Secret War #1 (of 5)
Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Painter: Gabriele Dell?Otto
Price: $3.99

Rating: 4 stars

Secret War #1 deserves a rating of four for the art alone, which is a glorious m?nage of colors and detail work not witnessed since Alex Ross blew us away with Marvels back in the day. Painter Gabriele Dell?Otto is a wizard of both the technical and the emotional, which gives the book a powerful one-two punch. Did I mention that fan favorite Brian Michael Bendis wrote it? For once the poor guy is relegated to the background.

This five issue mini-series starts with a devastating attack on Luke Cage and doesn?t let up one inch the entire issue. Filled with subterfuge and secret alliances, Nick Fury and his agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. take the center stage to set the plot for the upcoming storyline. Not for a long time has Fury been portrayed in such a dignified, old school light. I have become so accustomed to seeing him as a borderline trouble causer that having him back in the arms of angels is a welcome relief.

As Fury and his crew must rally their forces to get to the bottom of a troubling mystery, Bendis and Dell?Otto are setting the stage for several battles royal. When it becomes obvious that the government will maintain a laissez faire approach to the problems brewing, Fury knows he must take a risk and go a different direction then his usual modus operandi. Enter a visit to Cage in the hospital, and a definite sense of guilt at the hero?s predicament.

I am sure there will be several paragraphs of glory spent trying to define Dell?Otto?s style in other reviews, so let me just suffice to say that his work is gorgeous. From a brief note by Bendis, it is apparent that Joe Quesada and David Mack take credit for discovering the Italian sensation. Either way, I am sure comic fans are glad for it. I know I can?t wait to see the next issue of this quarterly title.

Trying to bring back a concept of Secret Wars that was started by Jim Shooter back in the mid ?80?s is an ambitious calling, but Bendis and Dell?Otto handle it with ease. It isn?t about the style this time, costume-wise, it?s about what makes the darn things work. From secret funding, to the most small-time criminals, Bendis appears to have turned over a rock not thought about by past writers.

Bendis fans and art lovers in general should pick this title up. Secret War is an obvious labor of love that will have long lasting ramifications of the Marvel Universe. The only beef I could find is a small one - I would have liked to see Jessica Jones, late of the Marvel Max title ALIAS, a bit more…but I can live with her important cameo. Pick this title up, True Believers. You won?t be disappointed.

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