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Avengers (1963) #89-97
The Avengers: The Kree-Skrull War
A conflict of star-spanning proportions - with Earth caught in the crossfire! For those eternal intergalactic enemies, the merciless Kree and the shapechanging Skrulls, have gone to war, and our planet is situated on the front lines! Can Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the Avengers, bring about an end to the fighting before humanity becomes a casualty of war? Featuring the trend-setting artwork of Neal Adams, the Kree/Skrull War is universally acknowledged as one of the finest and most important sagas in the Marvel canon. COLLECTING: AVENGERS (1963) #89-97
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,039 books254 followersRoy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
July 15, 2016
War has broken out between the Kree and the Skrulls and the Avengers are caught in the middle! The Kree Skrull War is one of the most revered storylines in the history of the Avengers. Thanks to Marvel Unlimited, I was finally able to read it.
The Avengers roster at this time, for those keeping score, is Goliath (Hawkeye with Hank Pym's gear), Scarlet Witch, The Vision, and Quicksilver. Anti-Kree sentiment is on the rise on earth, due to some suspicious activities by Captain Marvel and the existence of a Kree fortress in Alaska. Things escalate when The Avengers protect Captain Marvel from an angry mob and Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man disband the Avengers!
Or do they... They do not. Those were Skrulls. Things continue to escalate. The Vision collapses and Ant-Man goes inside to investigate. The Skrulls take Quicksilver, Captain Marvel, and The Scarlet Witch prisoner and Rick Jones is abducted by the Kree. The gang have a huge battle in Attilan before finally heading into space. The Avengers battle Skrulls while Rick Jones, the Supreme Intelligence, and Captain Marvel do all the heavy lifting.
There were a lot of good moments in these issues. Neal Adams and the Buscema boys did a fantastic job on the artwork. Roy Thomas' writing was ahead of Stan Lee's but still nowhere near today's standards. It got the job done though.
I loved the Vision in this. He's conflicted over his status as an android and his feelings for the Scarlet Witch. The finale with Rick Jones and Supreme Intelligence was also pretty bad ass. Ant-Man going inside the Vision was Hank Pym's finest hour. On the negative side, it took forever for the Avengers to actually get involved with the war. The Avengers almost seemed like spectators, taking a back seat to Rick Jones, Captain Marvel, and the Supreme Intelligence.
All things considered, this was a pretty enjoyable trip into Marvel's history and a fun story. 4 out of 5 stars, adjusted for the passage of forty-something years.
The Avengers roster at this time, for those keeping score, is Goliath (Hawkeye with Hank Pym's gear), Scarlet Witch, The Vision, and Quicksilver. Anti-Kree sentiment is on the rise on earth, due to some suspicious activities by Captain Marvel and the existence of a Kree fortress in Alaska. Things escalate when The Avengers protect Captain Marvel from an angry mob and Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man disband the Avengers!
Or do they... They do not. Those were Skrulls. Things continue to escalate. The Vision collapses and Ant-Man goes inside to investigate. The Skrulls take Quicksilver, Captain Marvel, and The Scarlet Witch prisoner and Rick Jones is abducted by the Kree. The gang have a huge battle in Attilan before finally heading into space. The Avengers battle Skrulls while Rick Jones, the Supreme Intelligence, and Captain Marvel do all the heavy lifting.
There were a lot of good moments in these issues. Neal Adams and the Buscema boys did a fantastic job on the artwork. Roy Thomas' writing was ahead of Stan Lee's but still nowhere near today's standards. It got the job done though.
I loved the Vision in this. He's conflicted over his status as an android and his feelings for the Scarlet Witch. The finale with Rick Jones and Supreme Intelligence was also pretty bad ass. Ant-Man going inside the Vision was Hank Pym's finest hour. On the negative side, it took forever for the Avengers to actually get involved with the war. The Avengers almost seemed like spectators, taking a back seat to Rick Jones, Captain Marvel, and the Supreme Intelligence.
All things considered, this was a pretty enjoyable trip into Marvel's history and a fun story. 4 out of 5 stars, adjusted for the passage of forty-something years.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2018
I’m so f*cking glad I didn’t buy this.
*sighs* Even trying to get past the numerous times our male "heroes" smacked their female teammates (one of which smacked his love interest, by the way) none of this worked for me.
Admittedly, Galactic Marvel has never been my cup of tea. That being said, I still found the Infinity Gauntlet to be a great, compelling arc so some of these stories can interest me. This one just didn't. I didn't find Captain Marvel's plight particularly moving. None of the heroes gave me anyone to root for because, as mentioned above, they were all either smacking the very few women here or being dismissive and awful to them (Vision).
Who am I supposed to like here?
The villains were all sort of blobs so no real interest conflict there for me, either.
This was such a bummer and the only benefit to reading it was being able to add Thomas to my "Do Not Read" list.
Jesus fricking Christ.
*sighs* Even trying to get past the numerous times our male "heroes" smacked their female teammates (one of which smacked his love interest, by the way) none of this worked for me.
Admittedly, Galactic Marvel has never been my cup of tea. That being said, I still found the Infinity Gauntlet to be a great, compelling arc so some of these stories can interest me. This one just didn't. I didn't find Captain Marvel's plight particularly moving. None of the heroes gave me anyone to root for because, as mentioned above, they were all either smacking the very few women here or being dismissive and awful to them (Vision).
Who am I supposed to like here?
