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Secret Wars
Secret Wars Omnibus
Drawn from Earth across the stars, the Marvel Universe's greatest heroes and villains are set against one another by the mysterious and all-powerful Beyonder - with the winner promised the ultimate prize! But as battle lines are drawn, new alliances are forged and old enemies clash, one among them is not willing to settle for anything less than godhood. Can even the combined might of the Avengers, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men prevent Doctor Doom from becoming the most powerful being in the universe? The greatest super hero war of all time is collected alongside an untold chapter of Thor's time on Battleworld, Titania's incredible origin and "What If?" tales that offer very different endings to the Secret Wars!
Collects Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1-12, Thor (1966) #383, She-Hulk (2004) #10 and WHAT IF? (1989) #4 and #114.
Collects Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1-12, Thor (1966) #383, She-Hulk (2004) #10 and WHAT IF? (1989) #4 and #114.
490 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2023
About the author
Jim Shooter
999 books86 followersJames Charles Shooter was an American writer, editor and publisher in the comics industry. Beginning his career writing for DC Comics at the age of 14, he had a successful but controversial run as editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics, and launched comics publishers Valiant, Defiant, and Broadway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 15, 2025
I would have been about nine or ten when this first came out and fell into my eager, little hands, which is probably exactly the right age to excitedly vacuum up every page of this classic battle of heroes versus villains versus godlike cosmic powers.
I’ve reread it many times since and, you know what? For me, it still holds up. I mean, I do wish it hadn’t opened the floodgates for countless other crossover ‘events’ but you can’t really say it doesn’t deliver thrills. A whole galaxy is destroyed in the first few pages! An entire mountain range is dropped on our already-sorely beaten heroes! New heroes and villains are introduced who are still with us forty years later! Spidey gets a new costume that’s more than it first appears! I could go on…
I’ll gladly admit I view this one through some big ol’ nostalgia goggles but even without them on I’d still give this 4.25 stars by my usual comicbook rating system.
I’ve reread it many times since and, you know what? For me, it still holds up. I mean, I do wish it hadn’t opened the floodgates for countless other crossover ‘events’ but you can’t really say it doesn’t deliver thrills. A whole galaxy is destroyed in the first few pages! An entire mountain range is dropped on our already-sorely beaten heroes! New heroes and villains are introduced who are still with us forty years later! Spidey gets a new costume that’s more than it first appears! I could go on…
I’ll gladly admit I view this one through some big ol’ nostalgia goggles but even without them on I’d still give this 4.25 stars by my usual comicbook rating system.
June 15, 2012
I remember this series or mini series quite fondly and was a little dismayed to find that it was conceived primarily as a vehicle to sell action figures, specifically Marvel's answer to the successful Kenner DC Super Powers Collection http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGtKtc... DC had a Saturday morning cartoon so Marvel came up with Secret Wars. I guess it worked I had the toys and almost 30 years later I am receiving the Omnibus collection as a father's day present.
Still while the art is obliviously a little dated, the writing is solid and it really does for the first time bring together teams like the X Men, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. If you are a fan of any of those or just Marvel comics in general, I highly recommend this, also to Ilona Gordon, you are the bomb and this is my favorite father's day gift ever!
Still while the art is obliviously a little dated, the writing is solid and it really does for the first time bring together teams like the X Men, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. If you are a fan of any of those or just Marvel comics in general, I highly recommend this, also to Ilona Gordon, you are the bomb and this is my favorite father's day gift ever!
May 3, 2025
A classic. This shows why Dr. Doom is such an awesome villain.
September 14, 2024
Me gusta mucho la portada, una de las cosas que más me gustan de los cómics, y en general la edición es muy buena. La historia principal es un tanto mediocre con un guión muchas veces sin sentido y el dibujo es pésimo; y no porque fuera en 1984 ya que comics mucho anteriores como la guerra kree-skrull o dark fénix son muy superiores en estos sentidos. Doctor Doom es sin duda el mejor personaje y el más desarrollado. Los demás personajes están todos vacíos y con personalidades súper forzadas y exageradas. Los what if están bien, sobre todo el de Doctor Doom
September 6, 2024
Despite its historical significance, a lot of my comic reading friends don't rate the original Secret Wars... And I can kinda see why. The supplemental material in this Omnibus straight up acknowledges that the event was primarily conceived as a toy selling mechanism for Mattel, and it feels as such. The premise is flimsy and just exists to get everyone on a planet to have a load of dull fighting. There's some mildly interesting in-fighting between the X Men and the other good guys, but nothing you couldn't find in 100 better books. There's some early 80s charm for sure, but for the most part it's just kinda dull.
The supplemental material with concept art, alternate covers, and write ups on the toy line are all interesting enough but the extra issues of follow ups, spin offs and what-ifs are all dull as dishwater. I know these omnis are traditionally fairly bulky and include additional tie in material, but this is all skippable.
The supplemental material with concept art, alternate covers, and write ups on the toy line are all interesting enough but the extra issues of follow ups, spin offs and what-ifs are all dull as dishwater. I know these omnis are traditionally fairly bulky and include additional tie in material, but this is all skippable.
