Writer: Jonathan Hickman

Art: Esad Ribic, Ive Svorcina, Chris Eliopoulos, and Alex Ross

Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 1, 2015

Was God once a man? You know… before being God. Like the last issue, this reviewer brought up the parallel to the creation story in the Bible to Jonathan Hickman’s SECRET WARS and noticed a few similarities. However, the Bible only speaks of the creation of “our” universe. So, and this critic poses the question, was God once a man? Let’s dive into SECRET WARS #4 by Jonathan Hickman and explore what comes out on the other side!

Humanity was made in HIS image and meant to be stewards of HIS creation (Biblically speaking). Mankind was created to work hand-in-hand with the creator until that fateful day that humanity chose ourselves, “our” vision, and wanted to be the new boss and owner of existence. It’s the true circle of life. Man wants it their way. Greed, lust, power, and pride take over causing a ripple effect that fractured “our” creation. Now, why does this reviewer bring this up? Ultimately, that summarizes issue 4, except those who oppose God-Doom, are those that knew him before, like possibly the angels and demons of our world. Those that look to fight Doom know who he was before playing God. So, will they bring down God-Doom?

Throughout the issue, Hickman introduces a melee of action between the Cabal, the Earth 616 Life Boat, and eventually God-Doom. Sheriff Strange catches our surviving 616 heroes up quickly and goes to confront the surviving Cabal members who are combatting God-Doom’s Enforcers of Justice (the Thor Core). Eventually, the skirmish rages on until God-Doom is summoned, lays waste to a few of our heroes, and literally kills one of our beloved heroes (read it and find out!). The Good Sheriff Strange uses his ability to scatter the remaining warriors before God-Doom snuffs every last one out for good. However, the issue ends with an unexpected twist, which again you’ll have to read to find out!

Hickman pours out some of the biggest players in front of God-Doom throughout this issue and Victor doesn’t quiver once. Victor stands toe-to-toe with the Phoenix Force and was prepared to annihilate Thanos. However, Hickman proceeds to pick at the one scab that has always been Victor’s demise, even as a God… Reed Richards. The venomous hate Victor has for him is truly immense. Moreover, Strange points out in this very issue that God-Doom actually went so far as to steal Reed’s life taking his family and claiming them his own. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife Doom-boy! What God would do that? Should a true God ever be that jealous?

The God of the Bible often times comes across as fickled between the Old and New Testament. Jesus proclaimed God as loving, compassionate, and slow to anger. However, the Old Testament views a God that has approximately 613 laws to follow, quick to punish, and overly judgmental. Now, in this reviewer’s humble opinion, this is an over-exaggeration and a terrible take of the God of the Bible. However, my point is; these emotions would hold true to a God that was once a man like Victor. These emotions would hold true to a God that wasn’t jealous, prideful, arrogant, and quick to anger like God-Doom. So again, this reviewer poses the question that Hickman has made this critic wonder… was the God of the Bible once a man that came across this power (similar to Doom) and is now responsible for our very universe?

To a stranger looking into Hickman’s series so far, Doom looks like the savior. Victor saved what he could and took the burden on himself to recreate, judge, and watch over his new creation. However, those who have followed comics for a long time know Doom’s true character and the evil that festers inside this man. It’s the same depravity that’s ultimately inside all of us; pride, arrogance, greed, lust, and evil. Hickman uses this issue to expose God-Doom for the first time and catches him with his pants down, showing that Victor is no real God at all. He’s simply a little boy who found a blank check for whatever he wants.

Our God of the Bible finds ways of taking the evil we do every day and twists that sin into something good. A true God would also be All-Knowing (past, present, and future), which Victor is not. Our God has a purpose and understands that you can’t have love without justice and some type of judgment. Victor is forcing his will and adoration onto his world, which is something a true God would never do. Hopefully, one day, God’s origin story will be shared with us all. But for now, Hickman is borrowing aspects and elements from our own Godly narrative and placing them into his to show what it really takes to be a God… and Victor simply doesn’t have it.

FINAL THOUGHTS

$&@$ gets real in this issue by Hickman. People die and big players are reintroduced to the anecdote to inflict some crazy conflict. God-Doom’s true colors begin to manifest while a small spark of Doom’s possible demise is introduced for the first time. Hickman creates a fast-paced, action-packed, thrill ride from the opening pages and ends with a shock this reviewer didn’t see coming on his very first read years ago. Furthermore, Esad Ribic, Ive Svorcina, and Chris Eliopoulos do a masterful job creating some of the most beautifully epic battle scenes in any comic. This reviewer may not mention enough throughout the reviewer how amazing this artistic team is BUT please don’t let that take away from the sheer brilliance of their work. Without this art team, the issue/series would be above average at best. It’s Ribic, Svorcina, and Eliopoulos who make this practically a 10 out of 10. after every review. Find these issues and buy the trade. See first hand what makes this series one of the best Marvel events EVER.

9.6/10