Secret Wars #5 Review (w/SPOILERS)

[Double 0]

Good news! This issue explains a lot! Confirms theories, begins new ones, and leaves important stuff out in the open! This is especially good for those who did not read the build up.

Bad news, it's the slowest issue of the series so far. Thankfully the art was a great as always.


HOWEVER, this issue also allowed for plenty of characterization, something that doesn't particularly happen often in a company crossover event. Hickman is able to show the impact of the end of the last issue by getting into the head of Doom as things start to unravel. He's building a house of cards made of lies, and their effectiveness range from totally working (Susan, Franklin, others), to not working (Valeria), to absolutely not working (Owen Reese).

Yes, Owen Reese is still around, imprisoned within Battleworld post-Beyonder Bomb. Another major lie Doom told his world. Also, he apparently devoured everything. His words, start your "how everything comes back" theories from there.

We get to see what happened after the bomb, and the theories that the bomb was really a bunch of Molecule Men was absolutely correct. Afterwards, Strange left it up to Doom to reshape what was left of the Multiverse due to the overwhelming scope. Owen is still has off-kilter as before, but could easily see through Doom, knew that Strange was dead, and knew what that meant: things are falling apart.

Meanwhile, Doom has ordered Valeria Richards and the Foundation to find the "Rebels" (Cabal, Life Rafters) whom "killed Strange". Doom has to feed her a tub of lies, which she translates to at least "Doom is scared of them for some reason". Nice to see that Hickman at least makes sure that Valeria is still competent even when dealing with god Doom.


The cliffhanger here makes me want to figure out which tie ins have which life rafters and Cabal members are in, as we see where a few of them are.

Doomstrat aka Where Doom and the others live = Black Swan. That's going to be a bit of a problem, but it could be worse.

Doomgard = Thor. Which actually makes a lot of sense due to the vast amount of Thors there.

Bar Sinister = Captain Marvel... Already captured by Mr. Sinister. Not a good look for her.

Egyptia = T'Challa carrying a necklace similar to the Eye of Agamotto. Oh and Namor, because putting those two together is a bright idea. Way to go, Strange!


And lastly, as hinted by Siege...


The Shield = Thanos. Anyone reading Siege knows exactly how that's going to go down. As ugly as possible.



Anyone notice a bit of a gap here? Some people missing? Maximus? Corvus, Proxima, and Terrax? The Spider-Men?


Both Reeds?


I guess we'll find out next issue.