Hype is one thing that Marvels newest multi-book mega event, doesn’t lack. You can barely open one of their comics at present without being assaulted by an advert for one book or another which will be involved in cross over. This is fine, if the event itself pays off. I’ve written not very complimentary things about the last “event” (Dark Reign as I have been quite rightly told is status quo) Secret Invasion. It was, for me at least, a damp squib, which was a shame because within that event was some good work and good ideas. Siege then, is to bring to an end all that has occurred in the Marvel Universe since Civil War and beyond, to put it back together in what state…

Well it’s likely to be the Avengers reassembled just in time for the upcoming Marvel movies. However we don’t let us daunt us, because for the time being this story seems to be shaping up to be a series of must have books issuing over the first part of next year. Bendis has been shaping the Universe over the last year to bring things to a point where Norman Osborne’s unlikely alliances are now at breaking point, and his delicate house of cards is poised to fall down around his increasingly paranoid ears.

The Cabal starts with Norman having a conversation, with an old friend, who as he says, always seems to know what to say. Given this old friend is one that no longer being in contact with is the main reason so much trust has been placed in him, surely this must be a worry. The main story however is the complete disintegration of his uneasy alliance with the ever grumpy, Dr Doom (boo!). Everybody’s favourite pantomime villain is unhappy at Norman shunning his ally Narmor. The two foes lock horns and it ends in predicable but highly entertaining violence.

All the time the mischievous Loki drops soothing words in ears, and given that Asgard is now ensconced somewhere in the American Midwest, its clear that despite the fact Jon is convinced the Scarlet Witch did it, it is Loki who is (probably) pulling the strings here.

Loki of course is aware of how the Civil War was sparked, and given that Osbourne is hell bent on taking on the Norse Gods on his doorstep, the mischief making deity suggests a plan of action that would make action on the countrymen of Thor both inevitable and in the eyes of the public essential.

So the plans have been laid and the fate of the Marvel Universe has been set, ready for what looks as though it could be one of the biggest and hopefully best events for some time. We are promised that this is the last Universe wide events in the Marvel U for the time being. The canvas could not seem much bigger, and given the skill of the man at the helm, Brian Michael Bendis, I’ve a feeling this really could deliver on all of the promise dripping from the many adverts in every Marvel title at present.

So full of promise and a great one shot to kick it off, this could be the event of the decade, time will tell, but be sure, many reviews will follow between now and the eventual dismantling of the Iron Patriots empire.