General Information
Title: Avengers, Vol. 1 #93-97
Author: Roy Thomas
Illustrator(s): Neal Adams and John Buscema (pencils) and Tom Palmer (inks)
Original Publication Date: Cover dated November 1971 - March 1972
Cover Price: 20 to 25 cents an issue. Those were the days...
Detailed coverage of all applicable issues of all Secret Invasion related titles can be found at this address. I've also started adding my own theories, and will soon start adding characters significant to the plot. This story establishes the fate of the four Skrulls we met back in that FF issue, and adds another incident to the list of reasons the Skrulls hate us. It's also directly referenced in the memories of a Captain Marvel in issue 3 of his newest series.
Premise
The Kree and Skrull have been at war for centuries, and Earth is (literally) caught in the middle. As Earth would be the best staging area for one race to use to attack another, both races have decided that Earth must either be conquered or annihilated.
High Point
Correcting the continuity gaffe from "Fantastic Four #2."
Low Point
Man, was that ever a cheesy "out." It feels like they're trying to justify the existence of Rick Jones.
The Scores
This was original in it's day. A five issue saga was unheard of, and the heroes were most definitely outgunned. I give it 5 out of 6.
The artwork was very strong, as was typical of Neal Adams with a good inker. The action and events were always clear, and often compelling. I give it 6 out of 6.
The story was well told for the first four issues. The fifth felt very deus ex machina, though. I give it 4 out of 6.
The characterization is there for the Avengers and for Mar-Vell. Some of the aliens were pretty one dimensional, though. I give it 4 out of 6.
The emotional response gets off to a great start before collapsing under the corny solution. I give it 4 out of 6.
The flow is always there. Neal Adams knew how to tell a story visually at this point. (He learned a lot from his time on the X-Men before this.) I give it 6 out of 6.
Overall, this is classic Silver Age at its best. I give it 4 out of 6.
In total, Avengers Vol. 1 #93-37, forming the original Kree-Skrull war, receive 33 out of 42.
