil Dinosaur?
5. Armor Wars
Latest issue: 5 (9/16/2015)
Summary: A fantastic series in a zone where everyone wears Iron Man-like suits to protect themselves against a deadly virus. But when the zone’s Spyder-Man uncovers a secret and is killed, the murder investigation led by that Zone’s Thor leads us on a wild chase and introduces some compelling characters. Amazing story that grips you from the start.
6. Siege
Latest issue: 4 (10/7/2015)
Summary: Abigail Brand commands a section of The Shield with a ragtag group of prisoners and convicts. If they fail, Battleworld will be overrun by zombies, Ultrons, and the Annihilation Wave. New recruit Kang’s future self has told them The Shield will fall in a few days…to someone named Thanos!
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
7. Marvel Zombies
Latest issue: 4 (10/14/2015)
Summary: Elsa Bloodstone, commander of The Shield and expert zombie killer, is accidentally teleported deep into zombie territory. There she finds a small child where no small child should be. Can she get the kid and herself to safety through a swarm of undead? And who’s following her?
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
8. Mrs. Deadpool and the Howling Commandos
Latest issue: 4 (9/9/2015)
Summary: Humor and horror mix as Deadpool’s widow Shiklah the succubus wants revenge against Dracula for killing Deadpool! Will she get it with help from the Howling Commandos, Marvel’s monster heroes? Narrated by Deadpool’s ghost!
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
9. Inhumans: Attilan Rising
Latest issue: 5 (9/23/2015)
Summary: A band of rebels lead by Blackagar called The Voice Unheard (get it?) must fight for survival when God Doom sends Baron Medusa and her Inhuman forces against them for defying his “holy word”.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
10. Howard The Human
Latest issue: 1 (8/19/2015)
Summary: Meet Howard. A private investigator and only human in the animal domain of New Quack City. He’s about to have a very bad day..
11. Civil War
Latest issue: 5 (10/14/2015)
Summary: In this zone, the Civil War never ended but escalated instead. 20 years after the story that took place in the main Marvel Universe, the United States has been split in half with Tony Stark and Captain America leading their own sides. While the war ended, it appears someone wants to start it back up again.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1
12. Future Imperfect
Latest issue: 5 (9/2/2015)
Summary: The Maestro rules his land with a green fist. What plans might he have, and what allies will he make, to be more than he already is?
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
13. Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps
Latest issue: 4 (9/23/2015)
Summary: High flying Carol Danvers and her friends really want to know…what’s beyond the stars, and why are they sent to attack unarmed vessels?
14. Old Man Logan
Latest issue: 5 (10/7/2015)
Summary: The series starts with a bang as Old Man Logan investigates a Ultron head from another zone and turns into a larger adventure. Nice to see Wolverine back in action especially as he enters zones where he faces the other incarnations of people he’s already killed. Plus, it’s Wolverine written by Bendis. ‘Nuf said.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
15. A-Force
Latest issue: 5 (10/14/2015)
Summary: Mysteries abound on an island where all the heroes are Avengers…and women!
16. Infinity Gauntlet
Latest issue: 4 (9/16/2015)
Summary: In the land where the Annihilation Wave holds sway, Thanos gathers the infinity gems for an as-yet unknown purpose. Riding with a group of Novas and alternate Guardians of the Galaxy, will Thanos succeed? And can anyone stop him?
17. Weirdworld
Latest issue: 5 (10/21/2015)
Summary: All Arkon wants is to get home to Polemachus. He just has to cross “Weirdworld” to get there. Braving dragons, water-apes, and all manner of oddities, can our sword-and-sandal hero make it home before Morgan le Fey kills him?
18. M.O.D.O.K. Assassin
Latest issue: 5 (9/30/2015)
Summary: Can a Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing find love with a Thor in a domain overrun by Battleworld’s deadliest assassins?
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
19. Secret Wars Agents Of Atlas
Latest issue: 1 (10/21/2015)
Summary: In the previously unmentioned domain of last money grab attempt Metropolitia, the citizens are all under the control of Baron Zemo and his Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Can the rebellious forces of Atlas save the domain from Zemo’s reign of terror?
