Secret Invasion: War of Kings #1
Secret Invasion continues from New Avengers #47, War of Kings continues from Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #8…
Now
The Skrulls attempted to invade the Earth and failed.[1] The surviving Skrull warships, led by Commander H’Jke Jeeku are now fleeing across the universe to regroup and plan their next move. As they make their way to the outer dust clouds of the Arkano Nebula — where scanners should not be able to find them — he doesn’t think about their recent losses. He is more focused on being prepared for any counter attacks that may come to finish what is left of the Skrulls armada under his command.
Ignoring his own wounds, he orders a situation report. He is informed that something is heading their way, but it is traveling faster than any ship. The idea that it is a pursuit ship from Earth is dismissed. Tactical believes that it is merely an imaging artifact created by the dust cloud. H’Jke Jeeku decides not to take any chances and orders to turn to face whatever is coming in firing formation. As the object is within range, the Commander gives the order to fire. But they don’t get a the chance as a powerful sonic wave eradicates the entire fleet. Dying, Jeeku wonders where this noise is coming from?
Earlier
In the Blue Area on Earth’s moon there stands Attilan, the city of the Inhumans. There, Crystal — one of the Inhuman royal family — looks up as Moon rises in the air and she thinks how her people once lived on Earth before they were forced into self-exile on the moon.[2] After they were created by the Kree, the Inhumans have always lived in secret to avoid the fear and persecution of the human race.[3] She wonders why they have done so when they have as much a claim to the Earth as anyone else who lives there. Now, their race had been interfered with by another alien race, the Skrulls, long time enemies of the Kree.[4]
Her thoughts are interrupted when she hears the slam of a door. Leaving her quarters to see what is going on, she sees her family members — Medusa, Gorgon, Karnak, Triton, and Maximus — following their cousin and king, Black Bolt. When she asks what is happening, Medusa explains that Black Bolt has made a decision regarding the Skrulls, but hasn’t told them what his plan is. As they follow their king, Maximus reminds Crystal how a Skrull infiltrator had replaced their king and wonders how long the real Black Bolt was their prisoner and how much torture he suffered at their hands.[5]
They soon arrive at the Chamber of Devices, a storehouse of powerful Inhuman weapons that were locked up so they could never be used. This deeply concerns the rest of the royal family who fear what Black Bolt’s plans are after years of isolation. Still, their king gives no indication of what his plans are, and Medusa assures the rest that her husband will reveal all when the time comes. Black Bolt eventually stops at a massive weapon. Maximus is surprised that his brother is considering this device because the technology previously scared the king. When he realizes that his brother intends to use it, Maximus wonders what it was the Skrulls did to him to make him want to do this.
Soon preparations are made and the entire Inhuman city of Attilan is converted into a massive space ship that can transport their entire race across the stars. As they head into deep space, Crystal confides in Lockjaw, the Inhuman’s loyal dog. The two of them had spent the most time among humanity and Crystal has always wished that her people would integrate with the humans on Earth. However, after their war with the humans and the Skrull invasion, they are now striking out with a closed fist instead of extending a hand in peace.[6] This is as Maximus is fitting an Echopacitor to Black Bolt’s head. With this device, they can channel the power of the king’s highly destructive voice to power their ship, generating the power needed to pursue the fleeing Skrull armada across the galaxy.
Now
The object that the Skrulls had been tracking is, of course, the Inhuman city of Attilan. Crystal then watches in horror as Black Bolt uses the Echopacitor as a weapon to wipe out the Skrull fleet in a matter of moments. She wonders how she will explain this to the children — her daughter Luna, and her nephew Ahura — when all is said and done. With the remaining Skrull ships fleeing, Medusa ignores Crystal’s quiet protest to leave them alone and orders them followed. This takes them into Shi’ar territory where they are engaged by Shi’ar warships. When they demand the Inhumans stand down, Black Bolt responds with another scream that eradicates everything in their path.
Two hours later, Crystal has private council with her sister to try and talk sense into her. She believes that they have taken things too far. However, Medusa disagrees and that it is finally time for the enemies of the Inhumans to face a reckoning. In fact, they are heading to the Kree galaxy right now to do just that.
