By Brian Michael Bendis (Story), Jonathan Hickman (Story & Script), Stefano Caselli (Art), and Daniele Rudoni (Color Art)
Some Thoughts Before The Review: To simply say that I was looking forward to the launch of Secret Warriors would not do my anticipation for the series justice. A quick look through the “Best of ’08″ feature will reveal that Secret Warriors is being worked on by what pretty much amounts to my personal creative dream team of sorts. And let’s not forget that Nick Fury is one of the main characters… Always a good thing. So since I didn’t review the first two issues, let me just say that I’m loving the series so far and can’t wait to read more.
The Story: The team’s assignment is to head to a shadow S.H.I.E.L.D. psi-agent processing and quarantine facility to make sure Hydra doesn’t get any hands on the vital assets kept there. Unfortunately for Fury’s “Caterpillar” team, the Hydra group targeting the S.H.I.E.L.D. building happens to include the recently resurrected Gorgon. Meanwhile, Nick Fury takes some time out in order to have dinner with an old flame.
What’s Good: Intensity. Only a few issues in and I can comfortably say that nearly every Secret Warriors panel is loaded with it. From the tight writing to the moody, kinetic artwork, no other series brings intensity to the reader so damn effectively. And Secret Warriors #3 may be the best issue yet.
Jonathan Hickman’s slick script is packed with sharp dialogue and great character work. It really is that good. I truly believe you are going to have a tough time finding a more gripping read this April. A particular scene worth noting is the chilling moment between Phobos and Gorgon. The scene really drives home the type of villains the Secret Warriors are facing. In addition, the dinner scene featuring Nick Fury is prime example of what makes him such a memorable character.
As for the artwork, Stefano Caselli and Daniele Rudoni absolutely knock it out of the park for the most part. The characters are full of emotion and the action absolutely jumps off the page. I do have one complaint though…
What’s Not So Good: If Secret Warriors #3 has any flaws, they have more to do with something the creative team has to overcome as opposed to anything that’s wrong with the individual issue. For example, since Fury’s team is made up mostly of a group of unknowns, the characters carry around a bit of baggage.
Furthermore, I have found that the battle scenes tend to be a bit confusing, as discerning powers and keeping up with the frantic pace set by Caselli’s artwork can occasionally be a bit frustrating. In Secret Warriors #3, I definitely found myself trying to decipher an action panel or two. Also, Phobos, Quake (Daisy), and Hellfire (J.T.) are really the only three team members I feel I know anything about. I thought by now I’d have a better grip on the team as a whole. A small complaint considering how great most of the cast is, but worth mentioning regardless. I’m sure everyone will be fleshed out soon enough, but as of now I can’t help but feel as though some of the character development is a bit lacking.
Conclusion: I highly recommend Secret Warriors #3. And while I wish a few of the growing pains would go away, they do little to detract from the quality of the issue. In this reviewer’s opinion, if you aren’t reading Secret Warriors, you’re missing out on a potential “series of the year” candidate.
Grade: A-
-Kyle Posluszny
Filed under: Marvel Comics, Reviews Tagged: | Action, Ares, Baron Von Strucker, Ben Berger, Brian Michael Bendis, Catepillers, Comic Commentary, Comics, Daniele Rudoni, Dark Reign, Discussion, Espionage, Forum, Gorgon, Graphic Novels, H.A.M.M.E.R., Hydra, Issues, Jonathan Hickman, Kraken, Kyle Posluszny, Madame Hydra, Marvel Comics, Norman Osborn, omnibus, Phobos, Quake, Raymond Hilario, Reviews, Rob G., Secret Warriors, Secret Warriors #3 Review, SHIELD, Stefano Caselli, The Hive, Tony Rakittke, Viper, WCBR, Wednesday Comics, Weekly Comic Book Review, weeklycomicbookreview.com, Yo Yo
I’m loving this series as well. You mentioned having to decipher powers during some of the action scenes and not being familiar with the “caterpillar” characters. I would suggest that anyone who is interested in this title should go back and check out issues 12-13 of the Mighty Avengers. It gives some back story on how Fury recruited the members of the team as well as giving us some insight to their lives pre-Fury.
Thanks for the comment.
I want to thank you or giving readers the heads up on those comics if they just picked up Secret Warriors without having read them I have read those Mighty Avengers and do remember the powers, but during the battle scenes I just wish the powers were a bit more defined. It is something of a nitpick considering how frantic the action looks, but I think it would go a long way towards helping to really define the characters.
Keep reading and feel free to comment anytime.
Thanks for the comment!
The appeal of the Secret Warriors team, for me, is that they are relatively blank slates in comparison to other teams in the Marvel U. The problem with that is, as you mention, it’s very easy for them to leave readers cold. As I mentioned, only a few of them have left any sort of impression on me at all…and what I forgot to mention is that the impression they leave is based more on the power they use and the potential they bring to the series as opposed to anything that was written for them. That said…damn did Phobos make an impact with his comment to Fury at the end of the issue.
Also, on a personal note, I highly doubt Hickman will steer the ship in the wrong direction…and keep in mind that it is more Hickman’s vehicle than Bendis’ from this point forward.
As for the nature of the Marvel U, I definitely find the interconnectedness (as you put it) adds a lot to even the newest series. For instance, the Hydra reveal in Secret Warriors 1 could potentially have an impact in almost any book. For that reason alone I think Secret Warriors is something worth always keeping an eye on…because you never know when the Marvel higher ups decide to play the “Hydra” hand for an event, crossover, or big tie in.
I totally agree.
While I love the vibe, the cast of characters still leaves me cold and three issues in… that’s odd. Still, I have faith in the creators that they’ll get things going. It’s unusual for Bendis to be so weak on character and strong on plot, so I’m willing to give him and Hickman some more time. I also can’t shake the feeling that this series is important in relationship to the Marvel Universe.
I was chatting to a guy in the local shop today about the ‘interconnectedness’ of Marvel’s comics which he cited as a negative but I feel is a huge plus. This book is a good example of that. On its own it’s not exactly stunning but as a part of something bigger it’s very interesting.