The prelude to the blockbuster "The Avengers" and such nice little comic! I didn't know that the events of Phase One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (aka: Avengers Assembled) happened within one week! it was funny to see not only actual scenes from the movies but also what happened behind said scenes from S.H.I.E.L.D. agents' point of view. ( )

This is the graphic novel that links Shield to the Iron Man 2 film, the end of Captain America, Thor, and Hulk. The bits you didn't see. While I really enjoyed the stories the artist had a huge problem drawing the women to look like their onscreen selves, which is a pity. The men look much better (hint to artists, if your boobs look like your asses you're doing it wrong!). I found this facinating but some may find it a little spoilery. Now I really have to watch The Avengers... ( )

Really only of interest to people who are fitting the Marvel Cinematic Universe together in their heads, or SHIELD fans. It's full of "this was what was happening behind the scenes during Iron Man 2, Thor and The Incredible Hulk, with a coda for the discovery of Captain America." So, it's Fury, Coulson, Natasha and Clint, with occasional walk-ons by Tony Stark, Thor, and the Hulk. Very bitty, occasionally funny and illuminating. The art is a little stiff but otherwise rather good. ( )

I picked this up because I really enjoyed The Avengers, and the individual character films, so much that I wanted to spend more time in the Marvel universe. This doesn't add anything meaningful, but was a very good prelude that cleverly tied all the films together in a timeline leading up to Avengers. The action takes place from Fury/SHIELD's perspective, which was a good way to flesh out those characters. The artwork is also excellent.

My only minor disappointment is that Loki, my favorite character from Avengers, has only a couple brief appearances. This does make sense in the storytelling because his whereabouts and activities before his arrival at SHIELD are supposed to be shrouded in mystery, but he and Iron Man injected a lot of humor in the film, and this prelude is lacking that. Never-the-less, Avengers fans looking for a little more story should enjoy this well done graphic novel. Recommended. ( )