Marvel Comics' Secret Invasion is getting a sequel.
Announced by IGN, a five-issue miniseries of the same name is set to release later in 2022. Written by Ryan North (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl) and drawn by Francesco Mobili (Daredevil), the title will explore Nick Fury and Maria Hill dealing with another Skrull invasion, with the Earth's mightiest heroes more prepared after the last time -- though readers will see if they were truly ready. However, North claims that the title will not be as universe-shattering as its predecessor, but more grounded and focused.
"It's a sequel in that it takes place in the same Marvel Universe as the first one and everyone in the story remembers the first one happening," North told IGN, "But it's more of a standalone story because they've all learned from that adventure and aren't interested in seeing it go the same way twice." The original Secret Invasion event ran for eight issues, but featured numerous tie-ins and an aftermath that clocked the full story in at over 100 issues total. The main event, written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Leinil Francis Yu, explored what would happen if heroes like Spider-Woman, Elektra and Hank Pym had slowly been replaced by Skrulls who posed as the beloved characters for years.
Though the original mind-blowing event was lengthy in its entirety, North insists that it is not critical reading for the sequel, though fans will be able to spot some callbacks if they embrace a re-read. "You don't have to have any of the 2008 series to enjoy this, of course -- the book tells you all you need to know -- but if you have there's a few little callbacks you'll catch." North also said that the story will be primarily focused on Maria Hill, though Nick Fury and Tony Stark's Iron Man will be along for the ride, as well as a '90s team "that we haven't seen in a while."
The Secret Invasion sequel arrives right in time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe's adaptation of the original story for Disney+, returning actor Samuel Jackson to the role of Nick Fury. This isn't the first time in recent months that Marvel Comics has shifted to spotlight its upcoming live-action heroes as well. Ms. Marvel and Hawkeye's Kate Bishop both received miniseries before their Disney+ shows released, with other heroes like Moon Knight and She-Hulk leading ongoing comic series ahead of their live-action debuts.
Though North discussed that the book will not revolutionize the Marvel Universe again, he did tease some status quo changes and that the title will "cast a long shadow" going forward. Both the comic book sequel to Secret Invasion and its live-action counterpart are expected to release in 2022.
Source: IGN