Comic Book Review: Secret Avengers

I''ll spare the introductions and get right down to the review. Why? This book is DAMN good, and it's worth checking out! If you thought Avengers #1 made an impression, think again!

Secret Avengers #1
Written By: Ed Brubaker
Illustrated By: Mike Deodato

The Heroic Age has begun, and with it comes a lot of changes for the Avengers.

Steve Rogers is the new top cop of the world, giving him the authority to do what he wants and whatever he wants for the betterment of mankind. In assuming his new office under the mandate of the US President, the Superhuman Registration Act has been abolished permanently, giving the heroes of the world a reprieve and the freedom to do what they do best without the government hounding their backs - saving lives. Rogers has even officially reformed the Avengers, and under his watch, the world is now in safer hands.

That, however, is only one of many steps the former Captain America has taken to ensure public safety. In the wake of Norman Osborn's Dark Reign and seeing the horrors unleashed by villains right under their noses, Captain Steve Rogers has decided to organize a "Secret Avengers" group to work behind the scenes and prevent disasters from happening. Selecting some of the best and unlikeliest heroes to join his shadow ops team, their first mission together draws them to a mystery that will test their abilities thoroughly and lead to a confrontation with an unlikely enemy they could never have guessed coming.

Steve Rogers. War Machine. Beast. Moon Knight. Nova. Valkyrie. Black Widow. Ant-Man. Sharon Carter

With a bad-ass team like that working undercover, who says the new "Public Avengers" are the most powerful force ever assembled? I think that's highly debatable, and even before they respond to certain threats around the globe, this team may get the job done ahead of them and all that'll be left is the clean up work. I say, this is a brilliant concept from Marvel, and despite my reservations at first to resume collecting multiple Avengers titles, this one in particular drew me back since it's Ed Brubaker handling the writing duties here. The guy responsible for making Captain America such an awesome series is right at his element here, with espionage, intrigue,. and stealth games making this book so compelling to read. Also, he's paired with talented artist Mike Deodato, whose pencils fit well here just as it did in Dark Avengers. Everything about this book shoots awesome and epic all over, and it would take a stubborn man to realize that this is a sleeper hit.

Forget about silly notions that Steve Rogers isn't Captain America now. He's in his element here, and it's fun to see how he works outside the uniform and shield. He's selected people, some veterans of the original and West Coast Avengers team, while others are newbies and fresh faces who have been given the opportunity to redeem and prove themselves for the sake of mankind. I like the roster here, and unlike Bendis' work on the other Avengers titles. Brubaker makes this one more fun by adding sweet flowing dialogue that's neither too wordy nor too wacky to understand. The story itself feels dark and complex ala Wildcats, and that's a great change to the usual Avengers dynamic we're all used to seeing - running and charging to beat the bad guys and saving the day. You know things aren't going to be simple when it involves spy work, and those worries are justified when a mystery forces the team to go interplanetary... with a pretty suprising threat looming behind them, as the last page of the first issue can attest.

If this book is all about stealth tactics and preemptive measures the heroes take to ensure that they're one step ahead of evil, it'll be interesting to see how things will turn out as the series moves forward. How exactly will these "Secret Avengers" fare in their first mission? Hard to say, and that's how I like it. Everything here, from story to presentation, makes Secret Avengers a class A bookl that's best left witnessing with your own eyes. If you thought you knew what makes the Avengers "Avengers", think again! Check this one out!

Rating - 10/10

Comic Book Review: Siege #4

At last, after weeks of delays and anticipation for what's coming next, the final issue of Siege finally hit shops, bringing the early 2010 Marvel mega-event to its conclusion. However, after taking a seat and reading through over 3o pages worth of comic book action, this is all I have to say...









THIS WAS SEVEN YEARS IN THE MAKING?!




Siege #4
Written By: Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated By: Olivier Coipel

This is it. The final battle for the fate of Asgard and Earth is here. Everything will change once everything is said and done, and how it will affect the entire Marvel Universe remains to be seen.

Oh my god, I don't know what to think anymore.

