If Secret Wars didn't already qualify as one of Marvel's best event comics, it clinches that title now with a pitch-perfect final issue. Secret Wars #9 manages to be both epic in scope and completely intimate, focusing more on the bitter rivalry between Reed Richards and Victor von Doom than the chaos unfolding across Battleworld. And whereas Hickman's Avengers saga was preoccupied with death, this issue is instead a celebration of life and creation. It's a fitting payoff to years of buildup. Read Full Review

What sets apart Secret Wars from previous Marvel events, even Hickmans prior event Infinity, is that its a character study under the guise of all the cosmic punching that weve come to expect from these things. A character study about Doom of course, but also about Reed and the Fantastic Four as a whole. Though plenty of writers have made their mark on Doom, Hickman has done very nuanced shadings of him, even at his peak as a god, that shows what kind of flawed machinations run underneath him, and just what a contrast he is to someone essentially good like Reed. Its extremely easy to look at the landscape of the current Marvel Universe and lament that there is no Fantastic Four book, Secret Wars is very much a celebration of Marvels first family and of Doom even. Without them, there would be no Marvel Universe. And for what may well be their final story, its one hell of a capstone, and one worth keeping in mind as whats basically the new creation myth for the Marvel Universe. Read Full Review

This was a good book end for the mini-series and gave a nice resolution for retaining much of the the status quo from the 616 Universe as well as reasons for the revisions in the new Marvel Prime Universe. Read Full Review

Forgive my digression there, but what can I say, I had to. Secret Wars #9 is a damn good comic. It is everything one could expect from Hickman and it cements his Marvel legacy as one of the best long-scope writers the company has ever had. It's a game changer for the Marvel Universe and, somehow, Hickman brings this all home in grand fashion. I had come to believe that Hickman and Ribic had built something so big here that the conclusion could never satisfy the build up, but it did. Secret Wars is over and it was f***ing amazing. Read Full Review

The book ends on an optimistic note, serving as a perfect bookend to what Hickman began years ago. On the whole, SECRET WARS doesn't feel like the story Jonathan Hickman ultimately wanted to tell. Many characters felt shoe-horned in and unnecessary, and the series is probably an issue or two too long. But with this finale, Hickman and Ribic shed the excess and focus on the characters that were at the center of this tale from its inception. The result is the most satisfying ending to an event to come from the Big Two in quite some time. This is Hickman's swan song at Marvel for some time at least, and with SECRET WARS #9 he perfectly closes the door on his tenure at Marvel and says goodbye to the characters who were most important to him. Kudos to Jonathan Hickman for nailing the finish. Read Full Review

Hickman wrote us the masterpiece that we readers had hoped for. There may be minor damage to its lasting appeal due to the Marvel universe going forward before its conclusion, but Secret Wars will definitely be remembered as a must-read for any Marvel fan. Read Full Review

This is a truly wonderful ending to an Event that soured a lot of folks right off the bat. In fact, from the delays to the expansion to Marvel's inability to get the fucking book out to kick off their giant retooling, this book succeeds in spite of them. Pick it up, you don't be disappointed. Read Full Review

When the 'All-New, All-Different Marvel' line launched in October, many saw it as yet another way for the publisher to cash in on a bevy of new debut issues to lure in new readers (and to an extent, it probably was), but the end of Secret Wars and the very real beginning of an entirely new but notMarvel universe commands respect on a level executives have given and critics couldn't have understood until now. Much like how DC shook the dust off the entire comic book industry with the 'New 52' in September 2011, Marvel now stands to benefit greatly from inspiring new readers with a digestible relaunch whilekeeping entrenched readers attached by not changing much. In retrospect, it's genius. Secret Wars #9 is the end of the event, but also the end of an entire era of Marvel comics. So long, Earth-616. Hello, Prime Earth. Goodbye Secret Wars. Hello, anything and everything else. Read Full Review

A worthy final battle between Reed Richards and God Doom. Writer Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic give a great finale to this immensely entertaining and world-changing event. Read Full Review

Yes, it sucked that this issue was delayed so much. Yes, it's been disorienting for the new status quo for the Marvel Universe to be in play before this concluding chapter could be told. Yes, REALLY sucked that the final-page reveal from this issue was spoiled back in October. But all of these are complaints that will fade with time. As story, this event has been spectacular, and every comic fan owes it to themselves to check it out. Read Full Review

