The plotting here isn't particularly clever or novel. The story isn't even complex, as it consists mostly of action and conventional plot developments. But the atmosphere of tension and crisis that permeates the entire issue, combined with the strong personalities that Bendis brings out in the script, makes for a riveting super-hero read. The writer and artists approach the violence of the genre as something that's scary and brutal, not entertaining. The villains are creepy and cruel, not colorful. Finch, the inkers and D'Armata present a dark vision of a world that's normally a wondrous place, and it works surprisingly well. There's not a profundity to be found here, no commentary layered on top of the super-hero action, but there's a harsh realism and maturity that's engaging.
As Electro makes his escape with the one superhuman inmate he was hired to free from Ryker's Island, Captain America, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jessica Drew face the unenviable prospect of fighting a legion of uncaged and angry super-villains. One of them quickly discovers how dangerous and critical a situation he's in, while others try to recruit the aid of a powerful former hero to help stem the tide of murderous rage.
The most important visual in this story is the beating that's visited upon one of the heroes. It's conveys that this isn't just a typical heroes-versus-villains scenario. The physical devastation of this particular character has been a bit overused as of late, but there's no denying how effective it is here. One of the keys to the art's success in fostering a tense and eerie mood is its inkiness. Finch hides the bad guys in shadows, and when they emerge, they seem all the more dangerous. The same holds true of the obscuring of the Sentry in this story. His power shines through, but just how good he is or can be is hidden from the reader as well. I also appreciated the use of small panels featuring headshots of obscure villains to clarify the action and provide a little of information for those readers who aren't so well versed on Marvel characters.
There are little moments in the middle of all of the action that speak to the characters, not the powers or violence. Captain America's snarky comment to Iron Man is brief, but it speaks volumes about how Cap feels about the dissolution of the Avengers. Foggy Nelson gets to shine in one key scene, and his dialogue boasts an interesting mix of fear and hope.
Ultimately, it's the menacing and chilling nature of the villains that serve as the greatest strength of this issue. The hatred and sadism they exude make for an edge-of-your-seat feel. The reader is drawn into this conflict and crisis with ease. No, this isn't Watchmen or The Dark Knight Returns, but it's an engrossing action story that overcomes the obvious nature of the marketing that went into this new series. 9/10
