There's so much to see here. It's not just hero fighting hero. The other areas of Battleworld are being set up but there's a deep story going on here as well. Hickman, like the 'god' character we see here is creating a fascinating story with the idea of Battleworld and how each area relates to one another. The more you see, the more you want to see. Hickman makes it hard not to be excited. Esad Ribic's art and Ive Svorcina's colors gives this a great vibe. If you are craving more big fights, it looks like you'll be getting some of that as well as Hickman continues to set the stage for big things. Read Full Review

There has never been a Hickman-created world that didn’t feel complete. From culture, to history, to politics, Hickman truly does think of it all. Saying that Battleworld may be his most interesting world yet is quite the achievement. The Marvel Universe is dead and what we are left with is a brilliantly realized world reminiscent of Westeros. In 2 issues, Secret Wars ended the MU and replaced with something even more interesting. That’s more than most events can accomplish in 8 issues. Read Full Review

I cant wait to find out and while I have no answers today, I know one thing, this does promise to be an epic ride. Read Full Review

Im gonna echo Slewo here, this is a cant miss book. The Marvel universe is being rewritten here, and we get to go along for the ride. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #2 is filled to the brim with infamous heavy hitters and an underlying tension that you can cut with a knife. If you enjoyed the “whole bunch of characters in one wild place” aspect of the original Secret Wars, you'll definitely dig this. If you enjoy top flight writing and fantastic artwork, you'll definitely dig this. Hickman is at the top of his game and his work here, with Ribic, is amazing. Secret Wars is a blank canvas that he can go wild in, and, while I have more questions than answered at this point, I'm absolutely giddy to see where all this goes. The final pages are fantastic, the cliffhanger is ominous, and there is still one hell of a big brawl coming. This is setting up to be a damn fine event if the first two issues are any indication and I can't wait to get my hands on issue #3. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #2 has so much going for it as the status quo has been replaced with a new order of things. It's only a matter of time until someone challenges Doom, but I have no earthly idea how anyone can oppose him, much less win. It's not just the fights that are going be interesting, but how the areas of Battleworld interact with each other that seemingly makes this deep story full of endless possibilities. Read Full Review

With only two issues in the can, Marvel has delivered its best event comic since Civil War. Hickman and Ribic have established an extraordinary amount in just two chapters, but only leave readers wanting more. The stakes feel immense, but never so high that they lose perspective on the characters and story arcs driving them. It makes for a tale that both casual and dedicated Marvel readers can equally enjoy. While the surface is packed with dramatic conflict and intriguing ideas, the details underneath reward fans who have followed Marvel in laying the foundation. And Goddoom it if Esad Ribic doesnt make every moment sparkle with a gothic charm. Comics dont get more epic than Secret Wars. With the stage set, the characters established, and conflict ignitedall in glorious fashionheres hoping that Hickman, Ribic, and Marvel have even more secret surprises ahead. Read Full Review

No small feat, Secret Wars is defying expectation and cutting through the hype with something for Marvel fans new and old alike. Read Full Review

Jonathan Hickman does it again but this time without the nonstop action and epic Battle Royale. He uses suspense, imagination, originality, and innovation to seduce readers deeper into the narrative. The issue is extremely well-paced and packed full of comparisons to Christianity, Judaism, and Creation/ Garden imagery. Esad Ribics realistic tone to every character was beautiful, including characters like Dragon Man, while his Galactus was drawn with such fiery radiance that this reviewer could stare at those pages for hours. If youre interested in an epic event that will keep you guessing, ensnare your attention, and elevate your level of excitement for the characters you love, this issue is for you. Pick this up if you can, otherwise grab the trade as soon as possible. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #2 opens up a whole new world to be explored. This issue gives readers a nice, smartly-paced introduction to this world. The first issue opened up the story, but now the credits have played onscreen and the action and intrigue truly gets rolling. Read Full Review

If you're a lover of world building and great mystery, don't miss this issue. There's plenty to uncover here as we enter a brand new world and it's fascinating to peel back the many layers of this onion. Read Full Review

