Review: Secret Avengers Vol. 3- How to MA.I.M. a Mockingbird
Quick Summary
Pros: The main storyline has plenty of thrilling tension and is punctuated by some fun bits of humor. The conclusion works in some ways. The artwork looks nice and matches the comic’s tone.
Cons: The conclusion is mostly disappointing.
Overall: This volume captures the spirit that has made this series enjoyable up to this point but drops the ball when it comes to delivering a satisfying conclusion. The volume contains the same levels of action, tension, and fun that have been present since this comic started. However, in many regards, the conclusion fails to live up to the lofty promises made in previous collections. Readers who enjoy the drama from this series should continue reading here, but newer readers may want to reconsider their approach to this comic.
Story
Secret Avengers Vol. 3: How to MA.I.M. a Mockingbird, by Nick Spencer and Ales Kot, is still a fun and exciting collection but isn’t as satisfying as its predecessors. The majority of the book reads like the series has read thus far. This means that there are some awesome action scenes, a few solid jokes, and plenty of tense moments, where the reader is unsure what direction the narrative will go. However, a number of aspects of the conclusion cause this volume to stumble as the conclusion to a series. In this way, the collection is still worthwhile but may be a bit disappointing for some readers.
(spoilers start here)
Like its predecessor, How to MA.I.M. a Mockingbird is able to quickly capture a fun sense of adventure and tension. Mockingbird’s hidden presence on A.I.M. Island becomes even more of an issue, as she is discovered and brainwashed. Meanwhile, M.O.D.O.K.’s presence at S.H.I.E.L.D. carries the constant threat of betrayal, keeping things tense there. Then, as the volume moves into its conclusion, characters have brushes with death that make it seem like anything can happen.
All of this is then enhanced by the writing team’s approach to humor. These tense situations and thrilling brushes with death are occasionally perfectly punctuated by a well-timed joke. Mockingbird’s tense interrogation, by a squad of villains, is accompanied by Taskmaster’s unprofessionalism in the situations, meanwhile, M.O.D.O.K.’s defection is made even more ridiculous by the fact that he is carrying champagne when he arrives. These quick moments make the book more fun and enjoyable.
The problem with How to MA.I.M. a Mockingbird is that it serves as a season finale for everything that has been taking place in the Secret Avengers series but does not feel like one. Some elements of this finale are pulled off correctly, like the temporary dissolution of the Secret Avengers. However, as a whole, this conclusion barely addresses the lingering questions that have been present since the series began and gives characters like Rhodey a lackluster sendoff. Meanwhile, underdeveloped characters, like Mentallo, receive a sendoff that goes far beyond their contribution to the series. Though I enjoyed the Secret Avengers storyline, I am somewhat disappointed to see it close this way.
(spoilers end here)
Art
The artwork in How to MA.I.M. a Mockingbird looks as good as ever and is a great complement to the story. Butch Guice and Luke Ross help make this comic as dark and sinister as one would hope. Heavy inks and serious designs keep the mood grim in most places, which matches what is happening in the story. In addition, unique structures and panel layouts continue to add to the appeal of this book. They make action scenes more interesting and even help deliver a joke here and there. All in all, the visuals in this book are appealing and make this a better comic.
Continuity
Secret Avengers Vol. 3: How to MA.I.M. a Mockingbird continues the story from Secret Avengers Vol. 2: Iliad (Review).
The main story here continues in two separate places. The bulk of the narrative, regarding S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Secret Avengers, is continued in the next Secret Avengers series, starting with Secret Avengers Vol. 1: Let’s Have a Problem (Review). Meanwhile, Nick Spencer’s work on the battle between S.H.I.E.L.D. and A.I.M. continues on in issues #1-14 of the Avengers World series, collected in Avengers World: The Complete Collection.