S.H.I.E.L.D. #1

Marvel's 2010 relaunch of S.H.I.E.L.D. opens with a beautifully rendered cover by Gerald Parel, presenting a young man at the fore alongside ghostly, layered figures — including what appears to be a warrior bearing a round shield and hints of towering, ancient machinery looming in the background. The painterly composition suggests an organization whose roots stretch far deeper into history than anyone might expect, setting the stage perfectly for "Chapter One: The Unholy Resurrection of Leonardo da Vinci." Jonathan Hickman and Dustin Weaver promise a series where espionage meets myth, and this striking first issue is a compelling place to start.