Once Franklin Richards, dear Franklin Richards, with his amazing abilities, his fantastic lineage, looks to his old man with widest of eyes and asks, "" are we not super heroes anymore?" you'll know that Secret Wars just gave us one of the most meaningful events in comics history. And if the point of all this was to give us one final glimpse at how vital Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and their entire Fantastic family was " is " to the Marvel Universe, if the point was to show how important these characters were to our lives, I would say this...Bravo. Read Full Review

And its as easy as that, the solution to everything: Be a good man. All of the good that came about at the end of Secret Wars the Richards familys apotheosis, the restoration of the multiverse, the healing of Molecule Man and even Victor himself, the promise of a universe where everything expands and endures and everything lives is all simply the ultimate outcome of one man simply choosing to always do the right thing. Read Full Review

Does it complete stick the landing? Mostly. With one extra over-sized issue, there was never going to be a complete wrap up of a story that Hickman has been telling for multiple years like this. There is enough explanation and cool Easter eggs and call-backs that makes this a satisfying finish. The most tragic realization, however, is that Hickman is done writing Avengers-themed books for the foreseeable future, and THAT saddens me deeply. Read Full Review

Secret Wars is a comic I feel will become much more appreciated the further it gets away from the hype machine and marvels newest relaunch publicity so that readers can focus more on the story itself. Its without a doubt the best event Marvel have had in years, one with a ton of build-up and gravitas behind it that earns the fireworks it sets off. Hickman leaves his seal on the Marvel Universe with a story that showcases everything wonderful about it, with Ribic in tow as the perfect artist to cover such a tale. People may be jaded about events and relaunches and like to make snide comments about delayed events such as this, but when it comes down to it, the story is all that matters, and Secret Wars is a wonderful story. The marvel universe is dead. Long live the marvel universe. Read Full Review

SECRET WARS # 9 is an incredibly remarkable story that hits on so many levels while fully encompassing the true potential of a company-wide, universe-shattering event. Read Full Review

The issue was delayed, but it's worth the wait. Hickman brings together years of ideas and stories, and launches into many decades more to come. Read Full Review

The impact of the story may be dulled somewhat by the fact that the era that Secret Wars is supposed to have set up is already well under way, but I'd argue that this series was never about twists or shocks. It was about creation, and about an examination of one of the central relationships in this Marvel Universe. And as a result, when someone picks up this series in a collected edition ten years from now, it will retain its considerable impact. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #9 wraps up the conflict on Battleworld, addresses the reign of Doom and provides readers with one more chance to soak up an amazingly entertaining installment from writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Esad Ribic. Oh! And they set up the already-in-progress All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe. Read Full Review

It's been one helluva (protracted) rollercoaster but the "going out on a high note" crescendo really makes it one worth riding all over again. Read Full Review

When Secret Wars started, at least for the first issue, I thought it was a good looking book that was the most enjoyable of the events last summer, so I felt it was worth continuing with to see how it all played out. From the second issue onwards, the scale of the story and the writing and art made Secret Wars one of my favourite books, with the end of every issue leaving me hungry for the next. An encyclopedic knowledge of the Marvel universe is absolutely not necessary to enjoy the story, though not knowing much may take some of the impact out of a few scenes. If you've not been keeping up with it, I'd definitely recommend tracking the previous issues down or picking up the collection when it comes out in March. Read Full Review

All the months, pages and dollars were a good time spent but Im glad to be taking a break from the crossover game for a few…weeks. I guess I'm getting suckered into Standoff!… We'll meet again to talk about the next war, Shawn. Im guessing it will be, ahem, civil. Read Full Review

Not every tie-in was satisfying. Not every character got a chance to shine. But the core narrative that culminated in Secret Wars #9 made it feel as though every character and sub-plot got a chance to contribute. Every moment carried some level of the dramatic weight. In the end, it made Secret Wars feel less like another event comic and more like a catalyst for the next stage of the Marvel mythos. Secret Wars #9 may have made readers feel better about forking over more of their hard-earned money to the Marvel enterprise. Read Full Review

