Avengers #4 – Review

By: Jonathan Hickman (writer), Adam Kubert (art), Frank D’Armata (colors), and Cory Petit (letters)

The Story:  The Avengers race to a newly discovered sixth impact zone from the Garden’s recent mayhem.  The problem is that this one’s in the Savage Land and everyone’s favourite bee-keeper scientists may have gotten there first.

The Review:  Hickman’s Avengers so far has been solid and refreshing, but I’m still waiting for it to fully live up to its potential.  With the start of its second arc, this feels like one step forward but also perhaps one step back (so yeah, thankfully, not two steps back).  The heartening thing is that the back-tread has nothing to do with Hickman.

Instead, it’s Kubert that’s at fault here.  Don’t get me wrong, the artwork here isn’t bad.  I mean, it’s Adam Kubert, how bad could it be?  The problem is that, particularly compared to Jerome Opena’s hyper-detailed, hyper-polished artwork, Kubert’s work feels forgettable and bland.  Part of this may be due to Kubert’s simply being a more conventional artist than Opena, but the real problem is also that this simply isn’t Kubert’s best work.  It feels rougher than usual, perhaps even a little rushed.  Hell, the first few pages, the prologue of the issue, are particularly messy.  Frank D’Armata’s colors don’t particularly help as well, lacking the vibrance and energy needed to carry the day, opting instead to, much like Kubert’s work, not go any farther than merely getting the job done.  Regardless, there’s a pretty big gap between Kubert’s work here and Kubert’s recent work on Avengers vs. X-Men.  The result is a book that while visually functional, is also surprisingly uninspiring for its bulk, with the exception of Hyperion’s origin, which is admittedly nicely rendered.

WCBR’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best of the past week: FF #3 – This series is really hot and it’s all down to the Mike/Laura Allred combo.  It’s tempting to give some credit to Matt Fraction, but he’s the same guy writing Fantastic Four, and that series doesn’t have 1/10th the spark that FF has.  If you’re missing FF because you perceive it to be secondary, you’re doing it wrong.  FF is really good and the Allreds can produce do a monthly book, so it shouldn’t be a case where they disappear after issue #6.  This could be a the beginning of a modern classic like X-Statix.

Most anticipated this week: 1). The Unwritten #45 – It is becoming slim pickings over at Vertigo, but at least we still have The Unwritten.  I’d assume that regardless of sales levels, this series has gotten to the point where it will be permitted to finish a 60-issue run (to better make a collection of bound volumes).  It’s no secret that I really enjoy this series and the current storyline finds our protagonist trying to find a missing friend in the underworld.  Unlike some series, this probably isn’t one to just dive into – you’ll want to start with the first collected edition – but why wait?  It’s a wonderful series that isn’t afraid to strive for greatness!

2). Mara #2 – I was a little hard on this futuristic mash-up of superpowers and volleyball when the first issue came out.  But, I do trust Brian Wood as a writer and Ming Doyle is the type of young(er) artist who can show tremendous growth in just a few issues as she settles into a series.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed for this one!

3). The Sixth Gun #28 – We’re nearing the end of this story arc focusing on our heroes being snowbound and beset by a wendigo.  Even if this arc has been a little slow-paced, it’s almost over now and the payoff is likely to be quite good.

4). Avengers #4 – I enjoy Marvel comics much more when I don’t have to review them!  I’m sure that Jonathan Hickman has some kind of grand plan for the Avengers and part of that involved the bizarre last issue where it was hard to understand what was going on.  But all you really need to take away from the first three issues is that we’ve added a lot of B-teamers and that these god-like beings are now loitering on Mars (where they’ll surely come up again).  If I had to review this issue-to-issue, I’d gouge my eyes out, but reading it for the pulp that it is–that’s another thing.  Now, whether that is consistently worth $3.99 is another story.

5). Invincible #100 – I’ve never been able to “get into” Invincible; I’ve read the first trade several times and always thought, “I don’t need any more of that.”  Perhaps I simply don’t need more superhero in my life?  However, a tip of the cap is still appropriate for any series that makes it to issue #100.  Bravo Team Invincible!

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Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week:  FF #3 – A real landslide this week, as FF really hits its potential, suddenly emerging as one of Marvel’s very best books.  In both art and writing, this was pure, unadulterated fun.  Great, great stuff with Fraction and Allred doing what they do best.

Most Anticipated:  Hawkeye #7 – Another issue of Marvel’s best comic and it feels like it’s been way too long.  Hawkguy is guaranteed comics brilliance every single time.  What bumps this issue up in my stack even more is that it’s for a great cause, with Fraction donating all proceeds from the issue to the Red Cross to benefit the victims of Hurricane Sandy (which Hawkeye himself will also face head-on).  Given how heartfelt this book can be (look no further than the first issue), this is sure to be great stuff.  It’s also drawn by Steve Lieber, which is pretty cool; it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen him on the racks.

Aquaman #16 – I really feel like Throne of Atlantis has lit a fire under Johns’ ass.  With the fantastic, “Justice League Unlimited” type ending of last week’s issue of Justice League, I’m all in at this point.

Avengers #4 – While I’ve had mixed feelings, I’ve been generally positive on Hickman’s Avengers thus far, even if I’ve yet to really feel comfortable deciding what to make of it just yet.  So at this stage, every issue is still a curiosity to me and that doubles this week, with the start of a new story-arc and Adam Kubert handling the art, which should definitely give the book a very different feel from Opena.

