SHIELD (spoilers)

SHIELD is the newest Marvel title by Jonathan Hickman. The story is the secret history of the Marvel universe and the history of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The story starts in the '50s with a young man named Leonid who is taken to an immortal city under Rome. He meets a group called SHIELD who go into their history. We see glimpses of the past. First in Egypt with the Brood being defeated by Imotep and his band, including an early Moon Knight and Apocolypse. We see a few pages in China with a Celestial. Then there's a cool bit with Leonardo DaVinci. Finally Galaleo attempting to repel Galactus. The series then goes forward a few years to where Leonid has been in the Immortal City for a few years now. He's visited by the Night Machine who is also his father. The Night Machine takes Leonid to a secret room. Along the way we meet two SHIELD agents, Stark and Richards. It ends with Leonid coming face-to-face with DaVinci.

I liked this issue, a lot. There's a lot of little snapshots of things to come. Already there's a lot to discuss.

I'll just leave it alone right now and see if anyone else has read it so we can get a full-fledge discussion going on.

Replies

Alan M. April 9, 2010 at 1:53pm

I didn't really have any interest in this book at all, but the review that Doc B posted over in the "What Comics Have You Read Today" thread may have changed my mind slightly...

To you, Jason, or any others who have read this book: what other comics (or other media, I suppose) would you liken this comic to?
Jason Marconnet (Pint sized mod) April 9, 2010 at 3:47pm

I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Not to say it's totally original, I just can't think anything similiar. In a way it reminds me of Gaiman's Marvel 1602, but not exactly. This series is supposed to be set in continuity. It is kind of connected to Hickman's Secret Warriors, though at the moment none of the characters from SW have shown up in SHIELD. I have a feeling that both series will end up connecting more closely down the road.

If you're into secret/alternative history type stories you'll probably enjoy this. If you're a long-time Marvel fan you'll probably enjoy it as well.
Rich Lane April 9, 2010 at 4:01pm

I'd call it the love child of Grant Morrison and Dan Brown.

And I mean that in a good way. This was my favorite comic of the week.

Alan M. said:
I didn't really have any interest in this book at all, but the review that Doc B posted over in the "What Comics Have You Read Today" thread may have changed my mind slightly...

To you, Jason, or any others who have read this book: what other comics (or other media, I suppose) would you liken this comic to?
Don Collett April 9, 2010 at 4:12pm

I have no idea what's going on in this book...but I like it!
Alan M. April 9, 2010 at 7:24pm

Well, my shop's sold out of issue one, so that may decide the question for me right there. :)

If (when?) they get more copies I'll reconsider, but otherwise I'll just write it off as "maybe in another life."
Wandering Sensei: Moderator Man April 9, 2010 at 10:52pm

I'd liken it to something European.

Anyway, I loved it in a kind of trippy kind of way. Which is one of my favorite ways to love something.

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