Esad Rib's gorgeous artwork continues to deliver in #9. The battle between Black Panther and Doom feels intense, and the abstract nature of a few panels adds to the grand scheme of their fight. Without reading a line of dialogue, Ribic sucks the pompous feeling that has been with Doom this entire time. The terror in his eyes as he realizes that Molecule Man has removed his powers just ignites a feeling in my comic reader blood. The real spectacle is the splash page of Reed and Victor's faces. Not only is it visually stunning, it demonstrates who alike the two foes are in a great way. Ribic's inks feel a bit off at points, although this is a minor gripe. There is some deeper shading and line work when the issue starts, but gradually gets softer as the issue goes on. It's hard to tell if this was an artistic choice or because of the numerous delays. Read Full Review

As a miniseries itself, Secret Wars utterly delighted me and frustrated me. I loved every single page, every line of dialogue, and every bit of artwork. At the same time, it felt like it was a Cliff's Notes version of the story as there were so many things going on and I had no idea if any of it took place in the various miniseries that ran alongside it as there were no true referential areas that said "go here to see this story". Read Full Review

Secret Wars #9 was a beautifully written issue that serves as a satisfying ending to what was a truly remarkable nearly 7 year story. I am sad to see Hickman leaving Marvel, but what a wonderful way for Hickman to leave. If you skipped on Secret Wars #9 then you should absolutely go and purchase this story when it comes out in trade format. Secret Wars is simply writing that is on a much higher level than what you get on 90% of the super hero comic books that are currently on the stands. Read Full Review

The Marvel Universe has been rewritten, and Hickman and Ribic ensure that "Secret Wars" #9 leaves a large and unlimited canvas that allows for those stories to be created. Hickman's grandiose odyssey has come to a close in both a very human and very epic manner. Read Full Review

Theres a poetry to the fact that the Marvel Universe was figuratively created by the Fantastic Four with their first issue more than fifty years ago, and the new universe has been created by them literally; it makes you really put into perspective how much this family and this world has changed since its inception, and if the multiverse had to be destroyed and recreated, it couldnt have possibly been done better than this. All in all, this Avengers/New Avengers run, event, and final issue serve as an amazing and fitting end to the old Marvel world, and hopeful start to the new one. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #9 is a wonderful conclusion to the event, that has a respectful send off for Reed Richards. Artwork is fantastic and extremely detailed. The best part about the story is that it has a conclusion, and changes nothing about the Marvel universe, leaving nothing to repair later. Read Full Review

As an overall crossover, with the delays and tie-ins and Armor Wars and yadda yadda, I would say it was pretty unwieldy. But as a continuation of Hickman's work on the Avengers and the Fantastic Four? This turned into a beautiful send-off for what will surely be remembered as a great era for Marvel comics. Read Full Review

Amidst the rumors that Marvel CEO Isaac Perlmutter has been trying to dismantle the Fantastic Four franchise, Marvel gave them the perfect send off. Hickman manages to dig to the very core of the Reed Richards/Dr. Doom dynamic while making the Richards family act as architects of the new multiverse. It would have been nice to see the Human Torch and Franklin Richards have bigger roles in such a FF-centric story, but in truth, Secret Wars was really a story about Reed and Doom. Its a story that shows the biggest difference between the two in how they went about saving reality; Doom would rather preserve where Reed would seek to expand. With no ongoing title of their own, the team disassembled and their future uncertain, the Fantastic Four franchise has never seen darker days. Given all the behind the scenes corporate controversy, its only fitting that Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic give them the happy ending they all deserved. Even Dr. Doom. Read Full Review

A surprisingly interesting end to the Secret Wars series, yet it poses just as many questions as it provides answers. The art of Secret Wars #9 is superb though, making for a visually stunning book that concerns most of the heavy-hitters in the Marvel Universe. Read Full Review

I sigh as I as finish the issue. In part, because it's the release of breath that I've been holding for the lenght of the series, and in part because there are so many more elements that I wish could have been futhered. The final battle between Reed and Doom is so classic and satisfying, but nearly every element outside of that leaves so much that's unresolved, confused, or might be missing altogether. Like much of the series, it reads better "on paper," as if being recounted by someone from a summary, but when it comes to actualizing it, it could never hope to live up to that. Read Full Review

Secret Wars #9 fulfills its objective of tying many loose ends, and finishes another great run of meta-narrator Jonathan Hickman, particularly his tenure in Marvel (he will focus more on his creator-owned titles, especially East of West). Questions are answered. Issues are settled. But most importantly, this maxi-series paves way to the justification yet again of renumbering and/or rebooting the entire Marvel universe. Read Full Review

