The Initiative’s greatest strength is cast. Not because of big names, just the opposite. This book is filled with characters with lots of room to maneuver, leaving room for dynamic storytelling and development.

Issue 34 leverages its cast moments well in a series of color-coded inner monologues from several of its key players. Each character the comic focuses on has his or her own voice and takes on the surrounding battle. Unlike some Siege books, this book successfully makes the reader feel as if this dire battle is being fought by real people, with real lives and feelings that they can only hope will go on past this conflagration.

Of particular interest are Constrictor and Taskmaster. Both of these second-rate villains first showed potential to be some of Marvels best “character actors” back in the original Deadpool run. There is something about the portrayal of these two that has exceptional texture even in a book full of solid characters. Their compelling believability cuts through the Siege melodrama like a hot knife. You can care about them without wanting them to win.

Reading Marvel this week is a bit like taking statements at an accident. Every story is unique because its perspective was different, but the incident is the same. This is perhaps the single most coordinated moment in the history of comics. The events of Siege #3 are Marvel’s answer to Roshamon.

Initiative #34 is not a great place to jump into this book. It opens hip-deep in action and ends in the middle of an ongoing crossover. If you have been keeping up with it though, this issue pops from cover to cover.

COVER BY: David Yardin
WRITER: Christos Gage
PENCILS: Jorge Molina
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics
COVER PRICE: $2.99
ON SALE: 03/24/10