Secret Wars II #3 Review - Secret Wars II

Issue Review
Secret Wars II #3

Direct Market Release Date: May 28, 1985

Credits

Title: "The World is Mine"
Scripter: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Al Milgrom
Inkers: Steve Leialoha
Letterers: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Summary

The Beyonder, wandering the streets at night, is propositioned by a prostitute name Toots. Although naive to her offer to find a hotel room, the Beyonder does understand her request for money, and as he did last issue, creates gold out of mid-air. Shocked by this, Toots runs away.

Weary, the Beyonder heads to the hotel mentioned by Toots, rents a room, and lets his human form sleep. He awakes later to find Toots and her criminal entourage, led by mobster Vinnie Corbo in his room, who are curious about his gold making abilities. After a quick demonstration, the Beyonder is quickly taken in by the gang, and is given the name "Frank". Over the next few months, "Frank" roughs up Corbo's enemies, cures his prostitutes of diseases, creates more gold, and even finds time to cure Corbo's son's dyslexia. In return, he is provided with everything possible to satisfy his material and carnal desires.

The Beyonder later stops and visits Toots, who is surprised at his visit, as with his new status as Corbo's right hand man, has access to a better "class" of girls. The Beyonder, somewhat confused, tells her that people are just people to him, and leaves. Toots is touched by his visit, and admits to herself that she loves him.

Meanwhile, Vinnie Corbo invites the Beyonder to his palatial estate, and cuts him free, telling him that he was meant for bigger things, and that it's time for him to move on. The Beyonder does so, and uses his mind control power to take over the criminal underworld. Remembering Vinnie Corbo's words that he was meant for bigger and better things, the Beyonder doesn't stop there, and soon takes control of the wills and destinies of everything on earth. The Beyonder exempts one person from his control, the Molecule Man, who soon notices that his girlfriend's molecules are being controlled by an outside source. The Molecule Man removes her from the Beyonder's influence, and goes on watching television.

Out of all the beings under his control, the Beyonder notices Circuit Breaker, a woman who was turned into a cyborg after she was crippled by a robot. She talks of her hatred for the robots who hurt her, and how they are cold, soulless imitations of life, with no spark of life.

Later, the Beyonder wonders how he can have everything in the world, yet still not feel content. He returns to visit Toots, who can't answer his questions, other than to state that she is under his control. The Beyonder realizes that, in controlling everyone, he has removed the spark of life that Circuit Breaker referred to. He releases her will, and she tells him that his kindness to her inspired her to clean up her life and quit working the streets.

Realizing that controlling the world wouldn't satisfy him, the Beyonder releases the world, and wipes the memories of his conquest from the minds of everyone. The feeling of gratitude expressed by Toots has inspired the Beyonder to use his power for something other than domination and monetary gain. Realizing that the Avengers do this every day, he visits the Avengers mansion. There, Jarvis informs him that the Avengers are in the Skrull galaxy, and the Beyonder teleports himself there to meet them.

The issue ends with the Beyonder returning to earth, noting that his visit with the Avengers didn't go well. He determines that for the next part of his plan, he needs a lawyer, and decides to visit Matt Murdock.

Quotes

Vinnie Corbo: A man's got to have STYLE, Frank! Those clothes you were wearing when we met weren't bad! The mod, with-it look -- like Duran Duran or somebody -- that suits you!
Tailor: Just hold still, Mr. uh...
The Beyonder: I am from Beyond!
Tailor: Bayonne? Nice town, if you like Jersey! But what's your name?
The Beyonder: Frank!
Tailor: Hold still, Mr. Frank!
Toots: I think you look tress chick, Frank! And "Every girl go crazy for a sharp dressed man!" Yum!
The Beyonder: Is that true?
Toots: ZZ Top thinks so! They're a band!