July 26, 2016
Secret Wars is by no means high literature, even by comic book standards. The dialogues are cheesier and more cringe-worthy that you'd think, some radical plot progressions are often times very confusing, and the simplistic characterization is quite laughable... But that does not change how entertaining the book is and how psychedelically inspiring the ideas and concepts introduced in the plot have been for the newer generations of writers. Moreover, the crossover events from the 80's seem lot more "managed", elabortate and relatively more coherent than the ones published these days.
The Omnibus edition of Secret Wars collects some quite interesting tie-in issues that make the overall story arc even more enjoyable.
The Omnibus edition of Secret Wars collects some quite interesting tie-in issues that make the overall story arc even more enjoyable.
June 15, 2021
I read it when it was first published as separate issues. Collected here, it was a fun journey back to reread. I cannot see a Marvel MCU movie being made under current timeline...especially if they're already planning a Tom Holland Spidey crossover with Tom Hardy Venom...unless that's the tie-in? Enough. Sorry. Good story. Enjoy.
Read
January 25, 2021Prima mega saga Marvel. Le conseguenze a lungo termine si sentirono solo sulle pagine dell'Uomo Ragno, e come lettura è invecchiata ... quanto doveva. Comunque un classicone, che piaccia o no, e una delle letture obbligatorie per la continuity Marvel. ;-)
June 2, 2012
This would have been an easy 5-star if the ending hadn't trailed off so abruptly.
June 7, 2024
A lot to keep track of, but a really fun adventure. This series was a real turning point for Marvel that spawned all kinds of new characters and plotlines. The story itself was very fun to read.
July 18, 2025
Un buon crossover per chi é fun degli eventi marvel
May 12, 2026
solo me lo he leído por ver a spiderman con el traje negro
September 12, 2015
I have read this a few times before, but I read this compilation again after reading the prose novel. I was curious as to the differences between the two narratives and how much of an impact these differences might have made to the overall story.
The basic gist is this: a batch of super heroes and a batch of super villains are taken to distant part of the universe and watch as entire realms of galaxies are destroyed to 'make room' for a single patchwork planet and a single star. They are then told that each group is to battle to the death and that the victors will receive whatever they desire from this alien being who has god-like powers. While the heroes and most of the villains battle it out, Doctor Doom hatches a secret plan to not only absorb the power of Galactus but to seize the power of this 'Beyonder' for himself. In the end, the heroes have to defeat Doom in order to save reality as we know it.
In my review of the prose novel, I discuss many of the differences as I remembered them after reading the book. I am not planning on repeating what I said in that other review, but as I am human there is a chance I might repeat myself.
One big difference was that in the beginning of the book, Wasp [Janet van Dyne] is flirting with Magneto while accusing him of being a murderer. Later on, on the book, Magneto kidnaps Janet because of her flirtations with him and attempts to seduce her in his fortress away from the others. She willingly yields to his seduction. In the comic series, she does NOT flirt with Magneto in the start of the series. When she is released by Magneto in his fortress, she does not want him to seduce her. She tells him 'no' several times, but he continues kissing her and trying to seduce her. Perhaps 'seduce' is too kind a word, as he is essentially forcing himself upon her. Then, after telling him 'no' several times, she gives him a corny line about how he's a great kisser and why not? they don't know how much longer they will be alive anyway, so she might as well enjoy the moment. Maybe in the 80s this was seen as 'appropriate behavior' [taking into consideration the number of novels that came out where it is shown as being acceptable for a male hero to force himself upon his female partner], but in light of the numerous 'date rape' cases that have come to light over the years, Magneto forcing himself upon Wasp [Janet] while ignoring her protests before she willingly acquiesces to his request/seduction seems too close to 'date rape' to be acceptable. Maybe that is why this seen is changed in the book.
Another 'big difference' is that in the book Doom discovers a portion of the patchwork planet is from Earth; specifically, Denver, CO. He goes to Denver to find two test subjects to provide more 'soldiers' for his army. He finds two women who volunteer to be his subjects; he turns them into Volcana and Titania. In the comic series, we do not find out about Denver, CO, being on the planet until later in the series. So it is a bit of a mystery as to where Doom finds these two women. But it is eventually explained [obviously, finding two human females would indicate that some part of this created planet had to have come from Earth].
Another 'big difference' is that the Wasp is killed in the swamp where she finds the Lizard. In the book, after the Wrecking Crew leaves with the Lizard, Spider-Woman finds the Wasp and takes her back to the village where the other heroes are staying via the same ship Janet used to flee Magneto's fortress. This is how the heroes meet Spider-Woman as well as discover that Denver, CO, is a part of this crazy patchwork planet known as Battleworld. In the comics, the Wrecking Crew drops Janet's lifeless body in the middle of the village before returning to Doombase. Also, Janet had destroyed her ship [flying vessel] in the comics whereas in the story she merely crash-landed in the swamp. Also, in the novel, the swamp is outside of Denver whereas in the comics the swamp is NOT near Denver.