After all the time spent on comic-altering events like Avengers Disassembled and Civil War, we get a lackluster ending that's more disappointing than it is anti-climactic. I enjoyed the build up the first few issues... and now we get THIS ENDING?! Forgive me for saying this, but I don't have the heart to describe the events in great detail other than point out the flaws and predictability this entire issue gave out to its readership. Squandering Loki and Norman Osborn's villainy was one thing, but turning the Sentry into the Void and giving him a send off like that?! Preposterous. Look, I'm all for the Heroic Age and the return of Captain America and the Avengers to prominence and all, but it really could have been done in a more convincing manner. I feel cheated, and absolutely disappointed that everything built up in Civil War has gone down the drain, becoming nothing more than a passing mark in the oh-so-flawed continuity of the Marvel Universe. What's more, all the evil and corruption Norman Osborn has spread through the Dark Reign has quickly dispersed in a mere four issues, and it sucks just to think that everything is "back to normal" just like that. This is worse than bringing a dead character back to life so effortlessly (Captain America Reborn, I'm looking at you), and it makes me wonder how things would have been if careful planning and better storytelling were involved.

Brian Michael Bendis did a number years ago when he broke the Avengers and sent their entire ranks into a spiral of comic book hell. He rocked our world by introducing an all star cast in New Avengers, and spearheaded several tales and events that would see them thrown into different situations resulting in epic stares and showdowns. I find myself utterly speechless at the way he capped Siege, and it's sad to note that while I'm glad good guys finally get their absolution from all the superhero registration hubbub, I'm not convinced by the transition to the Heroic Age. Like I said earlier, I feel cheated by the way this issue presents itself, and all that mattered in the political landscape of the Marvel Universe suddenly falls off the window.

Bendis has been known to be a dialogue centric storyteller, but none of that is felt here in Siege. It's as if Marvel just wanted to end the confusion and attract new readership by presenting the Heroic Age, unflawed and full of innocence again. Seeing the plan of making Asgard the final staging ground between good and evil just didn't really grab me much in the beginning, and seeing how everything goes after the smoke cleared is just displeasurable. I wanted to see a final battle worth talking about. Instead, all I'm gonna be talking about is how an omnipotent entity like The Void could have his ass kicked so easily by... A Hellicarrier?! Not only that, but Loki himself has a change of heart... and dies a pathetic death? Everything here is a fleeting moment, and if it wasn't for the heroes getting their victory handing it to Osborn's ass the way he deserves it, I wouldn't be paying attention to Siege at all. Olivier Coipel's art is still striking, but even that can't save the fact that this issue, or the entire Siege for that matter, is all about the hype for quick change, not superb storytelling.

Since the end of Siege brought about the end of the previous core Avenger titles, you may want to catch up on those as well, including the one shot epilogue books - New Avengers Finale #1 and Siege Epilogue: The Sentry Fallen Sun. These and the other tie-ins are not required reading if you just followed the bigger tale, but they expand the story in great detail and see how the heroes deal with certain issues in the aftermath of the fall of Asgard. Now that the Heroic Age is coming, expect a new number of Avengers related books to hit shelves starting next week, and while I'm happy to see new team ups and the good guys back in the saddle, it all feels repetitive and not too exciting anymore (save for the Secret Avengers, which is written by Cap scribe Ed Brubaker). I'll probably put my Avenger radar on standby anyways, but for what it's worth. Siege #4 just didn't deliver to my expectations. Hopefully for you reading this, it will be different.

Rating - 3/10

Secret Avengers Update: Nova and Steve Rogers Revealed!

With this week's Marvel Comics' releases and the latest issue of Marvel Previews, the final two members of Ed Brubaker and Mike Deodato's "Secret Avengers" have been officially revealed, and it's none other than spacebound superhero Nova and the former Captain America himself, Steve Rogers! Bringing the team together as a 6 man (and woman) fighting unit, this is arguably the strangest, yet most powerful gathering of Avengers since the formation of the West Coast Avengers years ago, and it's actually an interesting setup if you look at it.

Nova, aka Richard Ryder, has been a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Nova Corps and the New Warriors, and has kept the peace back and forth between the cosmos and his home planet. Recent events due to the Annihilation Wave and Civil War have changed Ryder drastically and forced him to leave the planet, but his time to return to the forefront is now, as a member of the shadow elite known as the "Secret Avengers".

Now out of his Cap duds and shield-less, Steve Rogers has to lead a team of Avengers that will probably form the "Black Ops" unit of the Avengers family, and as a born leader and World War II Vet, nobody resonates as much charisma and inspiration to his fellow heroes as Ol' Steve himself. With Bucky still holding the mantle and on the main Avengers roster, what else can Rogers do better with his time other than lead a secret team of his own? Oh yeah, even with the "new uniform", Steve will be back to his red, white, and blue tights eventually.

