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In 1984, Marvel Comics began its legendary Secret Wars limited series. Destined to stretch across the entire year in 12 monthly installments, this limited series was to set the stage for several future "crossovers" and special events. The series drew together heroes and villains from the far reaches of the Marvel Universe. Most fans either loved or hated this new experiment; few were ambivalent. Secret Wars was not Marvel's first effort in the realm of the limited series crossover. In 1982, Marvel introduced Marvel Super Heroes Contest of Champions. While the relative merits of the two series are certainly debatable, the release of Secret Wars in May of 1984 was extremely well-received by comic buyers. Each issue sold nearly three quarters of a million copies. Written by then Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter, Secret Wars was an event that helped to define the direction of the Marvel Universe for years to come.
Below is a synopsis of each issue, including a reproduction of the covers of each issue. Be forewarned, these pages contain spoilers for each issue, so if you like to be surprised, don't read the synopsis.
Issue #1 May 1984 Title: The War Begins
Writer: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Michael Zeck
Inker: John Beatty
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Editor: Tom DeFalco
It’s the opening salvo in this “secret war.” Drawn together by a mysterious entity known only as The Beyonder, Earth’s mightiest Heroes and Villains are given only one enigmatic clue as to their purpose: “Slay your enemies and all you desire shall be yours!” Now for the line-ups. On the Heroes team we find: Captain America, The Wasp, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Thor, Hawkeye, Iron Man (James Rhoades who would go on to become War Machine), Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Rogue, Professor X, Lockheed the Dragon, The Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), The Thing, and the Human Torch. Also on the side of the Heroes is the master of magnetism himself, Magneto. This is a source of some confusion and great mistrust among many of the Heroes.
And on the Villains’ side we find: Dr. Doom, Crusher Kreel the Absorbing Man, The Enchantress, Ultron, Kang, Dr. Octopus, Molecule Man, The Lizard, Galactus, and Wrecker and the Wrecking Crew (Thunderball, Piledriver and Bulldozer). While the Heroes team seems like an adequate cross-section of the Marvel Universe, the Villains’ team seems to contain more dubious choices. Surely Dr. Doom and Galactus were worthy choices, but the inclusion of the Wrecking crew, a second string gang of thug-like bullies, makes one wonder. With all the other possible choices for Villains, this rag tag assortment of baddies seems ill conceived at best.
In any case, both groups are drawn away from Earth to a newly constructed Battleworld, formed from pieces of various planets. Of note in this first issue: Ultron clashes with the Villains and is ultimately K.O.’ed by Galactus; The Big G. Then decides to pursue the Beyonder through a cosmic rift (unknowingly joined by Dr. Doom who plans to learn the secrets of the Beyonder’s incredible power). Unfortunately, both Galactus and Doom are turned away like pesky insects by the Beyonder’s immense power. Doom decides that the only way to win this game is not to fight. He fails in his attempt to convince the other Villains of the strength of his plan and decides to approach the Heroes instead. However, as he is leaving, Kang shoots down his shuttle and believes that he has killed the almighty Dr. Doom. Being a tough villain to kill, Doom survives the crash and pleads his case to the Heroes who also reject him. Doom flees just as the other Villains sneak attack the Heroes.
All in all, an action packed first issue that lays the basic groundwork for the following year.
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Issue #2 June 1984 Title: Prisoners of War!
Writer: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Michael Zeck
Inker: John Beatty
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Editor: Tom DeFalco
The first real skirmish of this secret war breaks out as the Villains ambush our Heroes. Although the Heroes are caught off guard and soundly pummeled at first, the battle turns to their advantage as they drive back the Villains and actually capture five prisoners: The three members of the Wrecking Crew, the Enchantress, and Kang the Conqueror. Meanwhile, Dr. Doom makes his way back to the villain home base and takes it over, transforming it into his “Doombase.” He also sees fit to revive Ultron and makes him his personal bodyguard. When the beaten and dejected Villains return, he appoints himself their leader. The Villains reluctantly agree.
Meanwhile, Magneto has fled from the Heroes camp to establish his own base away from the suspicion and mistrust he encountered upon arriving among the Heroes. The intent of his plans remain a mystery but it is obvious that he plans to lure the Heroes to him with a large explosion. As they tackle Magneto, he kidnaps the Wasp and flees. During the fight, the Thing mysteriously reverts to his human form as Benjamin J. Grimm.
Also in this issue, the now recovered Galactus takes up a silent vigil on a mountain top, preparing for something. What that might be, the Heroes and Villains can only guess. But neither side believes it will be good considering that Galactus is the devourer of worlds!
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Issue #3 July 1984 Title: Tempest Without, Crisis Within!
Writer: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Michael Zeck
Inker: John Beatty
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Editor: Tom DeFalco
As a monstrous storm rages over the Battleworld planet, all forces in this conflict regroup to consider their next moves. Magneto tries to seduce the captive Wasp and apparently wins her over with his charisma. Professor X and the X-Men make plans to leave the Heroes’ camp and join up with Magneto. Spiderman overhears their plans, but is mind-wiped by Professor X before he can alert the others. Dr. Doom tries to ally himself with Magneto but is rebuffed. To replenish the depleted ranks of the Villains, Doom creates two other super Villains: the super-strong Titania and the mistress of fire Volcana.