There is a portion in the comics where a human Ben Grimm and weaponless Hawkeye are facing off against Klaw and the Lizard. Instead of engaging in violence, Ben Grimm and Hawkeye challenge the two villains to a card game. Klaw and the Lizard agree to be their prisoners after the card game is over. It was a humorous moment in the comic series, and I wish it had been included in the novel.
What is interesting is that the scene in which She-Hulk goes after the villains by herself is essentially the same in both the comics and the novelization. However, the omnibus has an additional comic from one of the She-Hulk series that tells more of the story behind Titania. In that comic, it is implied that Titania squares off against the She-Hulk alone, demanding to have the satisfaction of beating the heroine up by herself. However, she fails and soon the battle swings She-Hulk's way, causing Titania to cry out for help and the rest of the villains to gang up on Jennifer Walters [She-Hulk] before pummeling her into unconsciousness. In the maxi-series and in the novel, the other villains join the battle against She-Hulk right away; they do not wait for Titania to cry out for help.
In the comics, Lockheed returns to the group with another dragon in tow; as the X-Men return to Earth this second dragon joins their group. This scene was left out of the novel.
The scene under the mountain is different between the novel and the maxi series. In the novel, Spider-Man starts off insulting and bickering with the Hulk to keep him angry before Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four joins Spider-Man in insulting Bruce Banner. In the comics, it is Reed Richards alone who insults and baits the Hulk to ensure that the heroes are not crushed beneath the mountain the Molecule Man has dropped on them.
It is interesting, but in the clip taken from the X-Men comic where the X-Men enter the structure in Central Park in NYC, it appears that Xavier is walking into the structure with the other X-Men. Then, when he appears in the structure orbiting in space with the other heroes, he is sitting in his wheel chair [issue one]. Then, in issue two [I believe it was] he is shown as standing. In issue three, he is being carried by Captain America, and after that he is always shown as standing on his own two feet. In the novelization, he immediately stands up and steps out of his wheel chair in the very beginning of the novel. Kind of a big difference.
I was surprised at how much Wolverine butted heads with the other non-mutant heroes in the comic series. I had forgotten this was the case. He did not but heads with the others in the novel nearly as much as he did in the comics. It was kind of amusing, but it did get kind of old after a while. The book did a nice job of cutting out all of the bitter diatribes and internal conflicts amongst the various characters that were presented in the comics. The author of the novelization did a nice job of selecting what was important and what was unnecessary for the novel in terms of the various 'argument scenes' amongst the heroes.
It was kind of funny how much of a jerk Xavier was in this series. I had forgotten that was the case until I reread this series. There definitely seemed to be a cycle where he was written as a controlling jerk on a regular basis [up until he died at the hands of Cyclops]. This was more than adequately expressed in both the novel and the comic series.
It seemed like there were other numerous differences between the comic book series and the novelization, but overall they tended to be 'small' differences that did not truly detract from the story, overall. I have mentioned the 'biggest' ones in this review; I have also mentioned others in my review of the novelization.
I think the novelization must by either based upon interviews with the original creators of the maxi-series or the author's interpretation and opinion of what was not stated in the comics. There was a lot of explanation in the novel that just did not occur in the comics. Perhaps other readers of the comics were able to interpolate more of the hidden context than I did, but the novelization definitely cleared the opaqueness of different situations in the comic series.
I enjoyed rereading the comic book series. I also found out in the preface to this omnibus edition that this series was written because of a toyline. DC Comics was approached about making action figures based upon DC's characters. A different company approached Marvel about doing the same [because the sales of the DC characters was through the roof], but this other company wanted to have a story behind the line of figures they were going to sell. Thus, the Secret Wars series was written to be able to help sell action figures. It is an interesting anecdote, to be sure, but I have also read that Marvel wanted to release a maxi-series before DC released their 'Crises on Infinite Earths' and that 'Secret Wars' was Marvel's answer to DC's series. Of course, it seems like Marvel is mimicking DC's series in the current Marve titles on the store shelves, so we shall see how well it works for them.
I found the omnibus to be a fast read. It has a nice flow to it and kept my interest. I still enjoyed the artwork. It was obvious some of the stuff is exceptionally dated in terms of the artwork and the ideas presented, but it was still a fun trip down memory lane while reading this compilation.
The basic gist is this: a batch of super heroes and a batch of super villains are taken to distant part of the universe and watch as entire realms of galaxies are destroyed to 'make room' for a single patchwork planet and a single star. They are then told that each group is to battle to the death and that the victors will receive whatever they desire from this alien being who has god-like powers. While the heroes and most of the villains battle it out, Doctor Doom hatches a secret plan to not only absorb the power of Galactus but to seize the power of this 'Beyonder' for himself. In the end, the heroes have to defeat Doom in order to save reality as we know it.
In my review of the prose novel, I discuss many of the differences as I remembered them after reading the book. I am not planning on repeating what I said in that other review, but as I am human there is a chance I might repeat myself.
