Some reviews of this weeks digital comics from Marvel Comics
Hank Johnson: Agent of Hydra #1
Hey there, comic reader! Have you ever wondered what Hydra agents do during their downtime? No? Well…then, uh, go read Hail Hydra. For everyone else with a burning desire to see a Hydra agent letting it all hang out, this is the book for you! Be thrilled as Hank picks up his kids from school! Be amazed as Hank talks with Hydra’s HR department! And be stupefied as Hank wishes he had picked a different line of work! From Curb Your Enthusiasm executive producer David Mandel, Hank Johnson, Agent of Hydra will have you looking at faceless henchmen in a whole new light.
This was a fun read. If you’ve ever seen that seen in Austin Powers when the henchman dies and you see the reaction from his family – this is like that! It’s a fun read with the minions changing jobs, exchanging tickets and the PTA dinner. There are some fun scenes featuring a sexual harassment issue with Madam Hydra and some comments about working for AIM. I’m not sure if this has legs for an ongoing series, or if it’s just while Secret Wars is going on, but jump on while you’ve got time!
S.H.I.E.L.D. #9
Oversized Anniversary Issue! Waid! Ferguson! Kirby! Steranko! A commemorative 50th Anniversary story that spans the past and the present, and unites Phil Coulson and Nick Fury, Sr. in a unique cross-time adventure to answer a riddle that lies at the heart of the origins of S.H.I.E.L.D. : who is The Man Called D.E.A.T.H.? Includes a sequence penciled by Jack Kirby and inked by Jim Steranko that has never seen print as part of a story before! Plus, the return of Dum Dum Dugan and the birth of the new Howling Commandos! The very first S.H.I.E.L.D. story from 1965! And the pilot presentation sequence that inspired the creation of S.H.I.E.L.D.!
The issue packs a punch in more way that one. We not only get a good Coulsden story which delves into the history of what we know as S.H.I.E.L.D – there is some really good retconning going on in this issue if what us (and Phil) are told is the truth….!
We also get a look at the new Dum Dum Duggin and the new Howling Commandos – this story is obviously building up to something bigger, with a new series in the offing, I may have to pick this one up if the hints at the end of the story pan out! Finally we get a reprint of the original S.H.I.E.L.D. story with the orginal Nick Fury – I’ve always been a sucker for a spy caper and am looking forward to seeing more from this series!
Lando #3
Lando has made off with one of the most expensive ships in the galaxy. But now, one of the most deadly, effective trackers around is on his tail! Get swindled by the smoothest talker in space!
I would say Lando has finally realised that he has stolen from the wrong person, and that he may be in trouble. What he doesn’t know is that he may be in even more trouble!!
This issue gives us a closer look at Lobot and the way that the implants affect him – Lando shows his caring side, getting help for Lobot. We get a good look at the twins too – their fight with the Imperial Guard being well done, while still providing a bit of mystery about them. There is also a return of a bit of tech from the films (The Phantom Menace) and it also makes an appearance in some of the Dark Horse titles – I must say I recognised it as soon as I saw it!
