Comics

Seven Secrets: Volume One

Volume One collects the first six issues of Seven Secrets about a secret order of Keepers and Holders who are charged with protecting the seven most dangerous secrets from being released upon the world by a different secret sect known as Seekers.

The collection starts with an attack on the secrets and the rise of a new Holder just as a face from the Order’s past returns to throw the society into chaos.

Even through six issues, Seven Secrets doesn’t give up just what is in each of the seven briefcases as it teases us as to what exactly is being protected. However, we do get to know the aspiring new Holder in Caspar, his parents, a bit about the other members of the Order, and see glimpses of the maniacal force out to destroy what the Order has successfully kept safe from the world for millennia. 

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Devil’s Reign #2

Devil’s Reign continues with the heroes on the run (and others already in prison), Spider-Man being lured into a trap at The Daily Bugle to get the crap kicked out of him by Taskmaster, and the Kingpin making threats against Elektra. While Dr. Octopus engineers a way for the Mayor of New York to make use of the Purple Man to win the election, the heroes throw a swerve and decide it’s Luke Cage (instead of Tony Stark) who should run against him for control of the city.

This is your typical middle issue to a series laying foundation for conflict around the corner, suggesting Otto has his own plans for the technology offered him by the Baxter Building, and giving one hero a brutal ass-kicking. While Spidey is out, I don’t see Beyond or other heroes leaving him out to dry (as his identity would likely compromise others). So, who might show up for a save?

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Once and Future #23

Most of Once and Future #23 involves the armed standoff between Bridgette and her daughter hoping something in the secret armory of William Shakespeare can help her other son who is now being hunted by another Galahad. Eventually mother and daughter come to an understanding, Nimue decides not to shoot her mother and Duncan, Bridgette, and Rose leave her whatever they aren’t taking to help summon a water god as an ally in the increasingly out-of-control conflict. Despite the tension, no one dies and both sides go their separate ways.

The issue is a rarity in that, while still well done, is one you could skip without missing much of a beat. Other threads include Merlin stressing and yet another story being brought into the mix when a parlay with the fairies leads to three magic beans and a beanstalk.

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The Human Target #3

I can’t say enough about how much I am loving this comic that continues to mix a dying detective’s noir search for his own killer with just the right notes of Justice League International nostalgia. The Human Target #3 not only gives us Guy Gardner, who shows up to throw a hissy fit after discovering Ice is spending time with Christopher Chance, but also more of Ice and Chance together, and Chance talking to another former JLI member in full self-promotion mode.

We get Booster Gold in almost all his glory (sadly, no Elvis collar) along with Gardner, and Ice are all put to great use here. The cherry on top here is an unexpected final cameo of the one person who could get Guy to back off which. Aside for being a pitch perfect nod to the comic history Tom King is playing in, it further illustrates how smart and innovative Chance is, even if he remains far from finding his killer.

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Moon Knight #6

Marc Spector has been betrayed and left beaten and bloody by Zodiac. The Midnight Mission is in shambles. However, back-up arrives from an unexpected source in his “brother,” the other Fist of Khonshu, Hunter’s Moon. Much of the issue takes place after the rescue of Hunter’s Moon allowing Moon Knight time to heal and the new friend to explain a bit about his backstory.

Zodiac remains at large as the issue comes to a close with Spector beginning to heal and put his life back together. It seems both Zodiac and Hunter’s Moon have plans for Moon Knight, whether he likes them or not. Will he fall as Zodiac hopes? Return to Khonshu’s fold as Hunter’s Moon desires? Or continue to carve out his own path? Only time will tell.

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