An okay conclusion, with one group of characters leaving the Marvel Universe, while others enter. The visuals outshine the story, but this is still a worthwhile saga to read. Read Full Review

So when the dust clears, the good guys have won, the worlds are restored and the Marvel Universe goes on and on. Thanks to "All-New All-Different Marvel" debuting a few months ago, there are few surprises here, but Hickman and Ribic still manage to sneak one or two of them in. Hickman and Ribic have set a world ticking away and take their bows. Worlds lived. Worlds died and, other than a few things here or there, nothing much changed. And that's what happens with these things. The modern event is not about the destination, but about the journey there. And while it took eight issues before the heart of Secret Wars came into focus, this final issue gets to the soul of the Marvel Universe like no other event has before. Read Full Review

The SECRET WARS finale has arrived and it delivers on many levels. Despite the release schedule of this series with the newer Marvel titles debuting and moving past all the hype, it's a satisfying read. Jonathan Hickman has crafted an epic story that goes back several years. Keeping his run at Marvel in mind, you can see how this is a great ending to the story he started years back. It's not often we see comic book events maintain a high quality throughout. Ribic's art and Svorcina's colors have shined throughout the series. This is a story I will definitely read again. Read Full Review

The ending of Secret Wars has me thinking about the story long after I've read it and that's a good thing. There are certain panels from this issue and this series that I'll never forget due to Ribic's art and Jonathan Hickman's writing and for that I'm thankful. Although I loved this series as a whole, I'm excited to now move on. Secret Wars will be a book that I plan to revisit and read in its entirety without the long delays, but I think I'll wait a while and reflect on this ending and the Fantastic Four's possible future before I do. Read Full Review

Save for an abrupt end and a somewhat unearned focus on Mr. Fantastic this concluding chapter wraps things up well. Longtime Hickman fans will love this. Read Full Review

In the end, the final issue of the series was maybe the best one. Instead of serving as the latest "event" that fans felt obligated to buy, the issue ultimately makes this entire series worth reading as a story. The overall quality of some stories are inevitably determined by their endings, and as a Dr. Doom/ Mr. Fantastic story, this is maybe the best one ever written. And yet, judging it as a Marvel event, there are times where I admit it left me wanting. This is why the final issue is getting two separate ratings. But regardless of which rating you go by, in the end, Secret Wars was a ride ultimately worth going on. Read Full Review

Sometimes even the greatest writers can be too ambitious for their own good " and given its lengthy delays and divisive reactions, it's clear that Secret Wars never reached its lofty potential as the end-all, be-all story for the Marvel Universe. But as far as the end of a long and fruitful career at Marvel, this might be a fitting " if audaciously small-scale " finale for Jonathan Hickman, and his run with Reed Richards and the rest of his Illuminati crew. It's ironic and yet trademark Hickman to break down the battle for all worlds in the way that he did, and it certainly isn't for everyone. But at the end of the day, Secret Wars aimed for dazzling heights few other crossovers strive for, and that ambition, if not the final execution, is something the House of Ideas should continue to emulate. Read Full Review

As for it being the finale of such a large event Secret Wars #9 is good, but it's not great. If I were to think of another Marvel event to compare it to The Infinity Gauntlet obviously comes to mind. The last issue of that event felt like an exciting and solid conclusion, with a logical sequence of events, and an ending I didn't see coming. This issue doesn't logically justify a number of points and you can see everything coming. It's worth a read, but I doubt it will go down as a great event in Marvel history. Read Full Review

An amazing ending! I'm done with my Hickman's Avengers re-read and it was a very fun time, barring things like Axis, which I should've never re-read. This was the first event that I was all-in on back in 2015. I read every single tie-in. And I've been reading Marvel comics consistently since then. So it was cool to go back. So much has happened since, but this all still stands up very well. Maybe it won't in another 5 years or 10, but for now, it's one of the best Marvel events ever and a very definitive last Fantastic Four story, which I think is partially hindering the current run. But then again, Marvel Two-In-One was great, so maybe not. Anyway, I loved this event and it's an example of what Marvel does at its best.

A poignant, fitting conclusion for the Fantastic Four.

