Review - Charlie's Angels vs. Bionic Woman #1 (@DynamiteComics)

"Good morning Angels."

The notion of a spy super-team is certainly intriguing. Charlie's Angels are one such super-team, but despite their talents as such they may have met their match in the Bionic Woman in Charlie's Angels vs. Bionic Woman #1 from Dynamite Entertainment. The issue is written by Cameron DeOrdio, illustrated by Soo Lee, colored by Addison Duke and lettered by Crank!.

When Charlie's Angels pick up an assignment to steal a dangerous patent and put it back in the hands of its mysterious inventor, they encounter their toughest counterspy yet: The Bionic Woman, Jaime Sommers. When the Office of Scientific Investigation is privatized and its patents sold off to the highest bidder, a military contractor looks to take bionics to the battlefield. Will the Bionic Woman be able to protect the patent from the would-be thieves, or will the Angels prevail, mothballing the formula's military applications in favor of medical uses?

Thanks to DeOrdio's slickly presented dialogue, the two properties come together pretty flawlessly in the first issue. Most of the issue is told from the perspective of Charlie's Angels, as DeOrdio explains to the reader the gist of the larger series through the Angels flexing their spy skills throughout the issue. Jaime Sommers gets a brief introduction at the beginning of the issue, but her bigger role comes at the end where the stage is set for the remainder of the series. The premise behind the series is very sound and on-brand for all characters involved which lends even more credibility to the two properties squaring off against one another. DeOrdio manages to tap into the mythos of the Angels for the most part, giving the book a very nostalgic feel.

Lee's artwork furthers that nostalgia by infusing the issue with a sense of a different era. Characters are dressed in a way that's very much in line for when both Charlie's Angels and Bionic Woman were bigger as properties, evoking the flair of the 70s and 80s. There's a roughness to Lee's linework that gives the book a feel like the artwork would be right at home in a newspaper comic strip. And the heavy cross-hatching throughout the issue is remarkable at expressing the sheer intensity of the players involved. Duke's colors are bland in a good way as they provide an almost sepia tone to the artwork.

Charlie's Angels vs. Bionic Woman #1 is a great first issue that's a lot of fun. Charlie's Angels have always been used to succeeding in just about all their missions, but going up against the Bionic Woman might put an end to that streak. DeOrdio's script is fast-paced and engaging, detailing to the reader what's happening while making them feel as if they're part of the story. Lee's artwork is gorgeous and fits brilliantly with the tone being set by the tale. Charlie's Angels vs. Bionic Woman #1 is worth your time if you're a fan of either property or want to see really strong characters being challenged.

Charlie's Angels vs. Bionic Woman #1 is available now.