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Secret Warriors #1 Review

Comic Books

Secret Warriors #1 Review

With Marvel’s summer event Secret Empire in full swing, tie-ins are starting to drop. That includes the brand new Secret Warriors, which seems extra fitting because being secret is an important facet of the crossover. Hydra has taken over all of America and Cap is hunting for anyone who opposes him…

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Secret Warriors #1 Review
Secret Warriors #1
Writer: Matthew Rosenberg
Artist: Javier Garron
Publisher: Marvel Comics


So what’s it about? The official summary reads:

A SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! Captain America has been revealed to be an agent of Hydra – and he’s coming after Inhumans! S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Daisy Johnson, a.k.a. QUAKE, wants no part of Hydra, so she goes underground, teaming up with MS. MARVEL, MOON GIRL & DEVIL DINOSAUR, KARNAK and INFERNO to set things right – for the Inhumans, but also for the entire country! Penned by rising star Matthew Rosenberg (Kingpin, Rocket Raccoon, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank) and drawn by the immensely talented Javier Garrón (Death of X, Inhumans vs X-Men), SECRET WARRIORS is one part coming-of-age story, one part spy-thriller, all action and all heart. Don’t miss the next (and final?) generation of Inhumans as they take the Marvel Universe by storm!

Why does this book matter?

Matthew Rosenberg has been a writer to keep an eye on, particularly lately with his work on Kingpin and Rocket Raccoon. Don’t be surprised if Rosenberg is writing an event in the next two years. With the help of Javier Garron, who has a style reminiscent of Tradd Moore, there’s a lot of high talent surrounding this book that’s bound to produce high quality.

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Secret Warriors #1 Review
Solid dialogue throughout this issue.

This is an exciting first issue in part because it jumps between the present (with Hydra in control) and the past (when Cap was still a plotting bastard). This gives the book a revealing quality as if we might learn new details about the period before Hydra took over. In a way, we do, which includes a scene with Cap that’ll make you hate him even more.

It appears this is going to be an Inhumans heavy title with Quake taking the lead so if you’re a fan of those characters you’ll want to get this one. Quake is a strong character made stronger by Rosenberg’s believable dialogue. Quake has a heroic tilt in this issue that’s hard to dislike and it’s fun to see her interact with Moongirl. With Agent Hill off the table–at least as far as we know–Quake is taking a SHIELD approach to stopping Hydra even if it’s only her and a few others.

I really dig Garron’s art in this book. It has a fluidity that makes a simple image of characters sitting have tension. Given Quake’s powers she’s a good fit for the title, but all the rest of the characters look sharp too. There’s a kinetic energy to things, but also a stableness with tight pencils. Overall the book looks sharp as heck.

Secret Warriors #1 Review
Its the whole crew!

It can’t be perfect can it?

Due to Quake sort of figuring things out as she goes along the title has less an espionage feel and more of a guerilla tactics one. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but at this juncture it’s somewhat chaotic in its approach. The flashing back and forward adds to this element.

Outside of this, the big McGuffin is yet to be revealed which can be somewhat frustrating. That said, aside from what is seen in this issue, I wasn’t sure where it was going which makes the cliffhanger rather ho-hum. The McGuffin is likely the key as to why this title matters to the bigger picture, which makes it a wait and see must-read if you’re following Secret Empire.

Is It Good?

This is a good first issue that plays with time to show key moments prior to Hydra taking over and how the world works now. At this juncture it’s hard to see how this is a must read tie-in, but given how well Quake is written you might just want to pick it up anyway.

Secret Warriors #1 Review
Secret Warriors #1
Is It Good?
A good first issue with strong dialogue and plenty of action. That said, where is this going?
Tight art that has a fluid feel
Quake is written very well and dialogue as a whole is solid
Good use of flashback and flashforward
The McGuffin is never revealed making this less of a necessary read
8
Good

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