The semi-reformed Molecule man seems smitten by the new arrival, Volcana, and the attraction is mutual. Meanwhile, Thor revives the Enchantress to have a chat with his Asgardian kin. They leave the Heroes’ camp to discuss their plight. At that same moment, Doom launches a raid on the Heroes’ compound to recover his captured comrades. Catching the Heroes off-guard, Doom frees the prisoners and soundly bests the unaware Heroes. Doom then makes plans to finish them permanently.
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Issue #4 August 1984
Title: Situation: Hopeless!
Writer: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Bob Layton
Inker: John Beatty
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Editor: Tom DeFalco
The Molecule Man rips apart the remains of the Heroes’ base, but they still manage to escape with their wounded. Not satisfied with anything less than the death of the Heroes, Doom orders his troops to finish the job. Titania lofts a huge building at the Heroes that they barely manage to divert. Ultimately, the Molecule Man decides to finish the game by dropping an entire mountain range on the Heroes. Jarred by the massive commotion, Thor and the Enchantress are alerted to the situation. The Enchantress brings the God of Thunder into the Villains’ camp. They briefly battle and seemingly kill the mighty Thor.
Dr. Doom takes this brief respite as a chance to settle an old score. As retribution for his failed assassination attempt, Doom orders Ultron to vaporize Kang. This demonstration of his power reinforces Doom’s position as absolute leader of the villain team.
Meanwhile, the X-Men make contact with Magneto and his captive, the Wasp. They propose an alliance separate from the hero team. The focus of this new team would be more direct action and the death of the Villains if necessary. Additionally, they resolve to battle the Heroes if they oppose this plan of action. Hearing this, the Wasp reveals that she was just humoring Magneto in an attempt to discover his true plans. She makes her escape and goes to warn the Heroes.
However, buried beneath the mountain range, the Heroes struggle to stay alive. The only thing keeping them from being crushed is the Hulk’s massive strength which holds the mountain range just enough to form a small air pocket. Quickly making use of Hawkeye’s technologically advanced arrows and the circuitry in Spiderman’s webshooters, Reed Richards reconfigures Iron Man’s armor. Channeling the powers of the Human Torch and Captain Marvel, Iron Man blows a hole in the mountain so that the Heroes can escape. Unfortunately, this leaves Hawkeye with no arrows and the Web-Slinger with no webshooters.
While looking for shelter, Captain Marvel discovers a small village of alien life forms. Having no choice, the Heroes regroup in the village which is right under the nose of the world-eater Galactus. In the village we are introduced to the alien healer Zsaji who tends to the injured Heroes. Thor is reunited with the Heroes as he explains the trick he used to escape from the Villains. Back to nearly full strength, the Heroes contemplate their next move. Ben Grimm reverts to his rocky form as the Thing, just as Galactus seems ready to make his move. No one knows what to expect next, but they all fear the worst.
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Issue #5 September 1984
Title: The Battle of Four Armies!
Writer: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Bob Layton
Inker: John Beatty
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Editor: Tom DeFalco
Galactus makes the scene in a big way. It appears as though the ole planet-eater himself is setting up to make Battleworld his next meal. The Heroes vainly attempt to communicate with the Big G and then decide to slug it out with him. Of course, Galactus fends off the attack with only the slightest effort. The Heroes, distracted by their battle, are easy prey for the Villains. However, just as the Villains sneak attack is poised to wipe out the Heroes, the third force shows up to play cavalry: The X-Men. The X-Men (including Professor X and a newly reformed Magneto) beat back the Villains, but not before Colossus is severely injured. In the retreat, Colossus is left behind in the care of the Heroes.
Also in this issue, we learn a bit more about the mysterious alien name Zsaji (pronounced Zah-shee). Apparently, Johnny Storm (a.k.a. the Human Torch) has taken quite a shine to the alien healer. But he is not alone in his affections. Colossus has also taken quite a liking to Zsaji which results in several panels of angst over his lack of fidelity to Kitty Pryde back on Earth.
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Issue #6 October 1984
Title: A Little Death...
Writer: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Michael Zeck
Inker: John Beatty
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Editor: Tom DeFalco
This issue opens with the recently lost Wasp piloting her ship through trackless swamps where she meets up with the wounded Lizard. Befriending him (as much as possible considering his sub-human nature), the Wasp and Lizard are attacked by the Villains. The Wasp is mortally wounded, driving the Lizard to attack the Villains. He is subdued and captured.
Meanwhile, Dr. Doom is probing Galactus’ ship to identify the sentient energy he detected. To his surprised, he reinstates the master of sound, the Klaw. The Klaw had been imprisoned in Galactus’ ship since his apparent demise at the hands of Dazzler.
On the homefront, the Heroes regroup to try to deal with both Galactus and the Villains. Johnny and Zsaji become closer, though Zsaji heals Colossus, adding to the love triangle that has developed. Professor X and Storm have a heated exchange over who should lead the X-Men. For the moment, Storm bends to the Professor’s will, but she remains defiant. In the meantime, Cyclops, Rogue and Wolverine attempt to stop the Villains plans with an all out attack. In the process, Wolverine severely injures the Molecule Man. Only a blast from Cyclops stops Wolverine from killing the Molecule Man as the Villains retreat.
And as an added bit of mystery, there is a shadowy figure seen lurking on the last panel. Friend or foe? The secret is revealed in the very next issue.
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Working links checked on 07/07/09 by LC_bot
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