“Agents of Nothing Pt.2″
Hickman started his career at Marvel last month with one hell of a cliff-hanger. Of course I am talking about the Alias-like bombshell that HYDRA has been running/controlling S.H.I.E.L.D. all these years, literally since the beginning, in fact. The first issue did a nice job of setting up the team dynamic and the characters. We also got some excellent Hickman designed back matter, which I think justified the price tag. Here we saw Hickman’s design sensibilities ported over to the Marvel Universe. Diagrams, personnel files, graphs, etc., all rendered in that oh-so-aesthetically-pleasing Hickman style.
So, my first thought when I got to the end of this issue was “Where’s the back matter?.” I realise that this isn’t integral to the story itself, but it’s a part of the package that I enjoy. Of course, it might just be my copy and when the comic comes out I’ll have egg on my face, so I’m going to refrain from heading down that road.
With issue #2 Hickman takes the first five pages to re-introduce a classic foe of S.H.I.E.L.D: Baron Strucker. In these five pages Hickman establishes what Strucker was up to during “Secret Invasion,” how dangerous he is, and just how down right ruthless Strucker is in pursuit of his cause. It’s a great little sequence culminating in a nice splash page. The look on Strucker’s face says it all.
From here on in Hickman switches between present day events concerning the Secret Warriors and what Strucker has been up to three months prior. We’re also given a glimpse of the team’s potential futures and individual fates as told by Phobos (who is turning out to be a great character). Hickman words the scene nicely, the hints being tantalising but open enough to be interpreted several ways.
Caselli continues the great work he did in the first issue, and I really like how he renders Fury. His art is greatly enhanced by the work of colourist Daniele Rudoni. The pair have worked together before on Avengers: The Initiative, and it’s obvious the pair have a good understanding of each other’s work. There does seem to be a colour scheme of sorts being established in the title. Strucker’s scenes all take on an earthy hue, all greens and browns which are obviously tied in with the groups costume and background. Meanwhile, back at the Secret Warriors HQ the scenes are painted in an almost metallic blue. It might not be noticeable by all, but it’s a nice touch by the art team.
I’ll admit the ending fell a little flat for me. It wasn’t anything to do with a lack of ability on Hickman’s part but simply my lack of knowledge. I haven’t read Wolverine in literally years. So the fact that the cliff-hanger in this issue has to do with someone introduced in the pages of Wolverine left me a bit befuddled. However this is only a small grievance. Hickman is sowing enough plot threads here to keep me interested and along for the ride.
After two issues, it looks like Hickman is going to be able to continue to weave the magic that got him this opportunity in the first place. The book has the promise to be a great, and quite unique addition to the Marvel universe.
