Original Sin

by Mark Waid, Ed Brubaker, and Jason Aaron

[Quirky Cat]

Original Sin is a compilation of several stories, collecting Original Sin 0 through 8, as well as 3.1 through 3.4, 5.1 through 5.5, and Original Sins 1 through 5. Between that and the fact that it sets the stage for many different characters (and thus different series) it gets a little bit confusing. Specifically for those following the Thor plotline (like me), everything in this volume happens between the time for Thor: God of Thunder and Thor: Goddess of Thunder.



Needless to say, there is a lot that goes on in this volume. We have the main plot, Original Sin, which follows many of the Marvel characters trying to solve the death of the Watcher, most notably (in my mind) including: Nick Fury, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk (well, less solving and more smashing in his case, I suppose), Captain American, Black Panther, Winter Soldier...I really could keep going if I wanted to, but you get the idea. From the main plot are two spin-offs, one includes issues 3.1-3.4 (have I mentioned that this gets confusing?) which focuses on the relationship between Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. The other spin-off has issues 5.1-5.5 and is about Thor trying to get back his long lost sister, Angela (whom he didn't know about until this arch). The final (thankfully) plot is Original Sins, which follows the Young Avengers escapades during the time of Original Sin. I think it could have been split into its own volume, but really, who's going to complain about getting more issues in one volume?
Since SO much happened in this volume, I'm going to focus on what I found to be the most notable. First there’s the Watcher dying; yikes. Having read some other series that are dated later than this, it didn't come as a huge surprise to me, but I was still surprised about the whole thing. They made him seem more human right before they did it too, to get you right in the feels. Fury is recruited by Captain America to help solve the murder (which is extra relevant because the Water collected dangerous weapons, many of which have now been looted). Fury in turn recruits Black Panther and has him set up specific teams to go to explicit locations for investigating (red flag, anyone?).
Orb, Oubliette Midas and her father are all involved, but on the other side of things. Interestingly they come in contact with something courtesy of the Watcher, and it causes a transformation in them. That part was particularly interesting. I would have been happy if that had been focused on more.
If you want to follow up on the Orb, I know for a fact he shows up now and then in Doctor Strange (also by Jason Aaron), and I'm assuming in other series as well. Oubliette shows up in Mighty Thor: Lords of Midgard and later volumes.
If I'm being completely honest with myself though, I read this entire volume for one moment: to see what happened or didn't happen to Thor to make him lose his hammer. Needless to say, the one page spread given simply wasn't enough (and by that I mean I am very greedy and just want Unworthy Thor to come out and answer all of my questions). It did give me some additional context however, so that made it worth it.


For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks