I’m going to come out with it right now…. there was a comic this week that may have been the perfect comic. A comic so good that I was literally shaking in fear. A comic that I had to hide so I would stop reading it over and over again.

But Secret Avengers wasn’t that comic

With the unveiling of Batman #13 and the return of the Joker, it was obvious that all other issues this week- no, this month- would stand in the shadow of the Clown Prince of Crime. So while the geek world is a-buzzing about ole Bats (and rightfully so) I thought I would take the time and talk about a comic that has, for a long time, flown under the radar.

Secret Avengers has been one of the most consistently enjoyable series in my pull list. This issue concludes the Abyss storyline and leads into the next Descendants arc that we’ve seen chunks of in past issues. Issue 32 has quick pacing as it jumps from Hawkeye, Black Widow, Ant-Man, and Venom’s various altercations with the Abyss-possessed villains of Bagalia (Nation? City? My fictional geography knowledge is fuzzy). Besides interesting fights between heroes, many villains are seen including the Wrecking Crew, U-Foes, Whiplash, and others to add to the fun.

Remender maintains an intricately weaving story while giving this story arc a great conclusion and a nice lead-in to the next arc. The art and coloring combo of Scalera and Mathew Wilson add to the dank atmosphere of a run-down Bagalia and bring a subtle creepiness with the shaded eyes of those possessed.

So while Secret Avengers is no Batman this week, it has been a book I can rely on for some good old fashioned fun. With Remender at the helm, I’m pumped to return to the Descendants (and Father) story arc that has been weaved into Secret Avengers and Uncanny X-Force. So if Marvel NOW goes underwater…. Secret Avengers is my life-jacket.