Avengers: The Initiative #19 – Review

By Dan Slott & Christos N. Gage (Writers), Harvey Talibao & Bong Dazo (Artists), and Jay David Ramos & Chris Sotomayor (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Normally, I would be quite a bit disappointed with the fact that the latest issue of one of my favorites is still tagged with the Secret Invasion banner even after the event has reached a conclusion. However, that’s not the case with Avengers: The Initiative #19. The reason being mostly because of the Skrull Kill Krew and the entertaining battles being fought by the Initiative teams. I actually look forward to a bit more before I finally put Secret Invasion behind me in order to get ready for the series during Dark Reign.

The Story: The various state Initiative teams battle the Skrulls over the fate of Earth. I wish I could go into more detail, but since much of the issue relies on telling the story by checking in on locations all over the country at a rapid-fire pace, it is difficult to really explain much with ruining individual segments. That said, it is rarely confusing and it brings Initiative‘s Invasion arc to a satisfying close.

What’s Good: Dan Slott and Christos Gage once again manage to write some great character moments despite the frantic pace of the story. Each battle taking place is loaded with personality, so much so that it’s almost a shame more time isn’t spent on them. To add on, the artwork does an extremely admirable job keeping up with chaos happening on every page. The issue could have easily turned into one giant mess of action in less capable hands, so I give all the credit in the world to the art team.

What’s Not So Good: Despite how well all the chaos is handled, it is almost a bit too much at times. Good luck trying to keep up with the details regarding all the stuff that goes on. As for the story, I found it to be handled a bit too comically considering how things played out in previous issues.

Conclusion: Avengers: The Initiative works best when the creators are really playing in the Marvel sandbox. The latest issue is a prime example of why that is. Worth checking out, even if you’ve had your fill of Skrulls.

Grade:B

-Kyle Posluszny

Avengers: The Initiative #18 (Secret Invasion) – Review

By Dan Slott & Christos N. Gage (Writers), Steve Kurth (Pencils), Drew Hennessey (Inks), and Matt Milla (Colors)

The Story: The Skrull Kill Krew continues to go state-by-state eliminating all the Skrulls that have infiltrated the Initiative program. Meanwhile, Ant-Man continues to spy on a group of Skrulls as he tries to figure out some way to get the information he has learned into the right hands.

What’s Good: As always, it is a blast watching the creative team on this series play in the Marvel sandbox that is the Initiative program. The Skrull Kill Krew storyline provides the perfect opportunity to feature a variety of characters, provide some interesting reveals, and show loads of classic superhero action. Simply put, this is a fun book that makes the most of the Secret Invasion framework.

What’s Not So Good: Although most of the artwork is well-done in this book, it lacks the kinetic energy and vibrant colors that this story is known for. While not exactly deal breakers, the visual hiccups (like weird facial expressions) and muted colors keep this one from being all that it can be.

Conclusion: Avengers: The Initiative is at its best as a series when the creators truly embrace the concept of the Initiative program. That is exactly what is happening in the Secret Invasion issues and I really couldn’t be much happier with the result. Visual complaints aside, this is one of the best Invasion tie-ins on the stands.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

Avengers: The Initiative #16 – Review

By Dan Slott & Christos N. Gage (Writers), Stefano Caselli (Artist) and Luca Malisan (Colors)

Yowza. First of all, you should know that Avengers Initiative #16 has an ad for the new season of The Sarah Conner Chronicles, featuring a full page of Summer Glau in all her lithe, terminatrixy glory, and I have to say I would buy the book just for that ad.

Fortunately, I don’t have to. AI just keeps getting better and better. Unlike a lot of the summer books, where the Secret Invasion just seems an impediment to the ongoing storyline, here we’re in the thick of things, and things are very thick indeed:  1) Because of an over-dependence on Starktech, the virus that brought down Iron Man has also caused technology to fail across the entire U.S. Remember what everyone thought Y2K was going to be like? Imagine that, times ten.  2) Skrulls are everywhere—not just in Times Square and the Savage Land—everywhere.  3) The Skrull Kill Krew is back, or at least those whose brains haven’t been eaten by Skrull prions. I didn’t think much of the original mini-series (as a rule, I steer clear of hate groups with more than one “K” in their initials), but if there was ever a time for their unique brand of murder and mayhem, it’s now.

3D-Man, having fled  Camp Hammond, has crash-landed in the desert where he meets and joins up with the Krew. They set out cross-country to rid the Initiative of Skrull infiltrators, one by one. Meanwhile, in New York, Crusader, the Skrull with the Cosmic-Cube-style Freedom Ring, is forced to decide whether to fight alongside his fellow Skrulls or with Nick Fury and his new super-commandos. Back at Camp Hammond, things are in complete disarray. The only people who seem to have any chance against the Skrull Yellowjacket turning the base into command central of the Skrull army are the new Ant-Man (or, after Scott Lang, is that the new New Ant-Man?) and War Machine, whose armor is still functioning because, ironically, it still has back-up systems designed by Obadiah Stane.

All in all, it’s tremendous fun, with interesting characters, a fast-moving, convoluted plot, and lots and lots of action. My only complaint is that, in weaving their tale, Slott and Gage are drawing upon over at least half a dozen different comic series spanning over thirty years of continuity, so it’s practically impossible that any reader would truly “get” everything that’s going on. Of course, that’s also part of what makes it so fun. (Grade: A)

– Andrew C. Murphy