This issue marks the depature of Brian Michael Bendis from the book and sole writing credit going to Johnathon Hickman.  From what I’ve read,  Hickman has been doing most of the heavy lifting on this book anyway, so there hasn’t been much of a change in the quality of the story.  Hickman continues to turn in a solid script and in this issue as Fury’s team of young operatives conduct a bank heist to help fund Dum Dum Dugan’s army raising exercise.  The team strikes a Swiss bank owned by Hydra and help themselves to a couple billion dollars in cash.  Since they’re the good guys, though, Fury left an I.O.U. for the funds, albeit stapled to the forehead of the bank manager.  We also get a peek in on an exchange between Stormin’ Norman and Strucker in which the Baron asks Norman to intervene on his behalf and take care of Fury.  This no doubt leads into The List (coming soon to an LCS near you).  And as if one tie in isn’t enough, we see the end of the story leading into Thunderbolts #135 as Fury heads off to save the Black Widow who is in trouble.  There are a few other tidbits in there that are planted to be explored in later issues.

We are also introduced to a new art team in this book, headed by penciller Alessandro Vitti.  I have to say, I was missing the Caselli/Rudoni team this issue, as I really like the stuff they’ve been putting out.  There was a certain “gritty” quality to the art that I think does work well for the mood of this title, but that may have been more attributed to the colouring.  Vitti’s pencils are a bit inconsistent, and while some panels were fine, others just did not translate well.  I’m hoping to see Caselli back on the book sooner rather than later.

This series has really been firing on all cylinders and hitting the right notes and is worth checking out.  A lot of chatter has been directed at the “team” and how people either don’t care for them, or believe they are not featured enough.  To this, I suggest people may be looking at this book in the wrong way.  I don’t believe “Secret Warriors” refers to a team name like the X-Men or the Avengers.  Fury’s group of superhumans has never been named, to my knowledge.  I’ve always taken Secret Warriors to refer to a look into this shadowy corner of the Marvel U where Fury is waging a war in the shadows.  This book is only slated for a 25-30 issue run, as Hickman has stated himself.  I imagine, by the time that happens, the “warriors” in the book won’t be secret anymore, and you’ll see the characters shifting back into the mainstream of the Marvel Universe.  (I speak specifically of Fury and Daisy Johnson who has been taken under Fury’s wing, effortlessly defeated Wolverine and Magneto, and levelled Latveria.  You know….little things like that.)

So yeah….I like this book, and will continue reading it for the forseeable future.  Pick of the week for me (again.)