Operation S.I.N. #2 Apr.2015

Operation: S.I.N. #1-5

by Kathryn Immonen

When a UFO fires on Moscow because Howard can't keep his finger off the button, Peggy and the team go underground...but which one of them is already undercover? Woodrow McCord fights a bear! Peggy punches Howard in the face!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Comic Book, Superheroes

28 pages, Comic

First published July 14, 2015

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"We're as tough as any man, maybe more. Clever. Certainly more thorough." -- Anna, French Resistance

"You must admit you don't fight the same way, though." -- Captain America

"Maybe not. But we die the same way." -- Peggy Carter

Peggy Carter is such a great fictional character - experienced, resilient and cunning as a military intelligence operative - but she's sort of ill-served by this volume. Though the cover art suggests a tie-in or a direct connection to Hayley Atwell's dependable portrayal of her on both the small- and big-screen, this adheres more to the original Marvel print version. Still, said protagonist is the best thing about the book. While the four-chapter Cold War storyline is just average, watching Carter being the toughest and sharpest person in the room is never tiresome. The unrelated concluding short story - set during WWII and featuring Captain America - was darkly bittersweet and effective.

[Sesana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intensely disappointing. Despite using the MCU version of Peggy Carter on the cover, this is definitely the original, comic book version. That's not necessarily a bad thing, unless, like me, you were really looking forward to seeing that Peggy. And the first issue hits all the right notes. Peggy is awesome, Howard is Howard, and it looks like they're going to have a wonderful caper in Russia. And then things get way, way too complicated, and the book just completely lost me. By the last issue, I really didn't care anymore. It's such a shame, because Peggy is a great character and the setup was good.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the Hoopla blurb: In the early 1950s, an alien energy source is discovered in Russia. It's up to Peggy Carter and Howard Stark to find it - but a newly risen terrorist group called Hydra is also on the hunt! When the mysterious Woodrow McCord enters the picture and Howard accidentally causes a UFO to fire on Moscow, Peggy and her team must go underground. And when they discover a Hydra-run gulag that hides a mysterious woman just as Soviet scientists open a portal between worlds, an ancient terror is released! But what is it searching for? The truth behind S.I.N. is exposed, and Peggy and the gang face impossible decisions with grisly consequences! Plus: a tale of love and honor starring Peggy Carter and Captain America! Also collects Captain America and the First Thirteen #1; an Original Sin! tie-in.

[Chantaal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand why they're using Hayley Atwell's Peggy on the cover, but it must be confusing to fans of the MCU who pick this up expecting MCU Peggy and getting 616 Peggy art. Though that doesn't matter in the long run, because ANY Peggy Carter is badass.

The war is over, but Peggy still sleeps with combat boots by her bedside. Why?



Because if someone infiltrates your home, you're not going to take care of business in your bare feet.



Much like Agent Carter, Operation S.I.N. has Howard Stark drawing Peggy back into action, where she enjoys being. What follows is a romp around the world, a team made up of interesting characters, HYDRA, alien artifacts and a hell of a great showcase for the sheer whirlwind of awesome that is Peggy Carter.

If you want a quick, fun read, this is for you. If you want more Peggy Carter, this is for you.

And, joy of joys, that rarity in today's world of crossover events: you can read this one without needing to know anything about Original Sin.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like 4.5 to 4.75 stars for me.

WARNING/CONFESSION: I am EXTREMELY bias when it comes to Captain America and Peggy Carter together. They are my fangirl FOREVER SHIP! I can't help it, really. I want them to have their dance...just one...



I'll take a kiss.

That being said, and probably not aside, I really enjoyed this Agent Carter! Except the blonde hair...

It's the 1950s. Peggy Carter is in retirement(?) or something like it, because as they describe her as having been with S.H.I.E.L.D., having been a romantic liaison of Captain America, and a liaison of Howard Stark, and there is a STRESSED non-romantic note in her file concerning him. And there is something going on in Russia.

Peggy and Howard run to Russia and discover alien technology, alien beings assimilating into human life (even appearing as human), and a secret Hydra base utilizing this information for their own gains.

Stupid, Hydra. They should know better than to tangle with Peggy Carter by now.

This was a great graphic novel story that seems to fit in more with the MCU canon...maybe even pointing towards the inhumans in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. story line (which I hope bleeds into Captain America 3, though I'm not sure they'll do it this time.) The banter between Howard and Peggy does not disappoint, pretty much on par with the television show and First Avenger.

