With roughly three more months to go until Marvel's newest company-wide crossover, Secret Invasion, I think it's only fair to go over a couple expectations and wishes for not only the outcome of this event but for the major encounters and situations that will ultimately make up the entire story arc. There's already a number of things I don't like about this whole idea. Let's go over those first before we move onto predictions and hopes for the outcome.

For starters, crossovers are getting unbelievably stale. When was the last time we saw our heroes in their own comics without seeing a cameo by Iron Man or someone else? Secret War to House of M. House of M to Civil War. Civil War to World War Hulk. Now, World War Hulk to Secret Invasion. The Marvel universe needs some time to cool off. I'm hoping that, following Secret Invasion, we're allowed to enjoy the good old days without seeing another massive crossover for a while.

Secondly, I don't like Leinil Yu's artwork at all. When I heard that he was doing the upcoming series, my anticipation ceased. His run on New Avengers has almost completely killed that titled for me. Knowing this, Secret Invasion will have to be really, really well written to get me past the artwork.

Lastly, as I've mentioned before, I don't like Skrulls. Their whole story and involvement in the Marvel U has never really appealed to me. The only main reason why the upcoming arc really interests me is because I enjoy the restless, uneasiness of the heroes as they try and decipher just who is and who isn't a shape-shifting alien. So, all this being said, let's take a look at a couple of personal wishes and hopes for the Secret Invasion series.

1.) This will be the last we see of a Skrull or multiple Skrulls for a LONG time.
This all comes back to my personal vendetta against anything Skrull. I understand including them in titles every now and then, which is why Secret Invasion still appeals to me, but I don't want them to become a major part of the Marvel U, at least no larger than they already were before all this stuff started happening. If I never see a Skrull again, I'll be far too soon.

2.) Iron Man is fired or simply removed as director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
He's played the role and done his part but he needs to come back to his roots as a superhero and start battling supervillains again. His replacement? I'd like to see Nick Fury back in action. Marvel seems to have this "old school" mentality going for a number of it's titles so don't be surprised if we see Mr. Fury back in the director's chair.

3.) Blackbolt, somewhere, somehow, is still alive.
I like Blackbolt. What can I say?

4.) Some of the drama from Civil War is abolished or at least sidelined.
Civil War was fine and dandy but I'd like to see less of this resistance business and the "picking sides" mumbo-jumbo. I want to see members of the New Avengers and Mighty Avengers be able to co-exist and not arrest or kill each other. Maybe Secret Invasion will get everyone talking again.

5.) Bendis' writing picks itself up off the ground and doesn't suck.
Remember when Brian Michael Bendis was a good at writing more titles than just Ultimate Spider-Man? Me too. I miss those days. That's not to say that he's a terrible writer, I just think that some of his best days are behind him. Could that change during his days as writer for Secret Invasion? I certainly hope so but I suppose we'll have to wait and see.

6.) Someone vitally important to the Marvel Universe dies.
It happened right after Civil War, it'll probably happen again. I'm hoping to see someone fairly important wash up on the doorstep of Tony Stark. Elektra was a nice start but we're going to need to see someone bigger than that take a fall for this crossover to really hit home. Black Bolt would be the most obvious exception to this little note. Well, him and Sentry.

Marvel's Secret Invasion, which has already begin it's Infiltration phase, will be officially kicking off in April. Will any of my predictions and hopes actually happen? Probably not but I've got my fingers crossed. Got your own predictions or hopes for Marvel's newest crossover? Let us know by leaving a comment!