Writer Jim Shooter
Penciler Mike Zeck
Inker John Beatty
Letterer Joe Rosen
Colorist Christie Scheele
Cover Dated May 1984
See Nightcrawler’s feet on the cover, with that empty space? That is where Kitty was, until Shooter figured this would be a great place to end the Kitty and Colossus relationship – because of their age difference.
The heroes are teleported from Central Park to a space station. We see Lockheed floating between She-Hulk and Hawkeye. Poor little guy seems rounder than usual.
If you read Uncanny X-Men 180, you would see (or not see) that Lockheed was not with the X-Men as they entered the building that brought them here. They had just drop Kitty and Doug off at the airport as they were heading to the Massachusetts Academy. Xavier is also in a wheelchair, for some reason.
Reed explains the most obvious using the biggest words possible. Hulk agrees, he has Banner’s brain at this point. Iron Man is Rhody as Tony is off being drunk.
There is this awesome panel where Wasp wants to introduce everyone – which is super new reader friendly, if not awkward. She also goes on about how everyone should know the Avengers, as they are famous. Xavier introduces his X-Men, leaving out Lockheed, as Xavier is a jerk. Colossus, in his last decent act in this series, pipes up to introduce Lockheed. I wonder if there was ever a plan to get rid of Lockheed during this series?
The heroes are : Wasp, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Xavier, Storm, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus, Lockheed, Hulk, Spider-Man, Reed Richards, Thing and the Human Torch.
A second ship appears. This one has the villains. Doom has no time to be cute with introductions, he states who everyone is.
The villains are : Doctor Doom, Enchantress, Ultron, Absorbing Man, Wrecker, Thunderball, Piledriver, Bulldozer, Kang, Galactus, Lizard, Molecule Man and Doctor Octopus.
Back at the hero ship, Thing points out that Magneto is counted amongst them. Magneto defends himself, he is no murderer, he only defends his race against humans.
Everyone looks outside and sees a galaxy get destroyed. Then they see that a new planet is formed from various other planets. They all know that there is an even greater force than Galactus.
Ultron freaks the heck out and attacks his fellow villains. Doom convinces Molecule Man to throw Ultron at Galactus. Galactus lifts Ultron to his eye level and depowers / drains all of Ultron’s energy.
We hear the Beyonder’s voice setting up the plot. The two sides shall fight, the winner gains their hearts desires.
Galactus isn’t afraid and leaves the ship to attack the source of the voice. Doom tags along. They get to the crack of the universe and are swatted away. Now everyone knows who is streets ahead.
The two ships land on Battleworld. Magneto still has to defend himself to Wasp and the heroes. Cyclops stands up for his fellow mutant. Hawkeye grabs him by the shirt. Wolverine states that Cyclops is a jerk but he is their jerk. Cyclops says he can defend himself.
So interesting how this is Marvel’s first big event so this is the first time many of these characters are going to spend an extended amount of time together. Also, how separate the X-Men are from the other heroes.
Magneto is tired of all this and attacks. I like how he claims only Thor may be s equal. I don’t care for how Hulk explains how Magneto is able to fly away using magnetic fields. Let’s not be overly explanatory.
Xavier states they need a leader, and turns to Reed. Reed is worried about his pregnant wife, who is due any day now. Reed turns to Hulk, Human Torch states that he has a hard time not thinking of him as a mindless monster. Wasp, states she is the leader of the Avengers but looks to Captain America to be the leader during this adventure.
Cap isn’t sure, Xavier states he can read people’s hearts and they will all follow him. Wolverine states that Cap is only a man, who would follow him. Thor, God of Thunder, states he will – shutting Wolverine’s dumb face right up.
I do love how Secret Wars is where Captain America becomes the beloved tactician of the Marvel Universe. Also, Doctor Doom becomes the premier villain of the Marvel Universe. Both were respected in their own titles, but it is this series that cements their standings to the rest of the characters and the readers.
Galactus is still knocked out, but Doom stands and walks away, he must have that power. He gets to the villain base, they all want him to lead. Of course they do, but he has no time for that and attacks them. So much infighting!
I don’t remember Kang being in this at all. As Doom leaves, Kang blasts him from the sky. He lands near Cap. Cap offers him a hand up. Doom needs no help to get back on his feet. He then attacks the heroes. Before they can come up with a plan, Wolverine turns around to see all the other villains have arrived.
That’s how the issue ends. Starts a little rough and Lockheed is not seen again this issue since he was introduced but he shows up next issue before not being seen again until the final part, he is at least referenced in issue 11. Kitty is referenced in issues 4 and 5, for the record.
