Back when Secret Invasion was first announced, I promised myself that I wasn’t going to buy it.  “That’s it,” I said to myself, putting the last issue of World War Hulk down, “I’m done with events.”  Fast forward six months later, and here I am, writing a review for the book.  I keep telling myself that I’m just some weak hypocrite, but I think for this series, I’m simply going to say that the idea intrigued me, and luckily, it intrigued Marvel too.

This issue kicks off, what’s sure to be, one of the best Marvel events in a long time.  The concept is simple:  What happens when the bad guys disguise and infiltrate every aspect of your world and you’re too late to do anything about it.  And it just works so well with how the Marvel U is structured right now.  As I read each panel, I kept finding myself whispering “Holy shit.” as revelation after revelation came about.  Bendis has pulled no punches with this book, and he’s really placed the Marvel U into some deep, deep doo doo.

Which I think is what makes this book work for me.  With the close of Civil War, we’ve found our heroes untrusting and against each other, and it’s just damn nice to see heroes fighting some truly evil guys once again.  This is what makes super hero comics so much to read.  This is good vs. evil to the highest degree, and I can’t wait for next issue to see just how the heroes of the Marvel U are going to get out of this one.

I’m avoiding spoilers here for a reason–you need to read the book for yourself.  It’s really an excellent issue, and I think Bendis is hitting on all cylinders here because this is, after all, his baby.  It’s exciting, it’s page turning, and most importantly, it has a real sense of danger to it…it’s just everything you would want out of an event.

Before I close, I simply have to wonder where the hell has this Yu been in all those months of sketchy, crazy art filled New Avengers issues.  His pencils in this issue are simply amazing, and the panel layouts are just great.  They add this real sense of action and suspense to them.  Look at one of his panels of Tony Stark’s eyes and tell me that it doesn’t make Iron Man look like a major badass.  I simply adored his art in this book.

In conclusion, buy it.