The villains were all sort of blobs so no real interest conflict there for me, either.
This was such a bummer and the only benefit to reading it was being able to add Thomas to my "Do Not Read" list.
Jesus fricking Christ.
August 11, 2016
Back to my youthful obsession with the Avengers (and Captain America who enters the story about half way through). This story arc, these issues begin in 1971. I was 19, still buying comics....some years later (during the Carter administration when the economy dropped even lower than it is now) I had to sell my collection.
I've got to let that go someday...sigh.
Anyway, I have snapped up some of the reprints of my favorite heroes, and here we have the story of the Skrull/Kree War. The book is a good one, more complex than some of the Silver Age books that precede it (this was at the very end of that era) which it harkens back to and references. The writing is good, the plotting is good and the art is exceptional even great (sorry Sal)especially when Neal Adams takes over.
The story line covers the background and events leading up to the (aforementioned) Skrull/Kree War (or Kree/Skrull War I suppose, don't know why the Skrull always get top billing). There are references and ties that reach back into the "history of the Marvel Universe" throughout these books and some plot twists and double fakes unusual for comics of the time. The Skrull have been characters before this point for some time, confronting the Fantastic Four in the "past. The Kree are another "star-spanning" race we've met before (Captain Marvel is a Kree. By the way, that's Marvel's Captain Marvel [Mar Vell] not the Whiz Comics/Fawcett comics/DC comics Billy Batson, totally different dude, no "Shazam!" here). captain Marvel (Mr Vell)the Kree is in trouble and the Avengers just can't stay clear of it (of course if they did we wouldn't have a story). Before it's over the Skrull and the Kree are slugging it out and Earth is not only right in the middle but in the balance.
Enjoyable read, good comic/graphic book enjoy.
I've got to let that go someday...sigh.
Anyway, I have snapped up some of the reprints of my favorite heroes, and here we have the story of the Skrull/Kree War. The book is a good one, more complex than some of the Silver Age books that precede it (this was at the very end of that era) which it harkens back to and references. The writing is good, the plotting is good and the art is exceptional even great (sorry Sal)especially when Neal Adams takes over.
The story line covers the background and events leading up to the (aforementioned) Skrull/Kree War (or Kree/Skrull War I suppose, don't know why the Skrull always get top billing). There are references and ties that reach back into the "history of the Marvel Universe" throughout these books and some plot twists and double fakes unusual for comics of the time. The Skrull have been characters before this point for some time, confronting the Fantastic Four in the "past. The Kree are another "star-spanning" race we've met before (Captain Marvel is a Kree. By the way, that's Marvel's Captain Marvel [Mar Vell] not the Whiz Comics/Fawcett comics/DC comics Billy Batson, totally different dude, no "Shazam!" here). captain Marvel (Mr Vell)the Kree is in trouble and the Avengers just can't stay clear of it (of course if they did we wouldn't have a story). Before it's over the Skrull and the Kree are slugging it out and Earth is not only right in the middle but in the balance.
Enjoyable read, good comic/graphic book enjoy.
May 25, 2015
This was a truly great read!!
I really loved the way the story developed and unfolded throughout the book, it kept me guessing and not knowing what's in store! The twists in the story had me hooked and I loved how it all came together at the end!
The large range of characters in this book was another thing I loved! You get to know the avengers better, as well as other great marvel characters!
But I think my favourite thing about this has to be the art work!! It's seriously stunning and I was left in awe with every page!
I will definitely be reading more comics in the future, my eyes have been officially opened to the wonder that is marvel!!
I really loved the way the story developed and unfolded throughout the book, it kept me guessing and not knowing what's in store! The twists in the story had me hooked and I loved how it all came together at the end!
The large range of characters in this book was another thing I loved! You get to know the avengers better, as well as other great marvel characters!
But I think my favourite thing about this has to be the art work!! It's seriously stunning and I was left in awe with every page!
I will definitely be reading more comics in the future, my eyes have been officially opened to the wonder that is marvel!!
February 11, 2018
Der KREE / SKRULL WAR ist ein SF-Epos mit vielen Höhepunkten und erzählerisch und künstlerisch auch nach über 45 Jahren noch ein Leckerbissen. Mit den Skrulls hatten die Fantastic Four, man erinnere sich, schon 1961 zu tun. Drei dieser Shapeshifter-Bösewichte blieben, ihrer Erinnerungen beraubt, als harmlose Rindviecher auf der Erde zurück. 1971 kehrt der Super Skrull zurück, um Captain Mar-Vell, einen auf der Erde exilierten Kree, gefangen zu nehmen, und die Avengers werden in den kosmischen Konflikt der Uralt=Völker hineingezogen („Three cows shot me down“, berichtet Vision seinem Team, eine kryptische Mitteilung für alle, die FF #2 nicht kennen).
(Manchmal muss es schnell gehen)
Die Handlung ist so komplex, dass ich nicht den Versuch unternehmen werde, sie hier wiederzugeben. Der Marvel-Verlag selbst hatte es einmal unternommen, das Epos auf zwei Hefte eingedampft neu zu veröffentlichen, dieser Versuch war völlig gescheitert. Die sich entwickelnde Story der Avengers-Heften 89-97, die hier im TPB komplett abgedruckt ist, kann kaum gekürzt werden, ohne dass sie ihren Sinn verliert. Trotzdem lassen sich einzelne Höhepunkte und Themenstränge herauspicken.
