Annihilation: Conquest Prologue
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artist: Mike Perkins
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Marvel’s initial Annihilation series and lead-in mini-series made for an exceptional action romp and turned out to be a sleeper hit for Marvel despite a notable lack of marketing. This time around Marvel’s marketing team seems to be on the ball, but the big question is, are the comics still good? If the prologue one-shot is any indicator, Annihilation: Conquest should end up being just as good as the original. The prologue issue achieves both an introduction to the conflict and introductions to the major players. It does so with both depth and excitement.
With a book as action packed as this prologue issue, it would be easy to assume that characterization would get the short end of the stick to allow for all the action, but that isn’t the case here. Peter Quill (Starlord) and Phyla Vell actually get some very impressive characterization. These two secondary (arguably tertiary) cosmic players have believable, relatable personalities after just a handful of panels. Abnett and Lanning make a great team, and it absolutely shows in some of the nuances of dialogue. Quill’s cocky demeanor endears him to the reader rather than alienating, which is an impressive balancing act that many writers would fall short of. Phyla Vell’s lack of confidence in her ability to carry on the mantle of Quasar makes her human. Not to mention, she’s one of very few female superheroes that avoids the sex kitten stereotype and avoids the femme fatale stereotype. In fact, despite being both female and in a same sex relationship, neither her gender nor her sexual preference is her defining characteristic; her willingness to be heroic is what defines her. The major players are fleshed out very thoroughly but not in a way that is overwhelming; a new reader could very easily pick up the issue without feeling lost.
The conflict is set up exceptionally through an unexpected crisis that builds in both pitch and curiosity as the issue progresses, leading to the last page where the presentation of the threat reaches a crescendo. Mike Perkins on art does a lot to contribute to the building excitement by cranking out some of the best looking and epic scale battle sequences I’ve seen in some time. His presentation of the book’s two main settings is impressive as well. He gives the Kree homeworld a very clean, futuristic city-planet look, similar to the look Coruscant is given in the recent Star Wars prequels and comics. The look he gives to the backwater planet that currently houses Quasar and Moondragon feels almost like something out of a Conan story. It’s beautifully ugly and barbaric.
One of the things that makes Annihilation, as a brand, and this prologue issue work so well is that it’s not afraid to be an epic scale space opera. The title is unabashedly science fiction, and it’s damn good science fiction. Marvel’s cosmic scene is one the richest corners of the Marvel universe, and I’m honestly surprised it took as long as it did for somebody to exploit that richness to its full extent as Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest have done. It’s a nearly limitless canvas for action, adventure, romance, intrigue, or just about anything else.
In short, the Annihilation: Conquest Prologue expertly lays the groundwork for what promises to be another incredible ride full of larger than life heroes, heinous villains, and big-ass explosions. If you enjoyed the first installment of Annihilation, have any fondness for the Marvel cosmic scene, or just enjoy well-done, action-oriented comics, you should be reading Annihilation: Conquest.
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Thanks for the great early review (or did I miss it last week?!?). I am so looking forward to this series. It is nice to see a new cast of what were minor supporting characters in the last series make the front page as leads. Keeps it fresh while providing nice continuity. It would be fun if they had annual space-faring arc since, outside of Nova, it would be hard to see any of these characters getting their own books for much more than a mini. Anything to get away from the 616 continuity as much as possible until Hulk pummels it back into shape. Any sign of the Shi’ar, since they were essentially out of the picture in the last series? Or the Star Jammers? Having been raised on the old Claremont/Cockrum/Byrne era of X-Men, I really enjoyed their space-based comics. Just curious of the focus in this issue. What are some of the other untapped MU space races/characters that haven’t been tapped, yet?
18 Jun 2007 at 7:25 am
QuoteNo Shi’ar or Starjammers yet, but the universe is a big place.
Well a few Space Knights make an appearance, and I expect to see a few more appearances from other space-based races before the series wraps.
18 Jun 2007 at 3:33 pm
QuoteUh…check that two-page spread above…there’s a Shi’ar in the first panel, standing in the background.
MH
18 Jun 2007 at 9:46 pm
QuoteThe first Annihilation series really did seem to come out of nowhere. Its intense level of non-stop action mixed with a high-caliber, cosmic level story was a complete and whole-heartedly welcome surprise and was probably one of the best reads of late.
So, needless to say, the bar had been raised for this sequel. Could it dare reach them? After sneaking a quick and thoroughly enjoyable read of the same advanced copy that D3 has, I will completely agree with every statement that has been said above…Especially about the gorgeous Mike Perkins artwork. Man, can that guy draw like there was no tomorrow and I’m glad to see him get a higher profile book, ’cause he deserves it.
Annihilation: Conquest Prologue not only meets the hefty expectations that I myself had for this opening salvo, it ANNIHILATES them!
