Avengers #25 – Review

by Jonathan Hickman (Writer) Salvador Larroca (Artist), Frank Martin (Colorist)

The Story: A version of the Avengers steps into the main Marvel universe, courtesy of A.I.M.

The Review: With Infinity well behind us, there is a certain air of mystery as to what exactly will be the new direction for the main Avengers title. With Jonathan Hickman always having a relatively big plan for each of his storylines, it would be hard not to be curious as to what bigger schemes he has in mind.

Fortunately, it seems that the writer is already hard at work at planting new seeds, with this story picking up on some of the ideas established previously in the series as well as in New Avengers. However, if the new seeds are too nebulous or are simply not interesting enough, it does not bode well for the future of the title. Which one is it, though?

On a first look basis, the newer elements are rather interesting, with the arrival of a team that is rather familiar for Marvel fans, with the arrival of one of the earliest incarnation of the Avengers from somewhere else in the multiverse. Using this new team as a focal point in this issue as well as A.I.M., Hickman provides a certain aura of mystery and nostalgia that manage to makes this issue rather interesting conceptually. Playing with the incursion events and the whole plethora of universes and its infinite possibilities, the writer hints at how different those Avengers are from the norm established in the series until now, teasing at possible confrontations and revelations that makes this opening chapter to this current arc an effective one.

WCBR’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Saga #2 – Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples are making a lot of other comics look B-A-D right now.  Seriously….you read the first couple issues of Saga and some of the other creator-owned comics I love suddenly don’t seem quite as hot and the Marvel/DC stuff starts to seem really pedestrian.  Great world-building, rich characters, cool story premise and fantastic art.  That’s a good combination.

Most Anticipated: The Walking Dead #96 – Even though TWD has been a little drab recently….and may very well be drab again this week….you know that something big WILL happen.  It’s just hard to tear your eyes away, even after all these issues.  The new status quo that the characters have found is very intriguing and offers some cool possibilities.  Like….what if Rick’s band doesn’t all want to live in one place now that they seem to have some options?

Other Picks: Batman #8, Rocketeer Adventures 2 #2, The Manhattan Projects #2, Prophet #24, Avengers vs. X-Men #2, Rachel Rising #7, Secret History of DB Cooper #2

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Fantastic Four #605 – For the second straight month, Fantastic Four, against all odds, beats out Saga for my pick of the week.  And Saga was, once again, really, really good. But Fantastic Four #605 came close to making me cry like a little girl and that basically guaranteed it’s spot as Pick of the Week.

Most Anticipated: Avengers vs. X-Men #2 – This is a great week if you’re a comics fan.  Among other things, we’re getting: the start of the Night of Owls event in Batman #8, issues of perennial favourites Wonder Woman and Wolverine & the X-Men, the second issue of Jonathan Hickman’s Manhattan Projects, the first issue of Walt Simonson’s return to interior artwork in Avengers #25, Phil Noto stepping in to illustrate an issue of the always excellent Uncanny X-Force, and the continuation of the Omega Effect in Greg Rucka’s Punisher.

Like I said: great week.

That said, Avengers vs. X-Men #1 was such a pleasant surprise to me that, more than anything else, I’m really interested to see whether the Marvel Architects can keep up the momentum, or whether this is going to be another case of Fear Itself (promising first issue leads to lackluster event).  I really, really hope that the level of quality meets or exceeds last issue’s and, certainly, giving the reigns to Jason Aaron this issue is a good sign, while previews suggest that John Romita Jr. is bringing the same A-game he brought to the first issue.  Here’s hoping.

Other Picks: Manhattan Projects #2, Wonder Woman #8, Batman #8, Justice League #8, Avengers #25, Defenders #5, Incredible Hulk #7, Invincible Iron Man #515, Punisher #10, Uncanny X-Force #24, Wolverine and the X-Men #9