Secret Avengers Issue 2
When we last left our heroes I was a happy man, satisfied but not ecstatic about the new squad of Avengers that Steve Rogers has decided to keep secret. Since then, I have had the opportunity to meet the lovely writer of Secret Avengers, Ed Brubaker. When I met him I complemented him on his X-Men run and said I loved it, to which he said "So you're the one guy!" A little more quick convo ensued and he promised me that if I liked that, then I'll love what he has in store for the Secret Avengers. Looks like he may be right.
The book opens where the last issue ended, with the team going off to Mars to try and find Nova, the member of the team yet to appear with the team (Oh space, how you cause so many relationships to crumble). They discover a mining facility on the planet complete with fresh footprints (Just like Scooby-Doo!) and mind controlled henchmen (Just like Scooby-Doo the movie!). The team fights them, displays why they are Avengers, and splits off into teams to explore different leads. Meanwhile. Sharon Carter tries to find out who knocked her out and stole the Serpent Crown at the end of last issue.
Last issue I thanked Ed Brubaker for his pairing of Moon Knight and Ant-Man, and this issue I realized something. While I love the possibilities of those two together, I just love Ed Brubakers Ant-Man. Clearly capable, he proves his worth in this issue and yet earns no respect, making his feelings on the matter clear. It comes across nicely and having War Machine be unhappy with his presence is a nice touch.
Also a nice touch? The space costumes. These things are beautiful, a nice color scheme that harkens back to their roots with Cap but also allow for individuality. What's nice is that these all make sense. I mean, for once it's not just a space-suit over a costume, or just a costume, instead we get a reinterpretation of the costumes that makes more sense for the situation and Mike Deodato draws them exquisitely. His inks are lighter here and Will Conrad's presence is felt in keeping the tone but lightening it up. I don't know for sure what pages he inked, but I get a sense which is enough for me.
Overall, my main complaint for this series is that the main story doesn't interest me very much. I mean, the Serpent Crown and the mind control aspects we see on the moon are nice, but they aren't fully there yet. Still, I can tell Brubaker and Deodato. won't disappoint, as long as he keeps this up. 4 out of 5.
