24 Hour Comics Reviewing Day, Hour Eight: Heroes for Hire #2

HEROES FOR HIRE #2: This comic is fun. I must be a little buzzed on candy beans, because here's the second Civil War tie-in in a row that I've actually been enjoying (To be fair, many of the tie-ins have been more logical and less laughable than the main event itself). A thorough mix of serious drama and light comedy distinguishes this issue which guest-stars the stubborn, stubborn figureheads of both sides of the Superhero Registration Debate Head-Butting, Iron Man and Captain America, cementing the importance of level-headed freelance heroes in the middle of the conflict, even if those heroes are a group of loosely-banded "second tiers." There's a lovely Defenders vibe going on here with the oil-and-water mix of the Heroes for Hire, from placidly zen Shang-Chi to Humbug, so properly awed in the presence of Cap that he gives him a salute. There's at least a half dozen beautifully human moments like this in this book, from the genuine concern of Misty over the safety of Luke Cage and Jessica Jones to Misty's disbelief when a conversation turns to the Skrull Kill Krew. It's about as fitting and logical a segment of the Civil War tapestry can be, although it's unfortunate the rather generic-looking CW tie-in cover can't capture the goofy wonder of the seventies inherent in both the line-up and the plot twist at the end of this story: Stan or Marv or Len or Roy would captioned the cover as "Which one of the Heroes for Hire will betray the team?" and make this issue one you just gotta pick up a read. You still should; don't let the pictorial half-n-half cover fool ya—it's about as solid a celebration of the spirits of the original Heroes for Hire and Daughters of the Dragon comics as you're gonna get anywhere in the Marvel Universe.