New Avengers (Vol. 1) #40

Background

The infiltration is over... The invasion has begun!

Story Details

Years ago on the Skrull homeworld shortly after the events of Avengers Illuminati, Skrull King Dorrek is surveying the damage the illuminati caused during their escape. He is confronted by Princess Veranke, who warns him of the prophecy. Dorrek then banishes Veranke and tells his "Head of sciences" to begin preparation.

Later we see Reed Richards recovering in hospital with the rest of the Fantastic Four talking about Galactus when suddenly one of the nurses kills him. The nurse is revealed to be Dorrek, who was sickened by Reed as he turned one of his family into a cow. Years later we see Galactus devouring the Skrull homeworld. Later still, the Skrulls free Veranke who tells the Skrulls that they will claim their new homeworld as written in the prohecy... The Earth. Soon after in what appears to be a cloning chamber Queen Veranke is told the Skrull scientists have devised a way to infiltrate the humans undetected, and they have found a way to improve the original Super Skrull program. Veranke is introduced to the Skrull that posed as Black Bolt during Avengers Illuminati, as well as the Skrull who was posing as Elektra who was killed during issue 31. Queen Veranke is impressed by this and decides to be part of the infiltration and asks who could she pose as to cause the most damage. The final page shows Veranke looking at a hollogram of Spider-Woman

General Comments

The big reveal at the end of this issue was a big shock for me. However looking back this all make sense as Spider-Woman was the one causing the most doubt between the heroes, in both New and Mighty Avengers. I have to wonder though where is the original Spider-Woman?

Overall Rating

4 webs. Solid writing and art and a huge Skrull reveal. What more could you ask for? I'm also really enjoying the way that both New Avengers and Mighty Avengers are filling in the back story to the main SI book.