What a tangled web Doom is weaving. After having created Battleworld in order to ‘save’ pieces of different realities after the Incursion Wave, he’s been able to sit back and enjoy everything that exists. What happens when someone close to him betrays his orders and beliefs? Since this is Doom we’re talking about, the only thing Doom could do was to put an end to him. What he may not have thought about in that split second moment is as some mourn the loss of the ally, this could be the beginning of the crumbling of Doom’s reign. The scary thing is how Doom handles the aftermath.

As Doom deals with everything, Jonathan Hickman does reveal a little more about what happened ‘in the beginning.’ One of the questions left unanswered, until now, was what happened to the Molecule Man. As we find out more, the scope of it all is enough to make you pause and think. Doom may be acting as god of Battleworld but at the same time, it’s as if Hickman is being allowed to be god over the Marvel Universe. I can’t remember the last time I was so glued to each page in a comic. I found myself slowly reading over each word, taking it all in. I could totally go for an extra issue featuring Doom and Owen to see how everything formed between SECRET WARS #1 and 2.

As with the previous four issues, Esad Ribic’s art and Ive Svorcina’s colors are amazing. You can see the emotion oozing off each page. Doom is carrying a lot on his shoulders. Despite wearing a cloak and an iron mask, you can see the emotion, burden, and guilt for all his actions. There are so many moments you just have to stop and take in all the detail in each panel.

As we see the next stage begin, each visual gets you more and more excited. We could try to figure out what Jonathan Hickman has planned yet you’ll find yourself sucked into the story. Sure, there are some things that ‘have to happen’ in this series, but each tiny bit of detail and information makes this story an incredible journey. Ribic and Svorcina capture the essence and atmosphere the script demands. Part of it may be my love for the original Secret Wars but I just can’t help but get excited with each issue. I am now at the point where I immediately crave the next issue and dread it at the same time since it means we’re one more issue closer to this story being over.

I just want Thanos to kill everyone.

The last couple of pages has me curious on what Thanos is planning

Go Doom!

@unbreakable_fs4: he will be the reason The Shield falls

Funny that the Black Swan ended up falling in Doomstadt.

Another great issue. Really excited for the next one

Honestly SW has been one of the best comic events I've read in very long time and much like Guerrero, I dread and hunger for a new issue though not because it's end is closer with each issue but because I want this event to end as gloriously as it began -and this is where my dread and hunger comes in; I'm fearful for the drop in quality and hungry for more excellence.

femthor sucks

Tony,

I gave it 4 stars (still a good review).

One other thing about this series: I find myself liking Valeria more and more. I think she already knows the answers to the questions she is seeking, but she doesn't want to admit that Doom played her for a fool (she is fond of him). Sadly for Doom, Thanos knows those answers too, and he won't be nearly as easy to kill as Strange was.

Overall, a wonderful setup by Hickman, as I enjoy watching him moving the chess pieces around the board.

@diannah: Strange is much stronger than Thanos now

Chaos

Great issue, 5/5

It finally explains how Doom killed the Beyonders and took their power.

damn! that was a great issue just finished

@hulk1893: @unbreakable_fs4: Everyone will be against Doom possibly even the MM

@diannah: yep strange would've annihilated thanos random encounter at that point

SECRET WARS TOO #1

JONATHAN HICKMAN, SERGIO ARAGONES, RYAN BROWNE, AL EWING, ROB GUILLORY, KATE LETH, ERIC POWELL, DECLAN SHALVEY, KYLE STARKS, RAMON VILLALOBOS, BRITTNEY WILLIAMS (W/A)

Cover by CHIP ZDARSKY

THE BEYONDERS TRY THEIR (SCARY, EXTRA-DIMENSIONAL) HAND AT MARKETING:

• We are Beyond. Dreamers. Destroyers. All of reality our whim. And frankly… we get bored.

• These tales from across the multifarious domains of Battleworld – not of heroism or consequence, but of humor – provide a brief respite from millennia of omnipotence.

• We cannot be comprehended by the miniscule human mind. Turn your attention to this book instead of trying.

• You are welcome.

40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

@earthsmightiest: how did doom do it if you don't mine my asking?

Really enjoying this series Hickman is a master with the pen.

Thanks for the review, even though you're on vacation!

Short version - The weapon/box he attacked the Beyonders with was his own personal army of surviving Own Reeses from across the multiverse, as you know they were created by the Beyonders to destroy each Universe they inhabited, the perfect reality bomb. When the Beyonders attacked Doom he used their own weapons to kill them and 616 Owen is acting as a conduit to steal/use their power.

