Writers: Al Ewing, Mark Waid
Art: Alex Lins, Carlos E. Gomez Carlos Lopez, Erick Arciniega, and VC’s Travis Lanham
Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 3rd, 2019
As the villains of Warp World trade foes, it begins a rift between Soldier Supreme and Iron Hammer that could tear the superhero community in half all in this week’s SECRET WARPS: SOLDIER SUPREME ANNUAL #1 by Al Ewing and Mark Waid. But could this criminal conspiracy be the start of a much bigger cosmic calamity? Let’s jump in and find out!
WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
AL Ewing does a fantastic job catching readers up on Warp World, gives fans a crash course on the lay of the land, and plants intriguing plot threads moving forward. This reviewer left INFINITY WARS a bit confused about what happened with his folded universe and what might have become of it. However, Ewing ushers in a new status quo and actually formulates the premise for an entire universe of stories that Marvel can continue to dip their toe into as the years forge ahead.
Ewing took time to dive deep into many different warped characters and introduced many fascinating backstories to the cast at hand. Honestly, the terrain is a bit overwhelming. Additionally, my brain was fighting to see how each character was merged together from the main Marvel Universe. However, this reviewer enjoyed the beginning images of the Soldier Supreme being separated into the two original Marvel characters giving readers a glimpse as to where they came from so fans could better recognize their origins. Maybe moving forward, Ewing and the other writers can occasionally drop more of those panels to see the main Marvel Universe’s counterparts?
Mark Waid immediately opens his portion of the story by connecting magic and sorcery to patriotism, Freemasons, and the founding of America, which included signs, banners, and flags that represent who we are as a country. It was actually a genius opening, especially since Ewing focused more on the technological aspects of the characters in the story before allowing Waid to focus more on the magic and sorcery. This my friends is an example of two seasoned writers working together at their finest.
Again, the combining of characters and deciphering between their originals got a bit confusing and threw this reader out of the story multiple times. This isn’t necessarily Waid or Ewing’s vault, however, if there is a way for the editors to put notes within the story showing fans who are merged together (especially the villains), that may relieve some of the strain and help readers to concentrate on the story.
This reviewer loved the sneaky play by the Soldier Supreme at the end of the issue as well as the folding in of each character, letterbox, and villain associated with the spell as if they never existed. This showed how the two dichotomies of art and writing literally “fold” together beautifully. Mark Waid and Alex Lins were on point through their portion of the issue and you could tell worked together seamlessly.
Overall, the issue was enjoyable, unique, and truly interesting. This reviewer left the comic excited for what’s to come and hoping for some amazingly creative stories ahead. The premise of each narrative was to give comic fans a snapshot of the Soldier Supreme and the SECRET WARPS moving forward, which is exactly what it did in spades. While Al Ewing summarized and recaptured readers into the imaginative aspect of the warped world, Mark Waid took the time to introduce readers on a more personal level to the Soldier Supreme. Together, these two creative teams launched these weekly editions and ignited this reviewers interest for more warped stories ahead.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’re a Marvel fan, you’ll be truly encapsulated by the issue, the premise, and the direction of these weekly warps. If you’re an INFINITY WARS fan, this is also right up your alley. If you’re interested in something different from your normal Marvel Super Heroes yet surprisingly similar at the same time, this issue is for you. Head to your LCS and pick this up. I know I certainly am!