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{{Short description|2008 Marvel Comics event}}
{{future comic}}
{{For-multi|the TV series|Secret Invasion (miniseries){{!}}''Secret Invasion'' (miniseries)|other uses}}
{{Supercbbox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
{{Use American English|date=March 2022}}
title = Secret Invasion
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
| image = Secretinvasion1.jpg
{{Italic title}}
|imagesize = 250
{{Infobox comics story arc <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| caption = Variant cover art to ''Secret Invasion'' #1.<br>Art by [[Steve McNiven]].

| schedule =
|image = Secretinvasion1.jpg
| format =
|caption = {{Descript-cvr|Secret Invasion||1|June 2008|type=variant|art=[[Steve McNiven]]}}
| publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]
|publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]
| date = (The Infiltration) November 2007 - April 2008<br>(Main Story) April 2008 - November 2008
|startmo = June
| issues = 8 plus tie-ins
|startyr = 2008
| main_char_team = [[New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]] <br> [[Mighty Avengers]] <br> [[Nick Fury]] <br> [[Skrull|The Skrulls]]
|endmo = Jan.
| writers = [[Brian Michael Bendis]]
|endyr = 2009
| artists = [[Leinil Yu]]
|Superhero = y
| inkers = Mark Morales
|Crossover = y
| colorists = [[Laura Martin]]
|titles = ''[[Avengers: The Initiative]]'' #14-19 Annual 01<br><!--
| creative_team_month =
-->''[[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]]'' vol. 4, #39-41<br><!--
| creative_team_year =
-->''[[Captain Britain and MI: 13]]'' #1-4<br><!--
| creators =
-->''[[Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell)|Captain Marvel]]'' vol. 6, #2-5<br><!--
-->''[[Deadpool (comics)|Deadpool]]'' vol. 4, #1-3<br><!--
-->''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'' vol. 2, #4-6<br><!--
-->''[[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Incredible Hercules]]'' #117-120<br><!--
-->''[[Iron Man|Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'' #33-35<br><!--
-->''[[The Mighty Avengers]]'' #7-8,12-20<br><!--
-->''[[Ms. Marvel]]'' vol. 2, #25-31<br><!--
-->''[[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]]'' #38-47<br><!--
-->''[[New Avengers: Illuminati]]'' #5<br><!--
-->''[[New Warriors]]'' vol. 5, #14-15<br><!--
-->''[[Nova (Richard Rider)|Nova]]'' vol. 4, #16-18<br><!--
-->''[[Punisher War Journal]]'' vol . 2, #24-25<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion'' #1-8<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion'' #1 Director's Cut<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion Aftermath: [[Beta Ray Bill]] - The Green of Eden'' #1<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: [[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #1-3<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: [[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]'' #1<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: [[Fantastic Four]]'' #1-3<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: Front Line'' #1-5<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: Home Invasion'' #1(Digital)<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: [[Inhumans]]'' #1-4<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: Requiem'' #1<br><!--
-->''[[Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers]]'' #1-3<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion Saga''<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'' #1-3<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: War of Kings'' #1<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?'' #1<br><!--
-->''Secret Invasion: [[X-Men]]'' #1-4<br><!--
-->''[[She-Hulk]]'' vol. 2, #31-33<br><!--
-->''Skrulls!'' #1<br><!--
-->''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'' vol. 2, #122-125<br><!--
-->''[[X-Factor Investigations|X-Factor]]'' vol. 3, #33-34
|main_char_team = [[The New Avengers (comics)|The New Avengers]]<br />[[The Mighty Avengers]]<br />[[Fantastic Four]]<br />[[X-Men]]<br />[[Nick Fury]]<br />[[Fifty State Initiative|The Initiative]]<br />[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]<br />[[Inhumans]]<br />[[Skrull|The Skrulls]]<br />[[Skrull Kill Krew]]<br />[[Hood (comics)|Hood]]'s Crime Syndicate<br />[[Norman Osborn]]<br /> [[Marvel Boy]] (Noh Varr)
|writers = [[Brian Michael Bendis]]
|artists =
|pencillers = [[Leinil Francis Yu]]
|inkers = Mark Morales
|letterers =
|editors =
|colorists = [[Laura Martin]]
|TPB = The Infiltration
|ISBN = 0-7851-3231-7
|TPB1 = Secret Invasion
|ISBN1 = 0-7851-3297-X
|TPB2 = Captain Marvel
|ISBN2 = 0-7851-3303-8
|TPB3 = Incredible Hercules
|ISBN3 = 0-7851-3333-X
|cat = Marvel Comics
|sortkey = Secret Invasion
|self-titled = y
}}
}}
'''''Secret Invasion''''' is a [[comic book]] [[limited series]] and [[Fictional crossover|crossover]] that began in April 2008, published by [[Marvel Comics]].


"'''Secret Invasion'''" is a [[comic book]] [[fictional crossover|crossover]] storyline written by [[Brian Michael Bendis]] and illustrated by [[Leinil Francis Yu]], that ran through a self-titled eight-issue [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] and several tie-in books published by [[Marvel Comics]] from April through December 2008. The story involves a subversive, long-term [[Alien invasion|invasion]] of [[Earth]] by the [[Skrull]]s, a group of alien [[shapeshifter]]s who have secretly replaced many superheroes in the [[Marvel Universe]] with impostors over a period of years, prior to the overt invasion. Marvel's promotional tagline for the event was "Who do you trust?".
It focuses on an [[alien invasion]] by [[shapeshifters]] known as the [[Skrull]]s, who have been secretly posing as various characters in the [[Marvel Universe]].

A [[Secret Invasion (miniseries)|six-episode television miniseries]] of the same name, loosely based on the storyline and produced by [[Marvel Studios]] as part of the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU) debuted in June 2023 on [[Disney+]].


==Production and marketing==
==Production and marketing==
Though it is unknown how the Skrull invasion began and for how long it has been going on, writer Brian Michael Bendis revealed in interviews that the motivation is the destruction of the Skrull Empire in [[Annihilation (comics)|''Annihilation'']]; the Skrulls believe that Planet Earth "''is religiously and rightfully theirs.''"<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=10492 "''New Avengers''" #31: Bendis Talks About the Big Twist], [[Comic Book Resources]], June 14, 2007</ref> Bendis said there have been hints of the Skrull plot placed as far back as ''[[New Avengers]]'' #1, when an unknown figure hired [[Electro (comics)|Electro]] to break into the superhuman prison known as the Raft, and [[2004 in comics|2004's]] ''[[Secret War (comics)|Secret War]]'', which culminated in [[Nick Fury]] being removed as head of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] and going underground for many years. In New Avengers #45, it will reveal what plot the Skrulls had in ''[[House of M]]''.
Writer [[Brian Michael Bendis]] stated in interviews that the motivation for the invasion is the destruction of the [[Skrulls|Skrull Empire]] in the 2007 [[Annihilation (comics)|"Annihilation"]] storyline.<ref>''[[Annihilation (comics)|Annihilation]]'' #1 - 6 (Oct. 2006 - Mar. 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> Bendis said the Skrulls believe Earth "is religiously and rightfully theirs,"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/new-avengers-31-bendis-talks-about-the-big-twist/|title="''New Avengers'' #31: Bendis Talks About the Big Twist"|last=Richards|first=Dave|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=June 14, 2007|access-date=June 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726012615/https://www.cbr.com/new-avengers-31-bendis-talks-about-the-big-twist/|archive-date=July 26, 2018}}</ref> and that there are hints as to the plot placed in the limited series ''[[Secret War (comics)|Secret War]]''<ref>''Secret War'' #1 - 5 (Apr. 2004 - Dec. 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref> and the title ''[[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]]'' from the first issue.<ref name=NewAvengers1>''New Avengers'' #1 (Jan. 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref> The limited series concluded the plot and was, according to Bendis, "a hell of an end."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Baltimore_07/SecretInvasion.html|title="Baltimore '07: Brian Bendis Talks ''Secret Invasion''"|publisher=[[Newsarama]]|date=September 10, 2007|access-date=June 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516084459/http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Baltimore_07/SecretInvasion.html|archive-date=May 16, 2008}}</ref>


In November 2007, several ongoing titles and mini-series were branded as tie-ins to the main ''Secret Invasion'' storyline, with the tagline: ''Secret Invasion: The Infiltration''. In addition to the core story, the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] titles provided additional plot material and acted as a link between titles. Other Marvel titles also featured variant covers with the characters depicted as Skrulls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/265471-2/|title=Lying In The Gutters|last=Johnston|first=Rich|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=April 7, 2008|access-date=June 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602024848/https://www.cbr.com/265471-2/|archive-date=June 2, 2019}}</ref> Bendis stated that the series would not deal with the origins of the invasion, but is conceived from the following perspective: "If there's a character on the team who's a Skrull, we will rewind from when they got on that team, or from before they got on that team, so when they are infiltrated, how they became who they became and the effects of their actions from their 'point of view' is shown."
Starting in November 2007 and leading up to April when the event started, several ongoing comics and mini-series were branded as tie-ins to the main ''Secret Invasion'' storyline, bearing the branding: "''Secret Invasion: The Infiltration''". These tie-ins include ''New Avengers: Illuminati'' #5, ''Avengers: The Initiative Annual'' #1, ''Mighty Avengers'' #7, ''New Avengers'' #38-39, ''[[Captain Marvel]]'' #4 -5 and ''[[Ms. Marvel]]'' #25-27.<ref>[http://www.marvel.com/news/comics.1807.Secret_Invasion%3A_The_Infiltration_Tie-Ins ''Secret Invasion: The Infiltration'' Tie-Ins - Marvel.com News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


The Marvel website featured two online-exclusive e-comics for the event, titled ''Secret Invasion Prologue'' (a seven-page comic that reveals the replacement of a previously unknown Skrull agent) and ''Secret Invasion: Home Invasion'' (a [[MySpace]] video blog featuring a young teenager named Kinsey Walden and her fears regarding her brother's strange behavior), supported by comic pages by writer Ivan Brandon and artist Nick Postic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6548744.html|title=Marvel's Viral Marketing Invasion|last=Hundson|first=Laura|date=July 4, 2008|access-date=June 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512070700/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6548744.html|archive-date=May 12, 2008}}</ref>
The primary story of the ''Secret Invasion'' will be told in an eight-issue [[limited series]] which will pull all parties involved together, while the current titles of ''New Avengers'' and ''Mighty Avengers'' will focus on the past three years' worth of events and how those have been affected by the Skrull invasion, including the return of Nick Fury to the Marvel Universe. Other books such as the ''[[Fantastic Four]]'' will not tie in although their characters will still appear in the ''Secret Invasion'' books; the main story will mostly stick to Avengers-related books. Major impact from ''Secret Invasion'' has already been felt in ''[[Avengers: The Initiative]]'', but whether this impact will relate to current events or reflect past events which will be revealed in this book is unknown.


==Plot==
When asked about the plot, Bendis stated that the series would not deal with heroes trying to work out how the Invasion had started, but show the reader the details; he stated that "''if there's a character on the team who's a Skrull, we will rewind from when they got on that team, or from before they got on that team, so when they infiltrated, how they became who they became and the effects of their actions from their 'point of view' is shown.''" He also stated that the story has been brewing since 2004's ''[[Avengers Disassembled]]'', and that the limited series will be that story's final end, "''and it’s a hell of an end.''"<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Baltimore_07/SecretInvasion.html Baltimore '07: Brian Bendis Talks ''Secret Invasion''], [[Newsarama]], September 10, 2007</ref>
After the [[Kree–Skrull War]]<ref>''Avengers'' #88–97 (June 1971 – Mar. 1972)</ref> the Earth superheroes [[Iron Man]], [[Mister Fantastic]], [[Namor]], [[Black Bolt]], [[Professor X|Professor Charles Xavier]] and [[Doctor Strange]] join as a group called the [[Illuminati (Marvel Comics)|Illuminati]] to secretly confront the [[Skrulls]]. They attack the Skrull Empire, and warn that any future invasion attempts of [[Earth]] would mean further reprisals; however, they are all captured and intensely studied before escaping.<ref>Shown in flashback in ''New Avengers: Illuminati'' #1 (Dec. 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>


An eventual successor to the Skrull throne, Princess [[Veranke]], claims that a prophecy foretold the annihilation of the Skrull homeworld. The current Emperor, Dorrek, exiles her to a prison world for inciting religious extremism. After the destruction of the Skrull Throneworld by the cosmic entity [[Galactus]],<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #257 (Aug. 1983)</ref> Veranke becomes Empress by lineage, and guides an invasion of Earth, armed with the knowledge of [[superhumans]] gained from having studied the Illuminati. The Skrulls capture several superhumans and infiltrate Earth's defenses, with Veranke herself posing as heroine [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]].<ref>''New Avengers'' #40 (Apr. 2008)</ref> Veranke is inconvenienced when there is a breakout of supervillains at the Raft prison, which forces her to join the [[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]] team.<ref name=NewAvengers1/>
"''Who Do You Trust?''" images on Marvel.com show Skrulls posing as [[Iron Man]], [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]], [[Hawkeye (comics)|Hawkeye]], [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]], [[Jean Grey|Phoenix]], [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]], [[Luke Cage]], [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]], [[Invisible Woman]], [[Doctor Doom]], [[Henry Pym|Yellowjacket]], [[Nick Fury]], [[Spider-Man]] and [[Captain America]].