Molecule Man: I just noticed --! Your molecules are being controlled by some outside force!
Volcana: They are? Golly, I feel okay!
Molecule Man: Hey! EVERYTHING'S molecules are being controlled! Even the popcorn! All the molecules in this world -- except my own PERSONAL molecules -- are under the influence of some outside force! It must be the Beyonder's doing! Only HE could do this... or ME, maybe! I wonder why? What's he up to?
Volcana: What are you talking about, Owie? What's going on?
Molecule Man: Oh, the Beyonder's messing around, I guess! It's probably no big deal! Maybe he's just going through a phase... But anyway, I'll "liberate" your molecules from his control!
Volcana: Thanks sweetums! I just wuv you oodles and oodles and OODLES!
Molecule Man: Pass the popcorn, snuggle bunny! It's almost time for F-Troop!
Volcana: Oh, GOODY!

Toots: Look at me, Frank! I've given up my old life working for Chulo! I've got a regular job now! I'm a waitress! And it's all thanks to YOU! You see -- I never had much -- and nobody ever treated me nice -- but YOU did! And when you said people were just people to you, I realized that I could be like other people -- like decent people! I knew then that there must be something good inside of me -- and if I could find it.. and stop HATING myself -- that I wouldn't have to be a sleaze anymore!

The Beyonder: Conquering the world, I found did not bring an end to desire, but instead caused a GREATER sense of unfulfillment -- of incompleteness! Possessions and power do not bring fulfillment! But moments ago, I enjoyed a most rewarding experience -- the GRATITUDE of another being! I would like to know more of this! It seems to explain the previously unaccountable behavior of ones such as the Avengers who have greater power than most, but do not use it to seek domination or acquire wealth!

Commentary

While reading this issue, it finally hit me why this series may have disappointed so many people - there's not a single Marvel hero in this book that does anything of note. Pretty disappointing when you look on the cover and see nearly every current Avenger rushing to battle the Beyonder. Sure, the Molecule Man appears for a page, but his appearance in the series to date seems to serve as a commentary on self obsessed Yuppies from the "me" decade. The only other super being of note is an extremely minor character named Circuit Breaker, whose appearances prior to this were limited to the Transformers comic, which wasn't even set in the Marvel Universe!

Connecting this crossover to the first Secret Wars series may have set up some false expectations - the series may have succeeded more had it just been called "The Continuing Adventures of The Beyonder".

That being said, as long as you buy into, and enjoy the Beyonder's premise, this issue is actually pretty good! The first issue of the series established the Beyonder on Earth. The second explored the role of money in our society. The theme of this third issue is greed. Like many in the mid 1980's, the Beyonder runs wild in an attempt to quench his desires, filling his life with women, money, gadgets, and power, only to find himself unsatisfied. It's a great message.

I like that Shooter didn't waste any time prolonging the omniscient Beyonder's takeover of Earth. We're only at issue #3 and the Beyonder learns quickly that acting like a god and manipulating reality around us doesn't bring satisfaction. The issue ends with the Beyonder intrigued at his feelings that were aroused when another being thanked him.

On the downside, the book has an exceedingly long flashback that wastes three pages recapping Secret Wars #1-12, and Secret Wars II #1 and 2.

I also had to chuckle at Shooter's depiction of the criminal underworld - a place where extremely clean and friendly pimps sell women for money, all under the rule of nice, honest gangsters with slightly overweight wives and dyslexic children. The book deals with pimping, cocaine distribution, and implied sex, but in a manner that allows it to be read by young children. And strangely enough, Vinnie Corbo, the book's main mobster, looks a lot like Stan Lee.

Also of note, the Beyonder changes his physical appearance yet again, giving himself the curly black, jheri curl mane that would last him through to the end of the series. As is evidenced by the unpublished art on the Secrets of Secret Wars II page, the Beyonder underwent many different visual appearances at the beginning of the series - evidently because editorial could not settle on how they wanted the Beyonder to appear.

Up next...

Secret Wars II continues in Avengers #260!