Incredible Hercules: Secret Invasion TPB (Secret Invasion)
Author:
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
Book Type: Paperback
Basic statement of fact: I liked The Incredible Hercules: Secret Invasion by Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente. My problem is, I wanted to LOVE the graphic novel, but it didn't give me enough reason to do so.
The basic plot: Marvel long-timer and famed Greek god Hercules leads a group of representatives from the various pantheons of gods & goddesses who were worshiped at some point of time someplace on our planet against the gods worshiped by the invading alien Skrulls. It's always good to see one of my favorites of the Marvel Universe in action, and the combination of other gods and aliens should provide ample opportunity for him to shine.
It was good to see the Eternals have always loved most of Jack Kirby's creations and their over-the-top costumes (although never thought that plot details and/or dialog were his strongest suits but I digress ). And I applaud finding a way to successfully work Nightmare into the plot probably my favorite of the cosmic / mystical villains in the Marvel pantheon. And Snowbird yes, Claremont / Byrne's Canadian heroes have also been favorites; her appearance was well explained and integral to the plot.
BUT
1) I miss Herc's Shakespearean / King James speech patterns. His words were far too too American for my tastes.
2) Hercules is tasked with leading a group of various gods into battle, despite the fact he's never led before. Uh geeze, doesn't anyone remember L.A.'s first superhero group, the Champions? (Although, perhaps Natasha Romanova evolved into the leader over time.)
3) When graphic novels are reprints of previously-issued comics, I like the collection to be a complete story. This book certainly did manage to contain a couple of completed chapters, but it required a little too much knowledge about what had occurred in the prior comics (and I assume earlier Graphic Novel), and it certainly made it clear that this was NOT the end of the saga.
4) I found the battle scenes to be confusing. I reflect on some of the climactic scenes from the early James Bond movies, where panoramic shots were used to show the scope of the battle, and isolations to show one-on-one skirmishes within. (Although, perhaps, if Bond were fighting shape-shifting alien gods, those scenes could have been more confusing as well.)
In short, a nice diversion, a good read, but unlike the greatest works not one that will remain with me for an extended period.
Rating: A solid 3 stars.
The basic plot: Marvel long-timer and famed Greek god Hercules leads a group of representatives from the various pantheons of gods & goddesses who were worshiped at some point of time someplace on our planet against the gods worshiped by the invading alien Skrulls. It's always good to see one of my favorites of the Marvel Universe in action, and the combination of other gods and aliens should provide ample opportunity for him to shine.
It was good to see the Eternals have always loved most of Jack Kirby's creations and their over-the-top costumes (although never thought that plot details and/or dialog were his strongest suits but I digress ). And I applaud finding a way to successfully work Nightmare into the plot probably my favorite of the cosmic / mystical villains in the Marvel pantheon. And Snowbird yes, Claremont / Byrne's Canadian heroes have also been favorites; her appearance was well explained and integral to the plot.
BUT
1) I miss Herc's Shakespearean / King James speech patterns. His words were far too too American for my tastes.
2) Hercules is tasked with leading a group of various gods into battle, despite the fact he's never led before. Uh geeze, doesn't anyone remember L.A.'s first superhero group, the Champions? (Although, perhaps Natasha Romanova evolved into the leader over time.)
3) When graphic novels are reprints of previously-issued comics, I like the collection to be a complete story. This book certainly did manage to contain a couple of completed chapters, but it required a little too much knowledge about what had occurred in the prior comics (and I assume earlier Graphic Novel), and it certainly made it clear that this was NOT the end of the saga.
4) I found the battle scenes to be confusing. I reflect on some of the climactic scenes from the early James Bond movies, where panoramic shots were used to show the scope of the battle, and isolations to show one-on-one skirmishes within. (Although, perhaps, if Bond were fighting shape-shifting alien gods, those scenes could have been more confusing as well.)
In short, a nice diversion, a good read, but unlike the greatest works not one that will remain with me for an extended period.
Rating: A solid 3 stars.