After the [[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]], [[Elektra (comics)|Elektra]], the leader of the [[ninja]] group the [[Hand (comics)|Hand]], is revealed to be a Skrull named [[Pagon]] after dying in battle with the New Avengers.<ref>''New Avengers'' #31 (June 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> Veranke takes the corpse to Tony Stark (who, at the time, led the pro-registration Mighty Avengers) to sow distrust among the superhero community. She joins the Mighty Avengers, claiming it will throw the Skrulls off balance. Posing as agents of spy organization [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]], the Skrulls attempt to mine the metal [[vibranium]] in the [[Savage Land]] and battle the New Avengers before being killed.<ref>''New Avengers'' #41–43 (May–July 2008). Marvel Comics.</ref> The Illuminati battle an impostor posing as Black Bolt and two new [[Super-Skrull]]s, possessing all-new powers.<ref>''New Avengers: Illuminati'' #5 (Nov. 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>
In addition the Marvel website features two currently Online-Exclusive and free Comics for the event - ''Secret Invasion Prologue'', a seven page comic that reveals the replacement of a previously unknown Skrull agent, and ''Secret Invasion: Home Invasion'', a special storyline started via a [[MySpace]] video blog and featuring a young teenager named Kinsey Walden and her fears regarding her brother acting strangely, and continuing on Marvel.com with one new comic page by writer Ivan Brandon and artist Nick Postic every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, albeit with some exceptions.<ref>[http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6548744.html Marvel’s Viral Marketing Invasion - 4/7/2008 9:55:00 PM - Publishers Weekly<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


The Skrull invasion destabilizes the superhuman community as:
Additionly, various series, even ones not directly tying into the ''Secret Invasion'' will have variant covers with the characters on them depicted as Skrulls.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15883 Comic Book Resources > Lying In The Gutters - 4-7-2008]</ref>
# Simultaneous strikes disable the S.H.I.E.L.D. [[Helicarrier]] and orbiting base The Peak.
# A breakout is instigated at the supervillain holding facility the Raft.
# The [[Baxter Building]] (headquarters of the [[Fantastic Four]]) is transported to the [[Negative Zone]].
# Thunderbolt Mountain (headquarters of the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]) is attacked.
Additionally, the Avengers are attacked by Skrulls posing as heroes in the [[Savage Land]], and [[Mister Fantastic|Reed Richards]] is wounded by the Skrull [[Criti Noll]] (who was posing as [[Henry Pym]]) seconds after determining a way to identify the shape shifters.


After several battles between Earth's heroes and the Skrulls in [[Manhattan]] and the Savage Land, Mr. Fantastic manages to develop a device that can detect the aliens. Criminal kingpin the [[Hood (comics)|Hood]] aids the heroes, deciding "no more Earth is bad for business." Veranke regroups with her forces in [[New York City]] in a final battle against the combined Avengers, now aided by [[Nick Fury]] and his new Commandos, [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]], [[Ka-Zar (Kevin Plunder)|Ka-Zar]], and super teams such as the [[Young Avengers]] and the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]].
Sources at Marvel say that the elements from this series, ''Secret Invasion: Inhumans'', ''Rise and Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire'', ''Emperor Vulcan'', the ongoing series ''[[Nova (Richard Rider)|Nova]]'', and ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (Modern)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'' will lead into a major cosmic event called ''War of Kings''. {{Fact|date=July 2008}}


Veranke is wounded by the Avenger [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Hawkeye]]. Criti Noll activates a [[booby trap]] placed on the heroine [[Wasp (comics)|Wasp]], although the blast is contained by Thor at the cost of her life. Veranke is then shot and killed by [[Norman Osborn]] (using a weapon he created with intelligence stolen from [[Deadpool]]).<ref>''Deadpool'' vol. 4 #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> The last remnants of the Skrull armada are destroyed, with Iron Man locating the missing heroes. S.H.I.E.L.D. is dissolved by an executive order of the [[President of the United States]], while a last Skrull (posing as the Avengers' butler [[Edwin Jarvis]]) flees with the child of heroes [[Jessica Jones]] and [[Luke Cage]]. This Skrull is killed by Bullseye shortly after returning the child. Norman Osborn is placed in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D's replacement, [[H.A.M.M.E.R.]], and forms a [[Cabal (comics)|secret group]] consisting of himself, [[Emma Frost]], [[Namor]], [[Doctor Doom]], [[Hood (comics)|The Hood]] and [[Loki (Marvel Comics)|Loki]] which commences the "[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]" storyline.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #8. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Dark Reign: Dark Avengers'' #1 (Mar. 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref>
==Plot synopsis==
{{Articleissues|plot=June 2008|in-universe=June 2008}}


==Characters==
===Kree-Skrull War aftermath===
Shortly after the [[Kree-Skrull War]], in which Earth's heroes were involved, a small group of heroes banded together to secretly confront the Skrull emperor. Informally referenced as the "[[Illuminati (Marvel Comics)|Illuminati]]", this group represented the various factions of the Marvel universe and consisted of [[Iron Man]], [[Mister Fantastic]], [[Namor]], [[Black Bolt]], [[Professor X|Professor Charles Xavier]], and [[Doctor Strange]]. They attacked the capital of the empire, and then threatened the emperor that another attack by the Skrulls would lead to war. However, they were captured, separated, and then experimented upon. The Skrulls analyzed their captives (physiology, genetics, technology, etc) and gleaned information from their behavior, until Iron Man was able to lead an escape. The Illuminati recognized that another attack is inevitable, while the Skrull Empire began to make use of the data they compiled.<ref>''New Avengers: Illuminati'' #1</ref> The research resulted in the creation of clones indistinguishable from the originals and the capacity of duplicating almost any superhuman power.<ref name="na40">''New Avengers'' #40</ref>


[[The Mighty Avengers]]
The heir to the Skrull throne, Princess [[Veranke]], claimed that a prophecy foretold the annihilation of their planet and the need to find a new planet called Earth. King Dorrek exiled her to a prison world for inciting religious extremism. After the destruction of the Skrull Throneworld by [[Galactus]]<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #257</ref> and the [[Annihilation Wave]], Veranke became queen by lineage, which drew the remainder of the Skrull Empire under her rule. Having heard the report of [[Siri (comics)|Siri]] (who had taken the place of [[Elektra (comics)|Elektra]]), Veranke decided to spearhead an invasion of Earth with the information of the human species obtained from the Illuminati. The plan was to disguise themselves as important people in society and weaken the Earth's defenses from within, thus leaving the planet vulnerable for a military assault. Veranke has decided that she herself would pose as one of the agents on Earth. When she asked who she could replace to do the most damage, [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]] was recommended.<ref name="na40"/>
* [[Iron Man]]
* [[Spider-Woman]] (Veranke)
* [[Black Widow (Marvel Comics)|Black Widow]]
* [[Ares (Marvel Comics)|Ares]]
* [[Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers)]]
* [[Sentry (Robert Reynolds)|Sentry]]
* [[Wonder Man]]
* [[Wasp (comics)|Wasp]]


[[The New Avengers (comics)|The New Avengers]]
===The Infiltration===
* [[Luke Cage]]
After the events of ''[[Secret War (comics)|Secret War]]'', [[Nick Fury]] goes into hiding. He learns that [[Valentina Allegra de Fontaine]] is plotting to extract [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] passcodes from him and kill him. Fury kills her first, after which she reverts to her true Skrull form. Fury realizes that an alien invasion is taking place. He recruits Jessica Drew to be a mole inside both [[HYDRA]] and S.H.I.E.L.D., while secretly reporting to him, and to keep an eye on anything suspicious.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #12</ref> However, the [[HYDRA]] cell she approached to have her powers restored turns out to be a group of Skrull agents, thus giving Veranke the chance to replace Jessica Drew. Afterwards, Fury recruits former [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] [[Daisy Johnson]] in order to gather a group of super powered teenagers whose existence is known only to Fury himself. The teens, Yo Yo, Druid, Stonewall, Phobos, and Hellfire, along with Daisy Johnson form Nick Fury's new [[Howling Commandos]].
* [[Spider-Man]]
* [[Iron Fist (character)|Iron Fist]]
* [[Ronin (Clint Barton)]]
* [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]]
* [[Echo (Marvel Comics)|Echo]]


[[Fantastic Four]]
Another Skrull named [[Criti Noll]] poses as a British college student who then enters into a sexual relationship with [[Henry Pym|Hank Pym]] once he breaks up with his wife Janet after the [[Avengers Disassembled|disbanding of the Avengers]]. After pulling much information about Pym's life as a superhero, Noll neutralizes Pym and replaces him.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #15</ref> Also around that time, Veranke and Criti-Noll plan the mass breakout of the [[The Raft (comics)|Raft]] and having the Skrull-Elektra and the Hand hire [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]] for the job.<ref>''New Avengers'' #42</ref> Within the short time of replacing Drew and the space leading up to the events of the Raft Breakout, Queen Veranke's plan successfully goes ahead with Electro breaking all the inmates out; but at the same time, she unwillingly and accidentally forms the New Avengers. She subsequently joins to infiltrate the team.
* [[Mister Fantastic]]
* [[Human Torch]]
* [[Thing (comics)|Thing]]
* [[Invisible Woman]]


[[Skrulls]]
Under orders from the Queen, a group of Skrull infiltrators disguised as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and led by a new Skrull agent disguised as de Fontaine begin mining [[vibranium]] in the [[Savage Land]], using natives as slaves.<ref>''New Avengers'' #41</ref> They are discovered by [[Ka-Zar]] and [[Shanna the She-Devil|Shanna]], who organize a guerrilla force to oppose the impending Skrull invasion. The S.H.I.E.L.D. Skrulls, save for the de Fontaine Skrull, are all destroyed by a blast from the Helicarrier when the New Avengers travelled to the Savage Land.
* Dard'van
** [[Yellowjacket (comics)|Yellowjacket]] (Citri Noll)
** [[Captain America]]
** [[Dum Dum Dugan]]
** [[Edwin Jarvis]]
** [[Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell)]]
** [[Invisible Woman]]
** [[Elektra: Assassin|Elektra]]
** [[Emma Frost|White Queen]] (Skrull)
** [[Beast (comics)|Beast]]
** [[Spider-Man]]
** [[Luke Cage]]
** [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]
** [[Wonder Man]]
** [[Jean Grey]]
** [[Iron Man]]
** [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Hawkeye]] (Skrull)
** [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|Vision]]
** [[Jessica Jones|Jewel]] (Skrull)
** [[Scarlet Witch]]
** [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]]
** [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]]
** [[Ms. Marvel]]


Additionally, several variants of the [[Super-Skrull]] appear, utilizing the powers of [[Archangel]], Captain America, Iron Man, [[Doctor Octopus]], [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]], [[Sandman (Marvel Comics)|Sandman]] and the [[Illuminati (comics)|Illuminati]], among others.
A Skrull agent posing as [[Edwin Jarvis]] infiltrates Avengers Tower sometime after the formation of the New Avengers. The Skrull agent appearing as Jarvis asks [[Iron Man]] for access to files on the [[Sentry (Robert Reynolds)|Sentry]] under the cover of hoping to avoid another situation like the incident with the [[Scarlet Witch]] during the events of ''[[Avengers Disassembled]]''. The Jarvis impostor then meets with other undercover Skrull agents, including the Skrull Empress, who is using the form of Spider-Woman, and uses the information to formulate a plan to have a Skrull agent impersonate the Void and cause the Sentry to experience a complete mental collapse. The Skrulls also decide to let the events of the [[World War Hulk|Hulk's return to Earth]] and [[Civil War (comic book)|the war over superhuman registration]] escalate on their own.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #13</ref>


