The Order #7 (Marvel – Fraction / Kitson) – Following up on the shocking conclusion of THE ORDER #6: the United States military is on high alert. Civilians are being evacuated. S.H.I.E.L.D. has been mobilized. The eyes of the entire world are on southern California and the international crisis unfolding there…and standing between it and a happy ending is Henry Hellrung, the leader of the Order. In this special issue marking the midway point of THE ORDER’s first year and revisiting several key moments in Marvel history, Henry—unproven, untested, and unaccustomed to operating on a global scale, especially when there are millions of lives on the line—finds himself alone in a room with a man that could end the world as we know it. If he wins, the Order might just have a chance to survive. If Henry fails—we’re all doomed. No pressure there, guy. By Matt Fraction (IMMORTAL IRON FIST, Casanova) and Barry Kitson (Legion of Super-Heroes, Empire).
I last left the Order about issue #3. Matt Fraction weaves a great story, but there is still something holding this book back. It could be the lack of familiarity with the main characters, it might be the different feel to type of “team work” that is going on, it could be the well done yet non-traditional narrative that happens, it could be the earlier issues that distanced these characters from the rest of the Marvel Universe… I still can’t put my finger on it. But there is just a few small blockades that stops this good book from being a runaway spectacular book. The intellectual and verbal showdown that happen between Namor and Anthem is pretty classic and classically done. Kitson’s art and eye for displaying drama and intensity helps enhance The Order. Perhaps keeping the book solid in thralls of the M.U., like in this issue, would help move it to the front of the pack of rookie titles. Even though the issue has been out for a few weeks, this review is in anticipation of issue #8 out this week.
Grade: B+
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