A-Force #6 Review

Writer: Kelly Thompson / Artists: B. Caldwell, I. Herring & S. Hanna / Marvel Comics As it turns out, our sheroes didn’t defeat The Countess in Issue #5. A fact that was hinted at in the end of the last issue, but which becomes crystal clear in the beginning of this one when the Force finds themselves in the county jail.

How’d they get into the jail? Well, The Countess has Nico under mind-control. With one magic word from Nico, the team has had their powers wiped away. No one is sure for how long. This leads to Jennifer and Carol showing that they’re both tough and smart as they tag-team Nico into revealing the limits of The Countess’ control. This would be great, except Nico still does some serious damage, stripping Dazzler Thor of her beloved hammer, Lightbringer, with the whisper of one word. You can guess what it is. But you don’t have to guess how mad Dazzler Thor is about it:

The expression on her face is so visceral. This comic continues to feature plenty of reaction close-ups that connect you to the characters through the consistency of expression and the level of detail. Carol never ceases to be in control. Medusa never ceases to sneer. And the readers care more and more with every panel. The Countess is a classic mind-controlling villain, dripping with narcissism. She brings the over-the-top fun of BattleWorld into the setting. Even so, she isn’t all powerful. She is only as good as the tools she controls, so she keeps Nico on a tight leash. Still, Nico is str…