Also, several Skrulls are seen impersonating such pop culture figures as [[George W. Bush]], [[Stephen Colbert]], [[Tom Cruise]], and [[Eric Cartman]] from ''[[South Park]]''.
[[Dum Dum Dugan]] also meets with de Fontaine around the time of [[Captain America]]'s death. She asks Dugan about [[Nick Fury]]'s whereabouts and if he has had contact with Fury. Dugan denies any knowledge and the Contessa stabs Dugan with claws similar to Wolverine's, revealing herself to be another Skrull impostor. The Skrull then assumes Dugan's form and leaves him to die.<ref>''Secret Invasion Prologue''</ref>


[[Cloak and Dagger (comics)|Cloak]]
Some time afterwards, a battle breaks out between the [[New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]] and the [[Hand (comics)|Hand]] over the fate of [[Echo (comics)|Echo]]. During the fight, Echo is freed from the Hand's influence, and stabs the Hand's leader Elektra. Moments after her death, Elektra is revealed to be a Skrull. Tensions rise amongst the New Avengers, as no-one was able to detect Elektra's true nature, they surmise any one of them could also be a Skrull. Spider-Woman suggests that they hand over the Skrull corpse to [[Iron Man]], but she is rebuked by [[Luke Cage]], who believes Iron Man to be a Skrull as well. During the crash landing of the ship they are traveling on due to the [[Ultron]] Virus occurring at the time, Spider-Woman knocks out [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]], the only other conscious team member following impact, and steals the corpse to bring to Iron Man.<ref>''New Avengers'' #32</ref>


[[Noh-Varr]]
Spider-Woman informs Tony Stark of what has happened in Japan, including the suspicion by his former team-mates that he is a Skrull himself. A disturbed Stark accepts this, claims that his possession and DNA restructuring by Ultron verifies his authenticity, then demands to know where [[Nick Fury]] is, because he would know what to do. Jessica doesn't know. Stark agrees with Wolverine's opinion that this is just the beginning of an invasion, and convinces her to join the Mighty Avengers, even though she still absolutely refuses to register her abilities under the [[Registration acts (comics)|Superhuman Registration Act]], since it will throw the Skrull off guard. Stark assumes that one of the [[Mighty Avengers]] is a Skrull sent to kill him, and with Spider-Woman on the team the Skrull will know that the Avengers are now aware of the Skrull threat. Spider-Woman convinces the others that she merely wants to get back to doing something useful, and does not tell them what happened in Japan.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' #7</ref>


[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]
Iron Man is shocked by the Skrull corpse, realizing it to be a repercussion of the Illuminati's attack years prior. He reassembles the group for the first time since they splintered shortly before the Civil War, and they debate over whether this means an invasion has taken place. The group is caught off guard, however, when Black Bolt uncharacteristically voices his opinion. It is revealed that he is in fact a Skrull as well, and fights the others over the body. This Skrull not only has Black Bolt's powers, but the combined powers of all the members of the Illuminati. After Namor manages to kill him, the Illuminati are attacked by two more Skrulls:
* [[Norman Osborn]]
* [[Swordsman (comics)|Swordsman]] (Andreas von Strucker)
* [[Songbird (comics)|Songbird]]
* [[Karla Sofen|Moonstone]] (Karla Sofen)
* [[Venom (Mac Gargan)]]
* [[Bullseye (character)|Bullseye]]
* [[Robbie Baldwin]] (as Penance)


[[Bucky Barnes|Captain America (Bucky Barnes)]]
* A Skrull that has [[Cyclops (comics)|Cyclops]]' optic blasts, [[Nightcrawler (comics)|Nightcrawler]]'s prehensile tail, and [[Colossus (comics)|Colossus]]' metallic skin.
* A Skrull that wields a technological copy of [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'s hammer [[Mjolnir (Marvel Comics)|Mjolnir]].


[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]
These Skrulls are killed by Iron Man who detonates a small nuclear bomb with his armor. Namor reminds them that any of them could also be a Skrull, and that no one is to be trusted. The five then go their separate ways. <ref>''New Avengers: Illuminati'' #5</ref>


[[Franklin Richards (character)|Franklin Richards]]
The returning [[Mar-Vell|Captain Marvel]] battles the villains [[Cobalt Man]] and the original [[Cyclone (Marvel Comics)|Cyclone]], both supposedly deceased. He is then confronted by a group of Skrulls posing as [[Kree]] Soldiers, who attempt to kill him but are quickly defeated by Mar-Vell with the aid of Iron Man. He then confronts Ms. Marvel over her identity, and then shares with her his experiences fighting both Cobalt Man and Cyclone. Shortly thereafter, Mar-Vell interrogates Cobalt Man, who reveals himself to be a Skrull and states "''You are not Captain Marvel.''" Meanwhile, Brother McNally, a member of the recently formed [[Church of Hala]] (established after the return of Captain Marvel), is revealed to be a Skrull as well.<ref>''Captain Marvel'' #3</ref> Iron Man is suspicious of Mar-Vell's true identity and sends men to [[Titan (moon)|Titan]] to investigate his grave. The Skrull impersonating Cobalt Man reveals to Captain Marvel that he is in fact a Skrull sleeper agent named [[Captain Marvel (Khn'nr)|Khn'nr]] created to pose as the real Captain Marvel. However, despite his status, Marvel decides to fight against the invading Skrulls.<ref>''Captain Marvel'' #4-#5</ref>


[[Valeria Richards]]
Iron Man tells S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent [[David Sum]], a member of Ms. Marvel's S.H.I.E.L.D. strike force "Operation Lightning Storm", about the coming invasion and states that he believes [[Ms. Marvel]], is actually a Skrull agent.<ref>''Ms. Marvel'' #24</ref> A Skrull named [[Rl'nnd]] is found by Ms. Marvel in what she believes is an [[Advanced Idea Mechanics|A.I.M.]] lair and attacks her, only to escape. Afterwards, Ms. Marvel finds the body of William Wagner, a man she had been dating. Agent Sum and the rest of Lightning Storm try to capture Ms. Marvel under the impression that she is the murderer.<ref>''Ms. Marvel'' #25</ref> Eventually both Ms. Marvel and the Skrull impostor are captured by S.H.I.E.L.D. with Rl'nnd following in disguise. After Rl'nnd reveals himself, the Skrull Ms. Marvel tells Ms. Marvel that Wagner was a [[Kree]]. She also has disguised herself as him to convince Ms. Marvel he was dead, and that he is still alive.<ref>''Ms. Marvel'' #26</ref> However, Ms. Marvel and Operation Lightning Storm try to stop the truck holding William, only to discover it is a holographic projection. When Carol confronts the Skrull agent, the latter says the words "''He loves you''", and causes a massive explosion that destroys Operation Lightning Storm's Minicarrier.<ref>''Ms. Marvel'' #27</ref>


[[Young Avengers]]
A Skrull posing as [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics)|Daredevil]] attempts to infiltrate the Sanctum Sanctorum only for Echo to see through his disguise since the Skrulls' are unaware of Matt Murdock's current activity. In battle, the Daredevil-Skrull is shown to exhibit Wolverine's claws and healing factor, Cyclops' optic blasts, Nightcrawler's teleportation abilities, and the flame abilities of the [[Human Torch]] or any pyrokinetic member of the X-Men. After a long battle, Echo drives away the Skrull with Wolverine's help.<ref>''New Avengers'' #39</ref>
* [[Patriot (comics)|Patriot]]
* [[Wiccan (character)|Wiccan]]
* [[Hulkling]]
* [[Speed (comics)|Speed]]
* [[Hawkeye (Kate Bishop)]]
* [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|Vision]]


[[Fifty State Initiative|The Initiative]]
===The Invasion===
* [[Diamondback (Rachel Leighton)]]
Iron Man reveals the corpse of the Elektra impostor to Hank Pym and Reed Richards (who pretends he has never seen the corpse before) and leaves the two to study the body. Then he assembles the Mighty Avengers to investigate the wreck of a Skrull spaceship in the [[Savage Land]], unaware of the fact that the New Avengers are heading for there as well after being tipped off by Spider-Woman. As Luke Cage opens the downed ship, a chain reaction of events takes place. [[S.W.O.R.D. (comics)|S.W.O.R.D.]]'s headquarters in space is destroyed by the Skrull now posing as [[Dum Dum Dugan]], while in [[Avengers Tower]], a Skrull disguised as [[Edwin Jarvis]] inserts a computer virus into Stark Tower's mainframe that causes every computer system controlled by Iron Man to crash, including [[Iron Man's armor]] and the S.H.I.E.L.D. [[Helicarrier]], which is evacuated as it starts to lose power. This virus also releases super-powered prisoners from the Raft and [[List of correctional facilities in comics#The Cube|the Cube]] as [[Noh-Varr]] leaves amid the chaos. In addition, Captain Marvel, who had gone to the Skrulls and agreed to help, attacks [[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]] Mountain for his own personal reasons, believing that the team was truly evil and needed to be destroyed.
* [[Cassandra Lang|Stature]]
* [[Gauntlet (Joseph Green)|Gauntlet]] (Joseph Green)
* [[Prodigy (David Alleyne)|Prodigy]] (David Alleyne)
* [[Taskmaster (character)|Taskmaster]]
* [[Proton (comics)|Proton]]
* [[Crusader (Marvel Comics)|Crusader]] (Z'Reg)
* [[Batwing (Marvel Comics)|Batwing]]
* [[Gorilla Girl]]
* [[Red 9]]
* [[Geiger (Marvel Comics)|Geiger]]
* [[Melee (comics)|Melee]]
* [[Sunstreak]]
* [[Annex (comics)|Annex]]


[[Secret Warriors (Team White)|Secret Warriors]]
A Skrull agent poses as Reed Richards and attacks [[Invisible Woman|Susan Storm]] whilst she is at a conference in Vancouver, rendering her unconscious and supposedly capturing her.<ref>''Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four'' #1</ref> Afterwards, the Skrull [[Lyja]] takes on Susan's form and sends the [[Baxter Building]] into the [[Negative Zone]]. As [[Thing (comics)|Ben Grimm]] attempts to protect the Richards children from Negative Zone insects, Lyja attacks her former husband Johnny Storm. Each Skrull agent mouths the words "''he loves you''" before putting their part of the plan in to action.
* [[Nick Fury]]
* [[Slingshot (comics)|Slingshot]]
* [[Daisy Johnson|Quake]] (Daisy Johnson)
* [[Phobos (Marvel Comics)|Phobos]]
* [[Hellfire (J. T. Slade)|Hellfire]] (J.T. Slade)
* [[Stonewall (comics)|Stonewall]]
* [[Druid (comics)|Druid]] (Sebastian Druid)


[[Skrull Kill Krew]]
The Skrull spaceship is shown to hold a large group of Marvel superheroes with older appearances and costumes, speaking as if they believe themselves to be authentic. Floating in space in a stasis gel with only minutes of oxygen left, [[Abigail Brand|Agent Abigail Brand]] witnesses a massive Skrull armada heading for Earth. Elsewhere, Reed Richards conducts an autopsy on the Elektra Skrull corpse and learns how the Skrulls are avoiding detection, but is quickly shot in the face before he can share the information with others by Pym, who reveals himself to be Criti Noll and leaves Richards unable to remain solid.<ref name="secretinvasion1">{{Cite comic
* [[Ryder (comics)|Ryder]]
| Writer = Brian Michael Bendis
* [[Delroy Garrett|3-D Man II]]
| Artist = Leinil Francis Yu
* [[Riot (comics)|Riot]]
| Story =
* Catwalk
| Title = Secret Invasion
* Dice
| Volume =
* Moonstomp
| Issue = 1
| Date = April 2008
| Publisher = Marvel
}}</ref>


