Brian Michael Bendis' complete saga between two covers! It begins with a brutal battle between the New Avengers and the Hand -one that claims the life of Elektra and reveals that she was a Skrull! What does this mean for Tony Stark and his Mighty Avengers? How about the Illuminati? Soon, the whole Marvel Universe will be asking: who do you trust? As the Secret Invasion stands revealed and the Skrulls attack Earth, which heroes will be exposed as alien impostors? Can the Secret Warriors turn the tide? And can anyone stop the Skrull queen Veranke?! Plus, Bendis and a murderers' row of artistic talents reveal how your favorite Avengers were secretly replaced! COLLECTING: SECRET INVASION 1-8, PROLOGUE; NEW AVENGERS (2004) 31-32, 39-49; MIGHTY AVENGERS (2007) 7, 12-20; NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI (2007) 1, 5

Starring Wolverine, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Captain America, Black Widow, Luke Cage and more! Brian Michael Bendis, the most popular and acclaimed writer in comics, reveals the darkest chapter in Marvel Universe history! When Nick Fury discovers a disturbing connection between many of Marvel's deadliest villains, he assembles a ragtag team of the MU's most misunderstood heroes for a secret mission to do what the U.S. government could never allow - eventually leading to a super-powered blowout between a who's who of NYC heroes and mutants! Featuring the American debut of the stunning, fully painted work of Italian artist Gabriele Dell'otto. Collects Secret War (2004) #1-5.

Spider-man and captain America are in the jungles of the savage land. But who is who, and what is what? At least one of these people isn't who they say they are.

"The Secret Invasion is here, and the Battle for Manhattan has begun! Earth's heroes have been scattered, New York City is under siege and only one woman is left to stand up for all humanity"--Page 4 of cover

The Marvel Universe's greatest villains make their final move against the hallowed halls of Asgard! It's the last piece in Norman Osborn's insane bid to seize control of the world, but is the siege of Asgard the proverbial bridge too far for the former Green Goblin? And will his machinations with Loki be the thing that loses the war...or wins him the world? Plus: the New Avengers are on the run! Driven underground by the Superhuman Registration Act, the Avengers battle Osborn, and his new crime kingpin the Hood, behind the scenes--taking on a gauntlet of the Hood's lethal cronies. COLLECTING: SIEGE: THE CABAL, SIEGE PROLOGUE SIEGE 1-4, SIEGE 1 DIRECTOR'S CUT; NEW AVENGERS (2005) 61-64; DARK AVENGERS 13-16.

This study of the graphic novel and its growth in the library helps librarians utilize and develop this extraordinarily popular format in their library collections. What does the surge of popularity in graphic novels mean for libraries? Graphic Novels Beyond the Basics: Insights and Issues for Libraries goes deeper into this subject than any other volume previously published, bringing together a distinguished panel of experts to examine questions librarians may encounter as they work to enhance their graphic novel holdings. Graphic Novels Beyond the Basics begins by introducing librarians to the world of the graphic novel: popular and critically acclaimed fiction and nonfiction titles; a wide range of genres including Japanese manga and other international favorites; recurring story and character archetypes; and titles created for specific cultural audiences and female readers. The book then offers a series of chapters on key issues librarians will face with graphic novels on the shelves, including processing and retention questions, preservation and retention, collecting related media such as Japanese anime films and video games, potential grounds for patron or parental complaints, the future of graphic novels, and more.

In the less than eight decades since Superman's debut in 1938, comic book superheroes have become an indispensable part of American society and the nation's dominant mythology. They represent America's hopes, dreams, fears, and needs. As a form of popular literature, superhero narratives have closely mirrored trends and events in the nation. This study views American history from 1938 to 2010 through the lens of superhero comics, revealing the spandex-clad guardians to be not only fictional characters but barometers of the place and time in which they reside. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.