Secret Invasion: Front Line #2

Nov 9

Nov 9 Secret Invasion: Front Line #2

Run. As Fast As You Can.

Secret Invasion continues from Black Panther (vol. 4) #39…

A half hour ago, New York City was invaded by the Skrulls.[1] At the Empire State University Hospital, Ben Urich was in the middle of reporting on an uptick of gang related ER visits when the invaders attacked. Now he watches and helps Doctor Molly Young and her staff with the wounded that have sought shelter there. What he didn’t know is that one of the patients is actually a Skrull in disguise.

When he has a moment alone, Ben tries to call his wife, Doris, on his cell phone to make sure she is ok.[2] Unfortunately, cell service is down. When he tries a nearby payphone he discovers that the landlines are also out of commission. That’s when Doctor Young checks on him and the two admit that they have never been in a situation quite like this before and agree that once this is all over they’ll go out for drinks.

That’s when the Skrull hiding in their midst reverts back to their true form. Claiming that “He loves them all” he unleashes a powerful energy blast that rocks the entire emergency room, shattering the windows. As Urich pulls himself out of the rubble, he is devastated to discover that Molly was killed when part of the ceiling collapsed on her. Urich then watches as the Skrull crushes a man under his foot. This horrific sight causes Ben to flee the immediate area where he vomits in a trashcan.

Elsewhere, it was a routine day for beat cop, Bill Dawson. After their morning brief, he went out to his usual patrol in midtown Manhattan.[3] He was just outside of Avengers Tower when the invasion hit and found himself face-to-face with a Super Skrull with the powers of the Nova Corps. Seeing a woman in a car in the line of far, Dawson rushes to her aid while also calling for back-up. Unfortunately, the police band is down and as Dawson raises his gun to fire, the Skrull shoots an energy beam, hitting his knee and lighting his pants on fire. The Skrull then flies off. The woman in the car, Lisa Carter, helps beat out the flames with some dry cleaning and helps him get to cover. As they try to figure out heir next moves, Bill hears people banging on the energency shutters inside Avengers Tower pleading to be let out.

Indeed, people are trapped inside as the home of the Avengers went into a security lockdown. They have been unable to deactivate the security system due to an alien virus that has compromised the entire building.[4] As Vincent Crane comforts his daughter, Melanie, they figure that the computer problems must have something to do with the alien invaders outside. One of Vincent’s colleagues complains that they should have never rented office space from Stark, and Vince tells him that now isn’t the time. He then finds the emergency kit in the secretary’s desk drawer. Unfortunately, the batters in the flashlight provided are dead. That’s when Melanie suggests that they use their cell phones to light the way.

Back outside, cab river Jonathan Bryant is trying to get away from the armies of Super Skrulls that have flooded the streets. When one of the aliens grabs his taxi, Bryant runs for his life as the invader throws the vehicle at him. Luckily, he is saved by the timely arrival of the Young Avengers — Patriot (Eli Bradley), Hulkling (Teddy Altman), Wiccan (Billy Kaplan), Hawkeye (Kate Bishop), and the Vision (Jonas) — who then start fighting the Skrulls.[5]

Not far away, Bill and Lisa watch as a city bus driver abandons his vehicle, leaving the passengers inside stranded. Dawson decides to take command of the situation and tells people to remain calm. That’s when the bus is attacked by Skrulls, who terrorize the trapped passengers by showing them that they have killed the bus driver who abandoned them a few moments ago.

Back inside Avengers Tower, the people trapped there are slowly making their way down the emergency stairs. On the 36th floor, they hear someone crying for help, claiming that everyone on their floor is dead. Vincent orders everyone to stay back while he checks things out. He returns a moment later and tells Melanie and the others that whoever it was that called out was nowhere to be found. As they make their way past the 34th floor, Vincent tells everyone not to look onto that floor. That’s because he doesn’t want them to see the people who were slaughtered inside one of the offices. Little do they know that the person who cried out was actually the Skrull responsible for all the deaths. Hearing Vincent and his people walking past, the Skrull smiles and licks his bloody lips.

… Secret Invasion continues in Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #3.

Recurring Characters

Ben Urich, Molly Young, Jonathan Bryant, Vincent Crane, Melanie Crane, Bill Dawson, Lisa Carter, Chris Colin, Skrulls, Young Avengers (Patriot, Hulking Wiccan, Hawkeye, Vision)

Continuity Notes

The main story of the Skrull invasion is told in Secret Invasion #1-8.
Ben will not learn the fate of his wife until Secret Invasion: Front Line #5.
Bill Dawson’s commanding officer briefs his officers on the growing influence of the Hood’s criminal gang. The Hood (aka Parker Robbins) had just recently formed an all-supervillain criminal empire in New Avengers #35. Her also mentions the Rolling Sevens. We’ll be properly introduced to this gang next issue.
This computer virus was unleashed to disrupt all Starktech in the world, as seen in Secret Invasion #1.
For more on the Young Avengers rescue efforts see Secret Invasion #4-5, Secret Invasion: Runways/Young Avengers #1-3, and Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #3-4.

Topical References

Ben Urich and others in this story are depicted using “flip” style phones that were popular when this comic was published in 2008. These types of models have since fallen out of common use thanks to the invention of the smart phone. Its depiction here should be considered topical. Later, Melanie suggests they use their cellphone screens as make-shift flashlights. Back then, it was uncommon for cell phones to have a built in flashlight function. The vast majority of them do now, so the method in which they use their cell phones to illuminate their way should also be considered topical.
Lisa Carter is depicted driving a vintage VW Beetle that were released between 1938 through 2003. While it was possible for one of these cars to still be on the road in 2008 when this comic was first published, the design has since been retired and less and less are on the road as a result. As such, its depiction her should be considered topical.
When assessing Bill’s burns, Lisa says she can’t tell if they are 3rd degree burns or not, stating that she never paid much attention watching House. House was a medical drama that ran from 2004 and 2012. It starred Hugh Laurie as the titular Dr. Gregory House, a cantankerous medical professional who guided diagnosticians. This should be considered a topical reference as you could replace the reference with a more contemporary medica drama.
Some of the computers in this story are depicted as having CRT style monitors. This should be considered topical as this is now an obsolete technology.