The Hood's Criminal Syndicate
Despite the urging of [[Ares (Marvel Comics)|Ares]] that their confrontation is merely a distraction from the true battle, the assembled heroes from the ship and their counterparts on Earth begin fighting, both sides convinced that their opponents are the Skrulls. In the ensuing battle, the Spider-Man and Hawkeye from the ship are both killed by a native ''Tyrannosaurus'' and Clint Barton in his Ronin guise respectively, and both revert into their Skrull forms. The [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]] that appeared insists she is not an impostor, as she and the New Avengers' Clint Barton make a tearful reunion after answering a question that the only the real Mockingbird could know. Mockingbird also states that the [[Captain America]] from the ship may, in fact, be the genuine article. While Spider-Woman disappears into the jungle and Earth's Ms. Marvel heads back to the States, Earth's Iron Man (still suffering from the Skrull virus) starts to build himself a new suit from the wreckage of a nearby lab. The [[Sentry (Robert Reynolds)|Sentry]] faces the ship's [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|Vision]] and, convinced he's The Void, flies away to space filled with terror. Meanwhile in Manhattan, the first wave of Super Skrull shock troops bearing the abilities of Earth's superhumans arrive, as witnessed by the [[Young Avengers]].<ref name="secretinvasion2">{{Cite comic
* [[Hood (comics)|Hood]]
| Writer = Brian Michael Bendis
* [[John King (comics)|John King]]
| Artist = Leinil Francis Yu
* [[Wizard (Marvel Comics)|Wizard]]
| Story =
* [[Wrecking Crew (comics)|Wrecking Crew]] (Marvel Comics)
| Title = Secret Invasion
* [[Madame Masque]]
| Volume =
* [[Blood Brothers (comics)|Blood Brother]]
| Issue = 2
* [[Crossfire (comics)|Crossfire]]
| Date = May 2008
* [[Blackout (Marcus Daniels)|Blackout]] (Marcus Daniels)
| Publisher = Marvel
* [[Griffin (comics)|Griffin]]
}}</ref>
* [[Chemistro]]
* [[Answer (comics)|Answer]] (Aaron Nicholson)
* [[Brothers Grimm]]
* [[Bushwacker (comics)|Bushwacker]]
* [[Shockwave (comics)|Shockwave]]
* [[Scarecrow (comics)|Scarecrow]]
* [[Cutthroat (comics)|Cutthroat]]
* [[Corruptor]]
* [[Masked Marauder]]
* [[Scorcher (comics)|Scorcher]]


[[Howard the Duck]]
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier has crashed in the Bermuda Triangle and all of its systems are down, due to the virus introduced by the Skrull posing as Jarvis<ref name="secretinvasion1"/> When Deputy Commander Hill reaches the upper deck of the Helicarrier, she finds Jarvis, who requests S.H.I.E.L.D.'s immediate surrender. Suggesting that Maria's appointment was the result of their manipulations, the Jarvis-Skrull reveals that most of her agents are Skrulls themselves, but Hill refuses, leading them to execute her. Discovering that she was using a Life Model Decoy, the Jarvis impostor and the S.H.I.E.L.D. infiltrators are killed when the real Hill proceeds to activate the Hellicarrier's self-destruct mechanism, destroying the vessel after she escapes At the Thunderbolt's headquarters in the Colorado Rockies, Captain Marvel has succeeded in defeating the Thunderbolts, but is unable to kill any of them. Realizing that their attacker will not kill them and is not who he seems to be, [[Green Goblin|Norman Osborn]] approaches Captain Marvel and convinces him to defect and aid the humans. At [[Camp Hammond]], Yellowjacket (who is not known to be a Skrull by anyone other than the incapacitated Mr. Fantastic<ref name="secretinvasion1"/>) tells [[Gauntlet (comics)|Gauntlet]] to rally the cadets as New York City is under attack.<ref name="secretinvasion3">{{Cite comic
| Writer = Brian Michael Bendis
| Artist = Leinil Francis Yu
| Story =
| Title = Secret Invasion
| Volume =
| Issue = 3
| Date = June 2008
| Publisher = Marvel
}}</ref>


[[X-Men]]
Whilst all of this is happening, Reed Richards is revealed to being held by Skrull forces up in Earth's orbit on the Skrull Mothership, stretched to his physical limits and surrounded by a crowd of Skrull watchers and scientists, helpless against the threats and torture. Agent Abigail Brand of [[S.W.O.R.D. (comics)|S.W.O.R.D.]] manages to break through the exterior of another ship and make it into one of the central control rooms, seeing the images of the invasion, death, and destruction the Skrulls are making on Earth, as well as the torture of Mr. Fantastic. Discovered by the Skrulls, Brand is able to bluff her way out of execution, before going on a rampage through the Skrull vessel, killing the entire crew and rescuing Richards. The Sentry is shown up in orbit, still being tormented by the false words of the Skrull Void impostor and refusing to help.
* [[Pixie (comics)|Pixie]]
* [[Nightcrawler (comics)|Nightcrawler]] (Kurt Wagner)
* [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops]]
* [[Beast (comics)|Beast]]


[[Medusa (comics)|Medusa]]
Down in the chaotic battle in [[Manhattan]], Nick Fury and the [[Secret Warriors|new Howling Commandos]] show promises of turning the tide; Ms. Marvel, after being heavily blasted by a group of Skrull soldiers ends up rising in the middle of Fury and his group in Times Square as they fight, shocked by the return of the ex [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] leader. As they quickly head into the fray, Yo-Yo, the team's mutant speedster, manages to rescue all the downed [[Young Avengers]] and Initiative cadets before further execution and casualties. Ms. Marvel proceeds to help, but soon after is shot by Fury, who is unconvinced she is the real Carol Danvers. After being shot back into another street, the Skrull onlookers quickly overrun her, with the Skrull [[Henry Pym]] looking down at her with a smirk on his face. Fury then calls his men to retreat so that they can plan the next move.


[[Black Panther (character)|Black Panther]]
Meanwhile, the Skrull invasion continues across the rest of the planet, to varying degrees of success. An attempt to seize control of Earth's magic in Britain is repelled by Captain Britain and his MI:13 teammates, while a bold strategy from the Black Panther leaves the Skrulls without technology as they attempt to seize Wakanda. Attacks against San Francisco and Attilan are met with resistance from the X-Men and Inhumans, respectively, while Thor, Beta Ray Bill and the Asgardians defend Oklahoma from the invaders. All the while, Hercules leads the God Squad into the realm of the Skrull Gods in hopes of stopping the invasion at its source.


[[Sabra (comics)|Sabra]] (Ruth Bat-Seraph)
Watching the battle via news broadcast on live television, the [[Hood (comics)|Hood]] decides that a Skrull-controlled Earth would be detrimental to business and mobilizes his army of super-villains. In the Savage Land, Spider-Woman continues to convince Tony that he is a Skrull sleeper agent named Kl'Riki Dulu, who she will praise as the greatest Skrull Warrior to ever live. The [[Black Widow (Marvel Comics)|Black Widow]] watches the conversation, and proceeds to enter and shoot Veranke/Spider-Woman after dispatching two Skrulls posing as Beast and [[Jean Grey|Phoenix]]. Spider-Woman escapes and Natasha injects Tony with a dose of adrenaline to keep him going, while convincing him to keep fighting. Wolverine enters after being shot by Black Widow and being forced to confirm his true identity through the codeword ("Carrot Sticks"). The three of them conclude that Tony has to rebuild his armor quick and return to New York as soon as possible.


[[Uatu the Watcher]]
In New York, Nick Fury and his Commandos rescue the other superhuman defenders and move on while several civilians are saved from Skrull soldiers by [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], who kills the Skrulls with several blasts of lightning. The incident is witnessed by the new [[Captain America]].<ref name="secretinvasion4">{{Cite comic
| Writer = Brian Michael Bendis
| Artist = Leinil Francis Yu
| Story =
| Title = Secret Invasion
| Volume =
| Issue = 4
| Date = July 2008
| Publisher = Marvel
}}</ref>


[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]]
After being freed to Brand, Mister Fantastic uses the knowledge of the Skrull inflitration methods he discovered before his capture, and devises a countermeasure. Landing in the Savage Land, Brand and Richards use this device to uncover Skrulls posing as heroes, allowing the Avengers to quickly dispatch them. Mockingbird turns out to be a Skrull and she is killed by Clint Barton. Barton, angered by this turn of events, vows to kill every Skrull he encounters, and stop at nothing until Earth is free of them. All the while, the Skrulls begin a propanganda campaign against Earth in order to solidify their hold, taking the forms of pominent superheroes, politicians and celebrities as they try to convince Humanity not to resist.


[[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]]
Meanwhile at Thunderbolt mountain, during a conversation with Norman Osbourn, the Skrull posing as Captain Marvel decides to rebel against the Skrull empire and leaves Thunderbolt mountain to attack the Skrull armada out in space.
<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #5</ref>


[[Valentina Allegra de Fontaine]]
==Known Skrull agents==
This section lists prominent characters who have been shown to be agents of the Skrulls, in order of publication date. Some or all have been replaced by Skrulls for an unknown but prolonged period of time.
<!-- Only add those characters who are CONFIRMED Skrulls. That means they have been explicitly revealed as Skrulls. Do not include characters from the ship.-->
* '''[[Elektra (comics)|Elektra]]''' - Revealed in ''New Avengers'' #31. Siri, the original Skrull who impersonated Elektra was killed by the real Natchios when Super Skrull agents tried to abduct her while Pagon takes Elektra's identity after she is captured. Pagon is ordered by Veranke to undertake a suicide mission to reveal the Skrull invasion to the humans by sacrificing himself to be killed by Echo.
* '''[[Black Bolt]]''' - Revealed in ''New Avengers: Illuminati'' #5. Killed by Namor.
* '''[[Revolutionary (comics)|Revolutionary]]''' (of the [[Liberty Legion|Liberteens]]) - Revealed in ''Avengers: The Initiative Annual'' #1.
* '''[[Cobalt Man]]''' - Revealed in ''Captain Marvel'' #3. Killed by Captain Marvel.
* '''[[Cyclone (Marvel Comics)#André Gerard|Cyclone]]''' - Revealed in ''Captain Marvel'' #4. Killed by Captain Marvel. Skrull identity not public due to destruction of remains.
* '''[[Mar-Vell|Captain Marvel]]''' - Revealed in ''Captain Marvel'' #5. A mistake in the Skrull [[Captain Marvel (Khn'nr)|Khn'nr]]'s conditioning led to Khn'nr's personality being erased and Captain Marvel's remaining, which has caused him to rebel against his species.
* '''[[Valentina Allegra de Fontaine]]''' - Revealed in ''Secret Invasion Prologue''.<ref name="sip">[http://www.marvel.com/digitalcomics/titles/Secret_Invasion_Prologue.2008 Marvel Digital Comics: ''Secret Invasion Prologue'' #1]</ref> The first Skrull that posed as her was killed by Nick Fury. Another Skrull later posed as her in the Savage Land and then assumed the form of [[Dum Dum Dugan]]. This Skrull presumably died during a suicide bombing at the S.W.O.R.D. Space Headquarters.
* '''[[Edwin Jarvis]]''' - Revealed in ''Secret Invasion'' #1. Supposdly killed by Maria Hill.
* '''[[Henry Pym]]''' - Revealed in ''Secret Invasion'' #1. Identified as [[Criti Noll]] in Avengers: The Initiative #14.
* '''Irving Griffin''' - Revealed in ''Marvel Holiday Special'' (2007). This [[Daily Bugle]] editor was replaced after the features writer from the Bugle was sent to the Skrull homeworld.<ref>''Skrulls'' ones-shot 2008</ref>
* '''[[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]]''' - Revealed as the Skrull Queen [[Veranke]] in ''Secret Invasion'' #3.
* '''Magnitude''' (of the Point Men) - Revealed in ''Avengers: The Initiative'' #14. Killed by 3-D Man (Delroy Garrett).
* '''[[Longshot]]''' - Revealed as a Skrull in ''X-Factor'' #33.
* '''[[Amadeus Cho|Kirby the Coyote Pup]]''' - Revealed as a Skrull in ''Incredible Hercules'' #119. Killed by [[Atum (comics)|Atum]].
* '''[[Brother Voodoo]]''' - Revealed as a Skrull in ''Black Panther'' #38. Killed by Cannibal.