Overall, this book is fantastic. The story is great, the art is superb, and I literally cannot think of any reason why a fan of Marvel Comics and its various characters wouldn't find it well worth its $4.99 price tag. I know many readers are suffering from event fatigue, as Marvel has seemingly churned out event after event in the last few years, starting with Avengers vs. X-Men, with each of them promising to change the landscape of the Marvel universe and most of them failing to deliver on that promise. But this one feels different. It feels like this time, they mean it. If you are a fan of the Marvel universe at all, you need to be reading this book. Period. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #2 is absurdly fun. A total homage to the fantasy epics of old and new. I can honestly say Hickman and Ribic have totally taken apart the Marvel Universe and made something so different and so glorious it deserves a toast. A toast of Meadespecifically of course. I strongly suggest you not only pick it up but give it a couple reads because there is a whole lot going on in this issue. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #2 was a magnificent read and made up for what I found was a lackluster debut issue in Secret Wars #1. I am not excited about this big event and eager to see what Hickman has in store for us. I wish Marvel was handling the publishing schedule better for this big event. I do not want to see Hickman getting screwed by Marvel's editorial decisions the way Morrison got screwed on Final Crisis with DC's horrible publishing decisions. I also wish that Marvel was more upfront about what is in store for their line of comics post-Secret Wars. However, none of that changes my belief that we are in store for a real treat with Secret Wars. It is clear to me that Hickman has a grand tale in mind for this big event and is going to deliver something special. Read Full Review

“Secret Wars” #2 is a great achievement for an event comic. It's accessible and reads like an epic. God Emperor Doom is a true villain and Hickman is clearly having fun writing the dialogue for him as well as the rest of the characters. This is going to be an event comic that separates itself from the lackluster series we've seen in recent years. Read Full Review

The thing that makes me doubt that, of course, is the fact that this is the brainchild of writer Jonathan Hickman - and he hasn't failed us yet. Read Full Review

In a recent interview, Hickman explained howSecret Wars #2 was the first issue to be completed so other Marvel writers would have an idea of how to flesh out Battleworld in their tie-in series. It makes sense, as this issue truly does feel like the proper start toSecret Wars and what it actually means. Read Full Review

Events are a dime a dozen in comics, but Secret Wars so far has felt less like an event and more like a huge ending of a story started all the way back in the heady days of "Marvel NOW!" After the dust settled on the destruction of the last incursion, something wholly new and wild was presented to us in the form of Secret Wars #2. How often can one say that about a major comic event? Every step of the story up til now has been carefully planned and foreshadowed and I would be very surprised if everything afterward wasn't planned with the same eye for detail. Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic, and Ive Svorcina have an epic tale to tale in the pages of Secret Wars, and our only job is to enjoy it. All hope may very well lie in Doom right now, but the trials of Battleworld still await. Read Full Review

This issue proves Secret Wars is an accessible and digestiblenew status quo even for newcomers. Read Full Review

This is a comic event for comic fans, and the scope and level of pay off lead to a highly satisfying and accomplished reading experience. This series comes highly recommended, and with a bit of a clearer focus on where the story is going next, it looks like it's going to be a blast. Read Full Review

The ending is also great! It takes me by surprise, at sets up further conflicts in the Battleworld. The end of Marvel Universe really brings out one of the best storyline the publisher has ever offered, and I can't wait to read the tie-ins that further strengthen the story. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #2 is a much more accessible gateway into Marvel's latest event. While certain elements remain unclear, this issue does a lot to lay out the nature and makeup of Battleworld without simply bogging the story down with exposition. Hickman and Ribic paint a stunning picture of Battleworld and build a strong foundation on which this series and its numerous tie-ins can build. Read Full Review

The Secret Wars are building up, and so far I'm pretty sold on the crossover. Don't take that to mean I'm all for reconstructing the Marvel multiverse — but if this continues, it might all be worth it. Read Full Review