Another great issue. I'm loving this event and I can't remember the last time I said that five issues into an event. And yeah, walls are coming down, literally and figuratively. Cue John Cougar Mellankamp.

I wonder if someone can quickly explain who the black swans are to me? I thought Emma Frost on the panel with lots of them.

That last page is absolutely gorgeous.

I have a question after this is all over does anyone think the Maker is coming to the 616 universe ?

It feels weird to be halfway through a Marvel event and for it to still be great, but I'm loving this, and most of the Battleworld books too. That little bit with Thanos...oh man.

I still don't feel like Doom has exhibited much in the way of "God" power. He's impressive yes but the IG seems as powerful and had more feats. That's the only disappointing aspect of the story so far IMO. It feels as though I'm going to end up being disappointed in how Dooms story ends/falls here. But we'll see.

@kgb725: I really hope so

@kgb725: He is on the cover of the New Avengers #2 in october.

On the front cover of secret wars 6 it has thanos the cover fighting a combinded horde of ultron/zombies/annihilation wave near the shield , my guess is that hes going to defeat them and break the shield on way to an epic confrontation with GOD DOOM , its got me thinking that theres been talk of titan analogues such as the one currently searching for the infinity stones in the infinity gauntlet mini series, my thinking is that 616 thanos will somhow get the gauntlet for himself and merge with all the titan analogues and face god doom

There was everything then nothing then everything. Rinse. Repeat.

@xrs10: Just various people through out the multiverse that joined dooms religion and helped kill Owen Reece and earths. Think there are some similar in appearance to to Emma and other females but I don't think it's been states who they actually were.

Great issue. I can only imagine what's going to happen in next issue

Thanos smirk in the last page is absolutely priceless.

I stopped reading all marvel books after secret wars 4. This even was cool but they made it so big and long it make sure i lost all interest in their comics. Not sure if i want to even start reading them again.

This series might end up being the best Marvel event ever...

@cull_obsidian: Or perhaps the IG Thanos is the 616 Thanos. An unlikely theory, yes, but bear with me. At the end of this issue, 616 Thanos is looking at the Shield, though I'm not sure which side he's on. Over in IG, Thanos has the Time Gem, and is looking for the other pieces. What if Thanos stumbled across the gem shortly after this issue ends, and somehow sensing that the other Infinity Gems are nearby, looks for them? IG might end with him getting the entire thing, and going to confront Doom. Siege shows that Thanos is supposed to destroy the Shield soon, after all.

@scistorm4: Thata an interesting theory, but its said on panal in the siege comic that the thanos that will destroy the shield is not the one assembling the gauntlet , plus their clothes are different , Valeria said that the 616 thanos from that raft was much more powerful the the other anologues and we gave seen 616's journey from raft to now after the cabal and other incursion survivors where scattered by strange , but everything is possible so maybe your right , at least we can agree that it looks like thanos will be a major player , which I am extremely exited for

Considering the length we've had to wait since the last issue, I really hoped for more to happen than a big steaming bowl of NOTHING!

I love that no matter how powerful Doom is, he'll bitch out to Reed and the rest of the FF.

Another excellent issue. Can't wait to see Thanos wrecking havoc.

This is easily the best event series in many many years. Once again a masterfully written (as long as you don't think too closely about the consistency of the metaphysics) and masterfully drawn book.

I can't overstate how happy I am to have Owen be at the center of a book in a respectful role again.

I like the way Doom used him to overcome the Beyonders.

It seems like maybe Owen has some ideas on beating/surpassing/going on without Doom.

I just read this yesterday. It was awesome!!! Go Thanos! Show Doom who's the boss!

The only thing that really bothers me about this is how bent over backwards everyone is towards Doom. I know the reason for it and I know they are all rebuilt from scratch by Doom, but it just seems really odd to see everyone sing Dooms praise... kinda makes me wish they remember that afterwards as an embarrassing memory.

I'll be honest and say I hope Doom kills Thanos as one of the last things he does before the world goes back to normal.

This is already going down as one of my top 3 Dr. Doom stories of all time.

I love how Doom is such a megalomaniac that he’s repeating his own line again about life and death and MM cuts him off.

I would not mind coming back to Battleworld again once this event is over.

This issue was a set back for me. I didn't understand what was happening with Doom talking to some guy for half the book. It was way too slow for my taste. Not the book's fault, but this issue couldn't keep my attention.

I'm loving the fact that someone who was reduced into jobber for a long time is actually the biggest player in this story.

It was a good issue, im looking forward to the next issue with Thanos now coming in.

@unbreakable_fs4: If you look at the 'next issue' page he's being attacked by zombies so I'm guessing he's gonna take down the shield, badass-ery shall ensue