Nick Spencer (2) (1967–)

Well damn! I was NOT expecting this to be so good.

To be honest, I was in a comic store that was closing its doors and blowing out their inventory. I'd seen the Morning Glories comic around, heard something about it being good, so I figured, I'm getting an amazing deal on a monster book, so if it's bad, not a big deal.

But it's not bad. It's not even good. It's sublime. Brilliantly plotted, wonderfully drawn, excellently written, and they just keep bombing you with revelations that blow your show more mind.

I have, after 1000 pages, NO idea what's going on--only because they're obviously still in mystery-building phase, but hot damn, I'm along for the ride.

Yes, this is compared to Lost a lot, and it's because of the story-telling style. You are constantly flipped around in time to gain insight into the various characters, but it's skilfully done.

Honestly, I couldn't put this mammoth, exceptionally heavy book down. Loved it. show less

This third volume of the series moves at break-neck speed. Plot threads are untangled at the same time new threads are woven and there is non-stop action. Mockingbird is discovered by AIM, but she may not be who anyone thinks she is. MODOK surrenders to Maria Hill in a bid to exchange information for the chance to develop stuff for SHIELD (and his own personal agenda, no doubt). Various teams are sent to AIM installations that turn out to be traps. And Daisy is working with the Winter show more Soldier?!

I was blown away when I read the Secret Warrior Omnibus because it was so well-written, with a foundation carefully laid through many events over time. This series has that same magic. There is so much going on in Secret Avengers that it is pure joy to read and too good to miss. It’s unpredictable and intricately plotted, with clues laid early on that take time to come to fruition. The characterization is spot on and the action is precise and perfectly executed. Overall, I can hardly wait for more. Highly recommended! show less

What a blast this series has been to read. Nick Spencer is a hilarious guy and his writing, joined forces with the bold and expressive artwork of Steve Lieber, really makes Superior Foes of Spider-Man sparkle.

This is the third and final volume of the 17-issue series (including 2 issues in the middle by different creators that are not crucial to the main story). It reads like a heist comedy featuring B-level Spider-Man villains. While there are a lot of Marvel characters and a handful of show more inside jokes, overall this is a very accessible read and perfect for anyone who appreciates a superhero comic that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The closest modern comic in spirit I can think of is Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja. As with that series, the of Superior Foes of Spider-Man pages fly by and leave you wanting to read it all over again. Both books are fresh and leave you optimistic about the direction of comic books after years of descending into gritty darkness. show less

I don't think billions die screaming between panels in this collection, though at one point aeroplanes drop from the sky and nuclear power plants go pop all over the world, but the Avengers are shown engaged in boring old superhero activities such as saving people from danger, so let's assume nobody dies and everybody lives, though one supposes future volumes will make up for it.

Anywhoo, Thor and the Sentry raise some strange genetically engineered children in a way that is almost but not show more quite touching. The various crash sites around the world start acting in a fashion that suggests a damaged process and an alien mass murderer gets recruited into the Avengers because bad things are coming and the ends justify the meanies.

I come across as very hard on this series, but I do actually enjoy it. I think. show less