When it comes to spy drama, misdirection and mystery are crucial, which is the case with Skrulls and the new Secret Invasion #1. A new five-issue miniseries series from Ryan North and Francesco Mobili, the Skrulls are meddling with our affairs back on Earth. But why, and what does it all mean? After reading the first issue, it means our heroes are in danger of being replaced again!
Secret Invasion #1 opens with Nick Fury visiting a family who is certain the father is a dead Skrull. As the preview shows, they’re practically elated by the fact that he is a Skrull since they think that means their family member is still alive. An alarming sight to see – two kids and a mother totally cool with a dead body in their house. Talk about a red flag.
Trying to figure out what is going on is where you’ll find the most enjoyment in reading Secret Invasion #1. I questioned this weird family in scenes crosscut with Fury meeting with Maria Hill. As the story unfolds, Maria learns what we learn, but soon we see the narrator might not be trusted. There’s a cat-and-mouse game going on, and you’ll be trying to figure out what the next move is along the way.
The side by side headshot further makes you wonder who is a Skrull.
Credit: Marvel
Mobili’s art keeps you on the edge of your seat with the family, reading their faces and trying to get a bead on what is happening. You’ll be right there with Fury, who is unsure about the events and questioning everything. Meanwhile, you’ll be reading Nick Fury’s body language, how he acts going into the offices, and how he is with Hill. Is he a Skrull, or is she? Mobili does a good job of making you question everyone. It’s not just Fury and Hill – Mobili gets to draw the Avengers, who are seen in a rare training session. This leads to the final few pages drawn via first-person perspective, which further helps make you question who you are seeing.
I was hoping for more answers, a plot, or something to hang the story’s hat on for an extra-sized issue. The last few pages do a lot to inform the reader where the story goes from here and who the main hero is, but most of this issue is unpacking Fury’s interaction with the family. Given the result of that sequence, I was left wanting a bit more, or for that scene to be a bit shorter to free up more action or plot progressing moments.
The twists and turns of a Skrull story are alive and well in Secret Invasion #1. Ryan North and Francesco Mobili capture the unease of not knowing who is good, bad, and everything in between.
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