One big difference was that in the beginning of the book, Wasp [Janet van Dyne] is flirting with Magneto while accusing him of being a murderer. Later on, on the book, Magneto kidnaps Janet because of her flirtations with him and attempts to seduce her in his fortress away from the others. She willingly yields to his seduction. In the comic series, she does NOT flirt with Magneto in the start of the series. When she is released by Magneto in his fortress, she does not want him to seduce her. She tells him 'no' several times, but he continues kissing her and trying to seduce her. Perhaps 'seduce' is too kind a word, as he is essentially forcing himself upon her. Then, after telling him 'no' several times, she gives him a corny line about how he's a great kisser and why not? they don't know how much longer they will be alive anyway, so she might as well enjoy the moment. Maybe in the 80s this was seen as 'appropriate behavior' [taking into consideration the number of novels that came out where it is shown as being acceptable for a male hero to force himself upon his female partner], but in light of the numerous 'date rape' cases that have come to light over the years, Magneto forcing himself upon Wasp [Janet] while ignoring her protests before she willingly acquiesces to his request/seduction seems too close to 'date rape' to be acceptable. Maybe that is why this seen is changed in the book.
Another 'big difference' is that in the book Doom discovers a portion of the patchwork planet is from Earth; specifically, Denver, CO. He goes to Denver to find two test subjects to provide more 'soldiers' for his army. He finds two women who volunteer to be his subjects; he turns them into Volcana and Titania. In the comic series, we do not find out about Denver, CO, being on the planet until later in the series. So it is a bit of a mystery as to where Doom finds these two women. But it is eventually explained [obviously, finding two human females would indicate that some part of this created planet had to have come from Earth].
Another 'big difference' is that the Wasp is killed in the swamp where she finds the Lizard. In the book, after the Wrecking Crew leaves with the Lizard, Spider-Woman finds the Wasp and takes her back to the village where the other heroes are staying via the same ship Janet used to flee Magneto's fortress. This is how the heroes meet Spider-Woman as well as discover that Denver, CO, is a part of this crazy patchwork planet known as Battleworld. In the comics, the Wrecking Crew drops Janet's lifeless body in the middle of the village before returning to Doombase. Also, Janet had destroyed her ship [flying vessel] in the comics whereas in the story she merely crash-landed in the swamp. Also, in the novel, the swamp is outside of Denver whereas in the comics the swamp is NOT near Denver.
There is a portion in the comics where a human Ben Grimm and weaponless Hawkeye are facing off against Klaw and the Lizard. Instead of engaging in violence, Ben Grimm and Hawkeye challenge the two villains to a card game. Klaw and the Lizard agree to be their prisoners after the card game is over. It was a humorous moment in the comic series, and I wish it had been included in the novel.
What is interesting is that the scene in which She-Hulk goes after the villains by herself is essentially the same in both the comics and the novelization. However, the omnibus has an additional comic from one of the She-Hulk series that tells more of the story behind Titania. In that comic, it is implied that Titania squares off against the She-Hulk alone, demanding to have the satisfaction of beating the heroine up by herself. However, she fails and soon the battle swings She-Hulk's way, causing Titania to cry out for help and the rest of the villains to gang up on Jennifer Walters [She-Hulk] before pummeling her into unconsciousness. In the maxi-series and in the novel, the other villains join the battle against She-Hulk right away; they do not wait for Titania to cry out for help.
In the comics, Lockheed returns to the group with another dragon in tow; as the X-Men return to Earth this second dragon joins their group. This scene was left out of the novel.
The scene under the mountain is different between the novel and the maxi series. In the novel, Spider-Man starts off insulting and bickering with the Hulk to keep him angry before Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four joins Spider-Man in insulting Bruce Banner. In the comics, it is Reed Richards alone who insults and baits the Hulk to ensure that the heroes are not crushed beneath the mountain the Molecule Man has dropped on them.
It is interesting, but in the clip taken from the X-Men comic where the X-Men enter the structure in Central Park in NYC, it appears that Xavier is walking into the structure with the other X-Men. Then, when he appears in the structure orbiting in space with the other heroes, he is sitting in his wheel chair [issue one]. Then, in issue two [I believe it was] he is shown as standing. In issue three, he is being carried by Captain America, and after that he is always shown as standing on his own two feet. In the novelization, he immediately stands up and steps out of his wheel chair in the very beginning of the novel. Kind of a big difference.
I was surprised at how much Wolverine butted heads with the other non-mutant heroes in the comic series. I had forgotten this was the case. He did not but heads with the others in the novel nearly as much as he did in the comics. It was kind of amusing, but it did get kind of old after a while. The book did a nice job of cutting out all of the bitter diatribes and internal conflicts amongst the various characters that were presented in the comics. The author of the novelization did a nice job of selecting what was important and what was unnecessary for the novel in terms of the various 'argument scenes' amongst the heroes.
