Written by Kathryn Immonen
Art by Rich Ellis
Published by Marvel Comics
This series marks Kathryn Immonen’s return to a regular series at Marvel, and it’s safe to say it’s off to a good start. Whether intentional or not, she’s writing a series which takes place at the shifting point between the types of genres which tend to make up the history of shared superhero universes. As such Operation S.I.N. is a bizarre hybrid of various pulp genres: World War II action, James Bond espionage, and Golden Age alien science fiction. While all parts aren’t on full display, this first issue establishes all the elements and looks planned to go all out with its premise.
The real focus of this issue is mostly set up for the relationship between Peggy Carter and Howard Stark. Since the war, they’ve drifted their separate ways until Stark comes in to drag her into a world of Cold War era spy thriller meets alien invasion. Peggy comes off as a little more than angry blunt bruiser, but without becoming aggravating or annoying. She’s shown as more than competent and doesn’t take well to people messing with her. Sadly, Howard Stark gets a little less character development than he really should. He shares many qualities with his heroic future son, but not enough difference to give him a unique spin. Most of his personality is given out from Peggy reminding him how many times she’s pulled him out of the fire, literal or otherwise. One new character, Tania Belinskaya, seems to have a lot of potential as a Russian agent playing Carter’s tour guide, and what path she’ll take is well worth looking forward to.
Rich Ellis’ artwork falls right in tone with Immonen’s military/spy/sci-fi mash up. His style reminds one of a cruder Darwyn Cooke albeit with some muddier colors. He blends his sound effects in well with the background which really helps his style pop in action scenes. Ellis can go from gritty bullet ridden bedrooms to sickly alien weaponry and have it all come together.
As it stands, the Operation S.I.N. miniseries looks to be a fun romp through Marvel’s in the 1950s. The chemistry between Howard Stark and Peggy Carter pops though this is mostly Carter’s book. The artwork satisfies on all levels, though it would a crime to ignore Michael Komarch’s beautiful cover. This will likely be Marvel’s underdog title for 2015, but it’s shaped to be a good read and worth checking out, even for just mild curiosity.