[[President of the United States]]
==Reception==
Issue one was generally well received for its strong introduction to the story, good pacing and "slick" art,<ref name="CB review 1">[http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/120705852188687.htm Review of ''Secret Invasion'' #1], [[Comics Bulletin]]</ref><ref name="CBR review 1">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=49 Review of ''Secret Invasion'' #1], [[Comic Book Resources]]</ref> although some concerns were raised over Bendis' dialogue.<ref name="CB review 1" /><ref name="CBR review 1" />


[[Cabal (Marvel Comics)|Cabal]]
==Tie-in issues==
* Norman Osborn
===''Secret Invasion: The Infiltration''===
* Hood
The following issues were released with the ''The Infiltration'' banner prior to the launch of the ''Secret Invasion'' series:
* [[Namor]]
* [[Loki (Marvel Comics)|Lady Loki]]
* [[Doctor Doom]]
* [[Emma Frost]]


==Reception==
* ''Avengers: The Initiative Annual'' #1
* ''New Avengers'' #38-39
* ''New Avengers: Illuminati'' #5
* ''[[Captain Marvel (Khn'nr)|Captain Marvel]]'' (vol. 7) #3-5
* ''Mighty Avengers'' #7
* ''[[Ms. Marvel]]'' (vol. 2) #25-27


According to Comic Book Roundup, the core series has an average score of 6.9 out of 10, based on 79 critic reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/marvel-comics/secret-invasion |title="Secret Invasion Comic Series Reviews" |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Comic Book Roundup |publisher= |access-date=8 August 2022 }}</ref>
===''Unofficial tie-ins''===
These issues link heavily to events in Secret Invasion:


Issue #1 was not very well received despite critics noting its "strong introduction to the story, good pacing, and "slick" art style",<ref name="CB review 1">[http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/120705852188687.htm Review of ''Secret Invasion'' #1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201072049/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/120705852188687.htm |date=December 1, 2008 }}, [[Comics Bulletin]]</ref><ref name="CBR review 1">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=49 Review of ''Secret Invasion'' #1], [[Comic Book Resources]]</ref> although some concerns were raised over Bendis' dialogue.<ref name="CB review 1"/><ref name="CBR review 1" /> Sales estimates suggested that around 250,200 copies were sold, more than twice as much as the second highest seller.<ref name=mayslaes>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16481 Sales Estimates for April, 2008 Books], [[Comic Book Resources]], May 20, 2008</ref> The ''Secret Invasion: The Infiltration'' collected volume also topped the trade paperback chart, with an estimated 7,247 sales.<ref name=mayslaes /> The second issue kept the top slot, with estimated sales dropping to 200,344.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16836 Sales Estimates for May, 2008], [[Comic Book Resources]], June 17, 2008</ref>
* ''[[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]]'' (vol. 4) #38
* ''[[Ms. Marvel]]'' (vol. 2) #24 (last two pages)
* ''[[New Avengers: Illuminati]]'' #1


==Tie-in issues==
These issues feature Skrulls, but do not tie into the Secret Invasion storyline:


===''Secret Invasion: The Infiltration''===
* ''[[Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius]]'' Not So Secret Invasion
The following issues were released with ''The Infiltration'' banner prior to the launch of the ''Secret Invasion'' series:
* ''[[Marvel Holiday Special|Marvel Holiday Special (2007) ]]''
* ''[[Skrulls Vs. Power Pack]]'' #1
* ''[[Avengers: The Initiative]] [[Annual publication|Annual]]'' #1
* ''[[Captain Marvel (Khn'nr)|Captain Marvel]]'' vol. 6, #4-5
* ''[[The Mighty Avengers]]'' #7
* ''[[Ms. Marvel]]'' vol. 2, #25-27
* ''[[New Avengers (comics)|The New Avengers]]'' #38-39
* ''[[New Avengers (comics)|The New Avengers]]: Illuminati'' #5
* ''Franklin Richards Not-So-Secret Invasion''
* ''Marvel Spotlight Secret Invasion''
* ''Secret Invasion Saga''
* ''Secret Invasion Home Invasion''


===''Secret Invasion''===
===''Secret Invasion''===
The following issues tie-in to the ''Secret Invasion'' mini-series:
The following issues tie into the ''Secret Invasion'' mini-series:<ref name="tieinCBR">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=13377 Marvel and CBR talk tie-ins]</ref> <ref name="ign3">[http://comics.ign.com/articles/852/852785p3.html Brevoort talks ''Secret Invasion'' Page 3], [[IGN]]</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
* ''[[Avengers: The Initiative]]'' #14-19
* ''[[Avengers: The Initiative]]'' #14-19
* ''[[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]]'' (vol. 4) #39-41
* ''[[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]]'' vol. 4, #39-41
* ''[[Captain Britain and MI: 13]]'' #1-4
* ''[[Captain Britain and MI: 13]]'' #1-4<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12587 Cornell & Lowe talk "Captain Britain and MI:13"], [[Comic Book Resources]], February 18, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/120784245582350.htm The British Invasion: Paul Cornell on ''Captain Britain and MI: 13''], [[Comics Bulletin]], April 10, 2008</ref>
* ''[[Deadpool (comics)|Deadpool]]'' (vol. 4) #1-3
* ''[[Deadpool]]'' (Vol. 4) #1-3
* ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (Modern)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'' (vol. 2) #4-6<ref name=gognova>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16080 NYCC: DnA talk "''Nova''" & "''Guardians of the Galaxy''" tie-ins to "''Secret Invasion''"], [[Comic Book Resources]], April 19, 2008</ref>
* ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'' vol. 2, #4-6
* ''[[Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'' #33-35
* ''[[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Incredible Hercules]]'' #117-120
* ''[[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Incredible Hercules]]'' #117-120
* ''[[Mighty Avengers|The Mighty Avengers]]'' #12-19
* ''Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' #33-35
* ''[[Ms. Marvel]]'' (vol. 2) #28-30
* ''Marvel Spotlight: Secret Invasion Saga'' #1
* ''[[New Avengers (comics)|The New Avengers]]'' #40-47
* ''[[The Mighty Avengers]]'' #12-20
* ''[[New Warriors]]'' (vol. 4) #14-15
* ''[[Ms. Marvel]]'' vol. 2, #28-30
* ''[[Nova (comics)|Nova]]'' (vol. 4) #16-18<ref name=gognova />
* ''[[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]]'' #40-47
* ''[[New Warriors]]'' vol. 4, #14-15
* ''[[Nova (Richard Rider)|Nova]]'' vol. 4, #16-18
* ''[[Punisher War Journal]]'' #24-25
* ''[[Punisher War Journal]]'' #24-25
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
* ''Secret Invasion: [[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #1-3
* ''Secret Invasion: Aftermath [[Beta Ray Bill]]: The Green of Eden'' (One-Shot)
* ''Secret Invasion: [[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]'' (One-Shot)
* ''Secret Invasion: [[Fantastic Four]]'' #1-3
* ''Secret Invasion: [[Fantastic Four]]'' #1-3
* ''Secret Invasion: Front Line'' #1-5
* ''Secret Invasion: Front Line'' #1-5
* ''Secret Invasion: Home Invasion'' (Digital Comic available at Marvel.com)
* ''Secret Invasion: [[Inhumans]]'' #1-4
* ''Secret Invasion: Requiem'' #1
* ''Secret Invasion: [[Inhumans]]'' #1-4<ref name="Tuesday QA">[http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.3048.Tuesday_Q&A~colon~_Joe_Pokaski Tuesday QA: Joe Pokaski - Marvel.com News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* ''Secret Invasion: Prologue'' (Digital Comic available at Marvel.com or in ''Secret Invasion #1 Director's Cut'')
* ''[[Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers]]'' #1-3
* ''Secret Invasion: [[Runaways (comics)|Runaways]] & [[Young Avengers]]'' #1-3<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/859/859389p1.html|title= Exclusive ''Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers'' Interview|accessdate=2008-03-16 |author= Richard George|date= March 13, 2008|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
* ''Secret Invasion: [[Spider-Man: Brand New Day|Spider-Man - Brand New Day]]'' #1-3<ref name="ign2">[http://marvel.com/news/comics.4200.FIRST_LOOK%3A_October_2008_Spider-Man_Comics FIRST LOOK: October 2008 Spider-Man Comics]</ref>
* ''Secret Invasion: [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'' #1-3
* ''Secret Invasion: [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'' #1-3
* ''Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?'' [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]]
* ''Secret Invasion: War Of Kings (One-Shot)
* ''Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?'' ([[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]])
* ''Secret Invasion: [[X-Men]]'' #1-4
* ''Secret Invasion: [[X-Men]]'' #1-4<ref name="Secret Invaders">[http://marvel.com/news/comics.3001.EXCLUSIVE%97Secret_Invaders%3A_Mike_Carey EXCLUSIVE—Secret Invaders: Mike Carey]</ref><ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16333 Mike Carey's "''Secret Invasion''" Plans], [[Comic Book Resources]], May 7, 2008</ref>
* ''[[She-Hulk]]'' vol. 2, #31-33
* ''Skrulls!'' [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]]
* ''[[She-Hulk]]'' (vol. 2) #31-33
* ''Skrulls!'' (one-shot)
* ''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'' #122-125
* ''[[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]]'' #122-125
* ''[[X-Factor Investigations|X-Factor]]'' (vol. 3) #33-34
* ''[[X-Factor Investigations|X-Factor]]'' vol. 3, #33-34
{{col-2}}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Collected editions==
==Collections==
The stories are being collected into [[trade paperback (comics)|volumes]]:
The stories are collected in [[trade paperback (comics)|volumes]]:


{| class="wikitable"
{{Comics TPB table|
|-
{{Comics TPB line|1|Secret Invasion: The Infiltration|[[Marvel Comics]]|April 2008|0785132317|*''Fantastic Four #2''<br>*''New Avengers: Illuminati'' #1 & 5<br>*''New Avengers'' #31&ndash;32, 38&ndash;39<br>*''Mighty Avengers'' #7<br>*''material from ''Avengers: The Initiative Annual'' #1
! Title !! Material collected !! ISBN
|writers=[[Stan Lee]] • [[Brian Michael Bendis]]
|-
|pencillers=
| ''Secret Invasion: The Infiltration''
|notes=
| ''Fantastic Four'' #2, ''New Avengers: Illuminati'' #1 and 5, ''New Avengers'' #31-32 and 38-39, ''Mighty Avengers'' #7, ''Avengers: The Initiative'' Annual #1
|color=y
| style=white-space:nowrap | {{ISBNT|0-7851-3231-7}}
}}
|-
{{Comics TPB line|2|Captain Marvel: Secret Invasion|Marvel Comics|August 2008|0785133038|*''Captain Marvel'' #1&ndash;5<br>*''Civil War: The Return'' #1
| ''Secret Invasion''
|writers=
| ''Secret Invasion'' #1-8
|pencillers=
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3297-X}}
|notes=
|-
|color=y
| ''Secret Invasion: Home Invasion''
}}
| ''Secret Invasion: Home Invasion'' #1-8
{{Comics TPB line|3|Incredible Hercules: Secret Invasion|Marvel Comics|November 2008|078513333X|*''Incredible Hercules'' #116&ndash;120
| {{ISBNT|978-0-7851-3557-9}}
|writers=
|-
|pencillers=
| ''Secret Invasion: Front Line''
|notes=This volume has yet to be published.
| ''Secret Invasion: Front Line'' #1-5
|color=
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3377-1}}
}}
|-
{{Comics TPB line|4|Ms Marvel vol. 5: Secret Invasion|Marvel Comics|November 2008|0785130195|*''Ms Marvel'' vol. 2 #25&ndash;30
| ''Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?''
|writers=
| ''Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?'', ''Secret Invasion Saga'', ''Skrulls!'', ''Marvel Spotlight: Secret Invasion''
|pencillers=
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3409-3}}
|notes=This volume has yet to be published.
|-
|color=
| ''Secret Invasion: Amazing Spider-Man''
}}
| ''Secret Invasion: The Amazing Spider-Man'' 1-3, ''Amazing Spider-Man'' Annual 2008
{{Comics TPB line|5|Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers|Marvel Comics|December 2008|078513266X|*''Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers'' #1&ndash;3
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3270-8}}
|writers=
|-
|pencillers=
| ''Avengers: The Initiative Volume 3: Secret Invasion''
|notes=This volume has yet to be published.
| ''Avengers: The Initiative'' #14-19
|color=
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3150-7}}
}}
|-
{{Comics TPB line|6|New Avengers vol. 8: Secret Invasion|Marvel Comics|December 2008|0785129464|*''New Avengers'' #38&ndash;43
| ''Black Panther: Secret Invasion''
|writers=
| ''Black Panther'' #39-41
|pencillers=
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3397-6}}
|notes=This volume has yet to be published.
|-
|color=
| ''Captain Britain and MI13 Volume 1: Secret Invasion''
}}
| ''Captain Britain and MI13'' #1-4
{{Comics TPB line|7|Mighty Avengers vol. 3: Secret Invasion|Marvel Comics|January 2009|0785130098|*''Mighty Avengers'' #12&ndash;19
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3344-5}}
|writers=
|-
|pencillers=
| ''Captain Marvel: Secret Invasion''
|notes=This volume has yet to be published.
| ''Captain Marvel'' #1-5, ''Civil War: The Return''
|color=
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3303-8}}
}}
|-
|lead= Secret Invasion
| ''Deadpool Volume 1: Secret Invasion''
}}
| ''Deadpool'' #1-5
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3273-2}}
|-
| ''Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four''
| ''Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four'' #1-3, ''Fantastic Four'' #300 and 357
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3247-3}}
|-
| ''Incredible Hercules: Secret Invasion''
| ''Incredible Hercules'' #116-120
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3333-X}}
|-
| ''Secret Invasion: Inhumans''
| ''Secret Invasion: Inhumans'' #1-4
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3248-1}}
|-
| ''Mighty Avengers Volume 3: Secret Invasion, Book 1''
| ''Mighty Avengers'' #12-15
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3009-8}}
|-
| ''Mighty Avengers Volume 4: Secret Invasion, Book 2''
| ''Mighty Avengers'' #16-20
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3649-5}}
|-
| ''Ms Marvel Volume 5: Secret Invasion''
| ''Ms Marvel'' #25-30
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3019-5}}
|-
| ''New Avengers Volume 8: Secret Invasion, Book 1''
| ''New Avengers'' #38-42
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-2946-4}}
|-
| ''New Avengers Volume 9: Secret Invasion, Book 2''
| ''New Avengers'' #43-47
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-2948-0}}
|-
| ''Secret Invasion: New Warriors''
| ''New Warriors'' #14-20
| {{ISBNT|978-0-7851-3176-2}}
|-
| ''Nova Volume 3: Secret Invasion''
| ''Nova'' #13-18
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-2662-7}}
|-
| ''Punisher War Journal Volume 5: Secret Invasion''
| ''Punisher War Journal'' #24-26 and Annual #1
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3148-5}}
|-
| ''Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers''
| ''Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers'' #1-3
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3266-X}}
|-
| ''Secret Invasion: Thor''
| ''Secret Invasion: Thor'' #1-3, ''Thor'' #142
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3426-3}}
|-
| ''She Hulk Volume 8: Secret Invasion''
| ''She-Hulk'' #31-33, ''X-Factor'' #34-35
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3180-9}}
|-
| ''Thunderbolts Volume 3: Secret Invasion''
| ''Thunderbolts'' #122-125, ''Breaking Point'', ''International Incident'', ''Reason in Madness''
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-2394-6}}
|-
| ''Secret Invasion: War Machine''
| ''Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' #33-35, ''Iron Man'' #144
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3455-7}}
|-
| ''X-Factor Volume 6: Secret Invasion''
| ''X-Factor'' #33-38, ''She-Hulk'' #31
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-2865-4}}
|-
| ''Secret Invasion: X-Men''
| ''Secret Invasion: X-Men'' #1-4
| {{ISBNT|0-7851-3343-7}}
|}

