REVIEW: ANNIHILATION CONQUEST PROLOGUE

Cover to Annihilation: Conquest Prologue

BY MICHAEL MCDANIEL

            Last summer, Marvel Comics released a cosmic saga entitled ‘Annihilation’ which was largely overshadowed by the their more mainstream ‘Civil War’ series. The principal protagonists in this tale were Silver Surfer, Nova, Drax, Ronan the Accuser, and the Super Skrull. All of whom had mini-series released leading up to and during the galactic event. It also should be noted that Nova recently got an on-going series which spun out of the event.  Plagued by sometimes mediocre art but solid storytelling, the series was passed over by many comic readers. Although the ‘Civil War’ buried ‘Annihilation’ in sales, the series made it mark with something the more popular series lacked: an ending!

The title got its name from the invasion force (led by Annihilus) which poured out of the Negative Zone and into our universe and ripped its way through various galactic empires including the Kree and the Skrull. The cast of characters also included other Marvel cosmic notables including Thanos, Gamora, Galactus, Star-Lord, and too many more to mention. The former-Avenger known as Quasar even lost his life during the events of the war after he was eaten by Annihilus. (I’m not kidding…you had to see it to believe it!)
            Over a year later, the sequel to those events is nearly here. Written by noted cosmic writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the first chapter in the tale begins this week with the release of ‘Annihilation Conquest: Prologue’. The events of the Annihilation War are over but the peace is yet to be won as some of the characters from the first series are finding out.

The "famous" Rocket Racoon and his zoo crew!

            Although I’ll be the first to say that this series is not for everyone due to the cast of mostly non-Earth heroes that even the ardent Marvel fans may not be familiar with. Anyone remember Rocket Racoon? The first chapter has a great deal of action, intrigue, and even has “space lesbians” in the form of Moondragon and the new Quasar. The mantle of the Protector of the Universe formerly held by Wendell Vaughn has fallen to the daughter of the Kree Captain Marvel, Phyla Vell.
            The cosmic yarn weaves its way from the ‘Annihilation Conquest: Prologue’ one-shot to three other mini-series starring Quasar, Star-Lord and Wraith. The latter stars a new character who is being introduced within this series. Issues 4-7 of Nova are also parts. Like the Annihilation before it, these individual series will fletch out the groundwork for what is going to happen and the six-issue ‘Annihilation: Conquest’ series which comes out in November fill finish the story.

The covers of the first issues of Quasar, Wraith, and Star Lord Mini-Series.

            Helping out with the creative chores are vets Keith Giffen and newcomer Christos Gage among others. If the sequel is anything like ‘Annihilation’ it could be good.

Review Tally:
Annihilation: Conquest Prologue $3.99
3 out of 5 Green Lantern Rings

Shipment Schedule for the Annihilation Conquest Series

ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST PROLOGUE (June)
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Penciler & Inker: Mike Perkins
Colorist: Guru eFX
Cover Artist: Aleksi Briclot

ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST - QUASAR #1 - #4 (July – Oct.)
Writers: Christos N. Gage
Penciler: Mike Lilly
Cover Artist: Matt Wilson

ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST - STAR-LORD #1 - #4 (July – Oct.)
Writers: Keith Giffen
Penciler: Timothy Green II
Inker: Victor Olazaba
Colorist: Nathan Fairbairn
Cover Artist: Nic Klein

ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST - WRAITH #1 - #4 (July – Oct.)
Writers: Javier Grillo-Marxuach
Penciler & Inker: Kyle Hotz
Colorist: Gina Going-Raney
Cover Artist: Clint Langley

NOVA #4-#7 (July - Oct.)
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Penciler: Sean Chen
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorist: Guru EFX
Cover Artist: Adi Granov

ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST #1 - #6 (Nov. '07 – April '08)
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Penciler: Tom Raney
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorist: Frank D'Armata
Cover Artist: Aleksi Briclot