Beautiful. And the end of everything, it was all down to Reed Richards vs Doctor Doom. And yes, this series made me appreciate Molecule Man. Yep, that Molecule Man. Hickman’s Avengers were all about death and destruction, but secret Wars 9 is all about life

The ending was worth the wait. This was a very satisfying ending with a final battle between Reed and Victor for the fate of the Marvel Universe. It all created a great set-up for things to come as well. The art was strong throughout the series and it is no different here. Like others have said the part with Black Panther seems a little strange and out of place, but nothing to fuss over. If you are a fan of the original Fantastic Four this is must for you because it really acts as a close to the FF.

The master of the long game strikes again! In one event Jonathan Hickman manages to deliver a beautifully epic story that not only serves as a culmination to his Avengers/New Avengers run but also as a swansong to his Fanstastic Four run. A one of a kind event where all the comic book science and epic fights are balance with clever dialogue and truly deep character moments

Favourite comic. 10.

Dude, seriously dude, It was an awesome ending. It had everything fights, epic dialogue, and satisfying endings. Ribic and Svorcina were on point in this issue. That one page with the checkered art was simply beautiful. The Hickman quotes from Doom and Reed were classic and really to the core who they are. Even The molecule man who was ignored had a great role with him and the Reeds meeting up. The only little gripe I had was the end scene with Black Panther. That really didn't make sense unless you read the beginning beginning of the Avengers. If you don't like this you be cray!

arguably Marvel's best modern crossover event of all time. Is it similar to Crisis on Infinite Earths? Of course, but its still pretty fun and engaging with great writing for Doctor doom and reed richards.

Wow, that was one hell of an ending. Or of a start, if you will. To be completely honest there are some elements that I'm not sure I'm grasping right now, right after reading it, but another couple of times and everything should be settled. Although we all knew where this was necessarily going, Jonathan Hickman once again managed to write a complex, satisfying and enthralling story, that technically literally changes everything and gives new life to the Marvel multiverse. As always, I can't help praising to the death the incredible work by Esad Ribic, one of the most talented and stylish artists in comics today. I especially love his use of pencils to fill the drawings, which feel like a homemade comic while not giving up professional precision. Simply fantastic and a perfect pairing for this epic story. more

Lots of unanswered questions, but good.

Finally, an event book that sticks the landing! Haven't had one of those in years, so kudos. Issues 7 and 8 got really indulgent in the action, in ways that started to get disjointed, but this issue pulls it all together and gives us a conclusion that wraps the whole event up nicely while keeping it very personal, particularly for the Fantastic Four. It feels like this event has been dragging for a year at this point, but it was worth is to get this result.

After the slump that 6, 7 and 8 were, I gotta say I'm incredibly surprised at how well they managed to stick the landing. Sure, the delays hurt the series as a whole, but it's really darn good as a compilation/continuous series. The ending, in a weirdly comparable way, has a Dr. Who feel to it, but more importantly... it closes a chapter in Marvel history that started way back in Hickman's original Fantastic Four book, and leaves the door open for future FF stories.

Secret wars has undoubtably been the best marvel event series in a decade. The scope is grand, and the setting is breathtaking. The massive battles are astounding on the page, but it hasn't forgotten the smaller moments. Doctor doom has been written into an incredibly likable and compelling character, which is no small feat. It's the small emotional moments that really make this series wonderful. The finale caps everything off in due fashion, encapsulating the success of the past. The only caveat is the ending is a bit hard to follow sometimes, and some beats may ring hollow if you aren't firmly intoned with recent marvel mythology. Nevertheless a great conclusion to a great series

Nice finale, although a little light on action - I would have liked half the issue to be fought on the battle field instead of talking, but the script was tight. Also, not much of a FF fan so those scenes didn't have the emotional connection for me as it might for others. Otherwise a great event, Hickman's Avengers run was great and this was a well deserved ending!

After reading the whole series, the only essential issues are 1 and 9.

After pushbacks and a completely botched release of the Post-Secret Wars universe, Hickman and Ribic deliver a satisfactory ending to the Secret Wars event. The main issues with Secret Wars 9 are more related to the underlying philosophy than the story itself. In the final pages we see Hickman's big questions of dualism and god-hood answered with such overly-simplistic reasoning it nearly implies hypocrisy, which, given the general consensus of Richard Reed's temperament, may have been Hickman's plan all along. Even still, Secret Wars will likely be one of the most memorable of Marvel's big events, with Esad Ribic's artwork setting the bar very high.

I hope you like hamburgers!