Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Olivier Coipel; Mark Morales; Jose Villarrubia; ‘AS;’ & Comicraft’s Albert Deschesne
Cover Art by Olivier Coipel; Mark Morales; & Jose Villarrubia
SUMMARY:
Entitled “New Avengers: Disassembled, Part Three,” Marvel Comics released this issue for October 2006. Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman’s deep cover role as Nick Fury’s hand-picked double-agent has come to light. With the New Avengers’ future in flux, she is now a fugitive hiding out from both SHIELD and HYDRA. SHIELD finds Jessica first in a low-rent hotel where she is taken captive. Aboard one of its heli-carriers, a defiant yet emotionally crumbling Jessica is interrogated by Iron Man and Fury’s successor, Maria Hill.
In a mid-air assault, HYDRA neutralizes Iron Man and nearly sends the heli-carrier to a fiery doom endangering Rhode Island. Taken captive again, Jessica finds herself on a HYDRA island where her handler prods her into joining a coup against her arch-nemesis: Madame Hydra (aka The Viper). Viciously lashing out, Jessica flees in spectacular fashion to seek out one last possible refuge. Quick cameos include Captain America, Falcon, Cloak & Dagger, Luke Cage, & Daredevil.
Note: This reviewer will deem this Spider-Woman as the real Jessica Drew rather than the eventual Bendis twist that she is the Skrulls’ shape-shifting Queen Veranke in Secret Invasion.
REVIEW:
Portraying individual New Avengers amidst Civil War is a savvy storytelling device from Brian Michael Bendis. Enhanced by the art squad’s excellent visuals, Jessica Drew’s predicament proves intriguing. Yet, one has to keep in mind how implausibly convenient the Bendis plot twists are. For instance, between the SHIELD heli-carrier’s near-miraculous fate and how easily Jessica escapes from HYDRA’s clutches, Bendis expects readers to swallow perhaps too much.
Still, New Avengers # 23 delivers the necessary goods setting up Jessica’s apparent allegiance moving forward.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The credits page summarizes Marvel’s brewing Civil War, including recent plot twists affecting Spider-Woman.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