Batman Incorporated #7 – Grant Morrison’s Batman Inc. really feels like the odd man out in DC’s new 52 and, honestly, I’ve started to lose track of all the moving bits and pieces.  But it’s still a rock solid comic and Chris Burnham’s art is lovely.  It’s also very different from anything else DC is currently offering and is a series moving into it’s big end-game.

Punisher: War Zone #4 – Honestly, in a bigger week, neither this nor Batman Inc. would likely make this list, but here we are.  While I’m not a fan of the art and don’t feel this has been up to the high standard of Rucka’s earlier run on the ongoing Punisher series, it’s still quality comics overall with some definite bright spots.

Avengers #4 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), John Romita Jr. (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks), Dean White (colors), and Cory Petit (letters)

The Story: In the future, the Avengers encounter the Next Avengers and their masters while in the present, the remaining Avengers meet an unlikely ally and struggle against total chaos.

What’s Good: This issue is basically total mayhem and, honestly, the crazier and wackier it is, the better.  Spider-Man bumping into Killraven riding a dinosaur and Thor blowing up War of the Worlds style aliens are just part of the fun.  Really, at times things get so ridiculous that they border upon comedic, and certainly Bendis’ dialogue helps that along.  Much like last month, there’s a strong old school vibe here, but also a slight sense of self-awareness.  While a lot of it has to do with Spider-Man, particularly his conversations with Killraven and Jessica Drew, this is an unexpectantly funny book.  Things are completely insane and the fact that the characters are hyper-aware of it makes for a generally fun read.

That feeling of absolute chaos and insanity also makes for Romita’s best issue thus far as he continues to improve after the first two underwhelming months.  Bendis really lets Romita stretch his legs here and let his imagination run wild.  Pretty much every splash and double-page spread is a lot of fun and all of them had me staring for quite a while.  There’s so much packed into them that it feels like a cosmic Where’s Waldo at times.  It’s as though Romita just through as many random, awesome things onto the page as possible.  His work is, overall, just a lot of fun this month.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Brightest Day #8 – It was a thin week for me and nothing in my pull stack really glowed, but if I had to give the weekly prize to some book, I’d have to go with Brightest Day #8.

Most Anticipated: Legion of Super-Heroes #4 – a mystery is afoot and someone seems to be trying to hand the blame of Darkseid. That’s dangerous for everybody!

Other Top Picks: Batman #702, Captain America #609, Justice League of America #48, Daredevil #508, Namor: The First Mutant #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Ex Machina #50 – Chew #13 and the power of fricken would’ve won on any other week, but unfortunately it had to go up against the final issue of what will go down as one of the greatest comics of all time.  Ex Machina #50 was a perfect, if somber, conclusion that I will remember for years to come.  Wonderfully executed and a true testament to Vaughan and Harris’ abilities and their peak.

Most Anticipated: Action Comics #892 – A very, very tough choice between this and Fantastic Four.  Unsurprising given that they were in a dead heat for pick of the week when they came out together last month.  Action Comics ultimately gets the edge due to the back-up, which is an intro Superboy story by Jeff Lemire.  My curiosity in this, as well as the sheer genius of Cornell’s Lex Luthor makes this a book that you need to pick up.

Other Picks: Fantastic Four #582, Avengers #4, Invincible #74, Madame Xanadu #26, Wonder Woman #602, Captain America #609, Scalped #40, Secret Warriors #19, Thor #613, Unknown Soldier #23, The Legion of Super-Heroes #4

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Wolverine Weapons X #16 – This was a really great issue that got to the bottom of the odd-couple relationship that Logan and Kurt have always had as we see Kurt teaching his old friend was last life lesson from beyond the grave.  Is there any kind of story that Jason Aaron doesn’t write well?

Most Anticipated: Lady Robotika #2 – None of the “major” titles are lunging out at me this week and I could have picked Scalped #40 here, but I’ll always have the tie-breaker go to the little creator owned title when possible.  The first issue of Lady Robotika was a wacky surprise that showed rocker chick Jane Wiedlin kidnapped by aliens to perform a concept for their emperor.  That might have been fun enough, but the aliens were into Earth culture, drink Colt 45 malt liquor, etc.  Zany fun and I hope this issue can keep it up.

Other Top Picks: Scalped #40, Fantastic Four #582, Avengers #4, PunisherMax Happy Ending #1

Joe’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week – Thunderbolts #147 – This title consistently has been getting better and better every month since the Heroic Age reboot and has been finding it’s way to the top of my stack whenever it comes out.  Jeff Parker has been hitting some great beats and Kev Walker’s art is, in one word, awesome.

Most Anticipated – Avengers #4 – Surprisingly, none of the releases this week would I classify as “most anticipated”, but I have to admit Avengers is the one title I’m hoping will be “most improved”.  Bendis and Romita on a title with Thor, Cap, Iron Man, Spidey, and Wolverine should be a no brainer, for some reason it’s been lacking that special something.  Here’s hoping this week it will all finally click for me.

Other Picks – Batman #702, Superman Secret Origin #6, Astonishing X-Men #35, Captain America #609, Namor the First Mutant #1, Secret Warriors #19, Ultimate Mystery #2, X-Factor #208, X-Men Legacy #239, X-Men:  Blade #1, X-Men: Storm & Gambit #1