Comic Book Review – Secret Avengers #5

Secret Avengers #5
Writer: Ales Kot
Artist: Michael Walsh
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Cover: Tradd Moore

“I believe sincerely, that there is a way to improve the world.”

I really like reading this group of characters. I can never get enough of Maria Hill, Clint Barton, and Jessica Drew. And M.O.D.O.K. is really starting to grow on me. And I’ll be honest, I’m with Maria, I’m not really sure if we can actually trust him! But like they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. This is certainly a Maria heavy issue and that is one of the things that made the issue slightly less enjoyable for me. I feel like with the exception of Nick Fury Jr., M.O.D.O.K., and Maria, no one else’s plots are really developed throughout the issue. I was hoping for more Hawkeye and Spider-Woman.

This issue focuses on Maria dealing with the aftermath of the events in Kowloon and Sokotra. And you can’t forget about the whole thing with someone murdering the hitman that attempted to assassinate Maria being found dead on the helicarrier. So there is a lot of cleanup and interrogation in this issue and Maria seems to be making some headway. Phil Coulson is briefly in this issue and he is catching on to Maria and how much she is revealing to him and the team.

There is usually more humor interlaced through the issues which really helps lighten the mood of a more serious toned series and that was kind of missing from this issue. There were a few funny moments but it really didn’t make a dent in the darker tone for me. It’s not a bad thing; I just usually expect to laugh more during this series after the first couple issues (although there is a nice friendly little jab at the resident archer for the distinguished competition.)

The art is awesome and very consistent throughout the issue. I really like the way the layouts are done for this book. It has a very Matt Fraction Hawkeye-esque vibe to it that I really dig. One of my favorite sequences is the Hawkeye panels on the last 5 pages. The covers of this series have been outstanding so far. They are done by Tradd Moore, who is the artist currently doing amazing work on All-New Ghost Rider. I’m a big fan of the cartoony feel and his attention to detail (just look at the goat wearing roller blades on the cover!)

Rating: 6 (Out of 7) – Strong writing and fantastic art, another solid issue featuring our favorite secret secret agents.