The only mark against this story (and it's somewhat a minor one) is that the story itself feels a little wandering towards the middle of the last half. Peggy and Howard barely show and the story takes on a different feel. That's my only complaint.

Now, in the back of this, after Operation S.I.N., there is an Agent Carter and Captain America story of them working together in Paris during WWII...Cherchez le femme! I DIED reading this. Peggy and Cap! *happy sighs* She picks on him, he's this adorkabl awkward guy when it comes to her. Their banter is always THE BEST. And when Cap is fighting, he is the keen soldier I know and love.



But really, it was the perfect story for them. Just so STEGGY awesome all the way! If only they had their dance...

Definitely worth a read if you enjoy Agent Carter and/or if you are shipping Team Steggy. I rec this with all my heart.

*Shelving in my Absolute Favorites section*

*A SHORTY FEBRUARY READ* - Not really a short story, but the short graphic novel of Peggy and Cap makes it count...because I say.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This story started off fine enough. Agent Carter, Howard Stark and the man on the wall are going to Russia to investigate some alien occurrences. I was kind of interested at first and even liked the two new characters that joined up along the way. However tha let 2 issues or so that were supposed to ramp up the finale ended I being sort of confusing. I think I barely got what the ending was supposed to be about. Plus the two new characters that I info of liked ended up getting very crappy endings to their arc that had me like, wel what was the point of that? Then the solo story in the back of the book, Captain America and the first 13 was petty useless. Super boring story.

[Trike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea what I just read.

This is such a weird mishmash of random stuff with strange dialogue and uncompelling art that I'm not even sure there was a plot except in barest sense of the word.

There was literally nothing interesting about this at all. I'm assuming it ties into a larger story but I have zero idea what that story might be. This was the most pointless thing I've read in years.

[Leensey · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started off strong and very intriguing, but the second half went downhill fast. I did love the artwork tho, but when it comes to any form of medium—book, tv, etc— it's the story that makes or breaks it for me.

Perhaps if they didn't introduce so many elements in the final issues, it would work better?? I can see what it was trying to do, but it just didn't work for me. It wasn't able to resolve the initial conflict as far as I perceived it. A more grounded story with hints of the scifi/scifantasy elements would've been better than having that massive, disorienting gear shift from one to another.

Then again, it's more than likely that my limited comics experience influences my perception, as well as my personal bias for MCU Peggy (she's one of my faves). I may have set a level of expectation I shouldn't have when getting into this, but you know what? I'm still glad I gave it a chance.

[Artemy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dropped after issue 3. Absolutely idiotic plot, badly written characters, a lot of standard stereotypes and stupid jokes about Russia (like a fucking SHAPE-SHIFTING BEAR, I mean, come on!). The only thing good about it is the art. Aside from the two main characters, this book has nothing in common with the brilliant TV show it is based on. My advice: don't bother.

[Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun!! I don't think I really... understood the plot? But I don't care because it gave Peggy an excuse to punch a lot of stuff and sass Howard Stark, and also there was a werebear, and also aliens. I'm a simple creature.

[danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

i believe in peggy carter supremacy

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Still don't know how you got the drop on me."
"Well, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for you to figure it out."
--p.34

I am perplexed (just as I was when watching the Agent Carter tv show, or as we call it around here, "Peggy Kicks Ass") by who exactly Marvel thinks their audience is. They've done a very silly thing here and slapped Hayley-Atwell-as-Peggy-Carter on the cover of a graphic novel about the classic comics' blonde American spy Peggy Carter, and it seems like the kind of messy marketing mashup that doesn't usually happen in comics. But, despite that: Peggy and Howard are delightful, there's a baloney bear, Howard drives the whole crew into a lake for no apparent reason, Peggy punches Howard for a misogynistic remark and then yells at him once he's down, bad puns abound--it's great fun. If anything, (forgive me, Hayley Atwell) this Peggy is even more badass than the tv version.

There are so many great Peggy lines:

"You were a party to this? Surely you know what Hydra's capable of. Did you think you were developing a better method for peeling beets?"

"I'm going to go find the alien that brought us here and kill it!"
"And see if anybody needs any help! Come on, McCord! Walk and chew gum!"

Ergo: Peggy kicks ass and snarks a lot. Much fun, do recommend.

[Искра · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars
Not impressed. At all.

