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Review: Secret Avengers #6

Shang-Chi's daddy problems arise!

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The Secret Avengers are bedeviled by an unholy secret society whose appearance may herald the resurrection of Shang-Chi's villainous father.
 

The Good

I've been following Deodato since the mid 90s and it's been a treat to see how his art's evolved into such a lush, norish direction that gives even the most fantastical subjects a cold-as-steel reality. It's that sense of reality that I should harp on, as Brubaker gives all the dialog a terseness that gives this book a "darker Avengers" feel; even if the plotting doesn't necessarily deliver on that (more on that below.)

The Bad

I'm still not sure if this title's living up to its premise of this team being the Avengers' covert ops branch.  So far, they've been largely dealing with outlandish threats. Now, it's Shang-Chi's mystic foes instead of the outerspace menace they just dealt with. That's not strictly a problem, but the lack of clear focus for the team's mission is getting a little in the way of my enjoyment.

The Verdict - 3.5/5

We're experiencing the era of the Avengers, now - - a reign as powerful as the X-Men's was in the 90s. While I have some issues with how this differs from all the other titles under the "A" banner, it's still a sharp book, and I suppose my criticism doesn't hold as much ground when I consider how good X-Factor was when it started (even though it was basically "X-Men with other characters" then.)

11 Comments

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lb70145

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Edited By lb70145

Secret Avengers is a great title. I am glad it hasn't jumped the shark yet. It's so easy considering the cast.

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Emperor Gonzo Noir

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Isn't Shang Chi's father Fu Manchu ?

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iLLituracy

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Edited By iLLituracy
@Emperor Gonzo Noir said:
" Isn't Shang Chi's father Fu Manchu ? "
Yes.
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longbowhunter

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Edited By longbowhunter

I like this title and it's cast. I just hate the price. Decent read this month.
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Pizawle

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Edited By Pizawle

Looking forward to this kung-fu arc. Should be fun.

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Eyz

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Edited By Eyz

I'm still not a superfan of the "super soldier". I mean, I don't have a problem with Steven not being Cap' or using this sort of identity.. just the Super Soldier look (and the SS initials)

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the_nightwalker

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Edited By the_nightwalker
@longbowhunter said:
" I like this title and it's cast. I just hate the price. Decent read this month. "
yeah, go the first 5 issues and loved 'em but considering my pull list i could not go along with 4 an issue. too bad, this is a great $3 comic one of the best, but for $4? Eh. maybe if cool arc comes around, i'll come back.
but it is infinitely better than any other of the god-awful avenger books they're putting out. i mean come on Avengers and new avengers are some of the weakest written books that our out next to zatana
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longbowhunter

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Edited By longbowhunter
@the_nightwalker:
Secret Avengers and Avengers Academy are the only Avengers books I'm reading. Avengers Academy is very good.
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IrishX

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Edited By IrishX

Where's Moon Knight? Where's War Machine?  
 
This is suppose to be a team book right?

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Metatron_Da_Don

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Edited By Metatron_Da_Don
@IrishX said:

" Where's Moon Knight? Where's War Machine?   This is suppose to be a team book right? "

I'm sure they'll show up sooner or later. They tell a good story and only use a portion of the team.

@LB70145

said:

" Secret Avengers is a great title. I am glad it hasn't jumped the shark yet. It's so easy considering the cast. "

What? The cast is great and it looks like Shang Chi just joined and using Prince of Orphans for recon was a nice touch. I smell a expansive/rotating roster? If done right it can be like the Black Ops Justice League International/Unlimited. And they seem to be doing it right. No worries from me? Although I'd hate for Shang Chi to be killed. At the end of the arc it would be nice for a power upgrade.
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They Killed Cap!

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Edited By They Killed Cap!

...I love beasts uniform other than his wrist wraps.