Editor's Note: Secret Warriors #9 arrives in stores tomorrow, October 28.

"God of Fear, God of War"

I really wish people would pay attention to the credits of this book. I don't know how many reviews I've read (or watched online) where Bendis is still getting credit for everything Hickman is doing. Bendis has been gone for a while now, and was never really in on the scripting, from what I understand.

This is Jonathan Hickman's book, people!

And he's kicking its ass up and down the block.

This is easily the best book to launch out of Secret Invasion, and this arc has proven to be the best use of the Dark Avengers as guest-villains yet. Hickman accomplishes this by keeping their inclusion fairly understated. Rather than focusing on Osborn and Bullseye (the most overused of the team), Hickman wisely chooses to pay attention to the familial link between the Dark Avengers and the Secret Warriors: Ares and Alexander (Phobos).

He doesn't overdo it, either. The emphasis is on action, and Hickman uses the five-minute countdown to the destruction of the Secret Warriors' base (last issue's cliffhanger ending) to up the tension by having Vitti incorporate the countdown sequence into the page layouts. It's a nice touch that keeps the action moving purposefully.

But the issue isn't just about the two teams duking it out. We also get a glimpse into the secret mission that Fury and Garrett are on, and it leads directly into the Dark Reign: The List – Secret Warriors one-shot that was released back on October 7. And we get a clue about just who Stonewall's father is. It's just a hint, and we'll have to wait until Issue #12 to find out for sure, but it's intriguing.

Vitti's art is strong and stylish, doing a fine job with the quiet moments and really providing a sense of energy and controlled chaos during the big battle scenes. His art isn't as polished as Caselli's, but I'm liking it almost as much. The settings are detailed and the fight choreography is clear and easy to follow, which is saying something given the number of people involved in the conflict this issue.

This is a book that has yet to let me down in any way. And after the revelations of Dark Reign: The List – Secret Warriors, it looks like there are even more surprises to come. If you like espionage in your Marvel Comics like I do, then I know you've been hurting for quite a while now. How long has Nick Fury been underground, anyway? Too long. If you've missed him, then without question, you should be reading this book. It's a slow burn punctuated by a continuous stream of action bursts. Hickman is the real deal and this is the best Nick Fury story in years.

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