It was kind of funny how much of a jerk Xavier was in this series. I had forgotten that was the case until I reread this series. There definitely seemed to be a cycle where he was written as a controlling jerk on a regular basis [up until he died at the hands of Cyclops]. This was more than adequately expressed in both the novel and the comic series.
It seemed like there were other numerous differences between the comic book series and the novelization, but overall they tended to be 'small' differences that did not truly detract from the story, overall. I have mentioned the 'biggest' ones in this review; I have also mentioned others in my review of the novelization.
I think the novelization must by either based upon interviews with the original creators of the maxi-series or the author's interpretation and opinion of what was not stated in the comics. There was a lot of explanation in the novel that just did not occur in the comics. Perhaps other readers of the comics were able to interpolate more of the hidden context than I did, but the novelization definitely cleared the opaqueness of different situations in the comic series.
I enjoyed rereading the comic book series. I also found out in the preface to this omnibus edition that this series was written because of a toyline. DC Comics was approached about making action figures based upon DC's characters. A different company approached Marvel about doing the same [because the sales of the DC characters was through the roof], but this other company wanted to have a story behind the line of figures they were going to sell. Thus, the Secret Wars series was written to be able to help sell action figures. It is an interesting anecdote, to be sure, but I have also read that Marvel wanted to release a maxi-series before DC released their 'Crises on Infinite Earths' and that 'Secret Wars' was Marvel's answer to DC's series. Of course, it seems like Marvel is mimicking DC's series in the current Marve titles on the store shelves, so we shall see how well it works for them.
I found the omnibus to be a fast read. It has a nice flow to it and kept my interest. I still enjoyed the artwork. It was obvious some of the stuff is exceptionally dated in terms of the artwork and the ideas presented, but it was still a fun trip down memory lane while reading this compilation.
July 25, 2026
I typically have a harder time enjoying older comics but this was great.
This Bronze Age comic is full of predictable tropes, massive amounts of dialog and characters narrating their actions and reasons for things. Full of bright colors, action packed, heavy inked artwork. All of it works for the story and characters and reads with a heavy sense of 80s nostalgia.
The story was great, and really a ground breaking concept and first time this many Marvel characters all got together. My only main negative is almost anything bad can be undone, characters don’t die, powers are taking back, it feels like actions don’t Cary as much weight knowing they can be changed. That being said it was a great read and I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
This Bronze Age comic is full of predictable tropes, massive amounts of dialog and characters narrating their actions and reasons for things. Full of bright colors, action packed, heavy inked artwork. All of it works for the story and characters and reads with a heavy sense of 80s nostalgia.
The story was great, and really a ground breaking concept and first time this many Marvel characters all got together. My only main negative is almost anything bad can be undone, characters don’t die, powers are taking back, it feels like actions don’t Cary as much weight knowing they can be changed. That being said it was a great read and I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
April 7, 2023
Secret Wars (1984-1985) #1-12
This comic is EPIC! The Omnibus begins with comic segments of various heroes and villains journey to being selected for Battleworld. The segments are clipped from different comic books and all readers should appreciate the world building.
“Secret Wars” Offers a truly mighty cast of heroes and villains as they are suddenly transported to Battleword. Each of these characters have actions and motivations that are consistently true to the
Included in the epic story is the introductions of The Beyonder, The Venom Symbiote, Spidergirl, Titania and Volcana, as well as a Battleworld healer! By the end of the tale Marvel comics is forever changed! The biggest changes coming to the X-Men and Fantastic Four! A must read for any comic fan not just the Marvel stans!
Thor (1987) #383
This comic serves to provide insight into the nature of Enchantress’ and Thor’s relationship. Through out “Secret Wars” it is obvious that Enchantress is enthralled by Thor. Yet, Thor resists despite his desires. This comic is not a must read by any means but it does show just how strong Thor’s mind is and further illuminates why he alone is worthy of Mjölnir!
She-Hulk (2004) #10
In this story the reader is provided insight into Titania’s ( and sorta Volcana’s )backstory. Within the confines of Secret Wars the reader is not given information into the characters of Titania and Volcana. This comic serves to finally provide it. The story is obvious in the middle of another story and the reader will be interested to learn how that story unfolds.
What If? (1989) #4
Incredible, Amazing, Epic! Just 3 words that come to mind after reading this story. Readers will find themselves completely engaged into the story that unfolds.
The reader will see the true power of venom as he leaches onto the mightiest of Avengers. Killing, draining and “curing” them! We also see the arch of a moral dilemma that often is the most frustrating mindset of -most- heroes. As well as the price that one pays to abandon this philosophy.
What If? (1989) #114
This story though bold and intriguing leaves much to be desired.
The reader is dropped back into Battleworld under the gauze of “what if those transported here never left”. This leads to the villains becoming rehabilitated and some even procreating with the heroes.
The story is completely based off the children of the group of heroes and villains. Included in this is the son of Thor and Enchantress, who’s younger brother is the son of Doom and Enchantress (the dynamic of the two are essentially Thor and Loki) The combinations of parents leading to different powers is really the best part of the story.
