Reviewer: James Hatton
Story Title: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Part 4
Writer: Mike Millar
Pencils: John Romita, Jr.
Inks: Klaus Janson
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: VC’s Randy Gentile
Editor: Jennifer Lee
Publisher: Marvel Comics
There are two schools of thought on Mark Millar. One of them very positive, near obsessively so – the other negative, sometimes just as obsessive. There is, thankfully a bunch of people in this world that don’t need to few things by these blacks and whites of devout worship and unfettered hate.
Again – thankfully, I sit in that section. ‘Happy Grey Area’ Hatton is what they used to call me, and I think Millar, overall, is a pretty decent writer. For example, his run on Wolverine has been excellent. Let’s dissolve the one problem that exists with it first though:
It is a standalone story and should not be read with continuity in mind.
Yeah, that pisses me off too. Take a moment and consider how great of a summer it would be if it was the entire world of Superheroes and Mutants on lockdown because the killer of killers, Wolverine, was running loose.
Sadly. Not gonna happen. Let’s discuss the issue.
STORY!
Just as I said, Wolverine turned into a world-destroying badass, putting all superheroes on lockdown (but sadly, only in Wolverine, and brief mentions in a couple of titles). He has since recovered, and is now fighting against those that have wronged him. Slowly, he is working his way through the Dawn of the White Light, the Hand, Hydra, and finally with a showdown against the Gorgon.
It’s a good story, no doubt – but for a great ‘hit each base before the boss’ video game style story, there is going to be a few levels that are going to fall flat. This happens to be the issue in the middle.
I give Millar credit though, he does his best to add enough flair to the story to make it seem as if it isn’t the ‘one in the middle’ with Wolvie riding a Sentinal at the beginning and the redemption of another character at the end. All of that is an excellent smoke and mirrors game to help dissuade you from believing that what you are reading isn’t the same as what we saw last issue.
This is the slow build towards the fight with the Gorgon – and as long as Millar keeps feeding us a touch more than a slashfest, then the journey shall remain fun.
ART!
Romita and Janson are a good team. We knew that. At times though, I feel that Romita is just dialing it in. It just seems standard. I guess I would too when you have to draw hundreds of the Hand ninjas getting vaporized by a giant robot, but the book doesn’t fall in the ‘bad art’ category. Just the ‘meh’ art category.
He’s saving his time and energy for the big fight in a couple of issues. I have faith.
The highlight of this entire issue for me was Paul Mounts coloring. I will say that it very well might be that Romita’s work seeming a bit lackluster this issue made me notice the color more – but there is something about this issue moreso than any of the last few that seemed more vibrant, alive, and moody. From the opening island shot, to the mid-boss fight at the end – he just steals the art spotlight.
OVERALL!
A mixed bag. That’s what this issue is. It’s one piece of a great story, and a necessary evil that there is a bit of repetitiveness, but I have to score it for what it is. This is in fact the necessary middle to get to the explosive end. Take it for what it is.
