Secret Wars #5 (2015)

This is the issue of Secret Wars that finally tells us what happened to get us to where we are. If you were reading New Avengers, you'll have a pretty good idea. Jonathan Hickman does a fine job of condenscing three years worth of densely packed books into 8 pages. The best of this issue comes on either side of those pages, particularly at the end. Valeria is tasked with finding those who killed Sheriff Strange. She appears to be looking closer than God Doom has demanded. The other big moment comes at The Shield, confirming the importance of the Siege series. If you haven't been reading it, grab them now while you can. Esad Ribic's art is as good as always, maybe a little bit better. There's so much to recommend here, but with the flashback it comes off a little weaker than the previous issues. If you didn't read N.A., you'll probably love the whole shebang.