20. Where Monsters Dwell
Latest issue: 5 (10/28/2015)
Summary: Ace pilot and womanizer Karl Kaufmann, the Phantom Eagle, is hired to fly a woman across a jungle. A storm and some prehistoric monsters later, and Kaufmann’s trip isn’t going very well on many, many levels.
21. Guardians of Knowhere
Latest issue: 4 (9/16/2015)
Summary: Battleworld has no moon…just the severed head of a Celestial defeated by Doom. This is Knowhere, an outlaw land where the Guardians make their way.
22. Star-Lord & Kitty Pryde
Latest issue: 3 (9/2/2015)
Summary: 616 Star-Lord thinks he has a good gig while in hiding at Black Bolt’s nightclub as a lounge singer. Then he spots an alternate version of his dead love Kitty Pryde…one from the Age of Apocalypse zone!
23. Ghost Racers
Latest issue: 4 (9/30/2015)
Summary: Robbie Reyes is currently undefeated in Arcade’s Killiseum races! Good thing too. The Ignition Spirits who lose are often tortured and Reyes has too much to live for.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
24. Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars
Latest issue: 4 (8/26/2015)
Summary: Not an official 2015 Secret Wars tie-in, this is actually a throw back to the original Secret Wars but told with a Deadpool flare.
25. Spider-Island
Latest issue: 5 (10/7/2015)
Summary: The Spider-Queen has won, turning most of the citizens, including the superheroes, into hive-minded spider-creatures. Only Flash Thompson, Venom, and a handful of others can come up with a plan to save everyone and defeat the Queen once and for all.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1
26. Spider-Verse
Latest issue: 5 (9/16/2015)
Summary: Five different Spiders from alternate realities find themselves in a different world where Norman Osbourne is up to…something…in what looks like the 616 universe. Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man India, Spider-UK, Spider-Girl, and Spider-Ham may have bitten off more than they can chew.
27. Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows
Latest issue: 5 (9/9/2015)
Summary: Spider-Man hasn’t been seen in years. Peter Parker gave it up to be a good husband and father. Good thing too, since the Regent killed all the heroes and stole their powers.
28. Runaways
Latest issue: 4 (9/23/2015)
Summary: Gifted children from all zones of Battleworld are lucky enough to attend an elite school when they discover it’s being run by the evil daughter of Doom. There’s only one thing they can do! (Hint: it isn’t “stay at school”–check the title)
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
29. Hank Johnson, Agent of Hydra
Latest issue: 1 (8/26/2015)
Summary: Hank Johnson shows us that a day in the life low on the Hydra totem pole is pretty much like life at the bottom of the totem pole at any company. Minus the Nick Fury head bashings.
30. Captain Britain and the Mighty Defenders
Latest issue: 2 (8/19/2015)
Summary: The heroes of Yinsen City are beginning to question the word of Doom when several inhabitants begin to remember the multiverse that existed before Battleworld. In punishment for their blasphemy, God Doom allows the zone to be invaded by the neighboring Mondo City where the tallest building in the zone is almost completely covered by a Punisher symbol. That can’t be good.
31. Secret Wars 2099
Latest issue: 5 (9/9/2015)
Summary: In the year 2099, superheroes work for Alchemax. The Avengers work for Miguel Stone, one-time Spider-Man, and need to deal with those unsponsored outlaws, the Defenders 2099!
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
32. House Of M
Latest issue: 4 (10/28/2015)
Summary: It’s still 2005 in the Monarchy of M and Scarlet Witch has not issued her iconic phrase “No more mutants”. Magneto thinks he has it all under control, but what are Namor and Quicksilver really up to at the peace negotiations?
33. Ultimate End
Latest issue: 4 (8/5/2015)
Summary: For I think like the 5th time we get a story that is supposed to be the end of the Ultimate Universe. While this one appears that it will clearly stick and some Ultimate characters will be absorbed into the main Marvel Universe, is it any better than those previous “end of times” series? So far, no.
34. X-Men ’92
Latest issue: 8 (9/2/2015)
Summary: In the domain of Westchester, mutants and humans finally live in peace after the fall of Magneto and the end of the “Westchester Wars”. But everything might not be as it seems at the Clear Mountain institute for reforming evil mutants.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
35. Hail Hydra
Latest issue: 3 (9/30/2015)
Summary: 616 survivor Ian “Nomad” Rogers managed to survive the end of the world…only to find himself in a section of Battleworld ruled by Hydra!
