Avengers

New Avengers #19

/ / Comics

new-avengers-19-coverAfter teasing us on several fronts for months issue #19 delivers on a number of levels. We get the first public appearance of Norman Osborne‘s new Dark Avengers (although off-panel), Daredevil is finally part of the team, and the first steps to determining whose side Victoria Hand is truly on.

The action is relatively light, but Peter Parker isn’t the only one obsessing with the reemergence of Norman Osborn and Jessica Jones shares her fear with Luke Cage that Osborne will make good on his threat to go after their baby.

New Avengers is always a title that works best dealing with the small character-driven moments rather than big epic battles. An exception to this is the truly dreadful scene (that seems to drag on forever) between Squirrel Girl and Daredevil which is incredibly painful to read. The entire sequence feels clumsier than a production of Shakespeare staring Kevin James and Mandy Moore.

It’s not the best issue of the title we’ve seen this year, but the latest issue of the title does have its moments. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

New Avengers #19 Read More »

Secret Avengers #19

/ / Comics

secret-avengers-19-coverCaptain America, Sharon Carter, Moon Knight, and Black Widow go undercover in the East European city of Symkaria to uncover the source of what they believe to be the black market sale of Super Soldier Serum to the Shadow Council. What they uncover, however, is far more interesting.

It turns out the mysterious weapon being sold isn’t a drug at all, but magical properties of ancient creatures which can possess and enhance a person’s abilities, strength, and skill.

Intriguing story by writer Warren Ellis, and I like the twist when the team finds something they weren’t expecting. There’s also a nice scene between Black Widow and Agent 13 about whether they can trust the word of a guy who believes he’s empowered by an Egyptian god when he tells them the soldiers are possessed.

Warren Ellis is proving to be a good match for this book. I’ve only been disappointed with one of the issues since he took on the title, and I’m looking forward to see what else he might have in store for this team. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Secret Avengers #19 Read More »

Annihilators: Earthfall #3

/ / Comics

annihilators-earthfall-3-coverNow that the Annihilators and Avengers have stopped beating the snot out of each other and taken down the base of the Universal Church of Truth on Earth they’re faced with a new problem. The Magnus has been reborn, his essence has been implanted in a group of human children and grows more powerful every second.

The two team’s quibbling on moral grounds about what to do with the children leads to even great problems when the Magnus imprints himself on 30% of the U.S. population and an army of Templeships show up to collect their deities.

Rocket Raccoon and Groot get the short end of the stick again, only earning a total of five pages here which sees the pair jumping through various simulations run by Mojo. (The ads for Rocket Raccoon and Groot action figures are a nice touch. Maybe someone at Marvel should actually get on that.)

With only one issue left it looks like both stories (even if the second isn’t being given as many pages as I’d like) look set to go out with a bang. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Annihilators: Earthfall #3 Read More »

New Avengers #18

/ / Comics

new-avengers-18-coverNorman Osborne has escaped from prison and united H.Y.D.R.A. and A.I.M. under H.A.M.M.E.R. Next up for Osborne, reforming his Dark Avengers.

Norman’s new team consists of Barney Barton, Gorgon, Skaar, June Covington, the Thor clone Ragnarok, and the Decapitator. Although I’m not sure which is less believable, H.A.M.M.E.R. and A.I.M. agreeing to work together for Osborne or Skaar joining this team, I enjoyed the Dark Avengers the first time around and I’m curious to see how they’re going to be used here.

I have to say I am more than a little disappointed that Moonstone (by far my favorite member of Osborne’s previous team) isn’t re-enlisted to be Ms. Marvel. The unnamed brunette (Superia?) has a lot to live up to.

The issue works well in introducing most of the members of Osborne’s new team (even if it is the second straight issue that fails to give us the promised new team of New Avengers with Daredevil). Without Moonstone, Venom, Bullseye and Daken the team is missing its more amusing characters, but I’m willing to give it a chance.

[Marvel, $3.99]

, ,

New Avengers #18 Read More »

Annihilators: Earthfall #2

/ / Comics

annihilators-earthfall-2-coverThe fight that was promised to us at the end of the first issue is delivered in full here as the team of Annihilators (Gladiator, Quasar, Ronan the Accuser, Beta Ray Bill and Ikon the Space Knight) throw down with the Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Ms. Marvel, Valkyrie, and the Thing) who have shown up to stop the alien invaders from leveling a Colorado town… by creating more violence and further leveling the Colorado town.

On the plus side the huge amount of property damage eventually reveals the Universal Church of Truth‘s secret base. The teams come to a temporary ceasefire as they are attacked by the Church’s zealots and warriors protecting a secret deep within their once hidden base.

It’s a little cliche to see two groups of heroes get into a brawl over a misunderstanding but the action is pretty good here as the Avengers give it their all but still can’t stop the cosmic guardians. There’s also a humorous moment between Spidey and Quasar when the Web-Head meets Quasar’s space girlfriend.

…

Annihilators: Earthfall #2Read More »

Annihilators: Earthfall #2 Read More »