The New Avengers: Illuminati

by Brian Michael Bendis

Book Overview

The Illuminati is a secret organization comprised of several of the world's most powerful heroes: Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme; Black Bolt, king of the Inhumans, Charles Xavier, founder of the X-Men and mutant-rights activist; Reed Richards, founding member of the Fantastic Four; Namor the Sub-Mariner, king of Atlantis; and Iron Man (Tony Stark), founding member of the Avengers. These six men have worked together to mold and shape the status of...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0785124365
• ISBN13: 9780785124368
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Marvel Comics Group
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.0" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

good deal

other than the usual small defects of a normal used item, this product was as advertised, would buy from again!

behind the scene story

this book is the behind the scene story of everything that happen before civil war going into secret invasion this is the beginning of it it is real good

Best of 2008

This does what all great comics should do; makes you think, makes you laugh and the art and action are excellent. It is the best I've read this year; absolutely fantastic.

One Heck of a Solid Mini-Series

Illuminati is a different mini-series with an interesting concept, like a Marvel correspondent of "The New World Order". The Illuminati (Iron Man, Reed Richards, Professor X, Namor and BlackBolt) are the masterminds of the Marvel Universe and they gather only when our planet needs them the most. This collection contains the 5 issues of the mini-series, which are all one-shots, that explore Marvel continuity, without requiring the reader to have deep knowledge about it, as well as laying ground for Marvel's upcoming "Secret Invasion". The first story, takes place right after the Kree-Skrull war and its a solid, very solid start for the series, in it the Illuminati go to the Skrull planet after the war is over to deal with the remains of the Skrull empire. They're made prisioners in their escape and have to flee once again, this time pratically destroying their empire. The sequence is spectacular, not only due to the great writing by the Bendis - Reed team, but large part of this is due to Jimmy Cheung's spectacular pencils. This issue is from where Secret Invasion started building from, putting the first clue in the first character that was replaced by a Skrull. The second issue is about the Infinity Gauntlet and the Illuminati's quest to recover all the Infinity Gems. The writing is very solid and the idea stablished at the end, wont spoil it too much for you, is interessting, and I wonder if it will ever be picked up again, by Bendis or any other writer. Issue three is the weakest issue of the series, not to say that its bad tho, its just not up to the standards set by the rest of the collection. This issue is set in between Secret Wars I and II, and it talks about the origins of the Beyonder, I dont see any relevance in this issue, apart from retconing the origin of the Beyonder, but at the end, we find out that it may all have been a trick by him, so it feel somewhat pointless. It's not without its merits though, as the writing is still really good and the art is brilliant, its great to see Cheung drawing lots of marvel character, even if its only one panel or two. The fourth issue, was in my opinion the funnest issue of the lot, its not the best, but its extremely fun. The beggining with the Illuminati talking about women is great and I loved Namor's reply to Stark when the later reveals he hooked up with Madame Masque. The issue brings Marvel Boy (the one created by Grant Morrison) back into the fold, as he is supposed to play a role in Secret Invasion. The issue also highlights the different personalities of the Illuminati and its just plain fun, to see the different methods the Illuminati use to teach Marvel Boy the same lesson. The fifth issue is the best proof of leaving the best for last.This is set in the present day in the Marvel Universe (After World War Hulk, The Sub-Mariner, etc...). This issue reveals which of the Illuminati is a Skrull and I recommend that right after you read this issue, you re-read the opening instalment