In the Marvel Universe, Earth has a very long history of contact with various intelligent lifeforms from all over the cosmos. Some species were benevolent, others were malevolent, and some's relationships with humanity were...more complicated. As such, these species were not only aware of humanity, but they would also naturally have varying views of it. Some of them began to view humanity as a potentially very dangerous force in the Marvel Universe, and something had to be done about them. As such, the events of Maximum Security rolled in.
Maximum Security was a Marvel crossover event published from 2000-2001. It crossed over with numerous Marvel titles going at the time. The main titular mini-series was written by Kurt Busiek with artwork by Jerry Ordway. Busiek came up with this crossover as a form of "self-defense". Marvel had been wanting to put out a crossover event, and they gave Busiek a choice: Come up with one, or he'd have to participate in another.
The first idea he had was known as "Y2Kang". The year 2000 was coming up, and the idea was that when the clock struck midnight using in said year, Kang would bring the world back to the year 1900 and the Marvel superheroes would be transformed into early 20th century versions of themselves. However, due to the time it would take to solicit the story, the timing would be wrecked.
The second idea he had was this one, inspired by Great Britain's history with using Australia as a penal colony. Busiek thought it would be interesting if the intergalactic powers of the Marvel Universe decided to take a cue from the UK and dump their criminals on Earth.
The comic we're looking at here is a one-shot that sets up the beginnings of Maximum Security. Let's take a look at Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet #1!
The cover is a Jerry Ordway piece.
"A Very Dangerous Planet"
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciler: Jerry Ordway
Inkers: Will Blyberg, Paul Ryan
Colorist: Jason Wright
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Comicraft
Editor: Tom Brevoort
The story begins with a Skrull speaking to a gathering of various alien species, calling humanity a menace.
He justifies his accusation by telling the tale of Cadre K. Cadre K (making their debut here) were a group of young Skrulls that were born with powers and abilities beyond those of the standard Skrull. Basically, there were mutants, like the X-Men of Earth. Their name came from the Skrulls referring to them as "K-Class". The Skrulls would regularly purge such mutations to keep the Skrull line "pure". The said group attacked a Skrull hatchery that was about to perform such a cull on K-Class newborns. This group of young Skrulls was brought together by a man who had plenty of experience bringing together superpowered youths and making them into a crack team of heroes.
Yup, one Charles Xavier himself. The Skrull, an Ambassador Kreddik, claims this is just humanity yet again imposing their wills on other races. He also cites examples like their harboring the Dark Phoenix, and encounters with the Celestials. The head of this Intergalactic Council, one Majestrix Lilandra of the Shi'ar Empire, shoots down the ambassador. This Council is rarely convened, and she feels it has more pressing matters. Ambassador Kreddik insists that humanity is an ongoing danger to the cosmos.
Lilandra sees the other aliens of the Council debate on humanity, and it makes her realize that this is an issue that she just can't table for now. It doesn't help that she's known for her own alliance with humans, in particular the X-Men.
She agrees to address the issue, after some careful study. She then turns to the real reason for this Council being convened. A mysterious new alien race has been appearing. Not much is known about them, just that they are called the Ruul. They've been petitioning for membership into the Intergalactic Council. They've visited many of the member races, helping them out with various issues. And they've come to see the Council today.
The Ruul look like a hybrid of the Yautja and a catfish. The Ruul are about to introduce themselves, when Lilandra gets an urgent message. The planet Krylor just went kablooie.
Krylor is known as the homeworld of the alien filmmaker known as Bereet. Bereet debuted in Incredible Hulk #269 (December 1981). Regular readers of this here blog may remember her from my review of Incredible Hulk #276 (October 1982). So, how did her homeworld get wrecked?
Ego, the Living Planet. You may be familiar with him if you watched Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Unlike in the MCU, Ego is not a Celestial in the comics. Although it can be argued that he sees himself as one. His name is Ego after all.
Anyway, Ego is looking for other planets like him. He visits planets, trying to get them to "wake up" and become sentient like him. And if they don't, he destroys them. Lilandra assures the Intergalactic Council that they can stop Ego if they unite against him. You know, Lilandra, you could also call the X-Men, and through them, call on Earth's other superheroes. I mean, if the FF can drive off Galactus, they could help here. Just a thought.
Anyway, despite the united front, Ego still continues on his rampage. Many planets fall under his tantrums. It leads to the Council becoming fragmented, and Lilandra with little options. The Ruul delegation offers to help. Days later, a massive fleet of ships from many worlds try to blast Ego. It doesn't work. Ego tries to absorb the survivors into his biomass, but they care saved by the Silver Surfer.
The Surfer warns Ego that if he doesn't knock it off, he will destroy the Living Planet himself. Ego scoffs at this, recalling that in Silver Surfer #22 (April 1989), he nearly destroyed the Silver Surfer. Back with the Council, another alien ambassador reinforces Kreddik's belief in humans constantly meddling in alien affairs, referencing the Kree-Skrull War and Operation: Galactic Storm, among others. More recently, a group of Avengers are currently dealing with a group of cosmic beings called the Infinites. That adventure would be recounted in Avengers Infinity #1-4 (September-December 2004). There are also the activities of the Starjammers, who are led by the human known as Corsair. And the previously-mentioned Cadre K. Not to mention the Inhumans aiding the Kree in a rebellion against the Shi'ar. It makes the Council's views of humanity grow dimmer.
A few days later, Lilandra inspects some new defenses against Ego, including some fancy cannons, and a Psyche-Drone provided by the Ruul. It will allow the Ruul to strike at Ego's brain. When she leaves, one of the Ruul delegates reports to an unknown being that the pressure on the council needs to be increased. The being assures that will happen soon.
Five days later...
Ego attacks the planet of Selandiar. The defenses open up on the Living Planet. The Shi'ar's Imperial Guard is spread thin, and wouldn't be able to be recalled together fast enough to help. Luckily, the planet does get help in the form of Charles Xavier, Cadre K and the Silver Surfer. The heroes have trouble with Ego, as he's a big ol' planet, and they're...five Skrulls, a bald telepath, and a cosmic wanderer. Xavier and Cadre K member Zcann combine their powers and harness the psychic energies of everyone on Selandiar. Ego is successfully knocked into a coma.
However, this has only led to more infighting from the Intergalactic Council. Lilandra believes that it's partially because the Council felt a bit of embarrassment about how a human helped save them from Ego. Despite Lilandra's and Zcann's pleas, the Council ultimately rules that humanity is too dangerous to continue moving unchecked.
The story ends with the Ruul delegate approaching Lilandra, suggesting that there's another way to deal with Earth without having to exterminate its native life...
I personally enjoyed this issue. It's fun to see some intergalactic intrigue among some of the main interstellar powers of the Marvel Universe. It was neat seeing Busiek use Marvel history and its own mythos to show why alien races would be apprehensive towards humanity. This wasn't long after Avengers Forever, so I do think that there is a bit of a continuation of the theme of humans being potentially the most dangerous form of life in the universe.
I can see why some would find this issue a bit tough to get into, but if you ask me, those references to past stories are important. They explain how these aliens came to this point. Jerry Ordway turns in some fine artwork for this issue.
If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2010 trade paperback Avengers/X-Men: Maximum Security. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, and wear a mask! See you next time!
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