Secret Warriors 11
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Stefano Caselli
Letterer: Dave Lanphear
Cover Artist: Jim Cheung

Flashbacks show Kraken recruiting the Gorgon with the promise of a sword named the "godkiller". Meanwhile in the present day, Leviathan comes gunning for Gorgon in a HYDRA base and Nick Fury gathers his various teams together to plan for a major strike.

• Continuity Notes
• Appearance by Dum Dum Dugan, Jasper Sitwell, Mikel Fury, Alexander Pierce and Gabe Jones
• Reprinted in:
  • Secret Warriors: Wake the Beast TPB and hardcover
  • Secret Warriors: The Complete Collection Volume 1.

Review:
The series returns to the main story after last issue's Phobos spotlight with many surprises for long-time Howler fans. A favorite of mine since he appeared in the pages of Wolverine, The Gorgon proves here why he such a creepy and fantastic villain. The sequence where the Kraken is sitting in the Gorgon's living room with his family frozen in stone is macabre to say the least. Likewise the sequence where a Hydra hottie joins the Gorgon's collection of stone beauties shows what an otherworldly evil he is. The last few pages of the issue brings back a pair of characters long missing, Alexander Pierce and Mikel Fury. Its great to see Hickman bringing these characters back into the fold. Howard Chaykin's intention with Mikel always seemed to reform him and bring him into the top echelons of S.H.I.E.L.D and Pierce was always a surrogate son to Fury during the Volume 2 run, so its perfect to see these guys back in action alongside Fury. Fury's final line "Strap it on tight, son. 'Cause hell's comin--and I'm right behind it" promises big things to come.
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