The most wonderful part of this issue is the quiet undertone that Uncle Jack may not actually believe his nephew to be worthy of the gig, but instead feels guilty for abandoning the family for so long, putting a new spin on the classic "Hero's Journey." The wide-screen brilliance of the opening sequence, gory as it is, really gets one's attention, and the final panel (Jack surrounded by armed Chinese soldiers, murmuring "Just give me two more seconds" as he hacks their computer network, is charming as all hell. I love the interactions between uncle and nephew, and the glimpses of spy training are brilliant in their aversion of many of the more ridiculous James Bond tropes. Secret Service #2 is fun and surprisingly emotionally engaging, with themes of family and growing up alongside a clever subversion of the intelligence game, earning a very strong 4 out of 5 stars overall. It's approachable, it's clever, and I like where it's going... Read Full Review

I think what I love most about The Secret Service is how unlike a typical Millar comic it is. His work is normally equated with the over-the-top action found in a Michael Bay movie " all flash and no substance. But this series is more than one dimensional heroes and villains, and graphic violence for the sake of graphic violence. I want Gary to succeed. He's a loser, but he's a victim of his surroundings. Jack is an enigmatic and engaging lead. There's a depth to his character that will eventually be revealed, and his subdued confidence makes him an intense hero. So far, the first two issues of this series have been great, and I hope the rest will be as good, if not better. Read Full Review

All the spy stuff straight out of the 007 movies, without the dressing. Not the best Millar’s ever done, but it’s getting interesting. Written by Mark Millar (Superior, Wanted) & director Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, X-Men : First Class). Illustrated by Dave Gibbons (Martha Washington Goes To War). From Marvel/Icon. Read Full Review

If I had to describe the general feeling of reading "Secret Service," it's that you're watching an incredibly predictable movie. With movie director Matthew Vaughn (whose credits include adapting Millar's "Kick-Ass" to the big screen) serving as a co-plotter, I can't help but think that it's not a surprise. "Secret Service" all but has the words "film property" stamped all over it, but in this case it's just not a terribly inventive film property. Still, this is a comic without a lot of Millar's normally overused tics, so for now I'll give him a begrudging nod of approval. I appreciate that he's trying something a little different than his regular fare, but it feels like he no longer knows how to get there save by stereotype -- a not-bad stereotype, but this book needs to bring in something a little more unexpected and fun, and soon. Read Full Review