Exclusive Marvel preview: Secret Avengers #6 pits Black Widow vs. Lady Bullseye on a bullet train

It’s not easy being an Avenger, especially an Avenger that is covertly performing black ops missions for S.H.I.E.L.D. In the hands of writer Ales Kot, artist Michael Walsh, colorist Matt Wilson, and cover artist Tradd Moore, Secret Avengers has become one of Marvel’s most intense comic books, balancing spectacular superhero action with political intrigue and bold science-fiction ideas in one riveting package.

The series has done exceptional work telling short story arcs that create one expansive narrative, a talent Kot is constantly sharpening with his creator-owned series Zero, which features a single self-contained story in every issue. After a taut murder mystery last issue, the series jumps back into the action mode that it does so well in this preview of next week’s Secret Avengers #6, bringing Black Widow and Lady Bullseye together on a bullet train for the second round of their fight that began back in #3.

This preview spotlights the dynamic action choreography of Walsh, an exciting visual element that is contrasted by the atmospheric shots of Maria Hill and Hawkeye chatting about the darker aspects of their line of work. Wilson’s coloring reflects those tonal shifts, using a cool blue for the bullet train fight that’s broken up by burst of secondary colors in Maria’s scenes. Secret Avengers is the total package, and when that package includes M.O.D.O.K. as a tortured hero/manipulative evil genius, it’s downright irresistible.