By Marc Strom
Nick Fury has a plan.
With Hydra, H.AM.M.E.R., the Howling Commandos and the Secret Warriors all throwing down in the series' most massive free-for-all yet, SECRET WARRIORS #6, by writers Jonathan Hickman and Brian Michael Bendis with art by Stefano Caselli, brings the first story arc to an explosive conclusion on July 29.
The Warriors' arrival in the melee at the end of the previous issue may seem incongruous with Fury's rather negative assessment of the young team a few months earlier. But according to Hickman, just because Fury has brought the Warriors into the fight doesn't mean he thinks any more highly of their abilities.
"With teeth firmly clenched together, let me just say this: those two things are not mutually exclusive," the writer comments. "The Caterpillars being raw and Fury needing an army doesn't necessarily mean the goals are the same for the two in the short-term, or possibly, the long-term. So, nothing changed [in the intervening months]. Fury has a plan."
And while Fury may not see the Caterpillars as fully prepared for the world he's thrown them into, the kids themselves have a different assessment of their abilities as they plunge into issue #6's climactic battle.
"They're kids, and like most kids they have no concept of their place in the world or the consequences of their actions," Hickman relates. "So, of course they think they are ready."
Fury's main target, Hydra, has experienced some tension amongst its upper ranks in recent months, with Viper and Madame Hydra disapproving of Baron Strucker's war against Fury.
"What's going on with Hydra is a major part of SECRET WARRIORS," Hickman promises. "They are just as important to the book as Fury or Dum Dum or the kids. As for how it will play out, keep reading—you won't be disappointed."
As the series progresses, a number of groups will play important roles, sharing the spotlight with the titular team of young heroes.
"SECRET WARRIORS is a book about Hydra, Fury, the kids, the Howling Commandos and 'other players' not yet revealed," explains Hickman. "They are all integral to what's going on. While there will be clearly defined arcs, this is all part of a larger story—they all move into and out of it at different times."
Looking forward, Hickman guarantees fans will have even more to get excited about in the next couple story arcs:
"I'd like to apologize for how boring, average and mundane the book has been in the first arc. Seriously, if you thought that was good, you're going to love what's next. The second arc is called 'God of Fear. God of War.' The third arc will be called 'Wake the Beast.'"
Not a subscriber to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited yet? Join now!
Check out the official Marvel Shop for your favorite Marvel Heroes!
Download episodes of "X-Men: Evolution", "Wolverine and the X-Men" and "Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes" now on iTunes!
)
)
)
