My reaction to the first issue of this limited series was surprisingly lukewarm, given that it was written by my favorite writer in the industry at the moment, Brian Michael Bendis. I was also surprised at the lengthy delay between the first and second issue, and even more surprised to find it was worth the wait. The story -- unfolding in flashbacks as well as in scenes set in the present -- is exciting and mysterious while the script is hilarious and grounded. Dell'Otto's dark, painted artwork brings a quiet intensity to the story and characters as well. Bendis and Dell'Otto offer up Mission Impossible, with significant citizens of the Marvel Universe in the roles of the IMF agents.
A year ago, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had discovered that so-called super-villains outfitted with tech gear were being supplied with the expensive technology by a foreign source, and they realized someone was gearing them up for something other than bank heists. A true terrorism threat was forming, and Col. Nick Fury set out to form a secret task force of his own to strike back at the outside influence. He recruits some of New York's super-heroes to go on a mission in their civilian identities, but now, the results of that mission have come back to haunt the members. One of their number -- Luke Cage -- has been struck down, and others are bound to follow.
Dell'Otto's painted art helps to establish a realistic quality in the story, and that realism reinforces the suspense. The visual interpretation of Logan is pretty much unlike any other I've seen before, but I suspect that's because the artist is taking cues from Bendis's script. The cover's a little too generic for my taste, though, and the pinup/profile pages in the back of the book seem like a bit of a waste to me.
My favorite part of this book was Bendis's dialogue for Peter Parker. Of course, he's no stranger to the inside of Peter Parker's head, but he usually writes about a teenage hero, not the adult hero of mainstream Marvel continuity. Peter's panic and nervous chatter ring increedibly true, and Bendis brings those nerves to life with some witty and charmingly playful dialogue. Furthermore, Bendis presents a take on Logan that strikes me as fresh and fun. He's a boozer, a shameless dog when it comes to the ladies and a bit of a prankster. He's got a sense of humor rather than a dark mood.
Taking familiar super-hero characters out of their usual action-oriented genre and immersing them in a cloak-and-dagger atmosphere. Nick Fury really comes off as a spy here instead of a badass plot device. I can't wait to find out who the mysterious woman among the heroes is, and despite the well-established nature of the characters who are at risk, there's a real sense of menace and suspense here.
