The Skrull’s Are Taking Over: The ‘Secret Invasion’ How-to-Read Guide
Nick Fury is back and fighting a war that looks nearly impossible to win. Here’s everything to read before Secret Invasion premieres.
Samuel L. Jackson is back and he’s bringing several MCU alums along with him. Clearly, he’s trying to lone-wolf it, but that’s probably not going to work. Whether you want to know all there is to know about Marvel’s upcoming series or it’s time for a refresher course, here are the essential comics to read in preparation for Secret Invasion.
As always, we know that digital comics are very convenient. But if you see something you absolutely need to own in the meatspace, be sure to head to your local comic book shop!
Background Reading: Civil War
Everyone is pretty familiar with Civil War thanks to the MCU’s adaptation of the famous Marvel comics event. The seeds of distrust between heroes began here, and by the time you get to Invasion, you can see the shadow of this tale.
Whose side are you on? A conflict is brewing that threatens to pit friend against friend, brother against brother and all it will take is a single misstep to cost thousands their lives and ignite the fuse! As the war claims its first victims, no one is safe as teams, friendships and families begin to fall apart and the Marvel Universe super heroes go to war against each other.
Read Civil War for free with a Comixology subscription!
Background Reading: New Avengers: Illuminati
If you’re wanting to stay strictly Secret Invasion-based, you really only need to read the first and last issues of this story arc. But the Illuminati have a big influence on this time period of the circumstances going into Secret Invasion.
The Illuminati. An elite group of the planet’s most powerful guardians to face its greatest threats. Join Iron Man, Professor X, Black Bolt, the Sub-Mariner, and Mr. Fantastic as they take on the threats no one else can handle – and learn of secrets that will forever alter the way they (and you) look at the Marvel Universe!
Secret Invasion
Alright, this is it, kiddies. This is the CORE story; you can read this by itself and, depending on your mileage in the Marvel comics universe, you should more-or-less be able to keep up.
The shape-shifting Skrulls have been infiltrating the Earth for years, replacing many of Marvel’s heroes with impostors, setting the stage for an all-out invasion.
And guess what? A Comixology subscription will allow you to read Secret Invasion for free.
Secret Invasion: The Infiltration
If you want to read all of the past Marvel stories that really lay the groundwork for Secret Invasion, this is a great place to start. It includes the first appearance of the Skrulls in Fantastic Four, and it features some of the most legendary Marvel writers and artists from the Silver and Bronze ages.
Retrace the roots of “The Infiltration” all the way back to the beginning of the Marvel Age of Heroes! First, in Fantastic Four #2 (1962), it’s a close encounter of the Skrull kind as four shape-changing aliens pose as Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Thing, and the Human Torch in an attempt to destroy the fledgling Fantastic Four! Then, flash-forward to the present day as the “Secret Invasion” stands revealed in the pages of New Avengers: Illuminati, New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, and Avengers: The Initiative. Conspiracy. Paranoia. Betrayal. Who do you trust?