By this time, Ronan the Accuser has received a report about the Inhumans on the Kree throneworld of Hala. Ronan is not surprised by this because he knows a weapon always comes back to damn its creators. He orders the Great Shield be raised to protect Hala because they are still recovering after their recent Phalanx infestation.[7] He also asks that word be sent to Blastaar to remind him of the mutual defense pact he agreed to as well.[8]
Back aboard the Inhuman city-ship, Karnak has been tasked with finding weaknesses in the Kree planetary shield. He determines that it is vulnerable to their teleport cadre. By this time, Crystal has warmed up to the idea of attacking the Kree, as it affords her the opportunity to kill Ronan the Accuser so that she won’t have to marry him.[9]
50 hours later, the Inhumans make their first strike: Teams wearing sonic armor are teleported to various Kree space stations where they blow up the shield generators, leaving Hala open for attack. That’s when the Inhuman city-ship unleashes the full power of its echo cannons, wiping out all Kree warships in its path. The Inhumans then teleport into the crown city where they fight their way into the palace and subdue Ronan. He tells in Inhumans to end his life if that is what they have come to do. However, Medusa — speaking for Black Bolt — says that they sought a union with the Kree and they’ll have it. Ronan is agreeable to this as he never wanted to rule over his people and at Medusa’s command, he bows to Black Bolt and calls him lord.
Meanwhile, on the Shi’ar home world of Chandilar, Emperor Vulcan wins another gladiatorial battle, and is cheered by his people. However, as much as he enjoys the adulation, it rings hollow these days as he has been idle too long. That’s when Vulcan’s assistant Ka’Ardum informs him of the three warbirds that were annihilated by the Inhumans, as well as how they wiped out the last of the Skrull armada.[10] Vulcan is very glad to hear this had happened as it gives him an invitation to war…
… Secret Invasion continues in Secret Invasion Aftermath: Beta Ray Bill #1, and War of Kings continues in X-Men: Kingbreaker #2.
Recurring Characters
Inhumans (Black Bolt, Medusa, Crystal, Gorgon, Karnak, Maximus, Triton, Luna, Ahura, Lockjaw), Skrulls, Shi’ar (Vulcan, Ka'ardum), Kree (Ronan the Accuser),
Continuity Notes
This story follows the events of Secret Invasion #1-8.
The Inhumans lived on Earth for thousands of years and have twice been relocated to the moon. The first time was from Fantastic Four #240-Fantastic Four: Atlantis Rising #1. They had returned to the Moon a second time in Fantastic Four (vol. 3) #54.
The Kree created the Inhumans to be used as weapons as their race had reached an evolutionary dead end. See Thor #146-148.
The Inhumans fought off the Skrull invaders in Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1-3. The Kree and the Skrulls have been mortal enemies for centuries, as told in Avengers #133-134.
As revealed in New Avengers: Illuminati (vol. 2) #5, Black Bolt was replaced with a Skrull. Secret Invasion: Inhumans #3 revealed that he was replaced just prior to the events of Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #105.
Crystal speaks of her time with the humans and the recent conflicts the Inhumans have been involved in:
Crystal mentions that she was once part of the Fantastic Four. Following the birth of Franklin Richards in Fantastic Four Annual #6, Crystal joined the team in Fantastic Four #81 as Sue Richards recovered from her pregnancy. She was forced to leave the team when Earth’s pollution forced her to return to Attilan in Fantastic Four #105.
Crystal later had a shorter stint on the FF when Reed and Sue went on a sabbatical to work on raising their family from Fantastic Four #305 to Fantastic Four Annual #21.
She also mentions being a member of the Avengers, she had joined that team from Avengers #344 until Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1.
She also mentions the recent war between the Inhumans and humanity. This came about when Quicksilver stole some Terrigen Crystals to try and restore the lost powers of mutants post M-Day in Son of M #1-6. The crystals ended up getting taken by the US government, leading to a conflict with the Inhumans in Silent War #1-6.
The Phalanx is a techno-organic species that tried to assimilate all organic life into its collective. See Annihilation: Conquest #1-6.
Blastaar took over the Negative Zone and entered into this alliance after he assisted the empires of the positive matter universe in stopping Annihilus and his Annihilation Wave, as seen in Annihilation #1-6.
During the Skrull invasion, Medusa sought an alliance with the Kree. Ronan would only agree to such an alliance if he were allowed to marry Crystal. See Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1-3, again.
Ka’Ardum states that the Inhumans wiped out the last remnants of the Skrulls. However, this isn’t the case. There are still Skrulls scattered about and they will begin rebuilding their empire in Annihilators #4. I think it is safe to assume the Ka’Ardum was referring to the remnants of the Skrull invasion of Earth rather than the race as a whole.
