The mega-event that is Secret Invasion is upon us and things are definitely Skrully in the Marvel U.

With Secret Invasion #1 already lining the shelves, it’s time for the story to start spreading to some of the more prominent titles, as promised by the architect of this story, Brian Michael Bendis, to give us some back story on this invasion. To this end, let’s take you through The Mighty Avengers #12, where we find out where our lovable, MIA super-spy, Nick Fury fits into all this.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

The opening pages of Mighty Avengers #12 takes place at the conclusion of the 2004/2005 mini series, Secret War, which is where we last saw the real Nick Fury. Knowing he would be unable to dodge the politics behind the events in Secret War (See Crave’s Secret Invasion Spotlight: Secret War for full details), and unwilling to take a fall for what he considered a necessary action, Fury goes underground and into hiding. We catch up with him one month later shacking up with fellow SHIELD agent Countess Valentina Allegra Defontaine down in Mexico. After a night of merry play, the Countess leaves to go get some breakfast and Fury, being the paranoid super-spy that he is, immediately goes “Predator cloak” and follows her. His suspicion pays off big time as he overhears the Countess conspiring with another man to trick Fury into giving up his SHIELD pass codes. Beating her back to the hotel room, Fury is waiting with gun in hand as she walks into the room. Some light conversation follows (you know, the “who are you?”, “whatever do you mean, Nick?” type) before Fury puts a bullet through her skull, revealing, in her death, that she was really a Skrull (and a male looking one at that…um, poor Nick.)

Immediately realizing the implications behind this, Fury sets into motion a few plans of his own. His first act is to break into the SHIELD Helicarrier, to Director Maria Hill’s room to be precise, to tell her two things. One; that she isn’t safe, that she is surrounded by those looking to take her out and two; that he’ll be watching her and that the first “inkling” he gets that she isn’t what she’s supposed to be, or doing what she’s supposed to be doing, he’ll kill her.

The next action he takes, two months later, is to contact Jessica Drew, Spider-Woman, who he’s used in the past as a double agent. After watching her unnoticed for weeks to make sure she’s who she claims to be, he recruits her to be his eyes and ears in SHIELD, to keep an eye out for things that are “off”. Of course she agrees, somewhat reluctantly, making her a triple agent (SHIELD, HYDRA, and now Nick) that answers to him first. After agreeing, she asks Fury what he’s planning to do and he answers “I’m going to figure this whole thing out. I’m going to put all the pieces together. And when they show there hand, I’m going to be ready.” While he’s saying this, we’re shown the most interesting part of the book for me…a two page spread of Fury standing in front of a wall full of pictures of heroes. Some of the pictures shown are circled with one of two colors, orange (or red) and blue. What this means, we aren’t shown, but the ones circled are mainly heavy hitters…Wolverine, Sentry, Spider-Man, Doc Strange, Namor…sprinkled with some lesser ones…Lockjaw, Hulkling, Stature, and DareDevil.

I gotta hand to Bendis, he did his best Heroes impression by answering one question while give us a whole laundry list of new ones. This issue is a must get for anyone wanting to keep up with Secret Invasion so get out there and grab one and stay tuned to Crave! for up-to-the-date coverage of this mega event.

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Alex Maleev
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Series Issue Count: 1 (Tie-In)