Where it lacks is in depth. The reader is thrown into this reality and the pages provided are not enough for the events to feel rushed. This story would have been better served as a multi-issue, akin to “Secret Wars”.
This comic is EPIC! The Omnibus begins with comic segments of various heroes and villains journey to being selected for Battleworld. The segments are clipped from different comic books and all readers should appreciate the world building.
“Secret Wars” Offers a truly mighty cast of heroes and villains as they are suddenly transported to Battleword. Each of these characters have actions and motivations that are consistently true to the
Included in the epic story is the introductions of The Beyonder, The Venom Symbiote, Spidergirl, Titania and Volcana, as well as a Battleworld healer! By the end of the tale Marvel comics is forever changed! The biggest changes coming to the X-Men and Fantastic Four! A must read for any comic fan not just the Marvel stans!
Thor (1987) #383
This comic serves to provide insight into the nature of Enchantress’ and Thor’s relationship. Through out “Secret Wars” it is obvious that Enchantress is enthralled by Thor. Yet, Thor resists despite his desires. This comic is not a must read by any means but it does show just how strong Thor’s mind is and further illuminates why he alone is worthy of Mjölnir!
She-Hulk (2004) #10
In this story the reader is provided insight into Titania’s ( and sorta Volcana’s )backstory. Within the confines of Secret Wars the reader is not given information into the characters of Titania and Volcana. This comic serves to finally provide it. The story is obvious in the middle of another story and the reader will be interested to learn how that story unfolds.
What If? (1989) #4
Incredible, Amazing, Epic! Just 3 words that come to mind after reading this story. Readers will find themselves completely engaged into the story that unfolds.
The reader will see the true power of venom as he leaches onto the mightiest of Avengers. Killing, draining and “curing” them! We also see the arch of a moral dilemma that often is the most frustrating mindset of -most- heroes. As well as the price that one pays to abandon this philosophy.
What If? (1989) #114
This story though bold and intriguing leaves much to be desired.
The reader is dropped back into Battleworld under the gauze of “what if those transported here never left”. This leads to the villains becoming rehabilitated and some even procreating with the heroes.
The story is completely based off the children of the group of heroes and villains. Included in this is the son of Thor and Enchantress, who’s younger brother is the son of Doom and Enchantress (the dynamic of the two are essentially Thor and Loki) The combinations of parents leading to different powers is really the best part of the story.
Where it lacks is in depth. The reader is thrown into this reality and the pages provided are not enough for the events to feel rushed. This story would have been better served as a multi-issue, akin to “Secret Wars”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2025
Secret Wars! Alongside DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths, (which came out a year after this) this marks the dawn of the "event" comic and the end of the Bronze Age of comics. Where Crisis had the enormous task of reigning in the out-of-control DC continuity and streamlining the sprawling multiverse into one singular universe, Secret Wars had a far nobler raison d'être: selling toys. Indeed, it's surprising how open Marvel is about how cynically committed to a quick buck this enterprise was: the omnibus contains a whole section in the back matter about Mattel's action figures and how lousy they were. Even the Name "Secret Wars" was a mandate from Mattel based on their focus grouping on what words would sell to boys. Considering all this, and that the plot is at its base a highly contrived pretense for smashing a bunch of action figures together, I was surprised that the comic is actually... pretty good? Whereas I found Crisis overwhelming and hard to follow, obsessed as it is with tying up all these loose ends of continuity, there is something to the simplicity of Secret Wars that just works. And despite being about cosmic battle of unimaginable infinite power, centering that all in Dr. Doom's petty arrogance is highly engaging. Mike Zeck's art is really bold and iconic (despite playing it really safe in a Marvel house style), and this sets up a lot of interesting changes to the status quo across all sorts of titles. Jim Shooter's writing can be kinda cheesy at times, but I was surprised by some of the weirder directions this takes, especially with the treatment of Klaw and Doom. Definitely worth a read as a pivotal moment in comics history.
December 19, 2024
Tenía bastantes expectativas de cara a este crossover, pues creo que era el primero tan grande desde que decidí leerme la Patrulla X desde los inicios. Sin embargo, acostumbrado a unos cómics de los X-Men más o menos adultos sin dejar la perspectiva juvenil teniendo en cuenta el público mayoritario que integraban sus lectores, al menos desde que Chris Claremont tomó las riendas, esto ha sido un poco una decepción.
Diálogos en general bastante absurdos que me recordaban a la década de los 60 (odié esos cómics), personajes con motivaciones planas y apenas una sucesión de números de héroes contra villanos, sin más. Lo más interesante, al menos para mí, han sido las dualidades de la Patrulla X junto a Magneto y el plan villanesco de Doctor Doom, así como los dos What If…? que completan el libro.
Supongo que quizá en el momento fue un bombazo pero desde mi perspectiva de alguien leyéndolo en 2024 solo puedo decir que su única utilidad fue rellenar espacios en blanco para poder seguir con mi lectura cronológica de los X-Men.