Künstlerisch ein Highlight ist z.B. Heft Nr. 93, in dem Ant-Man sich, mikroskopisch klein, auf die Reise durch den Körper von Vision macht ...
(„A Journey to the Center of the Android“),
...um herauszufinden, warum der Androide in einem totenähnlichen Zustand ist. Großartig gezeichnet ist das Heft auch eine Hommage an den SF-Film der 50er und 60er Jahre.
Auch über die Entstehung der Inhumans erfahren wir etwas, Erich von Däniken meets the Kree.
Hier sehen wir Triton, der gegen Ende in die Story eingreifen muss:
Der Strahl, mit dem die Skrull die Evolution der Menscheit rückgängig machen wollen, so dass aus mündigen Bürgern wieder Neandertaler werden (man fragt sich, wie groß der Schritt wirklich ist, immerhin kannten die Macher Facebook noch nicht), ist eine gruselige Vorstellung und sorgt für eine superspannende Episode.
(One giant step backward)
Die Motivation der Skrull, eine Rasse zu eliminieren, die innerhalb eines knappen Jahrhunderts den Schritt von der Dampfmaschine zur Atomkraft geschafft hat, ist nicht von der Hand zu weisen. Wenn die Menschheit sich nicht selbst zerstört, kann sie anderen interstellaren Völkern gefährlich werden.
Die Artwork stammt zum Teil von Sal und John Buscema, die wie gewohnt beste Qualität abliefern. Der andere Teil wurde von Neal Adams gezeichnet, und das alleine sollte für jeden Liebhaber der Superhelden=Comics Grund genug sein, den KREE / SKRULL WAR zu lesen: Adams Artwork ist schlicht stellar und auch heute noch ein absoluter Hingucker. In Sachen Bildaufbau und Perspektive war er seinen Kollegen weit voraus.
Da Neal Adams zuvor auch schon an der X-Men Serie mitgewirkt hatte, dürfte die Figur des widerlichen Politikers H. Warren Craddock - "a misguided but influential Patriot", einem machtgeilen Xenophoben, der am liebsten jeden Nicht=WASP=Amerikaner internieren möchte, maßgeblich von ihm gestaltet sein (die Hetze gegen Mutanten und Fremde ist von Anfang an wesentliches Thema im X-Men-Universum. Marvel zeigt sich einmal mehr sehr liberal, und Craddock und die Statements zu Gefangenenlagern sind – mega erschreckend – in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten überhaupt nicht unaktuell geworden!
Wer Lust auf eine richtig gute SF-Story mit viel Action und Dramatik hat (vielleicht auch mal als Ersatz für die „Unterhaltung“ aus der Glotze?), oder ein kleines Liebesdrama ...
(noch dürfen sich der Androide und die Mutantin nicht lieben; später werden sie heiraten)
dem sei dieses TPB empfohlen!
(Manchmal muss es schnell gehen)
Die Handlung ist so komplex, dass ich nicht den Versuch unternehmen werde, sie hier wiederzugeben. Der Marvel-Verlag selbst hatte es einmal unternommen, das Epos auf zwei Hefte eingedampft neu zu veröffentlichen, dieser Versuch war völlig gescheitert. Die sich entwickelnde Story der Avengers-Heften 89-97, die hier im TPB komplett abgedruckt ist, kann kaum gekürzt werden, ohne dass sie ihren Sinn verliert. Trotzdem lassen sich einzelne Höhepunkte und Themenstränge herauspicken.
Künstlerisch ein Highlight ist z.B. Heft Nr. 93, in dem Ant-Man sich, mikroskopisch klein, auf die Reise durch den Körper von Vision macht ...
(„A Journey to the Center of the Android“),
...um herauszufinden, warum der Androide in einem totenähnlichen Zustand ist. Großartig gezeichnet ist das Heft auch eine Hommage an den SF-Film der 50er und 60er Jahre.
Auch über die Entstehung der Inhumans erfahren wir etwas, Erich von Däniken meets the Kree.
Hier sehen wir Triton, der gegen Ende in die Story eingreifen muss:
Der Strahl, mit dem die Skrull die Evolution der Menscheit rückgängig machen wollen, so dass aus mündigen Bürgern wieder Neandertaler werden (man fragt sich, wie groß der Schritt wirklich ist, immerhin kannten die Macher Facebook noch nicht), ist eine gruselige Vorstellung und sorgt für eine superspannende Episode.
(One giant step backward)
Die Motivation der Skrull, eine Rasse zu eliminieren, die innerhalb eines knappen Jahrhunderts den Schritt von der Dampfmaschine zur Atomkraft geschafft hat, ist nicht von der Hand zu weisen. Wenn die Menschheit sich nicht selbst zerstört, kann sie anderen interstellaren Völkern gefährlich werden.
Die Artwork stammt zum Teil von Sal und John Buscema, die wie gewohnt beste Qualität abliefern. Der andere Teil wurde von Neal Adams gezeichnet, und das alleine sollte für jeden Liebhaber der Superhelden=Comics Grund genug sein, den KREE / SKRULL WAR zu lesen: Adams Artwork ist schlicht stellar und auch heute noch ein absoluter Hingucker. In Sachen Bildaufbau und Perspektive war er seinen Kollegen weit voraus.
