Secret Wars #2 (2015)

Many of my co-workers h a t e d Secret Wars #1. I didn't. I want to get my bias out of the way. So we're all on the same page, in Secret Wars #1 the entirety of the Marvel existence is completely and utterly destroyed, with the exception of 2 lifeboats that look suspiciously like an object that appeared in Sheep Meadow (part of Central Park) in 1984.


That was then, this is now. With issue #2 starting after the end of everything, we should have a cast of about 30 characters total, but we don't-we seemingly have everyone, with more on the way. If you've been reading 'New Avengers', you may have some insight as to why. If you haven't, Dr. Doom has been leading members of his self founded chronoreligion to all places and times to destroy molecules of the Molecule Man (who exists simultaneously at all places in all times) at his behest to delay the destruction of our Earth. I won't speculate what I think is happening (I'm always wrong at these guessing games), but I can safely tell you for now what Secret Wars is- House of M:1602, with Doom and the Beyonders each playing the role of Scarlett Witch proclaiming "No more anything."


That may end up being a bit simplistic in the end (this is Jonathan Hickman we're talking about), but now that I know that conceit I'm all in. If this all sounds ridiculous, please step aside now so the rest of us can enjoy Hickman's rich dialogue and lovely art from Esad Ribic. Doom can explain the rest of what you need to know when you get to him, your creator, your lord and savior, your judge, your...everything.

Unless you just stepped out of a giant heretical donut with your friends. Then he's going to want you to not exist, and for his people to not know you exist.