Don't wait for the trade on this series, you'll regret it. It grabs you immediately and doesn't let go. Can't recommend this new series enough. It's a fantastic start and unlike any Avengers title you've ever read. Read Full Review

I had a good feeling about this series, but I really did not expect it to be quite this good. Brubaker flexes his mysterybuilding and characterwriting muscles to draw the reader in almost immediately; while Mike Deodato puts in one of his better efforts as of late (I can't say that I've ever been a huge fan). This issue is worth it alone just for the Beast/Steve Rogers interaction, but beyond that I can't see any reader not finding something to love in this one. Read Full Review

Commander Steve Rogers assembles his shadow ops Avengers as a pre-emptive strike force tasked with eliminating threats against humanity. Together, they embark on their first series of missions--and they're going to Mars! Read Full Review

I imagine this book will sell well regardless of critical reception, so let me instead speak to the handful of fans disillusioned with Brubakers former attempt at a team book who may need convincing. The future may be uncertain, but this issue is a clear winner. Set aside your presuppositions and give Secret Avengers an opportunity to impress; I expect you wont be disappointed. Read Full Review

While colorist Rainer Beredo keeps things shadowy, there's a sense of vitality and direction that instantly galvanizes the team in a way that serial-killing antics never could. Some new faces, but some old--because, as Hank says, "once an Avenger and all that." Read Full Review

Yeah, this was a good comic. Typical Brubaker. I should have learned to trust him years ago. Read Full Review

Well hell, I say let's just hand the reins of ALL of the Avengers comics over to Ed Brubaker, because this issue is ALREADY putting BENDIS'S Avengers works to shame, and this was only the FIRST issue! Read Full Review

Overall, Secret Avengers looks like it might be the cooler alt-rock styled little brother to the loud, boisterous, and highly colorful Avengers. The Secret Avengers will be working in the shadowy back alleys, dimly lit penthouses, and computer screen lit airships and control rooms to battle the unseen threats that hide in said shadows. It will be a potentially darker and more edgy book than Avengers. Whether or not that makes it better than Avengers is a matter of taste, but Secret Avengers just might be the icing on the cake of the new Heroic Age. Read Full Review

I have a rule when it comes to new comics: If it can't impress me in three issues, it's not worth collecting. And I'll stick to that with this comic, but between you and me I don't think I'll need it. With its deft blend of superhero action and espionage intrigue, Brubaker has found a new direction for the Avengers franchise that will have readers coming back month after month to see what happens next. Secret Avengers is the comic I never knew I always wanted! Read Full Review

Despite a few minor criticisms I can safely say that Secret Avengers is the new black and I can't wait to pick up issue #2. Read Full Review

Of the four newly launching Avengers books, I had the highest hopes for Secret Avengers. I'm happy to report Brubaker and Deodato didn't let me down. Even the ever-crowded landscape of superhero team books, this should be one interesting series to follow. It certainly provides a nice counterpoint to some of the brighter, shinier happenings in Marvel's Heroic Age so far. Read Full Review

Some disparities between writing and art aside, "Secret Avengers" #1 hits the ground running and never slows down. A great mix of action and intrigue, fans of Brubaker's "Captain America" will no doubt find this comic a great companion book, especially with the plot twist he introduces at the end of the issue. Read Full Review

Brubaker takes his shot at an Avengers team that doesn't quite fit the normal Avengers mold. It's a good story that introduces the team and brings about an interesting dilemma and cliffhanger. While the plot is still very hazy, the story flows nicely and creates a nice mystery behind the action and fast paced story. This is a good first issue and an intriguing one at that. Read Full Review

If Avengers #1 didnt satisfy that big hero book craving youve got and youre in the mood for some dark espionage then look no further. Secret Avengers has everything it needs to be one of the best books on the market and Brubaker and Deodato are doing a great job of making it a strong candidate for best new series of the year. Read Full Review

Mike Deodato has finally balanced out some of the stunt-casting and female anatomy problems that made early issues of Thunderbolts so distressing, and Brubaker does what Brubaker does best: credible spycraft without mocking the costumes or the tricks of the trade. Secret Avengers #1 has potential, and has in my eyes the strongest overall cast of the relaunched books, earning a satisfying 4 out of 5 stars overall. Interestingly, for the first time in months, were dealing with old-school Avengers business, something Im happy with. Read Full Review

I have to say, this feels like a shaky start so far - but perhaps, as the team comes together and the storyline becomes more clear, these problems will clear up. Read Full Review

The post-Norman Osborne Avengers relaunches continue with Steve Rogers‘ own black ops team of Secret Avengers. The first issue does a good job of giving you a feel for each member (Black Widow and Valkyrie, War Machine, Moon Knight and Ant-Man, Sharon Carter, and Beast) while providing flashbacks on how Rogers convinced the more reluctant members to join the team. As first issues go its solid. Not great, but solid (though the final panel did made me wince). Worth a look. Read Full Review