Ultron Revealed!

I am an unrepentant Marvel Zombie - always have been. I was a big mutants kind of guy growing up (in more ways than one) and even though I seem to have outgrown that phase of my life, I am still partial to the mighty Marvel characters. Like Hyrum Savage noted in our Q&A over to The Weirding, I too am starting to warm to the DC universe as I get older, but until recently, you would have to go through many, many boxes to find the first run of DC anything in my personal collection.

That being said, while I have always dug the Avengers, I have never been a regular reader or big fan. I have tried again and again throughout the years to get into them, but I guess my mind was stuck in Mutant X-ville. I have thought about giving them another shot here lately, and if the following official Marvel press release is any indication, this may be the perfect time:

In Annihilation: Conquest #1, not only did the fan-favorite cosmic hero Adam Warlock return, but the true villain behind the invasion of the Kree Empire was revealed… the Avengers' infamous robotic arch-nemesis, Ultron! Marvel's epic sci-fi series continues in Annihilation: Conquest #2 (of 6) as the acclaimed creative team of writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and penciler Tom Raney continue to deliver shocking twists and amazing visuals! Can the desperate team of Quasar, Moondragon, and the newly revived Adam Warlock unlock the secrets of the High Evolutionary? Did Ronan's motley crew survive their fiery fate in issue #1? And, hey… issue #2 brings Star-Lord and his crazy squad into the action!

Critics and fans alike continue to rave about the cosmic event. "What stands out most about the story put forth in this title is the writing," Nick Budd of Comicpants.com stated. "[All the Conquest tie-ins] have all had some of the best writing that I've seen lately in comics. That seems like a bold statement, and it is, but it's the god's honest truth... Annihilation: Conquest surprises the heck out of you with great reveals and superb action."

Brian Warmoth of Wizarduniverse.com com agrees: "[Annihilation: Conquest is] a can't-miss…the cosmic big guns are all getting cocked right now…the action and artwork are great, and there's always a payoff. I have yet to be let down with an Annihilation title, and this one doesn't look to be jostling the bar anytime soon."

Jesse Schedeen of IGN.com raves: "Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning managed to weave a story that's accessible to new readers without alienating the fans who have been following this story since August... Much like with the original Annihilation, the toll of the war is felt in every panel. Despite the fact that we're reading about godlike characters who kick around asteroids like soccer balls, the battles play out in a very brutal and guerrilla-like fashion."

Big Tom Casual of NewSeedComics.blogspot.com weighs in with: "Annihilation: Conquest is another fully realized, beautifully produced space opera that is showing all the signs of being just as good as the original."

So if you were shocked by issue one, you ain't seen nothin' yet! More action, answers and even more mysteries arrive in Annihilation: Conquest #2!

ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST #2 (of 6) (OCT072084)
Written by ANDY LANNING & DAN ABNETT
Penciled by TOM RANEY
Cover by ALEKSI BRICLOT
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—11/15/07, On-Sale—12/05/07