This second issue, with all of the world-building and introductions, feels like the true first issue of the series, and presents a ton of fascinating corners to explore while still keeping the overriding narrative interesting and moving forward. Secret Wars continues to be Marvel's best even in years, and I can't wait for things to heat up. Read Full Review

There is history and character behind this world we've just being introduced to, and if the first two issues are anything to go by, it promises a world shattering storyline. Read Full Review

Also be sure to checkout my previous review of Secret Wars #1 Read Full Review

Well, when I began reading Jonathan Hickman's Marvel work I never thought he'd be given this big of a Big Event. Where he'd be allowed to destroy everything and reshape it as he thinks best. Certainly a testament to his skill as storyteller and Marvel's trust in that skill to give him free reign to do as he wills. So this is a fine beginning to Secret Wars. Read Full Review

The first issue was interesting and had me entertained, this second issue has me really interested to see what happens next. Unlike recent events from Marvel, this one is actually living up to the build up and hype so far. But, we have a long way to go before it's over. If you missed the first issue, you can skip it, the second is where things really begin. Read Full Review

Beautiful, epic panel work gives "Secret Wars #2" the gravitas it deserves for an event this large, but the story line gets lost among it's humongous checklist of characters and worlds. If "Secret Wars #3"is another issue of countless new introductions and new plot points, this event might trip itself up before it hits its stride. Read Full Review

While it doesn't hit the lofty heights of #1, SECRET WARS #2 is a great issue that continues the quality we expect from the names Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic. Read Full Review

Despite some questionable plot-logic (random character appearances, point-of-views that are merely ciphers, absence of key characters) this issue presents a pretty convincing picture of Battleworld and how it fits together. Dr. Doom is set to become our protagonist, and a heavy head wears the crown. The excitement comes the cameos of the fan-favorite events and alternate stories over the years, even if it's largely all just window dressing (albeit beautifully rendered window dressing, even moreso than the first issue.) If you like a Dr. Doom story as a character study, this will be ranked among the best, but it will be hard to find any characters with which to root for, let alone emotionally resonate. Read Full Review

"Secret Wars" #2 gives enough of an introduction to the new reality to allow readers to journey off to each kingdom in the rest of the publishing line throughout the summer. It's a maintenance issue, well told and well designed, and if Ribic keeps up the quality of work found here, he should be an early nominee for next year's Eisner Awards. Anyone curious about what Marvel's hype has been about, or simply looking for a fresh take on their old favorites, would do well to check out this issue. Read Full Review

Aside from a few quibbles here and there, this is a near-perfect issue. Hickman even seems to be self-aware of his own tropes and uses them to comedic effect here to maximize any potential enjoyment to be found in this issue. If Secret Wars #1 left you cold, give Secret Wars #2 a chance. It's a way better first issue and gets the reader excited for the things to come. Read Full Review

Beautiful, epic panel work gives "Secret Wars #2" the gravitas it deserves for an event this large, but the story line gets lost among it's humongous checklist of characters and worlds. If "Secret Wars #3"is another issue of countless new introductions and new plot points, this event might trip itself up before it hits its stride. Read Full Review

If there's anything that seems amiss when reading this book, it might just be the sense of whiplash you get after the abrupt termination of the Marvel Universe, now replaced by this patchwork realm from different crossovers. And with his penchant for lengthy, convoluted plotting, Hickman, out of all of Marvel's creators, can sometimes focus on the exterior threat rather than serving the real hook of these crossover stories, which is putting everyone in the Marvel Universe together and seeing what sparks fly. Right now, though, this feels like a sweeping, epic remix of some of the biggest, craziest and best stories from across Marvel's history. No shots have been fired during this sophomore issue of Secret Wars, but as both a celebration and a memorial of the Marvel Universe, this is some solid work. Read Full Review

I still have faith that Secret Wars is going to be something interesting. I don't particularly plan on picking up any of the tie-ins, but Hickman and Ribic are working on something epic in the main series. The end of the issue promises a lot of fun going forward. And I've been waiting for years for Doctor Doom to be at the heart of one of these Big Events. Here's hoping Hickman has some big plans for Battleworld. Read Full Review