[Jasmine Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shape-shifters and Aliens, not something I was expecting when I started reading this graphic novel.
I enjoyed the plot, I liked the crew, the two young additions were interesting and of course, I loved Peggy and Howards dynamic.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must confess I don’t usually read comics. Operation S.I.N. was a gift from a friend who knows just how much I enjoyed the TV show. However, even though the Peggy Carter here is blonde, American and has a past that seems rather different from the one of the character portrayed by the talented Hayley Atwell, there’s something recognizable about her voice. Even though I felt like I was probably missing something, I found the reading entertaining.

That was an interesting move, dearest Marvel, to put Hayley Atwell on the cover. I wonder if there’s more? Or perhaps something more focused on Atwell’s version of Peggy?

[Daria Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm kicking myself for not knowing that it was the comic book version of Peggy and not the MCU version (I'm going to blame the cover on that one). So I was really confused when Peggy was blonde and American and therefore not brunette and British (I personally love Hayley Atwell's portrayal of Peggy and she will forever by my Peggy). It started off promising in the first issue, but it went downhill from there for me. I was really confused at times about what was going on and did not quite understand what the actual conflict was. The art was not my favorite. The more I think about it, the more I am questioning whether or not to drop it down to 2.5 stars. I'm just not sure how I feel about it.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know, my own fault for not previewing before buying. But still, shitty marketing, Marvel, putting Hayley Atwell on the cover when the contents have nothing to do with the MCU version of Peggy Carter. Not a bad story, Peggy and Howard dealing with aliens in the USSR in the 50's, but I want more adventures of the MCU Peggy. Boo!

[Mel]

This could either be the best thing ever, or a total trainwreck. Either way, I'm Agent Carter trash, so I'm totally reading it.

[sammstormborn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I… I picked this up because I have been an Agent Carter stan since the first Captain America movie. And LOVED the Agent Carter show (still gutted about its cancellation and incandescently irate about how they effed Peggy and Sousa’s story with Endgame 😡)

Anyway! I got this because I thought it was supposed to connect somehow? And this was the first Agent Carter comic I found. (I’ve watched the show a dozen times a least.) So, I thought I’d be familiar with the story. At least somewhat. I was sorely mistaken.

I tried reading it. I did read it. But wtf was that? They have movie!Agent Carter on the cover but it’s very much not her in the comic. It’s the OG comic Peggy. Then the story - I was utterly clueless. There was no background?? Who tf were these others characters? Someone can turn into a bear? He’s a bear shifter? Then we have some magic maniac trying to burst through a screen?

While I was unsure if I’d missed a previous comic edition, I thought I was tracking some of the story and then it’d be like there’s missing pages? Like, I felt as though there should have been multiple pages but they never made it to the printers or something. It felt like every other page was missing because almost nothing made sense or followed any logical layout of plot.

I really wish I hadn’t wasted my money on this. It sucks because I’m not one for comics but I was so excited to have found an Agent Carter one. Well, just like every other part of Marvel, the creators completely let her down.

[Kash · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was weird seeing a blond Peggy, since I'm so used to Hayley Atwell's performance, but Peggy's characterization was strikingly similar to the show, so props to both teams for the contnuity.

I really appreciated how Peggy was always looking out for others - particularly other women. One of the most beautiful moments in the comic was when Peggy made a comment about how she doesn't "have a heart" when talking to a space alien who literally ripped out her mechanical heart to give to her ex-lover, and she says "neither do I" but it's such a genuine moment between two women who are clearly very compassionate and have made great sacrifices to get where they are today, so I thought that was very well done.

The art style was gorgeous, and it was nice seeing Howard again, even if his head shape is nothing like Dominic Cooper's.

Also the comic was split into 2 sections - one that was Peggy and Howard's alien investigation in Russia, and then a shorter one at the end which was like Peggy recounting her relationship with Captain America, and even though the second one was nothing like The First Avenger, it still made me sad to read :( <3

[Willow Redd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great find from the used trades section of my local comic book shop. It was a good week for Marvel series focusing on their television counterparts, apparently.

This time, it was Agent Peggy Carter as she was originally written in the comics canon. Once again dragged into adventure by Howard Stark, Peggy finds herself on the way to Russia to fight off aliens with Woodrow McCord, an important figure in the Original Sin storyline, of which this book is a tie-in tale. Along the way they meet some future familiar faces to comic readers, and save the world from HYDRA once again.

