I have to be honest as a fan of the new and improved stealthy Thunderbolts, #134 gave me mixed feelings. Don't get me wrong, I was not disappointed; however, I found myself wanting more (or maybe expecting more) whichever. At anyrate what I have are a list of simply "good" and "bad" notes. Why? Because I like to be different and try new things. Feedback on this is encouraged.

THE GOOD:

Obvious Cover Notice: I have to admit any cover with Ghost on it has me sold (much like the Snake Eyes Syndrome).

The ART: Ok ok I admit, it's not all that great but it's not bad either. Although it doesn't work for Songbird it works well with the other characters. This is the first comic series I own that has a single character drawn so wierd that it sticks out like a sore thumb. But the well rendition of all other characters makes up for it. With great respect I have to give this section a 3 for sure.

Foreign Swearing: I never mentioned it before but using symbols to censor swearing has hindered my comic reading experience by pulling me out of the story, but not today, no Diggle was smart enough to have Yelena swear in foreign tongue. Although it was not the first time this has happened, I feel that his focus towards tiny details consistenily keeps me reading without being pulled aback. Major props for collective thinking.

Mr X: Is it just me or is Mr. X a rendition of the Older Toguro* brother from the gritty 90's anime Yu Yu Hakusho. Whatever the case, it was after his appearance that I actually got interested in the Thunderbolts and began reading it.

*Reference: http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n1/PriceThe3rd/toguro-brothers.jpg

THE BAD:

First Three Pages: Yeah... we could have done without those useless pages. Seriously I don't see how the conversation between the two engineers have anything to do with the story. Maybe I haven't been reading Thunderbolts long enough... maybe.

(Spoiler) Yelena's True Identity: I was thinking she was Spider-woman due to the slight black hair shown on the 2nd last page's bottom panel. I was disappointed when she wasn't, because it was too obvious of a reveal.

Headsman: Is it just me or is Diggle's reeeeeeeeeallly trying to portray Headsman as a 7 year old? Seriously, I don't really know where to start with critiquing his portrayal. Everything about headsman is off, from the dialogue to his rather immediate decision to attack Mr. X regardless of how much of a badass X is. He was actually backing away a panel ago... this is just one of those things you have to roll with otherwise it'll give you a migrane.

Plot Too Short: Not enough happened or maybe.

FINAL VERDICT:
A relatively good story. Despite the fact that the first three pages are irrelevent you can still enjoy the rest of it without being pulled out of the story. If you're still into slight espionage intrigue and how Nick Fury ruins Osborn from the inside I strongly encourage you to add this to your pull list or at least have a read at the shop. It may not be a five but it can easily be a four.