19 Jun 2007 at 12:21 am
QuoteYou’re right, I didn’t see that at first. I just kinda assumed the question was asking if the Shi’ar as a race or empire had gotten involved in the war, but if it was merely asking if there are any Shi’ar in the book at all, then the answer is obviously yes. I’m pretty sure that’s the only Shi’ar in the book though, and he doesn’t even have a speaking part.
19 Jun 2007 at 8:52 am
QuoteYeah, that’s just a Shi’ar hobo. He doesn’t count.
19 Jun 2007 at 9:05 am
QuoteD3 is correct about my question, though. I was wondering more about the big picture involvement of the Shi’ar. What about the Breakworld of Astonishing X-Men? Is the Breakworld a part of previous continuity or is that a Whedon creation?
20 Jun 2007 at 7:07 am
QuoteDandy last page reveal, that.
Breakworld is a part of previous continuity in that that’s as far as Whedon can think in regards to creating something new for a property he owes his entire career to.
My meaning is, it’s an original creation, but Whedon’s story is anything but.
20 Jun 2007 at 5:54 pm
QuoteNo kidding. That’s a blast from the past.
20 Jun 2007 at 8:24 pm
QuoteYeah, I sat there for a moment after reading the issue, just sort of looking quizically at that final page reveal. Then my mind kicked back on and I was like…
Holy shit, I remember this! This is cool!
And in all honesty, it’s been awhile since I’ve gotten that sort of instant feeling of excitement from a comic book.
20 Jun 2007 at 9:02 pm
QuoteYeah, I remember… those villains’ storyline to be pretty hideous (as with all Harras/Lobdell productions, not a bad idea, horrible execution) but they’re perfect for a storyline like this.
20 Jun 2007 at 9:21 pm
QuoteI like using those villains, too. Morrisonian in a way, bringing back villains no one really cares about or even remembers anymore and using them to full effect.
A great opener, overall. A bit of retreading of the original Annihilation (sudden appearance of hive-type invaders, everyone gets caught with their pants down, unsure hero with newfound power-boost gets thrust into the pivotal role), but with enough wrinkles to make it interesting. Hopefully we’ll see some of Ravenous’s crew or even Lil’ Annihilus–something to link Annihilation and Conquest together as part of a larger cosmic storyline and not just as two isolated cosmic events with some of the same people in it.
I do wonder how this will hold together, though, given a dramatically more C-list cast than the original. Yes, Annihilation had a great story, but it also had classic cosmies like Galactus, the Heralds, Thanos, Drax, Wendell-Quasar, Mistress Death, Annihilus, and the Supreme Intelligence, all under the A-list headlining Surfer, Super-Skrull, Ronan, and Nova. Conquest is decidedly less stellar with Phylla-Quasar, Nova, Star-Lord, and newbie Wraith topping a cast of not-yet-ready-for-prime-timers like Rocket Raccoon, Captain Universe, and the “what, really?” Big Bads. Conquest won’t have the familiarity Annihilation had, so they gotta be careful not to fall into obscure-trivia mode and alienate the non-OHOTMU readership.
They’re behind the 8-ball already as it is; I doubt sales will be as strong as Annihilation, since Annihilation’s print-run was so small that there wasn’t an abundance of back issues for word-of-mouthed late-comers to pick up and Marvel didn’t do itself any favors by going HC rather than TP for the collections. I’m afraid this will be seen as a series only for the people who read Annihilation, and even then only for the people who are interested enough to read its continuation. A shame, because like its predecessor, Conquest doesn’t seem to be as niche an event as one would think (as opposed to whatever DC thinks its doing right now).
Then again, we haven’t seen Kang for a while. If Annihilation=Annihilus, then Conquest=…unless there’s some cosmic Conquistador hombre with a funky moustache and a Rapier of Conquista-death (the Stranger?) that Wraith has to duel, Leone-esque, for the fate of the Universe! Either one of those would totally ruul.
22 Jun 2007 at 3:09 am
QuoteOh geez. I wish you hadn’t said that! You’ve got me hyped up for something that might not happen!
But seriously, that would be truly awesome. There does seem to be a hint that there’s still something else behind these already-surprising-villains, whatever it is I hope it’ll knock my socks off even more than that last page did.
Though alas, I recall that Kang showed up in Young Avengers. Which, personally, I felt was a somewhat below-average use of him, even though I liked the book itself. Ah well, the cool thing with Kang is that he’s already proven capable of having different versions of himself appear at once, so…
23 Jun 2007 at 2:56 am
QuoteI think they’re reserving Kang for the point where Bendis finally alienates Avengers fans completely, which provide an easy fix. Of course, that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. So… there?
28 Jun 2007 at 12:56 pm
Quoteha! DAN you may be right but I thought that would be Sentry
29 Jun 2007 at 3:51 pm
Quote