Secret Invasion Reading Order
Prelude:
New Avengers #31, Mighty Avengers #7, New Avengers #34, New Avengers: Illuminati (vol. 2) #5, Secret Invasion: Prologue #1
The Invasion
Secret Invasion #1, Mighty Avengers #12, New Avengers #40, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #1, Secret Invasion #2, Mighty Avengers #13, Captain Britain and MI13 #1, Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1, Mighty Avengers #14, Incredible Hercules #117, New Avengers #41, Secret Invasion #3, Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? #1, Captain Britain and MI13 #2, Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #2, Incredible Hercules #118, Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers #1, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #2, Avengers: The Initiative #14, Mighty Avengers #15, Ms. Marvel (vol. 2) #28, New Avengers #42, Secret Invasion: Front Line #1, Secret Invasion #4, Mighty Avengers #16, X-Factor (vol. 3) #33, Incredible Hercules #119, New Warriors (vol. 4) #14, Avengers: The Initiative #15, She-Hulk (vol. 2) #31, New Avengers #43, Thunderbolts #122, Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #3, Ms. Marvel (vol. 2) #29, Black Panther (vol. 4) #39, Secret Invasion: Front Line #2, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #3, Secret Invasion: X-Men #1, Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1, Secret Invasion: Thor #1, Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers #2, Captain Britain and MI13 #3, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #4
Fighting Back
Secret Invasion #5, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #4, X-Factor (vol. 3) #34, Incredible Hercules #120, Secret Invasion: Amazing Spider-Man #1, New Warriors (vol. 4) #15, Nova (vol. 4) #16, Avengers: The Initiative #16, Mighty Avengers #17, She-Hulk (vol. 2) #32, Black Panther (vol. 4) #40, New Avengers #44, Thunderbolts #123, Secret Invasion: Front Line #3, Deadpool (vol. 4) #1, Secret Invasion: X-Men #2, Secret Invasion: Inhumans #2, Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers #3, Secret Invasion #6, Ms. Marvel (vol. 2) #30, Secret Invasion: Thor #2, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #5, Mighty Avengers #18, War Machine: Weapon of SHIELD #33, Deadpool (vol. 4) #2, Secret Invasion: Amazing Spider-Man #2, Nova (vol. 4) #17, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #5, Avengers: The Initiative #17, She-Hulk (vol. 2) #33, Black Panther (vol. 4) #41, New Avengers #45, Thunderbolts #124, Deadpool (vol. 4) #3, Secret Invasion: Inhumans #3, Secret Invasion: Front Line #4, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #6, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #6, Mighty Avengers #19, War Machine: Weapon of SHIELD #34, Secret Invasion: Amazing Spider-Man #3, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #7
The Final Battle
Secret Invasion #7, New Avengers #46, Thunderbolts #125, Secret Invasion: X-Men #3, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #6, Nova (vol. 4) #18, Avengers: The Initiative #18, Punisher: War Journal (vol. 2) #25, War Machine: Weapon of SHIELD #35, Secret Invasion: X-Men #4, Secret Invasion: Thor #3, Secret Invasion: Inhumans #3, Secret Invasion: Front Line #5, Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #8, Secret Invasion #8
Epilogue
New Avengers #47, Secret Invasion: War of Kings #1, Secret Invasion: Requiem #1, Secret Invasion Aftermath: Beta Ray Bill #1, Secret Invasion: Dark Reign #1, Avengers: The Initiative #19
War of Kings Reading Order
Chapter 1: X-Men: Kingbreaker #1, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #8, Secret Invasion: War of Kings #1, X-Men: Kingbreaker #2, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #9, War of Kings: Darkhawk #1, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #10, X-Men: Kingbreaker #3, War of Kings #1
Chapter 2: Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #11, War of Kings: Darkhawk #2, X-Men: Kingbreaker #4, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #12, Nova (vol. 4) #23, War of Kings #2
Chapter 3: War of Kings: Ascension #1, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #13, Nova (2007) #24, War of Kings #3
Chapter 4: War of Kings: Ascension #2, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #14, Nova (2007) #25, War of Kings #4
Chapter 5: War of Kings: Savage World of Sakaar #1, War of Kings: Ascension #3, Nova (vol. 4) #26, Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #15, War of Kings #5
Chapter 6: War of Kings: Warriors #1, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #16, Nova (vol. 4) #27, War of Kings: Ascension #4, War of Kings #6, Wars of Kings: Warriors #2, Nova (vol. 4) #28, War of Kings: Who Will Rule? #1