It's always a dangerous thing for a writer to mess with the characters and continuity that long-time fans have come to embrace.Sometimes it can be a good thing - the introduction of Elektra into Daredevil's continuity and the return of Bucky, for example - and sometimes it can be a misfire - marrying Alicia Masters to Johnny Storm and wiping out Spider-Man's marriage to Mary Jane being two good examples.
With the ongoing story in Secret Warriors, writer Jonathan Hickman is treading in that same territory, taking characters who have been around for decades and either changing them or making us think they've changed (which is almost the same thing).
Of course, our "no spoiler" policy makes it difficult to talk about these things, but I can say that as one of those long-time readers, I'm not crazy about where the story seems to be going.
On the positive side, the story is moving along briskly, as we learn more about the powers behind the organization Leviathan, which has been pulling the strings behind the scenes of both SHIELD, Hydra, AIM and similar groups.
But Fury and the forces of Hydra are on the move, and a major confrontation is in the offing. And considering the number of heavy hitters involved, it should be an epic battle. That part of the story I like a lot.
The artwork by Stefano Caselli is quite good - dark, raw and rough-edged, but with strong storytelling skills on display. His work is an excellent match for the story.
While I'm on the fence over some of the characterizations involved, I'm certainly enjoying the treatment of Nick Fury, who's one of my all-time favorite Marvel characters, and always in character here.
I'd still like to see some more focus on the young heroes who make up the Secret Warriors - even 15 issues in, they still need some fleshing out - but we're getting there - and I'm enjoying the ride.
Grade: A-
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