Marvel Universe Update Part 2

(Continued from Marvel Universe Update Part 1)

Two Hulks and a Herc
As a result of the recently concluded World War Hulk storyarc, Bruce Banner, the original green Hulk, has been incarcerated and kept deep underground for security. Since then, Marvel's Hercules has taken over the comics series, renaming it from 'Incredible Hulk' to 'Incredible Hercules'.

While Banner is locked away, a new Hulk has emerged. This new Hulk is all red and shows stealth and cunning uncharacteristic of the original one. He killed the villain Abomination using a non-standard issue handgun, which is of humongous size, that it fits on his giant-size fist. He also managed to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. (Marvel U's version of the global peace-keeping force), soundly taking out Iron Man and She-Hulk, to whom he said that he can kill her anytime he wanted.

In the last issue I read, the green and red Hulks finally came face to face, after the red Hulk caused an earthquake which shattered the prison where Banner is held.

Captain America is still dead
In case you haven't heard, Captain America, Steve Rogers, was assassinated at the conclusion of the Civil War storyarc early last year. Ever since his demise, many have speculated whether he will be resurrected or not.

Several issues after his demise, his old partner Bucky, aka Winter Soldier, took on the mantle of Captain America. So far, the storylines have been focused between him and Cap's classic nemesis, the Red Skull and have not been in sync with the current storyline in the Marvel Universe.

And yes, despite several teasers, Steve Rogers is still dead. :)

Avengers - Secret Invasion
The ongoing saga so far that has left many of the heroes reeling. Seeing the Earth as righfully theirs, the shape-shifting alien race known as Skrulls have infiltrated Earth and have been posing as superheroes for God knows how long.

So begins the guessing game of which superhero is a Skrull.

Below is a list of characters replaced by Skrulls. I only list here the ones which have the most significant importance.

Elektra, the initial scout sent to infiltrate Earth. She recently led the Hand, a Japanese ninja-underground type of group but was killed in action, thus revealing her nature as a Skrull.

Black Bolt, the King of Inhumans and one of the Illuminati was a Skrull in disguise for a long time. It's intriguing to know for how long this Skrull has replaced Black Bolt, as he is privy details that nobody but the Illuminati knows.

Dum Dum Dugan, long-time S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, sabotaged the Peak, S.W.O.R.D.'s orbital base, which allowed the Skrull ships to enter Earth's orbit.

Henry Pym, aka Ant-Man, aka Giant-Man, aka Yellowjacket; revealed his true colors when he took out Mr. Fantastic after finishing the autopsy of Skrull-ektra.

Invisible Woman, replaced by Lyja, former wife of the Human Torch, rigged some equipment in the laboratory causing the Baxter Building to collapse into the Negative Zone, effectively isolating the Fantastic Four.

Edwin Jarvis, the longtime butler of the Avengers, who activated a virus that took out Iron Man's extremis technology and, through it, the rest of the Stark Tech and S.H.I.E.L.D.

Captain Marvel, who was supposed to be dead is also confirmed a Skrull, although not exactly sharing the sentiments of his fellow Skrulls; he appears to be conflicted about who he is and what he's supposed to be.

Spider-Woman, who was judged as the one who has the most potential to do the most damage (having access to both Avengers teams, S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA, and has the trust of Nick Fury himself), is replaced the Skrull Empress Veranke. She (indirectly), caused both Avengers teams to be stranded in Savage Land, keeping them busy and away from the actual invasion.

Anyway, I can't wait for the next issues. I've spent a lot of time posting this entry already, so I guess that's it for now. :)