There was a time I wasn't sure how I could approach this
title, you see When The Defenders title was canceled not too long ago I was a
bit sad by it going. I Then saw this title pop up with the Marvel Now I crossed
my arms and seemed to grumble at how this somehow might been the reason behind
why the other was cancelled, like there couldn't be two ‘Defender’ titles out.
After coming to the notion that idea was completely dumb I warmed up to
Fearless coming in based on the first two characters showcased in Misty Knight
and Valkyrie. Two characters that have been supporting roles in other books I
have enjoyed so be reasonable the same will happen here.
The story is pretty much standalone so far, there is no lead
in with other titles. It is a sight forward threat is being made and this group
will have to be formed and face off with whatever it may be. Now the characters
of Misty Knight and Valkyrie have two very different backgrounds and often face
off with very different threats. Cullen Bunn knows this and actually plays
around with the idea for some fun moments. For Misty, you first see her taking
on some artifact smuggler somewhere on ocean which is something that she seemed
just run of the mill for her to do. That is until rocket launchers are pulled
out and used against her.
And while the smugglers did get away Misty did manage to
bring back something for her friend and new character to the book in Dr.
Annabelle Riggs an archaeologist who unknowingly reveals a secret that the artifact
Misty brought back can raise the dead. And now Misty is facing off with several
undead Vikings. And this of course brings Valkyrie into the book proper.
The opening book is very action oriented with just brief moments
of exposition in between to give it a good breath before diving into undead
bashing. I wouldn't call these things zombies just reanimated bones. This all
seems to lead back to Valkyrie and the release of the Doommaidens rising. So in
the opener of the series we get not only introduction of three main characters
so far, but also the threat in a well-paced fun opening issue.
The art work though while looking well and nice, also
carried with it the stigma of the female form that has been traveling around
for a while now. Meaning there are moments you title your head and go that cannot
be good for the spine. There was major fear with that as the series was first announced
and it is a trend that we do see in the book.
The other major aspect of the book and one that got many
headlines is this is an All-Female book, the first of Marvel NOW, and what was
first thought of as just an all-female team, the book actually takes the
All-Female to everything. Main cast is not only all female it looks as if the
threat is as well with the Doommaidens. So in essence we are getting more than
just a team, it could be an almost All-Female book period.
In the end the book is fun start to this new series that
already has two very strong leads and is looking to expand on as the first arc continues,
it is one of the better new books debuted under the Marvel NOW banner.
OVERALL: 7.5 out of 10
Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book reviewer and sometimes video producer. You can follow him on Twitter Here.
No comments:
Post a Comment