S.H.I.E.L.D. #3

August 27, 2010

Title: The Theory of Eternal Life

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Dustin Weaver
Colorist: Christina Strain with Justin Ponsor
Letterer: Todd Klein
Cover: Gerald Parel & Dustin Weaver
Editor: Nick Lowe
Publisher: Marvel Comics

This issue delves deeper into the mystery of the High Council of Shield, the hidden society that seems to have been steering the major events in the Marvel Universe for thousands of years. This issue we see Isaac Newton’s machinations, a surprise visit from one the biggest names in the Marvel U, a kind of squicky dalliance with the Deviants, and a declaration of villainy.

This title is simply insane. It’s flying all over the place, throwing all kinds of chunks of Marvel continuity, real history and conspiracy theory history into a pot and mixing them into something that’s totally ludicrous, but undeniably engrossing. Jonathan Hickman is bringing more and wilder ideas to the table than anybody else writing mainstream comics right now, and between this title and Fantastic Four, he’s easily poised to become one of Marvel’s most consistently awesome writers. I haven’t got the slightest idea where he’s planning to take this comic book, but I really don’t care. He’s got me along for the ride, no questions asked.

Also in the “awesome” category is Dustin Weaver’s art. While is isn’t strictly your standard superhero fare, it’s not so far off the grid as to look like it won’t fit in the Marvel Universe either. It has a sort of weird steampunk vibe to it, which is perfect for a book like this one, which seems poised to put Leonardo DaVinci and Isaac Newton against each other while Galactus bops around in the background.

As crazy as this comic book is, I can’t help but love it. Hickman is a mad genius.

Rating: 8/10