Maria Hill, Agent Phil Coulson, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury, Jr.  When I learned that this bad ass team was going to debut in the first issue of Marvel NOW! Secret Avengers AND Nick Spencer was going to be the writer, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed.

The comic is new reader friendly and if you’ve seen the Avengers movie, you’ll feel even more comfortable.  There is a strong resemblance between agent Coulson and Clark Gregg from the movie.  Black Widow sort of resembles Scarlet Johansson.  Not only does Nick Fury, Jr. looks like Samuel Jackson, he also sports Jackson’s coolness.

I like that Agent Coulson is in the series.  There’s something about the interaction between a man in a suit and heroes.  Usually something comical happens.

The members of the team have their minds wiped at the end of a mission.  I didn’t know what was going on at first, but by the end of the issue I can pretty much tell where the story is heading.

I’m familiar with, and love, Nick Spencer’s style of writing.  He’s good at plotting, timing, and dialogue.  Spencer also likes to revisit scenes in his comics.  That helps for a better understanding of the story.  I love when he does that and hopes he brings that technique over into Secret Avengers.

Luke Ross did a great job on the art.  Matthew Wilson adds a noir feel to it with the colors.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

Secret Avengers is yet another stellar title of Marvel Now.