Da Neal Adams zuvor auch schon an der X-Men Serie mitgewirkt hatte, dürfte die Figur des widerlichen Politikers H. Warren Craddock - "a misguided but influential Patriot", einem machtgeilen Xenophoben, der am liebsten jeden Nicht=WASP=Amerikaner internieren möchte, maßgeblich von ihm gestaltet sein (die Hetze gegen Mutanten und Fremde ist von Anfang an wesentliches Thema im X-Men-Universum. Marvel zeigt sich einmal mehr sehr liberal, und Craddock und die Statements zu Gefangenenlagern sind – mega erschreckend – in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten überhaupt nicht unaktuell geworden!
Wer Lust auf eine richtig gute SF-Story mit viel Action und Dramatik hat (vielleicht auch mal als Ersatz für die „Unterhaltung“ aus der Glotze?), oder ein kleines Liebesdrama ...
(noch dürfen sich der Androide und die Mutantin nicht lieben; später werden sie heiraten)
dem sei dieses TPB empfohlen!
February 21, 2022
This started out not how I thought it would.
More Sci-Fi-esk which was interesting but slightly confusing when mixed in with everything else!
The story then turned to become about people's fear of what they don't understand.
Finally, the Avengers in space!
I thought this story would have more Kree/Skrull fights but they seemed to fight the Avengers more than each other. Kinda disappointing.
I really liked the inclusion of Mar-Vell and Rick Jones. I enjoyed seeing the team interacted with these characters.
Speaking of interactions, there was a hint (then not so subtle notes) of a romance blooming!
It was good learning more about the Kree and Skrulls. I'd be interested to learn more and see them really battle.
Overall, not the story line I was expecting but interesting and most of the time entertaining!
More Sci-Fi-esk which was interesting but slightly confusing when mixed in with everything else!
The story then turned to become about people's fear of what they don't understand.
Finally, the Avengers in space!
I thought this story would have more Kree/Skrull fights but they seemed to fight the Avengers more than each other. Kinda disappointing.
I really liked the inclusion of Mar-Vell and Rick Jones. I enjoyed seeing the team interacted with these characters.
Speaking of interactions, there was a hint (then not so subtle notes) of a romance blooming!
It was good learning more about the Kree and Skrulls. I'd be interested to learn more and see them really battle.
Overall, not the story line I was expecting but interesting and most of the time entertaining!
February 20, 2022
2.5 stars. I’m mad it took me this long to read this 9 issue book but it was tough to get through. I usually still end up having fun with these old stories when the writing can be dated because the story out weighs that. Like Moon Knight, Simonson’s Thor, Uncanny X-men etc etc. However, that wasn’t the case here. Multiple different story beats coupled with old writing and Roy Thomas trying to do too much with his writing style, made this sometimes confusing and a slog to get through. Plus none of the Avengers had their own voice. The art was really good at least and it was cool to see the small beginnings of Vision and Wanda’s relationship.
June 10, 2014
OK, so this one is a little bit of a mess.
The Kree-Skrull War was probably one of the first big Marvel universe-spanning events. It's spoken of with reverence by comic readers and referenced frequently in the comics themselves. So perhaps my hopes were just too high.
The setup sounds great: two powerful intergalactic races go to war, and earth is caught in the middle! If that were actually the focus of the book, that would be cool. But it's really not. Instead, the Avengers first chase after the Skrull, then the Kree, then they have to deal with a transparently McCarthy-esque figure who denounces them for harboring aliens, then there is a rabbit-trail involving the Inhumans...
And of course about half the story is expository flashbacks to make the other half make sense.
The Avengers don't go off to confront the actual Kree and Skrull and their War until the last two issues. These issues are admittedly the best part of the story, at last finding a sense of fun that has been missing from the rest of this plodding nonsense. The part where Rick Jones summons a team of 40's comic book heroes out of his imagination to defend himself should put a smile on anyone's face. I don't feel that this alone elevates this story to greatness, however. Oh, and I must also note that nowhere in the story do we get the implicitly promised scene of the Kree actually fighting the Skrull!
Part of the problem is that The Avenger's lineup includes two of what I'll call 'The Seventies Avengers' - Captain Marvell and The Vision. These guys are grim and self-important the way the anti-heroes of the 80's would be, but they aren't nearly as interesting. They're also ridiculously overpowered compared to the rest of The Avengers' roster. Not that that is difficult, since the other Avengers at this time are Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Goliath-as-played-by-Hawkeye (so now that Hawkeye can grow extra big he decides never to use his arrows??).
The Vision's abilities, meanwhile, include becoming insubstantial or gaining so much mass as to be virtually immovable, which basically means he can never be hurt. And don't even get me started on Captain Marvell. In addition to flight, super-strength and some sort of super-intelligence, he is one of those heroes that just has a power for whatever situation he happens to be in. He is a Mary Sue who renders the other Avengers completely surplus-to-requirements.
This being a big crossover book, the original team of Thor, Iron Man and Cap also put on an appearance, but they are just here to fight, they have no character arcs to speak of (Captain Marvell and the gloomy Vision are sucking all the air out of that department anyway).
A couple other elements of note: the incredibly sexist treatment of Janet Pym aka The Wasp, and to a lesser degree Scarlet Witch. There is actually a panel where Henry Pym back-hands Janet to knock her out and keep him from following her into danger. Yes, he has to beat a woman to save her from herself. Not superhero comics' proudest moment.
The Skrull have also been drawn with what seems to me like a strangely negroid appearance, but perhaps I'm just imagining things.