Included here is a one-off tale of Peggy and Cap in their WWII heyday. It's so beautifully done, written from Peggy's perspective and involving an important exchange of vital information. Interesting to see how Peggy and Cap differ in style, but still love each other so much, although she's never seen his face under the mask.

Some truly enjoyable Agent Carter fun in this set.

[B. Barron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.
1 - The energy spaceship appearing on the first page of the second chapter/issue looks suspiciously like the Podgaric Monument in Croatia.
2- In 1952 Stalin was still in charge of the old USSR and I freaking guarantee you if they Soviets had found a Rich American Industrialist and a former Spy in Siberia at a Gulag they had been allowing HYDRA to use they would not have been allowed to go home. Peggy would simply have been vanished, apologies to the world as a guest was kidnapped and killed by a foreign sponsored counter-revolutionary element (the girl). Stark would either have vanished or issued a statement saying he had defected - probably the latter.

Fantasy worlds must still abide by logic.

This story failed.

Art was good though, save for the building copied as a spaceship - that was lazy; and Peggy seemed a bit too blond and a bit too tall.

[DcMarvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge Agent Carter fans who loved so much the TV show , and who was very disappointed when they announced that their will be no season 3 , i definitely loved reading this comics books , i really recommend it to anyone who miss Peggy and her crazy adventures . The characters are incredible, they really captured the sass , the courage and the strength of Peggy Carter , which means that the Peggy Carter in the comics is basically the same as the one in the TV show (... except her blonde hair that keep her away from her cinematic iconic looks) , their is also Howard Stark (!!!!) who is like always cocky and funny . Their is for sure some news amazing characters that you will fall in love with so easily . The story is great , incredible and amazing !!! I recommend this comics book if you loved the tv show Agent Carter or just if you are a comic book fan in general!!!!

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole thing felt very similar to Winter Soldier: The Bitter March. I don't know which came first. But it was kind of less relevant because none of the characters from this book carried forward into modern comics until recently as seen in Ta-Nehisi Coates's Captain America?

Also, people seem to love that Howard Stark. Big role in a lot of the Iron Mans. Big role in Hickman's SHIELD stories. I don't really need that much more of him.

[Talkback · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but I couldn’t :/ The plot was too all over the place and so much was thrown in the story left and right — werebears and aliens??

I try not to bash on media creators, but this is the third comic from Immonen I’ve read and I haven’t been impressed by a single one. This book was a bit of a disappointment, as a huge Runaways fan I felt like she had the weakest run of that series, and as a Hellcat fan I couldn’t even finish her 5 issue Hellcat run. Not sure who her fans are or who she writes for it but it definitely isn’t me.

*I have yet to read the additional Captain America issue that comes with this book, so this review does not pertain to it.

[L Fayth Guarino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over all the story lines were kind of convoluted and at all end everything felt unfinished. Character reactions kept changing without any actual reason. Also the cover is misleading. I thought this was going to be a continuation of the MCU Agent Carter but it's not. The only passable thing in this whole comic was some of Agent Carter's one liners but that was it

Also the mini story in the back made very littler sense and captain America was basically a useless creep. Bravo screwed that one up royally

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started pretty well, with strong characters and good banter, but it got super wordy and hard to follow. In the 50's Peggy Carter and Howard Stark travel to Russia to find a thing. There they encounter an American fixer, a shapeshifting bear-boy, an alien, and HYDRA. Some of the characters looked too similar and I kept getting confused. I have no idea where this fits in continuity with the show or the comics. And I kept wondering why it was called Operation SIN. That's sort of explained in the end, but only sort of.

[Sean · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book intrigued me so much by its premise and it was such a letdown. Peggy Carter is a fantastic character and here, when not taking the back seat to almost everyone, she is a giant cliche. Embarrassingly bad at times. The plot was a catastrophe and the inclusion of Woodrow McCord to this "untold tale" added absolutely nothing. The art was basic and underwhelming. Overall, a huge miss for me.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Howard Stark and Agent Peggy Carter, teaming up to uncover some alien tech/energy source. A match made, I love those two characters separately and together they are honestly really funny with their back and forth banter. Beautiful artwork and colouring right through, however I did not like the Captain Amercia comic at the back. Despite my potential bias since I'm not the biggest fan of Captain America, there was just no real storyline to it, would have been better without it.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the opening. Peggy kicking butt in her jammies was awesome. I think they made a mistake putting Haley Atwell on the cover since the Peggy of the comics is American and blonde, but eh.
The story had some interesting moments, but ultimately felt rushed and incomplete.