S.H.I.E.L.D. #1

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
Marvel Comics
(w) Jonathan Hickman
(a) Dustin Weaver
FC 40 pgs w/ ads $3.99 US / Higher in Canada

Well that was an unexpected issue. I’ve been enjoying most of Jonathan Hickman’s comics. Secret Warriors, Fantastic Four and his creator owned Image titles have all been good. And with Hickman writing Nick Fury in Secret Warriors, I figured that this series was an extension of Secret Warriors.

I was wrong. Apparently this series is about a completely different organization called S.H.I.EL.D that has been around since the days of the Egyptian pharaoh Imhotep. In fact it was his shield that was used during a Brood invasion that the organization is named for. Apparently Leonardo Da Vinci, Issac Newton, Zhang Heng and Galileo have all been members of this secret organization and have fought such beings as Galactus, the Brood and the Celestials throughout time.

At first I thought that this was a secret history of the Marvel universe but after reading the comic, there was a couple of hints that this might be an alternate reality Earth. The fact that Stark and Richards are some sort of secret agents kinda of gave it away. The comic was an intriguing read and the art was impressive but with the title of S.H.I.E.L.D. I was expecting something else. While I’m not sure what Hickman is doing with this title, the premise seems interesting enough to keep my interest for a couple of issues. I’ll give Hickman the benefit of the doubt for now. (Shane Hnetka)

Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #4

Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #4 (of 5)
Marvel Comics
(w) Jonathan Hickman
(a) Sean Chen & Lorenzo Ruggiero
FC, 32 pgs w/ ads $2.99 US

Fantastic Four #569 will be rocking comic shops in mere minutes and the majority of of readers will be jumping ship, as Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch finish up their lauded run. I’m going on the record now that they shouldn’t. Dark Reign: Fantastic Four author, Jonathan Hickman, is set to take over Stan Lee’s and Jack Kirby’s baby, and it’s due to be…well, fantastic.

In Dark Reign: Fantastic Four, Hickman has the cast of characters playing their spelled out roles, but the biggest thing is how he treats the Richards’ children. Both Franklin and Valeria play significant bits instead of being swept under the carpet as is often the case. Usually, these two kids are dead-weight and hold the title down, but Hickman makes them significant and equal partners in the super team.

Hickman also follows up on Reed Richards and the fiasco he helped create in the Marvel universe. Reed visits a billion alternate realities via his creation, The Bridge, and looks at how to solve the Civil War / Secret Invasion / Illuminati problem.

I have high hopes for Hickman’s tenure on Fantastic Four, but it shouldn’t be hard for him to deliver. Just check out any of his stellar books published through Image Comics. (Dana Tillusz)

Secret Warriors #2

Secret Warriors #2

Marvel Comics
(w) Brian Michael Bendis & Jonathan Hickman
(a) Stefano Caselli

FC, 32 pgs w/ ads $2.99 US

I really don’t need another title to pick up. Seriously. But dammit, this series seems pretty intriguing. And I don’t even like Nick Fury’s new Secret Warriors.

There isn’t much of the team in this issue–they just sit around stuffing their faces while Baron Strucker is back and rebuilding Hydra. And it’s starting to look like a pretty bad ass terrorist organization this time. After last issue’s reveal – major spoilers for those who might be waiting for the trade -Hydra has apparently been running S.H.I.E.L.D. the entire time, along with several other spy agencies. Naturally, when Nick Fury finds this out he’s extremely pissed. I’m not sure I’m digging the art though. Caselli seems better suited on an Avengers title than this spy title, but I can let it slide for now. The writing on the other hand is making me keep an eye on this title for. Bastards. (Shane Hnetka)