A complete listing of Siege titles can be found on our Siege Event page.

Review by Aziz Bawany

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: Olivier Coipel
Inker: Mark Morales
Colorist: Laura Martin
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover: Coipel, Morales & Martin
Variant 1: Gabriele Dell'otto, Variant 2: Joe Quesada, Danny Miki & Richard Isanove
Associate Editor: Lauren Sankovitch
Editor: Tom Breevort
Publishered by Marvel Comics

We’re already at the halfway point with Siege and I have to say things are picking up a nice pace. While there’s little room for talking – something Bendis can overdo – we’re treated to lots of action with very little in between moments.

The story picks right up with Osborn’s Dark Avengers laying havoc to the Asgardians. Thor is heavily weakened after the events in his book but it’s not enough to stop him. While the way Siege was presented makes it sound as if the classic Avengers are the focal point of this book, Bendis has spun the story to encompass the whole Avenger spectrum. In issue two he shines a light on Ares as his godly merits are tested in battle. It’s a true soldier’s story and the writer deserves praise for interweaving these personable moments with the action considering how short this series is going to be.

The only real issue that comes to mind in this book is the mischaracterization when it comes to Captain America. Whether it’s Siege, Secret Invasion, or New Avengers, I’ve never felt that Bendis had any kind of handle on Steve Rogers or Bucky Barnes. In the characters own book it’s been revealed why Bucky must stay as Captain America, and yet here we are seeing him give up the shield and Steve ready to take it after a little nudging. It’s nothing too dramatic, but doesn’t feel natural compared to other portrayals. Bendis is very lucky to have Coipel firing on all cylinders, when his work is combined with the team of Morales and Martin is nothing short of breathtaking.   From now on each and every character in this issue should be the "house" Marvel style. Seriously their execution is flawless.  If issue two is this action packed then issue three is going to have a lot to live up to.

I cannot deny that this issue is a major improvement over the last and it gives me hope that the best is still yet to to come.  Even though I’m half expecting the “to be continued in this book’s new issue number one,” I’m hoping Bendis can work up a great transition from the Siege of Asgard to the Heroic age. If he does, it’ll be one of the better Marvel events to come.

Rating: 8 out of 10 (On its Way to Greatness!)