The premise behind this title -- an A-list movie star secrets serves as a part-time secret agent -- is the kind of thing I would imagine as the setup for a 1980s Stephen J. Cannell primetime TV series. The idea is really kind of hokey, but writer B. Clay Moore's efforts here end up working because he doesn't take it too seriously. There's a clear tongue-in-cheek tone throughout this inaugural issue, but at the same time, this is not spoof either. The ultimate goal is achieved, in that this is a diverting, charming romp, and there's no denying the strength of Jeremy Haun's artwork. However, the feeling I had before I read the book was the same as the one I had after reading it, and that's that the core concept is a little too over-the-top for me to accept it completely.
Nick Walker is considered one of the sexiest men on the planet. His appearance in a motion is a guarantee that it'll earn crazy cash at the box office. And each of his buxom co-stars are always curious about what it would take to bed the mysterious leading man. But the reason he keeps to himself is beyond the imagination of Hollywood's gossip columnists. Nick Walker is Agent 12, a spy-for-hire whose cover as a movie star allows him to take on missions all over the world.
Jeremy Haun's work continues to impress more and more with each new project he undertakes. There's a clear evolution in his efforts, and he's obviously aiming for a photorealistic style, a la Bryan (Ultimates 2) Hitch or Greg (Ultimate Fantastic Four) Land. And his work stands up quite well. All of the characters are impossibly attractive, but that fits with the Hollywood-centred tone of the premise. Haun really excels when it comes to the opening action sequence (which is, predictably, a scene from Walker's latest movie project). There's a strong cinematic tone to the movement and choreography of the scene.
Moore establishes the premise and main characters quite clearly and with an eye and ear for style and entertainment. The banter between Walker and his tech-savvy sidekick/aide may be somewhat familiar, even stereotypical, but it's playful, fun and effective. The pacing in the middle of the book -- the trailer scene in which Nick Walker's other life is exposed and explained to the reader -- is a bit off. It slows down to a crawl, and it saps the action-oriented book of some of its momentum.
Strong talent on a solid foundation make for a well-crafted comic book, but I found there was one hurdle I couldn't quite get over: the premise is actually more than a little silly. I'm honestly surprised Moore doesn't play this as more of a parody, as the notion of one of the most famous people in the world being one of the most secretive and stealthy is a bit hard to swallow. The teenage movie fan inside me likes it, but the thinking part of me raises a bemused eyebrow when considering it. 6/10
