Monday, March 2, 2015

S.H.I.E.L.D. #3

   You get the sense that writer Mark Waid is having a heck of a lot of fun with this new S.H.I.E.L.D. series.

   He's taken the cast members from the TV show and inserted them firmly into the Marvel universe, where they can interact with assorted heroes and villains (easy to do when you don't have to deal with a special effects budget or actors wages).

   This issue focuses on Phil Coulson, the agent heading up the revival of S.H.I.E.L.D., as he tackles a unique challenge.

   A small army using sorcery-based weapons has invaded Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum and unleashed a force that threatens the world - but Dr. Strange is not around.

   What can S.H.I.E.L.D. do? That's all part of the fun, of course, but the beauty is that they bring in Spider-Man, since he's worked with Dr. Strange before (including their first meeting in the now-classic Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2).

   The issue also conjures up happy memories of the Strange Tales comic, which feature Dr. Strange splitting the comic with Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

   Add in the always-terrific art by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer, and you have a comic that's a lot of fun. Highly recommended!

Grade: A

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