HICKMAN'S 'SECRET WARS' BUILD-UP (aka MARVEL'S 'CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS')

I just finished binge reading Hickman's NEW AVENGERS and AVENGERS, and am now caught up with the current issues - Holy shit! 

"Epic" falls short of this insane story Hickman is telling. The current, intertwined story between titles is the road leading straight into the upcoming 'SECRET WARS III' and increasingly intensifies with each issue. Having previously read Hickman's awesome FANTASTIC FOUR/FF run (one of the top 3 FF runs, IMO), I can say he has been building this road to 'Secret Wars III' since 2009. 

Before reading Hickman's Avengers books, I had no interest in the upcoming "reboot" that is 'Secret Wars III', but am now somewhat excited for where he is going to take us, despite my reservations and concerns (fears) of how the New Marvel Universe is going to look (see below). But at least it feels like a well thought out plan, years in the making (opposed to  DC's NEW 52 which felt like it was planned overnight on a drunken dare). 

Even if you're not interested in the 'Secret Wars III' story and event, I highly recommend Hickman's NEW AVENGERS (his Avengers is ok, but not as solid, IMO). Check out NEW AVENGERS #1-7 for starters.

Here's a reading guide if you're interested in reading a great, epic story (but DO NOT want to read EVERYTHING):

NEW AVENGERS #1-7

NEW AVENGERS #8-12 ("Infinity" crossover)

NEW AVENGERS # 13-23

NEW AVENGERS #24

AVENGERS #24

AVENGERS #28-34 ("Original Sin")

Intertwined:

     * AVENGERS # 35-42+ ("Time Runs Out")

     * NEW AVENGERS #24-32+ ("Time Runs Out")

SECRET WARS III mini-series (May 2015)


**I posted in the comments section a much longer list for those who want to read a larger, more epic story. I recommend!!!

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Re:SECRET WARS III:

So it seems that Marvel is going to merge the Regular Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe. This worries me because with the exception of a few, I find the Ultimate Universe greatly less desirable than the Regular MU. I fear classic, great MU characters will be replaced with their Ultimate counterparts. Will the Fantastic Four become teenagers? Will Steve Rogers become a douche? I'm 99.9% sure Nick Fury will be replaced with the Sam Jackson version of the Ultimate Universe (which I'm personally not a fan of).

The only two Ultimate Universe characters I feel are worthy of survivimg the end of their universe are MILES MORALES (Ultimate Spider-Man II) and JESSICA DREW (Ultimate Spider-Clone). And those could just as easily entered into the regulate MU via the recent "SPIDER-VERSE" story.

And with NICK FURY - Why replace a beloved character who has been kicking ass since WWII? I get they want to align with the movies.... However, I feel there is no need to ditch the classic Nick Fury. Marvel recently introduced NICK FURY JR, son of the original Nick Fury who is Half-African American Half-Caucasian, has an eye patch just like dad, and um works for S.H.I.E.L.D. (basically he looks like a muscular Sam Jackson). Yes, it's a bit silly, but so are a lot of things in comics.

My point is, Nick Fury Jr ALREADY EXISTS in the Regular Marvel Universe. So make him the new head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and all is right with the movie alignment. Hell, they could even make it so in the movies, Sam Jackson's father is Nick Fury, Sr who fought in WWII through the Cold War.

Boom, solid alignment without wiping an established character out of existence. 

Then knock it out of the park by casting KURT RUSSELL as NICK FURY SR, who's Director of S.H.I.E.LD. during the Cold War. Flashbacks and solo movie(s)!

I see no need to merge the Ultimate Universe with the Marvel Universe. 

Now, these are merely MY thoughts & opinions. I know others feel differently.