Oh, yes, the art. It's fine, except for the parts drawn by Neal Adams, which are AMAZING. When he takes over it's like someone flicked a switch and turned on the Real Art. Adams cut his teeth in the advertising industry before coming over to comics, and his figures are glossy and model-esque.
Anyway, I'm happy to have finished this plodding, confused, self-important storyline. Next time I dip into The Avengers, it will either be pre-1970 stuff or I will finally dig into the 80's.
The Kree-Skrull War was probably one of the first big Marvel universe-spanning events. It's spoken of with reverence by comic readers and referenced frequently in the comics themselves. So perhaps my hopes were just too high.
The setup sounds great: two powerful intergalactic races go to war, and earth is caught in the middle! If that were actually the focus of the book, that would be cool. But it's really not. Instead, the Avengers first chase after the Skrull, then the Kree, then they have to deal with a transparently McCarthy-esque figure who denounces them for harboring aliens, then there is a rabbit-trail involving the Inhumans...
And of course about half the story is expository flashbacks to make the other half make sense.
The Avengers don't go off to confront the actual Kree and Skrull and their War until the last two issues. These issues are admittedly the best part of the story, at last finding a sense of fun that has been missing from the rest of this plodding nonsense. The part where Rick Jones summons a team of 40's comic book heroes out of his imagination to defend himself should put a smile on anyone's face. I don't feel that this alone elevates this story to greatness, however. Oh, and I must also note that nowhere in the story do we get the implicitly promised scene of the Kree actually fighting the Skrull!
Part of the problem is that The Avenger's lineup includes two of what I'll call 'The Seventies Avengers' - Captain Marvell and The Vision. These guys are grim and self-important the way the anti-heroes of the 80's would be, but they aren't nearly as interesting. They're also ridiculously overpowered compared to the rest of The Avengers' roster. Not that that is difficult, since the other Avengers at this time are Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Goliath-as-played-by-Hawkeye (so now that Hawkeye can grow extra big he decides never to use his arrows??).
The Vision's abilities, meanwhile, include becoming insubstantial or gaining so much mass as to be virtually immovable, which basically means he can never be hurt. And don't even get me started on Captain Marvell. In addition to flight, super-strength and some sort of super-intelligence, he is one of those heroes that just has a power for whatever situation he happens to be in. He is a Mary Sue who renders the other Avengers completely surplus-to-requirements.
This being a big crossover book, the original team of Thor, Iron Man and Cap also put on an appearance, but they are just here to fight, they have no character arcs to speak of (Captain Marvell and the gloomy Vision are sucking all the air out of that department anyway).
A couple other elements of note: the incredibly sexist treatment of Janet Pym aka The Wasp, and to a lesser degree Scarlet Witch. There is actually a panel where Henry Pym back-hands Janet to knock her out and keep him from following her into danger. Yes, he has to beat a woman to save her from herself. Not superhero comics' proudest moment.
The Skrull have also been drawn with what seems to me like a strangely negroid appearance, but perhaps I'm just imagining things.
Oh, yes, the art. It's fine, except for the parts drawn by Neal Adams, which are AMAZING. When he takes over it's like someone flicked a switch and turned on the Real Art. Adams cut his teeth in the advertising industry before coming over to comics, and his figures are glossy and model-esque.
Anyway, I'm happy to have finished this plodding, confused, self-important storyline. Next time I dip into The Avengers, it will either be pre-1970 stuff or I will finally dig into the 80's.
August 4, 2011
Back to my youthful obsession with the Avengers (and Captain America who enters the story about half way through). This story arc, these issues begin in 1971. I was 19, still buying comics....some years later (during the Carter administration when the economy dropped even lower than it is now) I had to sell my collection.
I've got to let that go someday...sigh.
Anyway, I have snapped up some of the reprints of my favorite heroes, and here we have the story of the Skrull/Kree War. The book is a good one, more complex than some of the Silver Age books that precede it (this was at the very end of that era) which it harkens back to and references. The writing is good, the plotting is good and the art is exceptional even great (sorry Sal)especially when Neal Adams takes over.
The story line covers the background and events leading up to the (aforementioned) Skrull/Kree War (or Kree/Skrull War I suppose, don't know why the Skrull always get top billing). There are references and ties that reach back into the "history of the Marvel Universe" throughout these books and some plot twists and double fakes unusual for comics of the time. The Skrull have been characters before this point for some time, confronting the Fantastic Four in the "past. The Kree are another "star-spanning" race we've met before (Captain Marvel is a Kree. By the way, that's Marvel's Captain Marvel [Mar Vell] not the Whiz Comics/Fawcett comics/DC comics Billy Batson, totally different dude, no "Shazam!" here). captain Marvel (Mr Vell)the Kree is in trouble and the Avengers just can't stay clear of it (of course if they did we wouldn't have a story). Before it's over the Skrull and the Kree are slugging it out and Earth is not only right in the middle but in the balance.
Enjoyable read, good comic/graphic book enjoy.
I've got to let that go someday...sigh.
Anyway, I have snapped up some of the reprints of my favorite heroes, and here we have the story of the Skrull/Kree War. The book is a good one, more complex than some of the Silver Age books that precede it (this was at the very end of that era) which it harkens back to and references. The writing is good, the plotting is good and the art is exceptional even great (sorry Sal)especially when Neal Adams takes over.