As you can see in the cover to Secret Avengers #3 above, Nova and Steve Rogers join Moon Knight, Beast, Valkyrie, and War Machine (not pictured) to make up the powerhouse roster. However, why are Black Widow and Ant Man in there as well? Will they be occasional team hopping members like Spider-Man and Wolverine, or are they just making a cameo appearance in that particular issue? Time will tell for sure, but right now we welcome the Heroic Age, and these are your Secret Avengers people!

Secret Avengers Update: Valkyrie and Moon Knight Revealed!

Marvel. com has just released two more images that shed more light into the identities of the "Secret Avengers"! The first update saw the X-men's furry feline scientist, The Beast, and Iron Man's partner in armor War Machine join the ranks of Earth's Mightiest Heroes once more, but now we have a newcomer and another veteran showing they've got the stuff to be members of this special ops Avengers team! Say hello to Valkryie and Moon Knight!


"I am in control of my life"

With Thor as a member of the main Avengers roster, I guess it would make perfect sense to add another Asgardian powerhouse to the ranks. Being a member of the Defenders and fighting alongside other Avengers through the years, Valkyrie stands out as one tough female warrior you don't want to mess around with, and with her firm resolve to control her own destiny guiding her, we may be seeing an interesting addition to this so called "Secret Avengers".



"I strive for redemption"

This was a no-brainer guess when I saw the dark silhouette image for the first time, and now it's confirmed that Moon Knight has officially rejoined the ranks of the Avengers as a "Secret Avenger". A former West Coast Avenger and Defender himself, the mysterious man known as Marc Spector has gone over a number of personality changes through the years, thanks to the God Khonsho and the schizophrenia constantly plaguing his mind and sanity. Garbed in white and willing to use excessive force such as martial arts and deadly weapons, Moon Knight is one tough bad ass, and I'm sure glad he's on the heroes side.

The "warrior princess" and "Marvel's Batman" have joined the ranks of the secret elite, and there's still a few members to be revealed before the first issue gets released next month in time for the Heroic Age! Penned by Ed Brubaker and illustrated by Mike Deodato, Secret Avengers is shaping up to be a solid book! Look for more info on these guys at Marvel.com!

Secret Avengers Update: Beast and War Machine Revealed!

They were once shrouded in mystery... Their identities left out intentionally to attract buzz and discussion among the fan community. Now, after a few months of keeping it in the dark, Marvel.com has decided to unveil the roster of their upcoming new Heroic Age title - The Secret Avengers! Two members of the team have come up front and center to reveal their identities to the public, and for those who had some ideal guesses in mind, rest assured, your faith has been rewarded.


"I focus on the solution, not the problem."

If there's one character in the history of the Marvel Universe that epitomizes that line, it's got to be Hank McCoy, also known as the daring scientific expert of the X-men, The Beast! Currently working as an agent of S.W.O.R.D as well, this feral intellectual actually joined and became a member of the Avengers long ago, working side by side with Cap, Iron Man, and having a budding friendship with Simon Williams, aka Wonder Man! Returning to the Avengers scene may not be new to Beast, but he's going to have to go incognito now that he's a part of the Secret Avengers! And oh look, new X-men style Avengers costume!


"I act on my convictions regardless of personal consequences."

That's a daring statement coming from one individual, but if it was coming from somebody like James "Rhodey" Rhodes, you know the guy means business. Being Tony Stark's best friend, confidant, and one time successor to the role of Iron Man, Rhodey has had his fair share of adventures through the years, and has quickly come to his own as the armored hero War Machine, making a name for himself by blasting away vile vermin and evildoers with the superb weaponry at his disposal. His time as Tony's replacement also saw him filling his role as an Avenger, and after becoming War Machine, he eventually earned his own spot as a West Coast Avenger. Lately, Rhodey has had his fair share of trouble after becoming a cyborg and duking it out with Norman Osborn and company, but he has a new lease in life thanks to his new clone body, and now he joins the ranks of the elite, being handpicked to become a member of the Secret Avengers. If the team needed firepower to bring enemies down, War Machine is on the case! Oh, and his armor kind of has the Iron Man 2 movie look as well!

That's two members revealed, and a few more to go! Secret Avengers will be written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Mike Deodato, and will make its debut during the Heroic Age! For more info, check out Marvel.com!

Secret Avengers Update :Two More Shadows Join In...

