S.H.I.E.L.D. #5

The secret Identity of The Night Machine is revealed, Da Vinci's return starts a fracture in the Brotherhood of the Shield, and the drums of war begin to pound. 
 
The Good 
Another issue, another excellent cover by Dustin Weaver. I love the design of the "Night Machine". Despite him just standing there the lighting effects and coloring and painted style really bring the image to life. Weaver's interior art remains just as wonderful. It has a vintage yet vibrant feel to it and Strain's colors highlight this perfectly. Together the two give Da Vinci that "Moses reflecting the glory of the Tetragrammaton" feel that's so appropriate for his role in this story. I like the creative panel lay outs that occur in this issue. Once you adjust to them, they really are a delight and visual feast. It's set up for you to notice something that was seemingly insignificant with each viewing.    
 
The highlight of this issue is the peek into the partnership of Howard Stark and Nathaniel Richards. We also get a very intriguing peek into these men's mind's and motivations. Each of these men has a very, very different view of their duties and what it's going to cost them. We see Nathaniel as a man as equally, if not more so, dedicated to his family as he is to the world and mankind. With Howard Stark we see a man who'd just as soon never see them again. As I read Howard stark in this issue I can't help but  understand why Tony is the man he is. 
 
The Bad 
I applaud the creative panel constructions in the issue but they made the text a bit difficult to read correctly. This issue was weeks late, and I don't feel it lived up to that delay. The big reveal for this issue failed to deliver a punch  for me, especially after the way it was hyped up. This is a thinking series, it's not really about action, so don't expect any fire fights. This is probably the headiest of issue of the series thus far. Therefore, your enjoyment of this one will be directly proportionate to your familiarity with the scientific concepts and symbols presented.
 
Warning: "Angry" Black Man Rant... 
My big issue with this series is it's "white washing" of history. I want it to be clear that I don't think that either Hickman or Weaver are racist. I do however, believe that some of their choices are the direct result of the intrinsic WASP ethnocentricity that permeates western culture. This bias is especially prominent in North America. From issue one of the series I noticed it had an inherent eurocentricism. This is evidenced in it's portrayal of Imhotep. Here was one of Egypt's premier Pharaoh's presented as a white man with a Jersey shore tan. Imhotep and his people were African's who's features were reflective of those that would be recognized as "black". People are quick to confuse ancient Egyptians with the current inhabitants who's physical characteristics are the result Arabs mixing with the African/Macedonian peoples that came to be during the time of the Ptolemaic dynasties. Cleopatra looked like Halle Berry not Liz Taylor. That being said, Da Vinci is a man of Italian descent, yet In this comic he's a blonde haired, blue eyed Aryan. I can't help but imagine those ridiculous pictures of Scandinavian Jesus when I look at him. 
 
The Verdict  
This issues a slow burner but gets better with each reading, if you're not reading this series than I suggest you get on board ASAP