A veteran member of the Thor Corp provides the narration and exposition for most of the issue, using the newly christened Thor as our point of view character to explain the inner-workings of Battleworld. At this point the book becomes Westeros: the Marvel Years. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #1 was a great issue that was a lot to live up to. Its not fair to judge the second issue the same way because its essentially a different book that deals with different characters. If you take the second book for what it is, then you will like it. Jonathan Hickman writes a very good set up issue that should please most fans. If you didnt like the story this issue the art should absolutely win you over. Secret Wars #2 is a success as an issue that sets us up for the big payoff down the road. Read Full Review

Secret Wars is aimed at the Marvel Hickman reader. If you haven't read Hickman's work you may want to sit this out. There might be tie-ins that appeal to you or this series may compel you pick up Hickman's Marvel work to get the full story. However, the reader coming into this blind will probably find more confusion than entertainment. As such, I found this to be a very bland read. Is the idea of a Battleworld cool? Yes, but so are dozens of other What If stories that have published over the decades that do not require reading 80 issues of two previous Avengers series to fully understand the content of the mini-series. This is the crowning jewel for the Hickman readers but a hollow read for the rest. Read Full Review

I just want to say I respect the people who put these comics together but I can't enjoy them. There is so many fun stories to tell and interesting characters to dive into but this series drains the life out it as it leaves you confused and annoyed. In my eyes Secret Wars isn't even Marvel anymore. After reading this will be glad that it will eventually end. Read Full Review

From front to back I loved this comic.

Best comic book of the week.

I thought this was a terrific issue. You can almost instantly tell that this story is on a much bigger spectacle. The idea of the "Thors" being the law enforcement is fascinating. Love the incorporation of "The Shield" also. Overall, this was an incredible issue, and I have already read it twice and will read it a third before #3.

I absolutely loved this issue and what it did. It made the whole battleworld and domains much easier to understand. While i do have some questions about how battle world exists or this and that it gave enough to get me more excited and interested in this story. Jonathan Hickman keeps killing it !

A slower world-building issue. I remember not finding this quite so compelling in my first read through, but this time I really enjoy it for what it is. Especially in light of things like Dark Nights: Death Metal, which has yet to have this type of issue, which I think is crucial to this type of story.

I just reread this after reading hickman ff and avengers, so much better now that I understand the backstory and characters. Great world-building.

Much better than issue 1.

Once I finally understood, I really enjoyed this issue.

So we found out who created this new battle world planet in this issue and how this planet is ran. It's pretty freaking cool. This is the jumping on point issue for any new reader for sure. The first issue was kinda fan service which was hard to comprehend but here in issue #2 it leaves you breathing room because EVERYTHING is new to veteran and newbie comic fans. I really can't wait how this story pans out. If you were confused the first issue relax and read this issue and you will be enthralled and intrigued in this new world.

First of all, I must say that Esad Ribic must be praised for his astonishing artworks, as he's probably the main reason I enjoyed so much this issue. The writing wasn't bad at all, too, with the introduction to this famous "Battleworld" which is supposed to become the center of every other Marvel comic around. The idea is good, although not quite as original as it may seem, and I really appreciated Hickman's effort to put as much Marvel as he could in the different parts of this universe. I was saying that it's not that original because some aspects of the story remind me strongly of Game of Thrones (the wall that was built to prevent the dead and other threats from entering the realm, the Houses fighting each other...), but I guess that if you gotta take ideas from someone, it better be someone good. Finally, I loved that Doom has somehow managed to create a world of his own, and can't wait to get deeper in the story. more

Unlike the first issue, this one is actually pretty accessible to new readers because everything has changes; the characters and certain regional details are similar to before, but the world is new, so both old and new readers are on relatively level ground. So if you were utterly confused by the first issue, maybe give #2 a try before making up your mind whether to stick with this event.

I got bored of this thing about halfway through. Typical Hickman: big ideas, NO character. Nothing to latch on to. Make me feel something, Hickman. TRY to make us feel something. This is cold, droll, and boring.

Yawn. Nice artwork though.