Book Review: Codename: Action vol #1

Book: Codename: Action volume #1 (issues #1-5) by Chris Roberson and illustrations by Jonathan Lau with color by Ivan Nunes

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: July 29, 2014

Description:

During the height of the Cold War, unknown forces scheme to heat up a global conflict. As key officials on both sides of the Iron Curtain are replaced with doppelgangers, the infiltration threatens to disrupt the precarious state of world affairs. The security of the Free World depends on a young secret agent, one assigned to shape the world's masked heroes into a force with singular purpose and unyielding resolve! Witness Operative 1001's transformation into the international secret agent and master of disguise, Captain Action...and his alliance with The Green Hornet, Kato, Operator 5, Black Venus, American Crusader, Death Defying 'Devil' and The Spider!


Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Codename: Action is one of those comic books I wish I had found sooner. The writing, the story and the artwork were spectacular. The story was filled with intrigue and action and the characters were well developed and interesting. I was hooked from the first page to the last.

This five issue mini shows the newly enlisted Operative 1001 working with Operator 5 to try to figure out why all of a sudden many of the world's leaders, diplomats and even masks are inciting threats of war.

Meanwhile, aviator Black Venus suspects something is wrong with the French Prime Minster who has assigned her squad of fighter pilots to take out Soviet Forces that are stationed in Africa. Because an action like that will immediately have the Soviets set to retaliate.

After returning home to a press conference, superhero American Crusader found himself in a bit of a difficult situation with his doppelganger.

Operative 1001 and Operator 5 quickly come up with a plan to find the ones behind all of this by having Operator 5 go undercover. Unfortunately, the villains already had a plan established for something like this.

Black Venus had a plan of her own which somehow had her meeting Operative 1001 (who was looking for the missing Operator 5) they ended up joining forces.

This finally had them ready to try to bring down the villains behind all of this but there was another plan cumulating that could be deadly for everyone.

I completely enjoyed reading this book. It was totally amazing and I loved the awesome cameos by The Green Hornet and Kato, The Spider, Death Defying 'Devil' and American Crusader.

I also couldn't help seeing the resemblance between Black Venus' costume and Catwoman's. It makes me wonder if Catwoman's costume was inspired by Black Venus who was drawn wearing a black bodysuit and goggles long before Selina.

I know a lot of people don't think independent comic books are as good as the big two (DC and Marvel) but I think they're missing out by passing on the smaller companies. There are some amazing series and books out there if you give them a chance.