DC Comics
T.H.U.N.D.E.R Agents #7
By Dan Horn
May 21, 2011 - 13:35

DC Comics
Writer(s): Nick Spencer
Penciller(s): CAFU, Mike Grell, Nick Dragotta
Inker(s): BIT, Mike Grell, Nick Dragotta
Colourist(s): Santiago Arcas, Lee Loughridge
Letterer(s): Patrick Brosseau
Cover Artist(s): Fiona Staples
$2.99 US



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T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #7 is told in two parts, spanning three generations and illustrated by three fantastic artistic teams. "On Victoria" recounts the secret relationship blossoming between the Agents' old foe Iron Maiden and the original Dynamo and how that pertains to T.H.U.N.D.E.R. recruiter Colleen Franklin, elucidating possible ulterior motives (see her cover-up of Toby's actual identity previously in this series), yet simultaneously confounding reason. The plot is definitely thickening.

The transition from CAFU & BIT sequences to the Mike Grell sequence fantastically translates "retro" through pop-art modes. Compounding that movement is a follow-up story brilliantly rendered in 60's glory by Nick Dragotta. The panels are lavishly nostalgic and dynamic.

I felt a bit thrown off by this issue as I was instantly reminded of Spencer's past two issues of Iron Man 2.0, in which the pacing was grinding to a slow, painful plod as the story went through a deep structuring interval. After Agents #6 left me wishing that it had had some sort of verve to it that closed out the first arc and that it had cleared the air of some of the questions that were looming overhead, I was hoping to see things pick back up in this chapter. Instead, we get another lull, and, though I love that Spencer is putting a lot of thought into this underlying, all-encompassing mystery, pacing is really becoming an issue with some of his titles.

I'm almost certain this series, as well as Iron Man 2.0, will recover from its inertia and apply some torque to get the wheels spinning again, but for now I'm feeling a bit underwhelmed by Nick Spencer's plot organization.
Rating: 7/10

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