Two issues in, Secret is still living up to its title, with the series’ plot still largely unknown. Jonathan Hickman continues to leak details about Steadfast Security little by little. Here’s the official description from Image:

We learn the secret past of the Steadfast Security’s chief operator as clues begin to appear regarding the mysterious KODIAC protocols. Someone gets out of jail, someone gets divorced, someone comes home dead. 

Check out the next chapter of the most thrilling new series of the year, SECRET #2: NEVER GET CAUGHT!

It looks like Hickman is taking himself literally: each issue has a secret that is introduced in the first few pages  and is finally revealed at the end. It’s a sweet gimmick to maintain reader interest while Hickman lays the foundation for his series, and it worked pretty well in issue one, but this time it’s not strong enough. A newcomer who missed the first issue would be completely lost reading this, and the subplot of the finger is too unrelated to everything else.

Ryan Bodenheim‘s art is perfect for this series; it’s very realistic, but with a stripped down style that’s in line with the reserved nature of the writing. The minimalism does result in some spare backgrounds, but when Bodenheim actually fills them in, they’re exquisitely detailed.

Minimalism is also maximized (see what I did there?) with Michael Garland‘s colors. All panels are dichromatic, with colors being used selectively to call attention to specific objects and, occasionally, to create contrast.

I think Secret  is going to be awesome when it’s collected, but right now the story progression is slower than it should be for a monthly comic. Add to that the lack of significant action in the issue and what you get isn’t Hickman’s best work.

3/5