Review by Frank Plowright

Phil Hester rebooted T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents via the introduction of new agent Len Brown, given a belt that provides super strength when activated. His recruitment and purpose provided a tour round the world-saving security agency in Vol. 1, which was satisfactory without supplying the extra oomph to have the series stand out.

New artist Roger Robinson’s layouts are a step in that direction, although the script supplying him with cyborg dinosaurs to draw is a distinct advantage. Robinson’s pages are detail-packed and because the dinosaurs are around for a fair portion of the book, he can really let loose with them.

This is a step up from Vol. 1, with some genuine surprises, a viable threat and good integration of the new agents introduced before. At the same time it reintroduces more aspects of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents’ past history, although how pleased those familiar with that will be depends on how sacrosanct they consider earlier attitudes and loyalties. Hester’s defence would surely be along the lines of not being able to make an omelette without smashing a few eggs, and his version wrong-foots people and therefore makes for a better story.

On balance, that is the case. What at first seems irrational is given solid reasoning, there’s a well conceived follow-up to a fudged issue from the first volume, and Hester’s twist on what was introduced in the first Eternals series is surprising and slots in beautifully. After an opening volume that didn’t hit all the right spots, this does, and it’s a shame Hester never had the chance to continue.