Just when all hope was last, Brian Michael Bendis proves he might have a shot at telling this Secret Invasion story without it being a giant, confusing pile of poo.

The last issue of “The New Avengers: Illuminati” was, like the rest of the mini-series, a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t sure how to react to the first of many, many, many Secret Invasion tie-in’s, but the results were actually pretty good. For the first time since Civil War, the Illuminati meet to discuss the discovery that Elektra, killed leading the Hand in Japan, was a Skrull, and the possibility other super-types are being impersonated as well, at which point the normally silent Black Bolt replies, “Actually, I have a better idea. I take the body. And your people die so that my people can live”, revealing himself to be a Skrull and leading all hell to break loose.

Now, before you cry “Foul”, take a closer look at what happened. None of Black Bolt’s reactions and actions have been nulled or reconned by the reveal. There’s in fact a very good reason why Black Bolt was replaced by the Skrull - he’s been overthrown and imprisoned by his brother Maximus in the Inhuman kingdom of Attilan - this development just hasn’t been covered anywhere else other than in the mini-series “Silent War”.

Its for this reason that I really hope New Avengers: Illuminati #5 is a dry run for what the rest of Secret Invasion looks like. Think about it - this actually forces you to read each book to figure out whose the real the article and whose just been sapped over the head in an alley way. Hopefully, this also stops us from getting eye-rolling “Aunt May’s been a Skrull since Day 1″ instances.

But Secret Invasion isn’t the only big Marvel cross-over in the works - there’s also the sequel series Annihilation: Conquest. The series finds the Phalanx now threatening the universe, and a multitude of space heroes - including a newly-returned Adam Warlock - standing in their way. Though the first issue does well tying together all its respective spin-off’s, it’s the solo series Nova I’m really liking. The latest issue has Richard Ryder facing the Phalanx infection both outside and inside of his own mind. This series - of a once-obscured New Warrior - is really shaping up to be an extremely versatile read.

Peter David is once again penning the Green Genes - She-Hulk that is. Now no longer a lawyer or an Avenger, Jennifer Walters finds herself as Stephanie Plum-esque bounty hunter instead. David is one of my favorite writers, and he works wonders on this first issue, but while the ending ensures I’ll pick up the next issue, it doesn’t particularly leave me wanting to re-read the current one, ending more with a “Wha-huh?” than a “Wow.”

And we’re on chapter two of Messiah Complex, as the X-Men continue the search for the first mutant child born since M-Day. The pace slows a bit following the breakneck action of the first page, though the action continues unabated. I really like that Jamie Madrox has been brought in to help out, but I’m really not going to see that played out until Messiah Complex chapter 3, also written by Peter David.

Chuck Dixon takes on his first new Bat-book in a while - Batman and the Outsiders - which releases it’s first issue this week. After trimming down the team again, it’ll be interesting to see how Dixon can pen a team book which features both Batman AND Catwoman.

Bill Willingham may be off of Shadowpact, but he’s just starting another interesting project for DC - Salvation’s Run. In what’s likely to be the worst idea anyone’s ever had in DC, someone gets the bright idea to ship off as many supervillains as possible to another planet - what could possibly go wrong?  The rogues fight for dominance, and I’m pretty sure we’ll see a renewed Society of Super-Villains before too long. The emphasis seems to be on the Flash rogues, including fan favorites like Weather Wizard, Heat Wave, Mirror Master and my personal favorite, Captain Cold.

That seems to be all for this week. Marvel’s new digital comic library is playing havoc with their website’s availability, but I’m sure there’s something very interesting going on with World War Hulk and . . . hello? Hello? Is anyone still listening?

If you liked that, try...

1. Comic Rundown: Not So Brand New
2. Comic Rundown: Captain Cold and Puppy Skrulls
3. Comic Rundown: Now with 100% more Skrulls
4. Comic Rundown: Green Mists, Green Lanterns and Green Skrulls
5. Comic Rundown: Space, Sorcery and Half-Skrulls

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