36. Red Skull
Latest issue: 3 (9/9/2015)
Summary: The most dangerous man on Battleworld, the only one to challenge Doom and almost get away with it, is the Red Skull. He was banished to the world beyond The Shield but seems to have survived. Can an assembled hit squad of convicts bring in his severed head?
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1
37. 1872
Latest issue: 4 (10/21/2015)
Summary: Somewhere between 1602 and the main timeline exists the 1872 zone where all the Marvel characters live in the wild west. An interesting idea for about 5 minutes.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1
38. Age of Ultron vs. Marvel Zombies
Latest issue: 4 (9/2/2015)
Summary: When 1872 Hank Pym is banished over The Shield for gathering metals to build a “clockwork mechanical man”, he must team with a group of rebels to survive against two of Battleworld’s most dangerous domains.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
39. Master of Kung Fu
Latest issue: 4 (8/12/2015)
Summary: A disgraced Shang-Chi is content with spending the rest of his days in a drunken stupor. But when an opportunity arises to end his father Zheng Zu’s tyrannical rule of the domain, will the Master of Kung Fu take it?
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
40. Inferno
Latest issue: 5 (9/30/2015)
Summary: Once a year, Colossus attempts to make a run into the Inferno zone to rescue his sister Illyana. His current run, probably his last, doesn’t go well when his demonic sister manages to capture or wound most of his team, leading him to make a desperate alliance with the Goblin Queen.
41. Age of Apocalypse
Latest issue: 5 (10/21/2015)
Summary: Magneto’s X-Men and Apocalypse’s Horsemen face off for maybe the final time. What role does the young mutant Cypher play in all this?
42. Secret Wars Journal
Latest issue: 5 (9/16/2015)
Summary: Like the Battleworld series, this is another series of smaller tales taking place within the giant quilt of Battleworld.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
43. Korvac Saga
Latest issue: 4 (9/9/2015)
Summary: Two neighboring sectors, one protected by Avengers, the other by Guardians of the Galaxy, have a problem. The Guardians’ side has some sort of contagious, mutating form of madness going around…causing people to remember the time before Battleworld!
44. X-Tinction Agenda
Latest issue: 4 (9/23/2015)
Summary: A decade after the defeat of Cameron Hodge, Havoc is still in Genosha with a handful of mutant helpers trying to keep the peace in the face of a mutant-only plague! Will kidnapping a healer from a different mutant zone help? And why is someone rebuilding Cameron Hodge?
45. E is for Extinction
Latest issue: 4 (9/30/2015)
Summary: The X-Men are passé, Magneto runs with the younger crowds, and hip youngsters steal mutant organs. It’s not a good day to be Beast.
46. Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX
Latest issue: 4 (9/9/2015)
Summary: If you are interested in the work of Skottie Young for more than a cute cover here and there you may want to bump this up a few notches. As is it, nothing more than a fun aside that has little to do with Secret Wars.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3
47. Years of Future Past
Latest issue: 5 (9/23/2015)
Summary: A bit preachy, loses some of the punch from the original series (and our heightened expectations after the loosely adapted but outstanding movie).
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1
48. Secret Wars: Battleworld
Latest issue: 4 (8/12/2015)
Summary: A series of smaller Battleworld stories that aren’t long enough to warrant their own issue. Some work, some don’t, but they all have some interesting angle. The latest book features multiple Wolverines killing each other for fun–then they face the ultimate fun in a Zen Wolverine that refuses to fight. Previous fun stories included Howard the Duck meeting Blade meeting Blade the Duck. Yes, you read that correctly.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1, 2, 3, 4
49. Secret Wars Secret Love
Latest issue: 1 (8/19/2015)
Summary: Another short story anthology book in the same vein as Secret Wars Battleworld and Secret Wars Journal. But these stories bring us love. It’s bringing love, don’t let it get away! Break its legs.
Jimmy’s Read Through: 1
50. 1602: Witch Hunter Angela
Latest issue: 4 (10/7/2015)
Summary: The original 1602 series were clever takes on the Marvel universe. But this story feels a bit boring as we follow a witch (read mutants) hunter.
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