The World War II superheroes of what would become Marvel Comics became “The Invaders” under the pen of Roy Thomas in the 1970s, writing about their 1940s adventures. Captain America, Bucky, Namor, the Human Torch and Toro socked it to the Axis powers for 41 issues.
There have been some revivals since, but the Alex Ross/Jim Krueger/Stephen Sadowski “Avengers-Invaders” 12-issue series has to be the most high-profile of the lot.
Ross co-plots with Krueger, and provides the covers, similar to the working arrangement on “Earth X.” Sadowski provides the pencils.
In 1943, Bucky narrates a mission of the Invaders, reintroducing the team to modern audiences.
Flashing forward to Manhattan, the same man who saw the Invaders as a soldier in the 1940s sees the Thunderbolts and Spider-Man battling in Manhattan.
“These are not heroes,” the old man says. “I knew heroes.”
Cue the Invaders, coming through a time portal of some sort into Manhattan.
After an Invaders-Thunderbolts dustup, Spidey remarks at Captain America, apparently back to life in his prime. As the issue closes, Iron Man looks at a screen bearing the image of Captain America.
There’s obviously some thematic tying in with this series to “Civil War.” The problem with it is mainly timing — how does this fit in with the current “Secret Invasion” story? Especially given that there’s a Captain America (ostensibly) from the past running around there, too?
It’s probably not fair to judge the creative team’s work simply on a scheduling issue, however. As a first issue, it’s interesting, though not as immediately compelling as the first issues of either “Earth X” or “Kingdom Come.”
Sadowski’s a professional; he makes each of the stream of various costumed characters a distinct individual.
– Matt Price