The world is a scary place, but back in 2005 SHIELD had everything under control. They dealt with world threats, they were the good guys. Still there were undercurrents of things to come. At a briefing Nick Fury, head of SHIELD and yet to look like Samuel L. Jackson is giving a briefing to the current president. Mostly drawn in shadow and silhouette the cabinet informs Fury that the upcoming, potential attack he’s cautioning them to take action on will not be needed. The president is going to take a diplomatic approach. That’s not what Fury wants to hear. So he decides to do his own type of problem solving and forms a team to eradicate a near disastrous situation.
Before their respective television shows became a sensation, Luke Cage and Daredevil played a part in Nick Fury’s ‘Secret War.’ Originally a comic book miniseries, writer Brian Michael Bendis created a storyline that took advantage of many underutilized characters in the Marvel universe. Over ten years later it still holds up. More importantly it reveals Nick Fury as one who should be feared beyond anyone, including Wolverine. The first issue opens with Luke Cage and Jessica Jones heading home. It’s a normal day that reflects their everyday lives. Then it all goes to hell as Cage is injured in a full on assault at their home. Of course bad goes to worse when Fury shows up at the hospital. Since no one can pierce Cage’s skin he has tubes in the most inappropriate of places. Then Captain America appears and he’s not exactly the voice of reason. Amidst the yelling and accusations the first issue is told in a non-linear fashion where the audience sees Fury do whatever is necessary to prevent a terrorist attack.
This well-crafted story feels like a precursor to what the Defenders could be. The situation may not be the same, but the elements of special ops work behind enemy lines, mind wiping memories and manipulating those closest to you is happening now. Each show reflects some aspect of what happened in this comic. After the U.S. has made sure to put a prime minister they can deal with in place in Latveria (fictional home of Doctor Doom), it becomes obvious that things will not end well. Fury has Spider-man, who never shuts up, Daredevil, Cage, Wolverine and Black Widow enter a country where they are despised. He knows that this mission isn’t something any of them would be on board with, so he erases their memories. Here we see the reason Cage has no idea why he was targeted. Spiderman just thinks that Daredevil’s enemies have gotten bolder, since his identity is an open secret. And the audience realizes why Cap wants to remove Fury’s head from his body in the most painful way possible. But that’s only part of what makes this trade paperback interesting. What you will love about these issues is Daisy Johnson.
She’s 18 and has level ten clearance. Maria Hill who takes command of SHIELD only has level 8. The daughter of super-villain Mr. Hyde, Daisy (codename) Quake is one of the coolest and dangerous women in Marvel. If you watch Agents of SHIELD but have never read ‘Secret War’ count yourself lucky. You would only be making constant comparisons to the TV show. There is nothing to compare. The Daisy in this comic took to her training even without her abilities. More importantly her mind isn’t wiped clean. She like Fury does what is necessary. The only thing is that Daisy has less of a conscience.
If you want a crash course on the current relationships and storylines in the MCU, then you need this trade in your life. Not only is there a multilayered, complex narrative, the artwork by Gabriele Dell’Otto are like a series of paintings. Visually it may be the best these characters are rendered. From battle scenes, where everyone seems to get a place to shine to quiet moments where you see the blood and scars etched on the face of the characters the art puts the story on another level. Essentially, you can’t have one without the other. Above all else you have Nick Fury who manipulates every situation to his advantage. He is the star of drama because he knows everyone’s secrets. And there’s also all those life-model decoys. Alongside that and the serum he takes, Fury will outlive them all.
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