A Secret Meeting Between Friends: Invaders #8 Reviewed
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
Roxxon and the United States government scheme on how to respond to the Atlantean threat. Jim Hammond, formerly the Human Torch, has been rebuilt as the Iron Torch. He’s ready to kill Namor, but Toro, his old partner, tries to talk him down. The Winter Soldier accepts an invite to a secret meeting with Namor without Captain America’s knowledge. Bucky tries to get through to Namor, and the Sub-Mariner confides in Bucky about his struggles since that meeting with Charles Xavier all those years ago. Tommy, the memory of an old friend now existing as an advisor in Namor’s own head, has made Namor do things without his conscious knowledge. However, it may be too late; Namor may just be too far gone.
Invaders #8 finds the team working apart on how to respond to the Namor threat. Bucky tries to talk Namor down, Jim Hammond is ready to kill him, and Captain America works to find a cure for the people forcibly turned into Atlanteans.
Each solution reflects the mental and emotional state of the Invader choosing it, and that’s some damn good storytelling. Bucky empathizes with
Namor, Jim thinks he’s too far gone, and Steve just wants to help the people hurt by Namor.
Bucky’s meeting with Namor takes up the largest share of the comic, and that’s fine by me. The Winter Soldier is my all-time favorite Marvel character, and I want to see as much of him as possible.
Carlo Magno and Butch Guice once again share the load in this issue, and both artists once again put some incredible work on the page. Magno in particular does a fantastic job of showing Namor’s mental anguish through facial expression. Alex Guimarães’ color art continues to bring the fire and action to life with popping shades.
Invaders #8 continues to chart the schism between the team and Namor, and it does so in a remarkably engaging manner. I don’t know how this conflict is going to end, but Chip Zdarsky has my full attention with this one. This comic definitely gets a recommendation. Feel free to give it a read.
Invaders #8 comes to us from writer Chip Zdarsky, artists Carlos Magno and Butch Guice, color artist Alex Guimarães, letterer VC’s Travis Lanham, and cover artist Butch Guice with Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Final Score: 8.5/10
