Just picked this one up yesterday. Typically the Graphic Novels and Trade Paperbacks I look for are stories off of the radar of normal continuity*, and this one kinda falls into that category.
Without going into spoilers... This is not the glorious garbage that was the 80s Secret Wars. I love that story arc/mini-series, but let's be honest, the story sucked. It's great fun, but it's like eating a jar of marshmellow creme; Sure it's light and fluffy and sweet, but when you finish it you feel greasy and a little nauseous.
If you're unaccustomed to fiction that bounces between past and present, be aware that that device is here. The changes are easy to see, but it can be jarring if you're not ready for it.
All in all, not bad. Not great, mind you, but I'd give it a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. The artwork is not what I usually like, but I was more drawn into the story than the art. The story itself is much more gritty and down-to-earth than some of Marvel's publications. The writing is closer in feel to Ultimates than Avengers. People die, people that get hurt STAY hurt, and there are dire consequences to every choice.
And the best part is Nick Fury's files on the various Marvel universe characters. It actually made me like Nick Fury again in the 616 universe. If such a thing truly existed, there is no way on this earth I would want the heavy burden of leading an international watchdog organization. Heck, I wouldn't even want to be part of it in any way.
*If you wanna know the truth, I usually only get grabby over What if?... and Elseworlds books. They seem to explore more of the characters than the usual continuities. We all know the basic characters, but I like the deeper development allowed in books that are outside of the norm. I still need a copy of "In Darkest Knight".