==Sequels==
From November 2022 forward, Marvel released a new Secret Invasion title composed of five issue miniseries that serves as a spiritual sequel to the original event and sees new hints from the Skrulls to invade again Earth that will force Maria Hill to put out an alert in the intelligence community to prove that they are ready for another Skrull invasion. After dealing with the various Nick Fury imposters, she alerts the Avengers and assures them that it is unlikely that they have been infiltrated, unfortunately she is wrong.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' (Vol. 2) #1</ref> While the world's most clandestine forces move in silence to quell the situation before it gets out of hand, Earth's Mightiest Heroes have been left wondering who among them might be an alien infiltrator. Thankfully, Maria Hill is quick to move on to the ranks of Earth's Mightiest Heroes for immediate blood testing. Though her methods are certainly intrusive, to say the least, the Avengers all acquiesce to her demands for a blood sample. This leads to Black Widow being uncovered as a Skrull, which when coupled with the lack of any other failed tests, is enough to calm the rest of the heroes' nerves for the time being. And, in the case of Tony Stark, it is enough to assure him that his fellow Skrulls' plans are going exactly as intended. Upon returning to his lab, Stark is met by another version of himself while revealing the blood bag taped to his arm which he used to pass Hill's test. This is more than enough to make it perfectly clear that Stark has been replaced without anyone else realizing it. It also sets the stage for the latest Skrull invasion to do untold amounts of damage before anyone can stop him, assuming no one figures out the truth anytime soon.<ref>''Secret Invasion'' (Vol. 2) #2</ref>

==Other versions==

===Earth-3290===
In this reality, Earth surrendered to the Skrulls.<ref>''Dark Reign: Fantastic Four'' #3</ref>

===What If?===
An issue of ''[[What If (comics)|What If]]'' revolves around the Secret Invasion with two stories.<ref>What If?: Secret Invasion</ref>
The first story asks what would happen if the Skrulls won the Secret Invasion and solved mankind's challenges such as [[freedom]]. Here, the Skrulls are celebrating their anniversary of taking over [[Earth]]. Some humans have been converted into Skrulls. The [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers Alliance of Freedom]] (led by [[Captain America]] II and consisting of [[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]], [[Blue Marvel]], [[Human Torch]], a heavily alcoholic [[Iron Man]], [[Khn'nr]], [[Carol Danvers|Ms. Marvel]], [[Night Thrasher]] II, [[Spider-Man]], [[Spider-Woman]] II, [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]], [[Thing (comics)|Thing]], [[Thor (comics)|Thor]], and [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]]) are considered terrorists to the rest of the world. The Skrull's broadcast is interrupted by a pirate footage of Captain America stating that Earth is really under occupation. Queen Veranke's consort [[Norman Osborn]] tells her that it would be best to crush the Avengers Alliance of Freedom in [[Wakanda]] where they are currently hiding. Wolverine has brought one last remaining sample of the modified [[Legacy Virus]] to use against the Skrulls. [[Veranke]] appears before the [[United Nations]] and gets approval to invade Wakanda and take down the Avengers Alliance of Freedom. As soon as the virus is ready, the Skrull forces attack Wakanda. The Avengers leap into action to repel them. When the cannon meant to release the vaccine is destroyed, Thor uses his powers to spread it across the globe. But instead of doing what was expected, every Skrull and converted humans perishes. The culprit is in fact Norman Osborn. He explains that this was all an elaborate ruse to get what he wants. Due to Iron Man's alcoholism, Spider-Man helped him infiltrate Wakanda to help them but he did not expect that Norman Osborn would cross the line. Osborn admits that he did create a cure for the virus, so that he could survive and get back at the Skrulls for using him. Enraged, Captain America beheads Osborn with his shield. The Avengers surrender to the UN forces sent to arrest them. Meanwhile, far up on the [[Moon]], [[Uatu the Watcher]] can only lament how this alternate Earth turned out.

The second story asks what would happen if the Secret Invasion remained secret. Norman Osborn is shown wondering what would happen if he was in charge of national security. Already on this Earth, Captain America has been pardoned for his role in the [[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]] and is seen shaking hands with the [[Red Skull]]. Hours later, Norman Osborn and the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|Thunderbolts]] are dispatched to investigate a situation in the [[Savage Land]]. They infiltrate a mysterious structure full of duplicates of superhumans. The Thunderbolts attempt to fight through, only for them all to be massacred and Osborn captured. He is brought before Veranke/Spider-Woman. She tells him a little story about how a priest stood up to her and told her that she would die by the hands of Norman Osborn himself. Therefore, the Skrulls had to integrate themselves into human society and eventually fade away. She claims that the prophet became Osborn himself. Though Norman Osborn tries to deny it, Veranke insists that he is and asks that he kiss her true face. Instead, Norman Osborn commits suicide, and reverts him to his Skrull form.

==In other media==

===Television===
* The plot of the ''Secret Invasion'' storyline was adapted in the animated series ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]''. A newspaper seen at the beginning of the episode "Masters of Evil" includes a headline for a [[Baxter Building]] tenant's recollections of becoming replaced by an alien. Also, in the episode "The Kang Dynasty", [[Kang the Conqueror]] references both ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' and ''Secret Invasion'' by saying 'Captain America's betrayal is just the beginning... The worst is yet to come.' Later, towards the end of episode "Widow's Sting", the captured [[Madame Hydra]] is revealed to be a Skrull in disguise. At the end of the episode "A Day Unlike Any Other", after the Avengers return from their battle with [[Loki (Marvel Comics)|Loki]], [[Captain America]] is attacked and replaced by a Skrull who goes on to say 'The infiltration has begun' as the Skrull takes Captain America's place. In "The Private War of Doctor Doom", [[Invisible Woman]] of the [[Fantastic Four]] was also revealed to be a Skrull. However, as of "Welcome to the Kree Empire", only [[Doctor Doom]] and [[Nick Fury]] seem aware of the infiltration. In "Who Do You Trust?", it is shown that Veranke is posing as [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]] (mirroring Veranke impersonating [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]] in the original comic). In the episode "Infiltration", the Skrull Invasion begins and [[Carol Danvers|Ms. Marvel]] is tricked by Skrull Avengers to help attack [[Wakanda]] and the [[Black Panther (comics)|Black Panther]] but the Skrull Avengers are later defeated when [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Hawkeye]] and [[Wasp (comics)|the Wasp]] show up. Veranke also installs a virus in Iron Man's armor. In the episode "Secret Invasion", Nick Fury and Maria Hill save [[Iron Man]], Captain America returns to Earth (along with the real heroes and villains who had been revealed to be replaced before), and the Avengers defeat the Super-Skrulls and Thor destroys their backup plan to wipe out humanity. The invasion is thwarted and the Skrulls are put in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.
* In December 2020, a [[Disney+]] ''[[Secret Invasion (miniseries)|Secret Invasion]]'' television show based on the limited comic series was announced as part of the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU). It stars [[Samuel L. Jackson]] as [[Nick Fury (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Nick Fury]] and [[Ben Mendelsohn]] as [[Talos the Untamed|Talos]], both reprising their roles from the MCU films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |date=December 10, 2020 |title=Secret Invasion, Marvel Series Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Coming to Disney+ |url=https://tvline.com/2020/12/10/secret-invasion-samuel-l-jackson-marvel-disney-plus-series/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211030539/https://tvline.com/2020/12/10/secret-invasion-samuel-l-jackson-marvel-disney-plus-series/ |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=December 10, 2020 |website=[[TVLine]]}}</ref> Also starring are [[Kingsley Ben-Adir]] as rebel Skrull leader Gravik, [[Emilia Clarke]] as Talos' daughter G'iah,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brezican |first=Anthony |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Secret Invasion Revealed: Inside Samuel L. Jackson's Eye-Opening New Marvel Series |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/03/secret-invasion-marvel-exclusive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331123652/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/03/secret-invasion-marvel-exclusive |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |access-date=March 31, 2023 |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> [[Olivia Colman]] as MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Leon |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Marvel Confirms Secret Invasion Link to Captain America's Howling Commandos |url=https://www.cbr.com/secret-invasion-olivia-colman-falsworth-howling-comandos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913101738/https://www.cbr.com/secret-invasion-olivia-colman-falsworth-howling-comandos/ |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> [[Killian Scott]] as [[Pagon]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=May 26, 2021 |title='Secret Invasion': Christopher McDonald Joins Marvel Series For Disney+ |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/christopher-mcdonald-cast-secret-invasion-marvel-disney-plus-1234764813/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526215603/https://deadline.com/2021/05/christopher-mcdonald-cast-secret-invasion-marvel-disney-plus-1234764813/ |archive-date=May 26, 2021 |access-date=May 26, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> and [[Carmen Ejogo]] in an undisclosed role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 12, 2021 |title='Secret Invasion': First Looks Unveiled For Nick Fury & Talos Team-Up Marvel Series – Disney+ Day |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/secret-invasion-first-looks-unveiled-for-nick-fury-talos-team-up-marvel-series-disney-day-1234873147/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113074947/https://deadline.com/2021/11/secret-invasion-first-looks-unveiled-for-nick-fury-talos-team-up-marvel-series-disney-day-1234873147/ |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> The series premiered on June 21, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=April 2, 2023 |title=Secret Invasion Poster Released By Marvel Ahead of Trailer Debut |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/secret-invasion-trailer-poster-marvel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402164036/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/secret-invasion-trailer-poster-marvel/ |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref>

===Video games===
* Secret Invasion was originally intended to inspire ''[[The Avengers (video game)|The Avengers]]''.<ref name="Dornbush">{{cite magazine|url= http://www.ew.com/article/2015/11/30/avengers-canceled-game-details-video-screenshots|title= See the history of the canceled ''Avengers'' video game|last= Dornbush|first= Jonathan|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date= November 30, 2015|access-date=July 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406233342/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/11/30/avengers-canceled-game-details-video-screenshots|archive-date= April 6, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Ubisoft]] and [[Marvel Entertainment]] stated ''[[Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth]]'' was influenced by Secret Invasion.
* Secret Invasion is used as the basis for Chapter 10 in the plot of ''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]''.