The story line covers the background and events leading up to the (aforementioned) Skrull/Kree War (or Kree/Skrull War I suppose, don't know why the Skrull always get top billing). There are references and ties that reach back into the "history of the Marvel Universe" throughout these books and some plot twists and double fakes unusual for comics of the time. The Skrull have been characters before this point for some time, confronting the Fantastic Four in the "past. The Kree are another "star-spanning" race we've met before (Captain Marvel is a Kree. By the way, that's Marvel's Captain Marvel [Mar Vell] not the Whiz Comics/Fawcett comics/DC comics Billy Batson, totally different dude, no "Shazam!" here). captain Marvel (Mr Vell)the Kree is in trouble and the Avengers just can't stay clear of it (of course if they did we wouldn't have a story). Before it's over the Skrull and the Kree are slugging it out and Earth is not only right in the middle but in the balance.
Enjoyable read, good comic/graphic book enjoy.
August 20, 2023
Рисунките на Сал Бушема, Джон Бушема и Нийл Адамс, работили върху тоя наистина внушителен по обем албум, са великолепни - наслада за окото, издържана в класическия дух на 70-те години на миналия век. Епичната история на Рой Томас, анонсирана в обяснителните бележки в началото и в края, като един от първите мащабни сценарии в Марвел - Вселената, традиционно не успя да ми се понрави.
3,5/5
3,5/5
January 27, 2017
Pretty dissapointing. Most of the Story revolves around the Vision and Captain Mar-Vell, and not the cool Mar-Vell written by the Great Jim Starlin, but the boring version of Roy Thomas, the King of boredom and underdeveloped concepts.
The title is misleading as there isn't any actual confrontation between the Kree and Skrull, you just know they are at war since they met and want to kill each other, but they never clash.
The Avengers on the other hand don't really fight the Kree or the Skrull, aside from some goons, and the day is saved by non-other than Rick Jones, the kid that has no super powers.
People should pass on this book unless they're really Hard-Core Avengers/Marvel fans.
The title is misleading as there isn't any actual confrontation between the Kree and Skrull, you just know they are at war since they met and want to kill each other, but they never clash.
The Avengers on the other hand don't really fight the Kree or the Skrull, aside from some goons, and the day is saved by non-other than Rick Jones, the kid that has no super powers.
People should pass on this book unless they're really Hard-Core Avengers/Marvel fans.
May 22, 2017
Muita informação. Chega a ser confuso. Mas é uma história fundamental e inovadora para os quadrinhos.
April 6, 2015
Avengers had featured multi-part stories before, but under the guidance of legendary writer Roy Thomas, Kree/Skrull War was the first truly epic opus in the title. Running almost a year, the saga set the tone for this kind of far-reaching story that traveled the globe before launching into outer space. At the outset, the Avengers roster was down to only four members: Vision, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and Goliath (the Clint Barton version, shortly before he reverted to being Hawkeye). Space hero Captain Marvel kicked things off, when his return to Earth threatened the safety of all around him. Marvel’s return caught the attention of the Kree Empire and heavy Ronan the Accuser came to Earth, intending to subjugate or destroy it. An initial skirmish in Florida was inconclusive. An SOS from inactive members Wasp and Yellowjacket took the team to Alaska, where Ronan tried another scheme. That precipitated the revelation of aliens’ existence to the public and, in a rather realistic turn, led to government intervention and hearings. The team sheltered Marvel, but then ran afoul of the Skrulls, who tried to tap Marvel for Kree technology that would give them an advantage in the eternal war between the two alien empires. After several characters were kidnapped into space, the rest of the team chased them for an epic space battle that was decided after guest star Rick Jones had a mind-bending encounter with the Kree Supreme Intelligence.
Thomas was a pro at choreographing this kind of complex plot action. He never lost focus on characters, doing some especially nice work with the fraught Vision/Scarlet Witch relationship. The epic also brought absent core members Captain America, Thor and Iron Man back to a central role. Other guests who popped up included Carol Danvers (the future Ms./Captain Marvel), Mister Fantastic, The Thing. Triton and Nick Fury. The War covered lots of ground and did a lot to expand the frontiers of Marvel’s space-based characters. Several artists worked on the saga, including long-time Marvel house artists John and Sal Buscema. Several issues also featured work from Neal Adams, then possibly the hottest artist in the business, whose gorgeous compositions elevated the story with innovative layouts and beautiful character work.
The Avengers: The Kree-Skrull War holds up 40 years later. Even if some of its trappings are dated, the adventurousness and innovation that pushed comic book storytelling forward are on full display.
A version of this review originally appeared on www.thunderalleybcp.com
Thomas was a pro at choreographing this kind of complex plot action. He never lost focus on characters, doing some especially nice work with the fraught Vision/Scarlet Witch relationship. The epic also brought absent core members Captain America, Thor and Iron Man back to a central role. Other guests who popped up included Carol Danvers (the future Ms./Captain Marvel), Mister Fantastic, The Thing. Triton and Nick Fury. The War covered lots of ground and did a lot to expand the frontiers of Marvel’s space-based characters. Several artists worked on the saga, including long-time Marvel house artists John and Sal Buscema. Several issues also featured work from Neal Adams, then possibly the hottest artist in the business, whose gorgeous compositions elevated the story with innovative layouts and beautiful character work.
The Avengers: The Kree-Skrull War holds up 40 years later. Even if some of its trappings are dated, the adventurousness and innovation that pushed comic book storytelling forward are on full display.
