"Bad guys win every day... why not us?"
How do the villains of the Marvel Universe live in a world where the sky is constantly filled with heroes? What do they do when they want out of that life? There is no escape. No future. Who saves the villains? The Hood believes he might be that savior. He wants everyone to have a place at the table. Now all he needs to do is build his army... Featuring Titania, Mad Thinker, Thunderball, Black Ant and Enchantress, Illuminati is a tale of villains just trying to survive in the All-New All-Different Marvel Universe.
Rated T+
Shawn Crystal's art was a pleasure, to my knowledge this is the first time I am seeing it. He does a good job capturing some really menacing expressions from the Hood, who's power set also lends itself well to some creative artistic expression. No matter what power set or demon Hood has sold himself out to at a given time (norn stones or being pimped out to Dormammu) Hood has always had some interesting artistic effects to showcase his power set, this issue was no exception in that regard. Crystal also had some fun dragon effects when Iron Fist was fighting Titania that was really fun to see. Read Full Review
This is a great start to what I think is going to be a successful and interesting series. Williamson has set up a great basis for this story in terms of characters, a problem, and even some intense intrigue. I’m so excited to see where he takes it from here! Read Full Review
This was only the first issue so I will leave an overall grade for the story as an unusual answered question. It does show some real promise though. Characters that are absolutely under used, clean art, a mystery or two, solid writing and new circumstances. It certainly has great potential. Allright marvel I'm up for issue 2. You have my attention now don't blow it. Read Full Review
It's too early to tell if this can really be the Superior Foes spiritual successor but it's off to a fine start. Read Full Review
All in all, this is still a strong debut from Williamson and Crystal if you're looking for a series that takes a look at the criminal underbelly of the Marvel Universe while retaining a warm sense of humour. I don't want to stress this as a spiritual successor to “Superior Foes Of Spider-Man” too much, but it's a safe bet that fans of that series will likely be interested in this. However, we'll need to see in the next issue whether Williamson and Crystal will be able to transition from Titania's story, which was genuinely engaging and had a very strong human element mixed in with some humour, to the actual story of the Illuminati group while keeping that human element and, hopefully, the humour intact. Read Full Review
"Illuminati" #1 really only has one surprise, and it's how inviting the comic is. Eventually, it will need to throw us some real shockers in the plotting department, but -- for the moment -- it's landing the punches just fine. Williamson and Crystal hook you on "Illuminati" through sheer storytelling charisma. Try it. You'll be back for more, too. Read Full Review
The artwork by Shawn Crystal is amazing but does not fit this narrative in any way, shape, or form. Crystal's talents would be much better served on a title like Ms. Marvel, New Avengers, or even a new volume of Young Avengers. Read Full Review
Crystal’s art was great, but it does not fit the tone at all. I live a good heist book and this first issue doesn’t disappoint
The characterization is cheeky and adds enough fun that I'm sure it will entice some readers. The plot is fairly predictable though, I doubt this will run for very long or hit the peaks of something like The Superior Foes of Spider-Man.
Joshua williamson is so much better than this
Art was silly. Story was cartoonish. Marvel seems to want only teen readers. So disappointed in this book.