===Merchandising===
* Marvel [[HeroClix]] released a "Secret Invasion"-themed set based on the storyline. The set included Captain Marvel, Dum-Dum Dugan, [[Criti Noll]] (as Yellowjacket), Pagon (as [[Elektra (comics)|Elektra]]), Ms. Marvel, Edwin Jarvis, and many more. Veranke (as Spider-Woman) and [[Lyja]] (as Invisible Woman) were released as chase figures in their Skrull-only personality.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|3}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.cincity2000.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1397 Secret Invasion #5: Post Traumatic Skrull Disorder from CC2K]
* [http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.1808.Secret_Invasion%7Ecolon%7E_Skrull_Revelations Marvel.com - ''Secret Invasion: Skrull Revelations'']
* {{Comicbookdb|type=storyarc|id=2538|title=''Secret Invasion''}}
*[http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.1808.Secret_Invasion%7Ecolon%7E_Skrull_Revelations Marvel.com - ''Secret Invasion: Skrull Revelations'']
*{{comicbookdb|type=storyarc|id=2538|title=''Secret Invasion''}}
* {{Comicbookdb|type=storyarc|id=2424|title=''Secret Invasion: The Infiltration''}}
* [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=152346 ''Secret Invasion: First Strike'']{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[Newsarama]]
*{{comicbookdb|type=storyarc|id=2424|title=''Secret Invasion: The Infiltration''}}
*[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=152346 ''Secret Invasion: First Strike''], [[Newsarama]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080407040506/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/040308si1commentary.html WizardUniverse.com - ''Secret Invasion'' #1 Director’s Commentary]
*[http://www.wizarduniverse.com/040308si1commentary.html WizardUniverse.com - ''Secret Invasion'' #1 Director’s Commentary]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090828185936/http://www.gammapoweredradio.com/ GammaPoweredRadio.com - The entire Marvel: ''Secret Invasion'' Panel from the NYC Comic-Con 2008]
*[http://www.gammapoweredradio.com GammaPoweredRadio.com - The entire Marvel: ''Secret Invasion'' Panel from the NYC Comic-Con 2008]
*[http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/121027361362194.htm Review of ''Secret Invasion'' #2], [[Comics Bulletin]]
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=102 Review of ''Secret Invasion'' #2], [[Comic Book Resources]]


{{Goblin (Marvel Comics)}}
[[Category:2008 comic debuts]]
{{Marvel events}}
[[Category:Comics by Brian Michael Bendis]]
{{New Avengers}}
[[Category:2008 in comics]]
{{Mighty Avengers}}
[[Category:Crossover comics]]
{{Inhumans}}
[[Category:Marvel Comics titles]]
{{Skrull}}
[[Category:Marvel Comics storylines]]
{{Thunderbolts}}
{{Brian Michael Bendis}}
{{Secret Invasion (miniseries)}}


[[Category:Comics about alien invasions]]
[[fr:Secret Invasion]]
[[Category:Comics by Brian Michael Bendis]]
[[it:Secret Invasion]]
[[Category:Comics set in New York City]]
[[Category:Green Goblin]]
[[Category:War comics]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into television series]]
[[Category:Comic book conflict storylines]]

Latest revision as of 05:12, 3 January 2025

For the TV series, see Secret Invasion (miniseries). For other uses, see Secret Invasion (disambiguation).

"Secret Invasion"
Variant cover of Secret Invasion 1 (June 2008), art by Steve McNiven
PublisherMarvel Comics
Publication dateJune 2008 – Jan. 2009
Genre
Title(s)
Avengers: The Initiative #14-19 Annual 01
Black Panther vol. 4, #39-41
Captain Britain and MI: 13 #1-4
Captain Marvel vol. 6, #2-5
Deadpool vol. 4, #1-3
Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2, #4-6
Incredible Hercules #117-120
Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #33-35
The Mighty Avengers #7-8,12-20
Ms. Marvel vol. 2, #25-31
New Avengers #38-47
New Avengers: Illuminati #5
New Warriors vol. 5, #14-15
Nova vol. 4, #16-18
Punisher War Journal vol . 2, #24-25
Secret Invasion #1-8
Secret Invasion #1 Director's Cut
Secret Invasion Aftermath: Beta Ray Bill - The Green of Eden #1
Secret Invasion: The Amazing Spider-Man #1-3
Secret Invasion: Dark Reign #1
Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1-3
Secret Invasion: Front Line #1-5
Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #1(Digital)
Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1-4
Secret Invasion: Requiem #1
Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers #1-3
Secret Invasion Saga
Secret Invasion: Thor #1-3
Secret Invasion: War of Kings #1
Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? #1
Secret Invasion: X-Men #1-4
She-Hulk vol. 2, #31-33
Skrulls! #1
Thunderbolts vol. 2, #122-125
X-Factor vol. 3, #33-34
Main character(s)The New Avengers
The Mighty Avengers
Fantastic Four
X-Men
Nick Fury
The Initiative
Thunderbolts
Inhumans
The Skrulls
Skrull Kill Krew
Hood's Crime Syndicate
Norman Osborn
Marvel Boy (Noh Varr)
Creative team
Writer(s)Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller(s)Leinil Francis Yu
Inker(s)Mark Morales
Colorist(s)Laura Martin
The Infiltration ISBN 0-7851-3231-7
Secret Invasion ISBN 0-7851-3297-X
Captain Marvel ISBN 0-7851-3303-8
Incredible Hercules ISBN 0-7851-3333-X

"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu, that ran through a self-titled eight-issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008. The story involves a subversive, long-term invasion of Earth by the Skrulls, a group of alien shapeshifters who have secretly replaced many superheroes in the Marvel Universe with impostors over a period of years, prior to the overt invasion. Marvel's promotional tagline for the event was "Who do you trust?".

A six-episode television miniseries of the same name, loosely based on the storyline and produced by Marvel Studios as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debuted in June 2023 on Disney+.

Production and marketing

[edit]

Writer Brian Michael Bendis stated in interviews that the motivation for the invasion is the destruction of the Skrull Empire in the 2007 "Annihilation" storyline.[1] Bendis said the Skrulls believe Earth "is religiously and rightfully theirs,"[2] and that there are hints as to the plot placed in the limited series Secret War[3] and the title New Avengers from the first issue.[4] The limited series concluded the plot and was, according to Bendis, "a hell of an end."[5]

In November 2007, several ongoing titles and mini-series were branded as tie-ins to the main Secret Invasion storyline, with the tagline: Secret Invasion: The Infiltration. In addition to the core story, the Avengers titles provided additional plot material and acted as a link between titles. Other Marvel titles also featured variant covers with the characters depicted as Skrulls.[6] Bendis stated that the series would not deal with the origins of the invasion, but is conceived from the following perspective: "If there's a character on the team who's a Skrull, we will rewind from when they got on that team, or from before they got on that team, so when they are infiltrated, how they became who they became and the effects of their actions from their 'point of view' is shown."

The Marvel website featured two online-exclusive e-comics for the event, titled Secret Invasion Prologue (a seven-page comic that reveals the replacement of a previously unknown Skrull agent) and Secret Invasion: Home Invasion (a MySpace video blog featuring a young teenager named Kinsey Walden and her fears regarding her brother's strange behavior), supported by comic pages by writer Ivan Brandon and artist Nick Postic.[7]

Plot

[edit]

After the Kree–Skrull War[8] the Earth superheroes Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, Namor, Black Bolt, Professor Charles Xavier and Doctor Strange join as a group called the Illuminati to secretly confront the Skrulls. They attack the Skrull Empire, and warn that any future invasion attempts of Earth would mean further reprisals; however, they are all captured and intensely studied before escaping.[9]

An eventual successor to the Skrull throne, Princess Veranke, claims that a prophecy foretold the annihilation of the Skrull homeworld. The current Emperor, Dorrek, exiles her to a prison world for inciting religious extremism. After the destruction of the Skrull Throneworld by the cosmic entity Galactus,[10] Veranke becomes Empress by lineage, and guides an invasion of Earth, armed with the knowledge of superhumans gained from having studied the Illuminati. The Skrulls capture several superhumans and infiltrate Earth's defenses, with Veranke herself posing as heroine Spider-Woman.[11] Veranke is inconvenienced when there is a breakout of supervillains at the Raft prison, which forces her to join the New Avengers team.[4]

After the Civil War, Elektra, the leader of the ninja group the Hand, is revealed to be a Skrull named Pagon after dying in battle with the New Avengers.[12] Veranke takes the corpse to Tony Stark (who, at the time, led the pro-registration Mighty Avengers) to sow distrust among the superhero community. She joins the Mighty Avengers, claiming it will throw the Skrulls off balance. Posing as agents of spy organization S.H.I.E.L.D., the Skrulls attempt to mine the metal vibranium in the Savage Land and battle the New Avengers before being killed.[13] The Illuminati battle an impostor posing as Black Bolt and two new Super-Skrulls, possessing all-new powers.[14]

The Skrull invasion destabilizes the superhuman community as:

  1. Simultaneous strikes disable the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier and orbiting base The Peak.
  2. A breakout is instigated at the supervillain holding facility the Raft.
  3. The Baxter Building (headquarters of the Fantastic Four) is transported to the Negative Zone.
  4. Thunderbolt Mountain (headquarters of the Thunderbolts) is attacked.

Additionally, the Avengers are attacked by Skrulls posing as heroes in the Savage Land, and Reed Richards is wounded by the Skrull Criti Noll (who was posing as Henry Pym) seconds after determining a way to identify the shape shifters.

After several battles between Earth's heroes and the Skrulls in Manhattan and the Savage Land, Mr. Fantastic manages to develop a device that can detect the aliens. Criminal kingpin the Hood aids the heroes, deciding "no more Earth is bad for business." Veranke regroups with her forces in New York City in a final battle against the combined Avengers, now aided by Nick Fury and his new Commandos, Thor, Daredevil, Ka-Zar, and super teams such as the Young Avengers and the Thunderbolts.

Veranke is wounded by the Avenger Hawkeye. Criti Noll activates a booby trap placed on the heroine Wasp, although the blast is contained by Thor at the cost of her life. Veranke is then shot and killed by Norman Osborn (using a weapon he created with intelligence stolen from Deadpool).[15] The last remnants of the Skrull armada are destroyed, with Iron Man locating the missing heroes. S.H.I.E.L.D. is dissolved by an executive order of the President of the United States, while a last Skrull (posing as the Avengers' butler Edwin Jarvis) flees with the child of heroes Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. This Skrull is killed by Bullseye shortly after returning the child. Norman Osborn is placed in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D's replacement, H.A.M.M.E.R., and forms a secret group consisting of himself, Emma Frost, Namor, Doctor Doom, The Hood and Loki which commences the "Dark Reign" storyline.[16][17]

Characters

[edit]

The Mighty Avengers

The New Avengers

Fantastic Four

Skrulls

Additionally, several variants of the Super-Skrull appear, utilizing the powers of Archangel, Captain America, Iron Man, Doctor Octopus, Electro, Sandman and the Illuminati, among others.

Also, several Skrulls are seen impersonating such pop culture figures as George W. Bush, Stephen Colbert, Tom Cruise, and Eric Cartman from South Park.