A version of this review originally appeared on www.thunderalleybcp.com
April 17, 2017
A blast from childhood, this story still holds together pretty well even though the final chapter's a bit rushed with the deus ex machina being too abrupt and two subplots hinted at but never explored, tripping the flow of the narrative for no purpose. The art by Neal Adams and the brothers Buscema is a lesson in storytelling for all those modern comics artists who seem to only produce sequential poster art.
November 21, 2017
Noteworthy for being one of the 1970s key story arcs / events from Marvel, as well as showcasing the art of Neil Adams (for part of its run), the Kree-Skrull War not only cements Marvel cosmic continuity but showed where Roy Thomas was taking Marvel's story-telling in the post-Stan Lee days -- and how much he owed to Lee's ideas and sensibilities.
Fun, if not (from a modern perspective) great stuff, but certainly a bit of comics history.
Fun, if not (from a modern perspective) great stuff, but certainly a bit of comics history.
March 17, 2016
A fantastic telling of a pivotal event in the marvel universe. I was lucky enough to buy these when they came out and read the original comics. Very recommended
September 16, 2023
В началния и заключителния текстови материали сериозно превъзнасят тази поредица. Може и да е била нещо невиждано в началото на 70-е, но в днешно време сюжетът е елементарен и инфантилен. Има някои проблясъци, но се броят на пръстите на ръцете на невнимателен дърводелец. Артът е ок, като има и някои докта класни панели.
July 31, 2022
Saga clásica, con el estilo intenso y pomposo que caracterizaba el guión Marvel de los 60-70, y algún detalle machista que riza el pelo porque eran otros tiempos. Necesario para entender buena parte del canon de Marvel (y no sabía que Clint Barton fue Goliath antes de Ojo de Halcón) y una gran saga en sí misma.
March 2, 2021
Ah well the much celebrated Kree/Skrull war was a dud at least in the comic form. Hopefully the movie would be better. This was so disjointed that the issues didn't even jell together. The story moves from one scene to another. Also like others have pointed there is no actual war between Kree/Skrull just talk of it from both the sides.
I have finished this one page at a time because I had difficulty reading these old issues. Hell even Avengers are not there in all the issues but rather the story is focused on Mar-vell and Vision mostly who aren't the most interesting of the characters here.
Well at least I was able to finish it as the last 2 issues were definitely better but preceding issues were so so, hence the rating, well I move forward in search of better comics and you too should Keep on Reading.
My dream of being a writer is realized and I am now a Goodreads Author. I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. Doga is one of my most favorite character and I love him to bits and don't leave any chance to devour any of his stories. So here goes again my mission to read as many Raj comics from the beginning. My childhood re-run. I love reading this and more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have finished this one page at a time because I had difficulty reading these old issues. Hell even Avengers are not there in all the issues but rather the story is focused on Mar-vell and Vision mostly who aren't the most interesting of the characters here.
Well at least I was able to finish it as the last 2 issues were definitely better but preceding issues were so so, hence the rating, well I move forward in search of better comics and you too should Keep on Reading.
My dream of being a writer is realized and I am now a Goodreads Author. I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. Doga is one of my most favorite character and I love him to bits and don't leave any chance to devour any of his stories. So here goes again my mission to read as many Raj comics from the beginning. My childhood re-run. I love reading this and more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
May 23, 2012
I'd heard for a long time that this was the greatest Avengers story ever. I enjoyed it, but it's certainly not the greatest. Adams' art is exceptional but the story takes a little bit too long to develop, Roy Thomas' dialogue makes me cringe, and the ending floats between contrivance and deus ex machina.
But it's comics! True, but I judge other comics by the same standards, too!
But it's comics! True, but I judge other comics by the same standards, too!
April 3, 2016
I was ok.... the first part of the book was very cool... but the rest it was a little boring...
Characters that i loved: Vision and scaler witch.
2,5 stars.
Characters that i loved: Vision and scaler witch.
2,5 stars.
July 31, 2020
The “epic” which set the tone for a big chunk of Marvel’s 70s - multi-issue yarns pivoting on some obscure continuity nugget. Meat and drink to fans of the Roy Thomas stripe, and this is Thomas going as gonzo as he was ever allowed - throwing more and more balls in the air before resolving the situation via Rick Jones acting as a portal to comics history. Look Mom, reading those old comic books saved the Universe!
For readers just looking for a good story... well, it isn’t. But the crackling enthusiasm pulls it through, and the book starts to move through its gears once Neal Adams gets on board for a few issues of art. He provides the single images the Kree-Skrull war is best remembered for - Ant-Man’s Fantastic Voyage-on-antback journey into the Vision’s body, and a wounded Triton heaving himself out of a manhole to interrupt some slugfest or other. Both scenes are, needless to say, entirely incidental to the main cosmic plot.
For readers just looking for a good story... well, it isn’t. But the crackling enthusiasm pulls it through, and the book starts to move through its gears once Neal Adams gets on board for a few issues of art. He provides the single images the Kree-Skrull war is best remembered for - Ant-Man’s Fantastic Voyage-on-antback journey into the Vision’s body, and a wounded Triton heaving himself out of a manhole to interrupt some slugfest or other. Both scenes are, needless to say, entirely incidental to the main cosmic plot.