40/100
Diálogos en general bastante absurdos que me recordaban a la década de los 60 (odié esos cómics), personajes con motivaciones planas y apenas una sucesión de números de héroes contra villanos, sin más. Lo más interesante, al menos para mí, han sido las dualidades de la Patrulla X junto a Magneto y el plan villanesco de Doctor Doom, así como los dos What If…? que completan el libro.
Supongo que quizá en el momento fue un bombazo pero desde mi perspectiva de alguien leyéndolo en 2024 solo puedo decir que su única utilidad fue rellenar espacios en blanco para poder seguir con mi lectura cronológica de los X-Men.
40/100
July 23, 2023
7.9/10
I’m mixed, it is one of the first big crossover comic events, but I don’t think much of it holds up. It’s bogged down by sort of mediocre art, weird romances and a low sense of stakes given the villain. I also think there was a lot of missed potential with characters here.
BUT I did enjoy a couple of the characters with the more prominent roles like Captain America and him showcasing his self-sacrificing nature, Reed Richards’ intelligence being acknowledged by beings such as Galactus and of course Dr.Doom who becomes the greatest power in the universe. I also think the themes of desire are very interesting to tackle.
Overall, while the writing leaves a lot to be desired especially since a lot of the heroes don’t get much to do and could have been interchanged with others to no effect on the story, I still enjoyed myself a lot.
The MCU adaptation could be extremely compelling m, just like what they did with Infinity War for Infinity Gauntlet.
I’m mixed, it is one of the first big crossover comic events, but I don’t think much of it holds up. It’s bogged down by sort of mediocre art, weird romances and a low sense of stakes given the villain. I also think there was a lot of missed potential with characters here.
BUT I did enjoy a couple of the characters with the more prominent roles like Captain America and him showcasing his self-sacrificing nature, Reed Richards’ intelligence being acknowledged by beings such as Galactus and of course Dr.Doom who becomes the greatest power in the universe. I also think the themes of desire are very interesting to tackle.
Overall, while the writing leaves a lot to be desired especially since a lot of the heroes don’t get much to do and could have been interchanged with others to no effect on the story, I still enjoyed myself a lot.
The MCU adaptation could be extremely compelling m, just like what they did with Infinity War for Infinity Gauntlet.
March 13, 2022
As far as these major crossover events in comics go, I understand this was the first of such an undertaking to be released and I found it to be highly enjoyable.
The characters all more or less felt like themselves and each had moments to shine. Putting aside some admittedly very strange tangents once or twice (I. E. Magneto seemingly forgetting what he was doing to have some smooch time with Wasp), the storyline was exciting, suspenseful and well plotted. As far as comics go, it was great. There WAS still a fair bit of "let's set things back to the status quo" at the very end, but it wasn't as egregious as in other Marvel stuff I've read (and at least there were some actual consequences).
Maybe I will start looking out for Secret Wars 2...
The characters all more or less felt like themselves and each had moments to shine. Putting aside some admittedly very strange tangents once or twice (I. E. Magneto seemingly forgetting what he was doing to have some smooch time with Wasp), the storyline was exciting, suspenseful and well plotted. As far as comics go, it was great. There WAS still a fair bit of "let's set things back to the status quo" at the very end, but it wasn't as egregious as in other Marvel stuff I've read (and at least there were some actual consequences).
Maybe I will start looking out for Secret Wars 2...
October 7, 2011
The Avengers, the X-Men and various other superheroes and villains get summoned onto a foreign planet by an entity called the "Beyonder". He promises them that when they defeat their enemies he will grant them all their wishes. Fighting ensues. And the rest is probably the most random series of random events I have ever seen in a plot. Ever.
This crossover is the most amusing thing I've read in a while, the dialogues are hilariously cheesy, the plot pretty much non-existing. If you are into a bit of trash and read it with some snark and irony, this is very, very entertaining, though.
This crossover is the most amusing thing I've read in a while, the dialogues are hilariously cheesy, the plot pretty much non-existing. If you are into a bit of trash and read it with some snark and irony, this is very, very entertaining, though.
July 22, 2022
The first major Marvel crossover event, this manages to be both a historic, important story that crams in far more than twelve issues worth of action and a glorified Masters of the Universe-style toy catalogue (which is literally what it was created to be), I was disappointed with this until the last few issues where all the focus is on Dr Doom and his battle with the Beyonder (and his own psychological problems). The artwork is bold and the writing is effective in juggling such a huge cast of characters. Unfortunately, it's also incredibly cheesy, often well beyond daft and the portrayal of both Wasp and the Enchantress are wildly misogynistic - even for the 1980s.
December 18, 2023
I have to admire Marvel's first proper attempt to have a massive crossover between multiple superheroes, teams and their villains, but it doesn't quite work in execution.
The main problem is that there are just way too many characters. Only a few actually get to make a worthy contribution to the storyline, and as a result the rest fall to the wayside. Certain characters' abilities are conveniently forgotten for story reasons and others just act completely out-of-character.
That said, if you're a fan of Doctor Doom and Galactus, then you'll probably enjoy this. They good some cool scenes.
