Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #2 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Remender continues to get the Bondesque feeling of this series exactly right, from Ran seducing Mila over champagne and a discussion of political philosophy to the series of unexpected twists and turns as her husband manages to call in HYDRA.  It sets up a pretty spectacular confrontation next issue between Ran, the Winter Soldier, and some HYDRA goon on a train speeding to West Berlin.  Sounds pretty great, no?  Moreover, Remender drops some hints here that this series might not just be an isolated run.  Dr. Mindbubble -- in his pre-crazy days -- puts in a guest appearance as a S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist, helping Ran find the train to West Berlin to escape from Nrosvekistan in the first place.  Ran is a pretty great character, and he seems doomed to death not only because we've never previously heard of him but also because the Winter Soldier wasn't exactly the type of guy to leave behind a surviving target.  I'm not sure how Ran could possibly survive in the present, but Remender might have something up his sleeve, as always.

**** (four of five stars)