SECRET WARS II

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Issue Review
Secret Wars II #7

Direct Market Release Date: September 24, 1985

Credits

Title: Charge of the Dark Brigade!
Scripter: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Al Milgrom
Inker: Steve Leialoha
Letters: Joe Rosen & Friends
Colorist: Juliana Ferriter
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Summary

Uncertain of his role in existence, the Beyonder has retreated to a tiny atoll in the Pacific Ocean to contemplate his next move.  He's discovered by Ed Strunk, a former sales exec who abandoned his old life to find meaning in these islands.  Strunk gets inspired by the Beyonder's "just thinking" approach to self discovery, and returns to the island with hundreds of others, ready to follow the Beyonder's "think system".

Meanwhile, Mephisto, terrified that the Beyonder will again try to kill his beloved mistress Death, has created a machine called the Beyondersbane to stop him, which is amplified by power syphoned from the Beyonder himself.  He disguises himself as a mysterious man named Bitterhorn, and recruits a team of 99 villains - the "Legion Accursed", to attack the Beyonder.  Agreeing with a handshake, each villain is secretly imprinted with an invisible mark that links them to the Beyondersbane.

The Beyonder's new followers, now dubbed the "Island of Thinkers" have begun to attract the attention of the media.  The newscast is seen by Benjamin Grimm, who still blames the Beyonder for the loss of his girlfriend, Alicia.  Coincidentally, the Thing happens to be on a nearby island filming a movie, and flies into a rage knowing the man who caused him to lose his old life is so close to him. 

The Beyonder realizes that the media and followers have polluted his solitude, and announces that he is leaving. The Beyondersbane is currently calibrated to work only in the area where the Beyonder is currently sitting.  Aware that the Beyonder leaving would foil his plans, Mephisto decides to use Ben Grimm's animosity to keep the Beyonder in place and buy the Legion Accursed some time to arrive.  Mephisto appears to a tormented Grimm in various guises and eventually appears as the Thing's old wrestling manager, Ed Garner, and goads this Thing into a rematch with the Beyonder.  The Things signs a contract for the match, which gives Mephisto a chance to imprint the Thing with the power of the Beyondersbane.

As the Beyonder begins to leave the island, a rampaging Thing arrives, looking for revenge on the Beyonder, but the Beyonder refuses to fight back.  Just in time, Mephisto announces that the Beyondersbane has reached full power, and orders the Legion Accursed to attack. 

As the 99 villains begin to attack, the Thing realizes he can not stand idle and let the Legion kill the Beyonder. He makes a stand, and is able to take out most of the Beyonder's attackers, drawing on his enhanced powers.  With only the Juggernaut left standing, Mephisto tears up the contract, returning the Thing's strength back to normal levels.  The Juggernaut makes short work of the Thing, but just as he is about to lay a hand on the ambivalent Beyonder, the Thing triumphs and prevents the attack.  With the defeat,. Mephisto's Legion Accursed are teleported away.

The window of time during which the Beyondersbane was at peak power comes to an end, and the machine collapses upon itself.  Further adding to Mephisto's defeat, Death leaves his side.  The Thing collapses in front of the Beyonder.

The Beyonder realizes that he helped show Ben Grimm his purpose in life, that he was a true defender and hero.  He decides to dedicate his existence to showing others what their true roles are.

Quotes

Mephisto: Isn't it wonderful, beloved?  Among the overlords of existence, there is such fear of this awesome interloper, this Beyonder, that the universe itself is aiding me in destroying him, sacrificing a large part of itself in the process!  It is costing Eternity an arm and a leg! 

The Thing: Now, stand up fight, mister, or--
The Beyonder: No!
The Thing: No?  Then I'll kill you where you sit, jerk!
Ed Strunk: Hey, hey--! I thought you were one of the g-good guys!
The Thing: I wuz... Now I ain't sure anymore!  I mean, I want him dead -- An' I ain't gonna be denied, but...
The Beyonder: Interesting...  If one such as YOU can have doubts about his role, than perhaps it is not so terrible that I do.

The Rhino: Death to the Beyonder!  Rip him apart!
The Thing: They-- They wanna off the Beyonder!  Just like me... Do I beat 'em to it--?  Or help 'em? Or..
The Beyonder: What AM I, that entire armies attack me, though I am simply sitting and thinking?  Am I so monstrous--?  If so, should I not just allow them to slay me, putting an end to my misery -- and their fear?  I could destroy them, of course, and BE the nightmare they think I am!  Or I suppose I could just teleport away...
Mephisto: STAY, interloper!  You MUST stay!  Fight--!  Or go gentle into death!  But, please, do not flee!  This chance will come to me but once!  And, yet, THINK--!  If he stays, but SURVIVES the attempt...!  So...  after all these eons, I, Mephisto, know fear!