The main problem is that there are just way too many characters. Only a few actually get to make a worthy contribution to the storyline, and as a result the rest fall to the wayside. Certain characters' abilities are conveniently forgotten for story reasons and others just act completely out-of-character.
That said, if you're a fan of Doctor Doom and Galactus, then you'll probably enjoy this. They good some cool scenes.
December 18, 2023
I have to admire Marvel's first proper attempt to have a massive crossover between multiple superheroes, teams and their villains, but it doesn't quite work in execution.
The main problem is that there are just way too many characters. Only a few actually get to make a worthy contribution to the storyline, and as a result the rest fall to the wayside. Certain characters' abilities are conveniently forgotten for story reasons and others just act completely out-of-character.
That said, if you're a fan of Doctor Doom and Galactus, then you'll probably enjoy this. They good some cool scenes.
The main problem is that there are just way too many characters. Only a few actually get to make a worthy contribution to the storyline, and as a result the rest fall to the wayside. Certain characters' abilities are conveniently forgotten for story reasons and others just act completely out-of-character.
That said, if you're a fan of Doctor Doom and Galactus, then you'll probably enjoy this. They good some cool scenes.
December 18, 2023
I have to admire Marvel's first proper attempt to have a massive crossover between multiple superheroes, teams and their villains, but it doesn't quite work in execution.
The main problem is that there are just way too many characters. Only a few actually get to make a worthy contribution to the storyline, and as a result the rest fall to the wayside. Certain characters' abilities are conveniently forgotten for story reasons and others just act completely out-of-character.
That said, if you're a fan of Doctor Doom and Galactus, then you'll probably enjoy this. They good some cool scenes.
The main problem is that there are just way too many characters. Only a few actually get to make a worthy contribution to the storyline, and as a result the rest fall to the wayside. Certain characters' abilities are conveniently forgotten for story reasons and others just act completely out-of-character.
That said, if you're a fan of Doctor Doom and Galactus, then you'll probably enjoy this. They good some cool scenes.
January 21, 2024
Beginning was more or less what I expected from an early 80’s event comic: heroes and villains bashing each other whilst obliviously exclaiming their names and powers. However, after a couple of issues, I found myself getting ever slightly more invested into the fast-paced turns, collective moments of melodrama and solid action. So I guess there is a reason why a well crafted and well paced story can offer decent entertainment, despite all the unintentional, borderline primitive campiness. Supplemental issues from Thor, She-Hulk and What-If were inoffensively nonessential. Overall, despite being firmly grounded in a bygone comics era, I still had plenty of fun reading this collection.
January 3, 2026
As a kid I was given a big bag of old comics at some point, by my wonderful Aunt while she was visiting my family. In that bunch of comics was Secret wars issue number 4, which introduced me to a lot of marvel characters and for the first time in my childhood, showed them all working together in a big team.
However, up until the release of this omnibus, I only ever had that one fraction of the story. So when this came out I was finally able to see everything that little kid me was missing out on.
Is this the best comic book I’ve ever read? No. Is it one that remains special to me and will always be one of my favorites? Yes.
However, up until the release of this omnibus, I only ever had that one fraction of the story. So when this came out I was finally able to see everything that little kid me was missing out on.
Is this the best comic book I’ve ever read? No. Is it one that remains special to me and will always be one of my favorites? Yes.
September 10, 2025
9/10:
I swore that I had read this before, but now that I’ve finished, I can confidently say that I hadn’t. This is one of the most classic Marvel comic runs, and it’s easy to see why. The enormous cast of characters lead to so many fun and complicated relationships, the fights are intense, and the writing is bizarre. The additional issues included in this omnibus are fine, but nothing essential to the original story of Secret Wars.
I swore that I had read this before, but now that I’ve finished, I can confidently say that I hadn’t. This is one of the most classic Marvel comic runs, and it’s easy to see why. The enormous cast of characters lead to so many fun and complicated relationships, the fights are intense, and the writing is bizarre. The additional issues included in this omnibus are fine, but nothing essential to the original story of Secret Wars.
April 4, 2026
7/10
Well, it has made history. And it has its good moments.
Well, it has made history. And it has its good moments.
April 11, 2021
Collects Secret Wars #1-12 (May 1984 - April 1985), Thor #383 (September 1987), She-Hulk #10 (February 2005) and What If...? #4 and #114 (October 1989 and November 1998).
Too much time is wasted with the heroes squabbling amongst themselves and some of the characterizations are a bit silly (notably Magneto and Wolverine) but once it gets into the story it gets better.
Too much time is wasted with the heroes squabbling amongst themselves and some of the characterizations are a bit silly (notably Magneto and Wolverine) but once it gets into the story it gets better.
August 13, 2022
I remember when I read this saga for the first time in the 90's, it was the reason I loved superhero comics so much in my youth. Now that I re-read it again so many years later, a feeling of nostalgia appeared and I really enjoyed it again, but I didn't remember the cheesy ending, well, nothing is perfect
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