Cloak

Noh-Varr

Thunderbolts

Captain America (Bucky Barnes)

Thor

Franklin Richards

Valeria Richards

Young Avengers

The Initiative

Secret Warriors

Skrull Kill Krew

The Hood's Criminal Syndicate

Howard the Duck

X-Men

Medusa

Black Panther

Sabra (Ruth Bat-Seraph)

Uatu the Watcher

Daredevil

Mockingbird

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

President of the United States

Cabal

Reception

[edit]

According to Comic Book Roundup, the core series has an average score of 6.9 out of 10, based on 79 critic reviews.[18]

Issue #1 was not very well received despite critics noting its "strong introduction to the story, good pacing, and "slick" art style",[19][20] although some concerns were raised over Bendis' dialogue.[19][20] Sales estimates suggested that around 250,200 copies were sold, more than twice as much as the second highest seller.[21] The Secret Invasion: The Infiltration collected volume also topped the trade paperback chart, with an estimated 7,247 sales.[21] The second issue kept the top slot, with estimated sales dropping to 200,344.[22]

Tie-in issues

[edit]

Secret Invasion: The Infiltration

[edit]

The following issues were released with The Infiltration banner prior to the launch of the Secret Invasion series:

Secret Invasion

[edit]

The following issues tie-in to the Secret Invasion mini-series:

Collected editions

[edit]

The stories are collected in volumes:

Title Material collected ISBN
Secret Invasion: The Infiltration Fantastic Four #2, New Avengers: Illuminati #1 and 5, New Avengers #31-32 and 38-39, Mighty Avengers #7, Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1 0-7851-3231-7
Secret Invasion Secret Invasion #1-8 0-7851-3297-X
Secret Invasion: Home Invasion Secret Invasion: Home Invasion #1-8 978-0-7851-3557-9
Secret Invasion: Front Line Secret Invasion: Front Line #1-5 0-7851-3377-1
Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?, Secret Invasion Saga, Skrulls!, Marvel Spotlight: Secret Invasion 0-7851-3409-3
Secret Invasion: Amazing Spider-Man Secret Invasion: The Amazing Spider-Man 1-3, Amazing Spider-Man Annual 2008 0-7851-3270-8
Avengers: The Initiative Volume 3: Secret Invasion Avengers: The Initiative #14-19 0-7851-3150-7
Black Panther: Secret Invasion Black Panther #39-41 0-7851-3397-6
Captain Britain and MI13 Volume 1: Secret Invasion Captain Britain and MI13 #1-4 0-7851-3344-5
Captain Marvel: Secret Invasion Captain Marvel #1-5, Civil War: The Return 0-7851-3303-8
Deadpool Volume 1: Secret Invasion Deadpool #1-5 0-7851-3273-2
Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1-3, Fantastic Four #300 and 357 0-7851-3247-3
Incredible Hercules: Secret Invasion Incredible Hercules #116-120 0-7851-3333-X
Secret Invasion: Inhumans Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1-4 0-7851-3248-1
Mighty Avengers Volume 3: Secret Invasion, Book 1 Mighty Avengers #12-15 0-7851-3009-8
Mighty Avengers Volume 4: Secret Invasion, Book 2 Mighty Avengers #16-20 0-7851-3649-5
Ms Marvel Volume 5: Secret Invasion Ms Marvel #25-30 0-7851-3019-5
New Avengers Volume 8: Secret Invasion, Book 1 New Avengers #38-42 0-7851-2946-4
New Avengers Volume 9: Secret Invasion, Book 2 New Avengers #43-47 0-7851-2948-0
Secret Invasion: New Warriors New Warriors #14-20 978-0-7851-3176-2
Nova Volume 3: Secret Invasion Nova #13-18 0-7851-2662-7
Punisher War Journal Volume 5: Secret Invasion Punisher War Journal #24-26 and Annual #1 0-7851-3148-5
Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers #1-3 0-7851-3266-X
Secret Invasion: Thor Secret Invasion: Thor #1-3, Thor #142 0-7851-3426-3
She Hulk Volume 8: Secret Invasion She-Hulk #31-33, X-Factor #34-35 0-7851-3180-9
Thunderbolts Volume 3: Secret Invasion Thunderbolts #122-125, Breaking Point, International Incident, Reason in Madness 0-7851-2394-6
Secret Invasion: War Machine Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #33-35, Iron Man #144 0-7851-3455-7
X-Factor Volume 6: Secret Invasion X-Factor #33-38, She-Hulk #31 0-7851-2865-4
Secret Invasion: X-Men Secret Invasion: X-Men #1-4 0-7851-3343-7

Sequels

[edit]

From November 2022 forward, Marvel released a new Secret Invasion title composed of five issue miniseries that serves as a spiritual sequel to the original event and sees new hints from the Skrulls to invade again Earth that will force Maria Hill to put out an alert in the intelligence community to prove that they are ready for another Skrull invasion. After dealing with the various Nick Fury imposters, she alerts the Avengers and assures them that it is unlikely that they have been infiltrated, unfortunately she is wrong.[23] While the world's most clandestine forces move in silence to quell the situation before it gets out of hand, Earth's Mightiest Heroes have been left wondering who among them might be an alien infiltrator. Thankfully, Maria Hill is quick to move on to the ranks of Earth's Mightiest Heroes for immediate blood testing. Though her methods are certainly intrusive, to say the least, the Avengers all acquiesce to her demands for a blood sample. This leads to Black Widow being uncovered as a Skrull, which when coupled with the lack of any other failed tests, is enough to calm the rest of the heroes' nerves for the time being. And, in the case of Tony Stark, it is enough to assure him that his fellow Skrulls' plans are going exactly as intended. Upon returning to his lab, Stark is met by another version of himself while revealing the blood bag taped to his arm which he used to pass Hill's test. This is more than enough to make it perfectly clear that Stark has been replaced without anyone else realizing it. It also sets the stage for the latest Skrull invasion to do untold amounts of damage before anyone can stop him, assuming no one figures out the truth anytime soon.[24]

Other versions

[edit]

Earth-3290

[edit]

In this reality, Earth surrendered to the Skrulls.[25]

What If?

[edit]

An issue of What If revolves around the Secret Invasion with two stories.[26] The first story asks what would happen if the Skrulls won the Secret Invasion and solved mankind's challenges such as freedom. Here, the Skrulls are celebrating their anniversary of taking over Earth. Some humans have been converted into Skrulls. The Avengers Alliance of Freedom (led by Captain America II and consisting of Black Panther, Blue Marvel, Human Torch, a heavily alcoholic Iron Man, Khn'nr, Ms. Marvel, Night Thrasher II, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman II, Storm, Thing, Thor, and Wolverine) are considered terrorists to the rest of the world. The Skrull's broadcast is interrupted by a pirate footage of Captain America stating that Earth is really under occupation. Queen Veranke's consort Norman Osborn tells her that it would be best to crush the Avengers Alliance of Freedom in Wakanda where they are currently hiding. Wolverine has brought one last remaining sample of the modified Legacy Virus to use against the Skrulls. Veranke appears before the United Nations and gets approval to invade Wakanda and take down the Avengers Alliance of Freedom. As soon as the virus is ready, the Skrull forces attack Wakanda. The Avengers leap into action to repel them. When the cannon meant to release the vaccine is destroyed, Thor uses his powers to spread it across the globe. But instead of doing what was expected, every Skrull and converted humans perishes. The culprit is in fact Norman Osborn. He explains that this was all an elaborate ruse to get what he wants. Due to Iron Man's alcoholism, Spider-Man helped him infiltrate Wakanda to help them but he did not expect that Norman Osborn would cross the line. Osborn admits that he did create a cure for the virus, so that he could survive and get back at the Skrulls for using him. Enraged, Captain America beheads Osborn with his shield. The Avengers surrender to the UN forces sent to arrest them. Meanwhile, far up on the Moon, Uatu the Watcher can only lament how this alternate Earth turned out.

The second story asks what would happen if the Secret Invasion remained secret. Norman Osborn is shown wondering what would happen if he was in charge of national security. Already on this Earth, Captain America has been pardoned for his role in the Civil War and is seen shaking hands with the Red Skull. Hours later, Norman Osborn and the Thunderbolts are dispatched to investigate a situation in the Savage Land. They infiltrate a mysterious structure full of duplicates of superhumans. The Thunderbolts attempt to fight through, only for them all to be massacred and Osborn captured. He is brought before Veranke/Spider-Woman. She tells him a little story about how a priest stood up to her and told her that she would die by the hands of Norman Osborn himself. Therefore, the Skrulls had to integrate themselves into human society and eventually fade away. She claims that the prophet became Osborn himself. Though Norman Osborn tries to deny it, Veranke insists that he is and asks that he kiss her true face. Instead, Norman Osborn commits suicide, and reverts him to his Skrull form.

In other media

[edit]

Television

[edit]
  • The plot of the Secret Invasion storyline was adapted in the animated series The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. A newspaper seen at the beginning of the episode "Masters of Evil" includes a headline for a Baxter Building tenant's recollections of becoming replaced by an alien. Also, in the episode "The Kang Dynasty", Kang the Conqueror references both Civil War and Secret Invasion by saying 'Captain America's betrayal is just the beginning... The worst is yet to come.' Later, towards the end of episode "Widow's Sting", the captured Madame Hydra is revealed to be a Skrull in disguise. At the end of the episode "A Day Unlike Any Other", after the Avengers return from their battle with Loki, Captain America is attacked and replaced by a Skrull who goes on to say 'The infiltration has begun' as the Skrull takes Captain America's place. In "The Private War of Doctor Doom", Invisible Woman of the Fantastic Four was also revealed to be a Skrull. However, as of "Welcome to the Kree Empire", only Doctor Doom and Nick Fury seem aware of the infiltration. In "Who Do You Trust?", it is shown that Veranke is posing as Mockingbird (mirroring Veranke impersonating Spider-Woman in the original comic). In the episode "Infiltration", the Skrull Invasion begins and Ms. Marvel is tricked by Skrull Avengers to help attack Wakanda and the Black Panther but the Skrull Avengers are later defeated when Hawkeye and the Wasp show up. Veranke also installs a virus in Iron Man's armor. In the episode "Secret Invasion", Nick Fury and Maria Hill save Iron Man, Captain America returns to Earth (along with the real heroes and villains who had been revealed to be replaced before), and the Avengers defeat the Super-Skrulls and Thor destroys their backup plan to wipe out humanity. The invasion is thwarted and the Skrulls are put in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.
  • In December 2020, a Disney+ Secret Invasion television show based on the limited comic series was announced as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It stars Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, both reprising their roles from the MCU films.[27] Also starring are Kingsley Ben-Adir as rebel Skrull leader Gravik, Emilia Clarke as Talos' daughter G'iah,[28] Olivia Colman as MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth,[29] Killian Scott as Pagon,[30] and Carmen Ejogo in an undisclosed role.[31] The series premiered on June 21, 2023.[32]

Video games

[edit]

Merchandising

[edit]
  • Marvel HeroClix released a "Secret Invasion"-themed set based on the storyline. The set included Captain Marvel, Dum-Dum Dugan, Criti Noll (as Yellowjacket), Pagon (as Elektra), Ms. Marvel, Edwin Jarvis, and many more. Veranke (as Spider-Woman) and Lyja (as Invisible Woman) were released as chase figures in their Skrull-only personality.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Annihilation #1 - 6 (Oct. 2006 - Mar. 2007). Marvel Comics.
  2. ^ Richards, Dave (June 14, 2007). ""New Avengers #31: Bendis Talks About the Big Twist"". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  3. ^ Secret War #1 - 5 (Apr. 2004 - Dec. 2005). Marvel Comics.
  4. ^ a b New Avengers #1 (Jan. 2005). Marvel Comics.
  5. ^ ""Baltimore '07: Brian Bendis Talks Secret Invasion"". Newsarama. September 10, 2007. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  6. ^ Johnston, Rich (April 7, 2008). "Lying In The Gutters". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  7. ^ Hundson, Laura (July 4, 2008). "Marvel's Viral Marketing Invasion". Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  8. ^ Avengers #88–97 (June 1971 – Mar. 1972)
  9. ^ Shown in flashback in New Avengers: Illuminati #1 (Dec. 2006). Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Fantastic Four #257 (Aug. 1983)
  11. ^ New Avengers #40 (Apr. 2008)
  12. ^ New Avengers #31 (June 2007). Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ New Avengers #41–43 (May–July 2008). Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ New Avengers: Illuminati #5 (Nov. 2007). Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Deadpool vol. 4 #3. Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Secret Invasion #8. Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ Dark Reign: Dark Avengers #1 (Mar. 2009). Marvel Comics.
  18. ^ ""Secret Invasion Comic Series Reviews"". Comic Book Roundup. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Review of Secret Invasion #1 Archived December 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Comics Bulletin
  20. ^ a b Review of Secret Invasion #1, Comic Book Resources
  21. ^ a b Sales Estimates for April, 2008 Books, Comic Book Resources, May 20, 2008
  22. ^ Sales Estimates for May, 2008, Comic Book Resources, June 17, 2008
  23. ^ Secret Invasion (Vol. 2) #1
  24. ^ Secret Invasion (Vol. 2) #2
  25. ^ Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #3
  26. ^ What If?: Secret Invasion
  27. ^ Gelman, Vlada (December 10, 2020). "Secret Invasion, Marvel Series Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Coming to Disney+". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  28. ^ Brezican, Anthony (March 31, 2023). "Secret Invasion Revealed: Inside Samuel L. Jackson's Eye-Opening New Marvel Series". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  29. ^ Miller, Leon (September 13, 2022). "Marvel Confirms Secret Invasion Link to Captain America's Howling Commandos". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 26, 2021). "'Secret Invasion': Christopher McDonald Joins Marvel Series For Disney+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  31. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 12, 2021). "'Secret Invasion': First Looks Unveiled For Nick Fury & Talos Team-Up Marvel Series – Disney+ Day". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  32. ^ Lovett, Jamie (April 2, 2023). "Secret Invasion Poster Released By Marvel Ahead of Trailer Debut". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  33. ^ Dornbush, Jonathan (November 30, 2015). "See the history of the canceled Avengers video game". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
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