Thunderbolts: Cage (Review)

Writer: Jeff Parker

Artist: Kev Walker

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Collects: Thunderbolts #144-147; material from "Enter the Heroic Age"

The great thing about only being a casual reader of Marvel is that I have no idea who half the characters are in most stories. I go in blind, ready to discover their personalities and nuances, and be wowed by some new hero or villain. A good writer can appeal to readers such as me; showing us why these characters are so long-lasting without simply referring to their pre-established reputations.

And Jeff Parker is a good writer.

Compared somewhat unfairly to DC's Secret Six, which I love, I was attracted to the idea of a team of Marvel villains working under the supervision of Luke Cage. I was further lured in by the aforementioned exciting opportunity to get to know new characters (aside from Cage and Crossbones, whom I were already familiar with). Plus, everybody loves a good villain story. You know you do.