Jonathan Hickman's Secret Warriors is in my opinion, one of the best titles Marvel is putting out right now. Rich with characters layered with plots and masterfully planned so that each story moves all the pieces forward towards a definitive ending. With each issue so tightly controlled, there is little room for Nick Fury and his crew of caterpillars to interact with the rest of the Marvel Universe, which makes these one shot opportunities so crucial, giving us a chance to hit the pause button and explore the characters in a more significant way.
With the Siege: Young Avengers issue that came out a week earlier, the bar was set high for this issue of Secret Warriors. Although discredited for not moving the plot forward in any significant way and not really doing a whole lot with the team, the issue was still fantastic for what it was, an occasion to spend time with characters who are not currently in an on-going comic, and getting to see them respond to a catastrophe that is way out of their league. It is fair to say that expectations were high this issue would be similar, especially with the questions surrounding how Phobos, one of the title's important characters, is the son of the God of War, who was murdered earlier in the event would respond.
Hickman addresses these, but in a way no one really anticipated. Framing the issue with a moment between Ares and Phobos, that reflects on the nature and requirement of revenge, the issue focuses primarily on Phobos's quest to hunt down the President of the United States, who appointed Osborn the head of SHIELD and then HAMMER. Periodic moments of Nick Fury comedy allow us moments of pause from the Kill Bill antics of the comic, but aside from two characters featured in a single panel, the rest of the team is not even featured in the issue.
To say this one-shot was a disappointment is an understatement. My initial unhappiness came firstly, from the perceived pointlessness of taking the action away from Asgard, to focus on The White House, the character with arguably with some responsibility, but the least importance to the Siege storyline. However, after re-reading Dark Avengers #9, and reflecting on the perception Phobos has been written with, I can understand the going after the President bit a bit better, as it jives more with his going after the root of the problem attitude. What I'm still conflicted over is that everyone involved with the story knew what Osborn was, Ares especially, and yet he continued to serve with the Dark Avengers, only finally turning on them when they dared to threaten sibling gods. In truth, Ares got himself killed and it was really his own fault, how does this require any type of revenge aside from that against The Sentry, his murderer?
I also take issue with Phobos's sudden choice to murder a number of innocent Secret Servicemen. His whole reason for joining Fury's crusade and the Secret Warriors was to become a hero/good guy/make a difference in the world, his bedroom at home is a shrine to the superheroes of the Marvel universe, and yet he just cuts through a number of these guys on his way to see Obama.
While I did agree with the plot and direction of the issue, Hickman continues to prove his writing excellence. The dialogue is fun and he continues to work Nick Fury's voice effortlessly, while also capturing the sophistication of the young God of Fear, expressing his eloquence and wisdom beyond his years that he possesses.
Artistically, this issue is just a mess, as Vitti's pencils look rushed if not grotesque in some areas. Backgrounds look sparse and undetailed, and at time the characters border on bizarre in appearance. Even the action seems choppy and lifeless, which is the chief failure, given how much of the issue relies on it. There were probably time constraints that went into this book, but even then, that isn't an acceptable excuse.
I can't fault anyone for liking this issue, but unless I see some kind of fallout from what is essentially a terrorist attack on the President, or a reflective Phobos in later issues, I can only label this issue a loss. What should have been a fantastic companion piece to the Secret Warriors main series is only a trailer piece for the upcoming Last Ride of the Howling Commandos arc.
D-
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