January 31, 2019
This is old-school comic-book stuff, written by Roy Thomas in a kind of heightened, comic-specific language that's as different from modern comics as iambic pentameter is to modern English. It's also crammed with ideas, characters, and images that are unique and original. It's still very much a part of the complex Marvel universe, and as such doesn't really begin or end: it starts in mid-chase, and finishes in mid-mystery. The action is on a huge intergalactic scale, and the art of Neal Adams and John Buscema fill it with memorable panels. It'll be interesting to see how much the CAPTAIN MARVEL movie pulls from this story.
April 1, 2019
It definitely wasn't what I was expecting. The "WAR" part doesn't really come into play until the last couple of issues and before that is just a series of individual stories that slightly overlap to create the WAR which is then ended with a deus ex machina. The best compliment I can give is to Sal Buscema, John Buscema, and Neil Adam's art. The coloring was exceptional too.
December 6, 2019
More like a 2.5 but hey it's a classic so it's a standard 3...lol
March 12, 2022
Fantastic artwork. Story was a little weak. A different time and audience.
June 11, 2019
If the Avengers movies have gotten you in the mood to find out more about Earth's super heroes and their foes from other worlds, this story line from Roy Thomas will show you exactly who Skrulls really are. A terrific tale!
February 1, 2020
The Kree Skrull War is an important event in the history of marvel comics. It was perhaps their first crossover event and it set up the course of endless possibilities for Marvel in the future.
The concept sounds very interesting, an intergalactic war between two rival races, the Kree and the Skrulls, in which the earth gets mixed up. The writing and plot however are poorly executed. Given that it was written in the 70s, but still I couldn't help but roll my eyes in most of the dialogues, which were utterly ridiculous and cringy.
Captain Marvel is a center character in this event but I didn't feel invested in the character at all. Vision, on the other hand, was relatively better written. Trying to figure out the human emotions growing inside him and his budding romance with Scarlet Witch are some of the plus points of the event. Other characters are there just for the sake of plot, or to deliver a ridiculous dialgoue that hasn't aged well.
The art done by the other artists were decent but the ones done by Neal Adams are the ones which stand out the most in this book.
The concept sounds very interesting, an intergalactic war between two rival races, the Kree and the Skrulls, in which the earth gets mixed up. The writing and plot however are poorly executed. Given that it was written in the 70s, but still I couldn't help but roll my eyes in most of the dialogues, which were utterly ridiculous and cringy.
Captain Marvel is a center character in this event but I didn't feel invested in the character at all. Vision, on the other hand, was relatively better written. Trying to figure out the human emotions growing inside him and his budding romance with Scarlet Witch are some of the plus points of the event. Other characters are there just for the sake of plot, or to deliver a ridiculous dialgoue that hasn't aged well.
The art done by the other artists were decent but the ones done by Neal Adams are the ones which stand out the most in this book.
July 27, 2020
It's weird that this is such a sacred Marvel touchstone. When you read it today, it's clear that the authors had two main ideas: (1) do some Captain Marvel / Rick Jones stuff and (2) make it a sequel to some events in the Fantastic Four. (Cows! Super Skrull! Ronan!)
It's clear that the characters here are almost all second-rates. Most of the twists can be seen coming and those that can't (Iron Man defeats enemies with his roller skates! Giant Man suffers more from a de-evolution ray because he is small, but it doesn't affect anyone else anyway!) are what they are.
There's nothing really wrong with these comics except the end doesn't make any sense. Not just the Rick Jones stuff, but the Supreme Intelligence stuff. It seems like he could control basically everything all the time but it has to be things that we can't see until the end of the story for drama purposes. (Also, why does Hawkeye destroy the serum? And how could the Skrulls really harm Vision? And what is the point of this whole story if Captain Marvel is back in the negative zone? What really changed?)
It's clear that the characters here are almost all second-rates. Most of the twists can be seen coming and those that can't (Iron Man defeats enemies with his roller skates! Giant Man suffers more from a de-evolution ray because he is small, but it doesn't affect anyone else anyway!) are what they are.
There's nothing really wrong with these comics except the end doesn't make any sense. Not just the Rick Jones stuff, but the Supreme Intelligence stuff. It seems like he could control basically everything all the time but it has to be things that we can't see until the end of the story for drama purposes. (Also, why does Hawkeye destroy the serum? And how could the Skrulls really harm Vision? And what is the point of this whole story if Captain Marvel is back in the negative zone? What really changed?)
December 6, 2018
What a chore.
Like... I get it. It’s classic, silver age comics. And you know what? It’s great in it’s own way... but DAMN!! To my 21st century eyes, this is very difficult reading.
Between the dated art, the dated dialogue, the tiny condensed little frames, the sexism and the silliness, this was just too much.
Are you curious what the first ever “marvel event” event was like? Then go ahead. Give it a shot. Yes, it does establish lore, and yes, it does lay the groundwork for Secret Invasion. There’s even a fun little nod to the golden age of comics.
That’s all I got. It’s exactly what you probably already expect it to be.
Like... I get it. It’s classic, silver age comics. And you know what? It’s great in it’s own way... but DAMN!! To my 21st century eyes, this is very difficult reading.
Between the dated art, the dated dialogue, the tiny condensed little frames, the sexism and the silliness, this was just too much.
Are you curious what the first ever “marvel event” event was like? Then go ahead. Give it a shot. Yes, it does establish lore, and yes, it does lay the groundwork for Secret Invasion. There’s even a fun little nod to the golden age of comics.
That’s all I got. It’s exactly what you probably already expect it to be.
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