Archives: Incognito Book 2, Bad Influences

Incognito, Bad Influences

Team

Writer - Ed Brubaker

Artist - Sean Phillips

Colorist - Val Staples

2011

ICON Publishing

This is book two of Incognito, which I did the archive review of last week. It is written by the same team as the first book. In my opinion, these two make magic together for every book that they work together on.

This book picks up where the last one left off. I am so glad that I read them as a collected work instead of individual issues. It is written as a novel and should be enjoyed as such.

When this begins, Zack Overkill is in jail and being interrogated by the S.O.S. The rest of the book, until the last page, is written as a flashback. I don't know if that was a necessary move as it takes some of the suspense out of it but it wasn't really a bad move either.

Zack is no longer in the Witness Protection program but he is now a Superhero working for the S.O.S and he has a secret identity, which he of course hates. He ends up getting spotted by one of his old enemies. After a failed assassination attempt by a bomb, the S.O.S sends him into deep cover as a double agent into the evil organization known as Level 9 to try to get out an S.O.S agent that is being promoted to the head of Level 9. I know, that is a little confusing but it is spelled out very well in the book itself. Read the damn thing.

As the book goes on, some bad intel and clues start pointing to the fact that it looks like Zack is a traitor to the S.O.S (and it is very clear to the reader that he is not.). Zack must do his mission and clear his own name.

I wont give away what happens when Zack meets up with the operative, because there are a few very nice twists and a great "makes you think" type moment for Zack

If you do decide to read this book, AND YOU SHOULD, read the first book first. You don't necessarily have to so you can understand it, but it will make both books so much more enjoyable. Then you should go back and read them twice

Grade

Story - A+

Art - A