So far, this is shaping up to be one of the year's best. But will the ending live up to the buildup? Read Full Review

Hickman is playing a dangerous game with his work on SHIELD. All it takes is one look at any message board thread regarding the recent work of Grant Morrison to know that plenty of comic book readers resent books that mix an over-abundance of weirdness with a lack of accessibility, and Hickman is out-doing even the Mad Scotsmen with this series. Even those like myself who love high concept, insanely imaginative books will find themselves scratching their heads when reading this book. That is, of course, part of the fun if you're willing to have some patience and give Hickman the benefit of the doubt to trust more answers and entry points will be provided in the near future. If you're willing to do that, SHIELD #2 is more than worth its cover price, if for no other reasons than the way its images and ideas will leave your jaw on the floor and your mind racing. Read Full Review

What should be one of the greatest titles on the stands turns out merely enjoyable. To really take it to the level it aspires to, it needs to drop the humanities lessons in favor of just advancing the story. Maybe it will do that next issue"two months from now. Read Full Review

While I'm still digging the concepts and the characters in S.H.I.E.L.D., the storytelling gaps and unnecessary avoidance of anything grounded makes this a huge step down from the previous issue. Hickman is jumping head first without making sure that there is water in the pool. Thankfully there is enough to keep him from metaphorically perishing, but there isn't really enough to have that great of a time. I'd like to see better focus and more control from Dustin Weaver in the next issue of this series. For something that was so great out of the gate, I can't help but feel like this series has taken a sharp turn in the wrong direction. Read Full Review

"S.H.I.E.L.D." remains an interesting book with enough quality to warrant reading every issue; it simply hasn't lived up to the pre-release hype or the potential exhibited at its best. Too often, a brilliant page will be next to a lackluster one. This issue offered a little consistency thanks to its simple, direct plot, and that still wasn't enough. Read Full Review