There's a mystery streak running for Marvel ever since the announcement of a "Secret Avengers" team. Fans and readers alike have been speculating who's in the roster and who may play a part in the Ed Brubaker and Mike Deodato book, which is scheduled to come out by May this year as part of the new Heroic Age. So far, names have been suggested, but the guessing game still remains, and now two more members appears to give everybody some more comic book gossip talk. Check the pictures below via Marvel and Newsarama and take a lucky guess if you can:






Hmm... one acts by their convictions... while the other leads by example. Interesting info and clues that may give away the identities of these two individuals, but until official word is given, anybody fitting the description is a likely candidate. Something tells me Steve Rogers may figure somewhere here. Let's see how this goes.

Secret Avengers Update: Mystery Man #4

Marvel has just released another teaser image of yet another member of the mysterious "Secret Avengers". This time, the shadowy figure is charging through the image in a mighty flight pose, one reminiscent of the armored knight himself, Iron Man. Could it possibly be a fellow armored being like ol' shellhead's comrade at arms, War Machine? Or is it a cosmic being or force like Captain Marvel? The only thing to guide us is the quote "I Excel Through Adversity". Keep your eyes peeled for more updates and the eventual reveal of the characters soon.

New Age Of Heroes!

Don't let the title fool you. It may sound like the subtitle from Marvel Vs Capcom 2, but it's actually a new thing for the Marvel Universe!

More Heroic Age madness hits the comic news and websites today, and aside from promoting new Avengers and Secret Avengers in May, Marvel has announced a new anthology book that will not only be a gathering of big time names and heroes in the Marvel Universe, but also explore their stories and lives during the chivalrous new times, courtesy of the multiple and talented writers of the House Of Ideas! What I'm referring to is the new series, Age Of Heroes, and to get a glimpse of the bright heroic things to come, check out the cover to the first issue!


After so many years of doubt, mistrust, and controversy, the good guys are finally back in the spotlight and seen for they truly are - champions, defenders, and protectors of society. That's the Heroic Age for you. For more info on Age Of Heroes, Newsarama's article got you covered.



Also, yest another teaser has appeared for the "Secret Avengers", and the latest mysterious member to be inducted is... a female. Who she is and what she plays is up to discussion, so fire away with the speculations!

More Marvel Heroic Age Teasing!

Marvel has been slowly unveiling the goodies to expect come May when the Heroic Age shines down on their universe, and with that being said, it's time for another round of announcements and reveals, courtesy of the House Of Ideas and comic news site Newsarama!

Revealed the other day, writer Ed Brubaker and artist Mike Deodato are teaming up for a second Avengers book, aptly known as the "Secret Avengers". Unlike the official team that gets its roster revealed slowly and surely, this faction will get images with the characters blacked out, so it's a guessing game everyone will have to play until just before the book comes out I guess.



A second teaser has popped out, showing a cape wearing individual whose tagline is "I Strive For Redemption". That possibly puts up a former villain or messed up guy on the list, so any hands up for The Hood? Taskmaster? Sentry even? Let's wait and see.


Onto Captain America, Bucky Barnes is still going to continue wielding the shield as the official Cap, and while some fans of Steve Rogers may be dismayed by this fact, I actually think it's a good idea to keep around at least for a while longer. The original may be back, but Bucky has grown into the role quite well, and Brubaker has utilized the character effectively during his run that it would be a waste just to hand the role back to Steve right away. The new Cap's got heart, soul, and plenty of adventure in him, and now that he's an official member of the Heroic Age's Avengers, he's going to have a lot on his plate to live up to his mentor's legacy. Case in point, the above pic is the cover to May's Captain America #606, and Bucky's going to come face to face with an old adversary of the original - Baron Zemo.

Also on the Horizon, a new Thunderbolts team will debut in Thunderbots #144. Known to be a black ops team under the supervision of Norman Osborn during the Dark Reign, the new roster will feature some of the biggest villains and messiest characters the House Of Ideas has to offer! Rounding up the returning veterans Songbird and Ghost, while the fresh faces are Crossbones, Man-Thing, and Juggernaut... and leading them all will be none other than former Hero-For-Hire and New Avenger, Luke Cage?! Having a tough force of villains and misfits to handle is one thing, but how will all of these guys coexist together? And Man-Thing on a team?! All the news has just gotten my curiosity up for the Heroic Age.

Who Are The Secret Avengers?

After announcing a relaunch for Avengers with a new ongoing series this May by the creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita Jr, Marvel is paving the way for a second Avengers book, which will apparently be titled as "Secret Avengers". To be written by "Captain America" scribe Ed Brubaker and penned by Dark Avengers artist Mike Deodato, this series will also launch in May and will be the second new book to usher in "The Heroic Age". Marvel has released the news and teaser pic via Newsarama, so check out and speculate just who the mysterious first member of the Secret Avengers will be.