Caption: Death awaits...  Eternity stands ready...  The mighty of the multiverse tremble...  And, in Suburban Denver..
Marsha Rosenberg: The answer's "Donald Duck," Owie!  You KNEW that!  Everybody knows that!
Owen Reece: Yeah...  I'm just... having trouble concentrating on the game!  Sorry!

The Thing: Of all the revoltin' developments--!  Why am I DOIN' this?  I hate that son-of-a-snake in th' grass more 'n' I hate MYSELF!  I HATE SAVIN' HIS BUTT--!  But when th' chips are down, dad-blast it -- somewheres deep down in my guts.. OWW!  I guess I KNOW what I gotta do!  For one, I gotta twist your NOSE off fer that cheap shot, Rhino!

The Beyonder: While I've been thinking about MY role in the multiverse, I apparently caused a whole bunch of people to find THEIRS!  Especially BEN!  Just by sitting here I forced him to realize what his true essence is -- a defender of life!  A HERO, not a murderer!  Maybe that's IT!  Maybe my true role is to teach OTHER beings in existence what THEIR true roles are!  I think I'm on to something here!

Commentary

Secret Wars II #7 is one of the better issues of the series, even if some of it's plot points are nearly identical to the Thing #30. In both, the Thing, blinded by revenge, decides to kill the Beyonder, and stops when he realizes that he is one of the good guys.

The Thing's revelation causes an epiphany in The Beyonder, who decides his purpose is to help others find theirs.  He begins to play the role of a God, and this month and it's crossovers depict the Beyonder's new role inspiring religious followers.  It's probably the best use for the character to date. This issue also nicely sets up a nice dynamic between the Beyonder and Mephisto that continues on into Amazing Spider-man #274.

As for the Legion Accursed themselves, the following villains are seen participating in the assault against the Beyonder: Abomination, Absorbing Man, Anaconda, Baron Mordo, Blastaar, Blob, Crimson Dynamo, Diablo, Dr. Doom, Dr. Octopus, Electro, Emma Frost, Enchantress, Executioner, Green Goblin, Grim Reaper, Hobgoblin, Juggernaut, Kang, Kraven, MODOK, Mole Man, Rhino, Ringmaster, Silver Samurai, Titania, Ultron, Vulture, Wizard, and the Wrecker.  The best part of the fight is the Thing knocking Doctor Octopus' glasses off his face on pg 19.

Dr. Doom's appearance here is actually that of one of his Doombots, as Doom's body was destroyed in a fight with the Silver Surfer and Terrax the Tamer. Fantastic Four #288 details Dr. Doom's journey throughout the Secret Wars saga, and the Beyonder's role in his return.

Secret Wars II penciler Al Milgrom and his wife Judy make an appearance throughout the book, playing a game of Trivial Pursuit at the Denver home of Owen Reece and Marsha Rosenberg.

A reading order for this month's crossovers is as follows:

1. Secret Wars II #7
• The Beyonder decides that his purpose is to help other beings discover their true roles in life.
2. New Mutants #36
• The Beyonder starts by purging Illyana's Darksoul from her, restoring her to her true self.
3. The New Defenders #152
• The Beyonder hears Moondragon's plea and augments her power.
4. Amazing Spider-Man #273 pages 1-20
• The Beyonder's Cult of Oneness is investigated by Spider-Man and the Puma.
5. Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #111 pages 1-12
• Puma is teleported to Japan. There, he discovers that the Beyonder has been receiving teachings from his former master Muramoto.
6. Amazing Spider-Man #273 pages 21-23
• Puma returns to America, and has his attempt to enlist Spider-Man's aid in killing the Beyonder by the Beyonder himself.
7. Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #111 pages 13-14
• The Beyonder reveals that he has introduced his new philosophy of life to Muramoto, who has decided to become a rockstar. The Beyonder leaves to book Muramoto a gig at a night club.
8. Uncanny X-Men #202
• The Beyonder's attemp to help Rachel find her true role in life doesn't go as planned, and she declares that all the Beyonder will ever do is harm people. He is left feeling dejected and confused again.
9. Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #111 pages 15-25
• The Beyonder expresses his growing anxiety and confusion to Death. He proceeds to Muramato's concert, where he hopes the Puma will end his existence. In the ensuing fight, Muramoto is killed, and the Beyonder is left feeling more hopeless than ever
10. Deadpool Team Up featuring Deadpool and Widdle Wade #1 (optional)
• While this story is written out of continuity, if you want to try to fit it in to the reading order, this is the best place for it. Deadpool, under the employ of the KingPin, attempts to assassinate the Beyonder, who tries one final time to a be religious messiah, this time in the form of Elvis Presley.
11. Secret Wars II #8
• After his experiences with Rachel and the Puma, the Beyonder begins to teeter on the brink of insanity.

Up next...

Secret Wars II continues in New Mutants #36!