With the recent news of Spider-Man returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” returning to the airwaves this week, Marvel Comics picked an ideal time (at least for us) to deliver an issue of S.H.I.E.L.D. co-starring Spider-Man. While the original pitch to the series promised a wide array of Marvel characters as the missions demanded, the two most recent issues of S.H.I.E.L.D. have truly been “S.H.I.E.L.D. Team-Up” with Phil Coulson taking the lead and pairing with popular Marvel characters.

Thus, the scope of S.H.I.E.L.D. #3 is considerably smaller than the first issue of the series. Although the cover promises Doctor Strange and Spider-Man, the actual story in this comic book is more about Stephen Strange’s security system than the Sorcerer Supreme himself. As for Spider-Man’s function, well, he’s here for comic relief, convenient fisticuffs, and moral compass. The attack on the Sanctum has unleashed mystical creatures that S.H.I.E.L.D. is unprepared to face, so they recruit Pavel Rasputin to combat the mystical forces while using Spider-Man as a Geiger meter for trouble.

Writer Mark Waid doesn’t have the luxury of character analysis or personality construction in the course of the twenty pages of this comic book, so he drives the reader along with action. Rasputin and Spidey are an odd mix, but as history (and Amazing Spider-Friends) has shown, Spider-Man mixes well with anyone. As a matter of fact, give Spidey someone to talk to, someone less familiar with the webslinger, and he’ll open right up. Waid presses that to his advantage, giving the reader everything they need to proceed, but nothing excessive. Spidey’s able to swing through S.H.I.E.L.D. #3, ripping off quips and using his proportional-spider-strength as necessary to reach the issue’s end. Rasputin is the devious ne’er-do-well looking for his chance to make a break, but Waid avoids the cliche traps, letting readers leap at them, but keeping the characters from being too predictable. Waid’s Coulson is effective and efficient, just as Clark Gregg plays the character, except with a few more resources and a wider budget at his disposal. Along the way, though, Waid reminds readers just how fun it is to have Spider-Man fighting alongside another character in a story that is light on continuity and self-contained.

Joining Waid in this issue is legendary artist Alan Davis. Unfortunately, Davis’s art is not quite as polished and smooth as readers would expect from the modern-day comic book master. Throughout S.H.I.E.L.D. #3, there are spots where Davis’ figures are sketchy and hurried and other spots where Spidey’s head takes on an almost balloon-like quality.  As would be expected, however, Davis’ work is solid in storytelling and has more than enough great spots to make up for the shaky ones. While Davis clearly has fun drawing up the demons and putting Coulson in action against them, I cannot help but wonder if the visuals would have perked up some if Stephen Strange were present. This is not Alan Davis’ best work, but even Davis’ less-than-amazing stuff is better than a whole host of other artists’ really, really great stuff. Part of the visual letdown might stem from the heavy, pervasive black used throughout S.H.I.E.L.D. #3, which certainly kept inker Mark Farmer plenty busy.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #3 is very clearly aimed at bridging the gap between television viewers and comic book fans. Unfortunately, this issue misses the center of the bullseye by leaving Doctor Strange out of it, but as a story in and of itself, it moves along nicely and gives readers plenty to sink in to. The continuity in this issue might ruffle some comic readers’ feathers in certain areas, but as a gateway for non-comics readers, Waid, Davis, and company could have done much worse than to pair up Agent Phil Coulson with the most recognizable comic book character in Marvel’s history. This is a quick one-and-done treatment to provide readers with an introduction to all things Marvel than aren’t on a television or movie screen. There’s little need for commitment, but plenty of opportunity to escapism and fun. Which used to be standard inclusions in comic books.