Avengers #6 – Review

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

The Story:  Just who is the new Captain Universe and what forboding message does she have for the Marvel Universe?

The Review:  First, the good news:  the art is very much improved from Kubert’s first issue.  Last issue, I wasn’t sure how much of the improvement was REALLY owing to Kubert’s efforts and how much of it was only thanks to the switch in colorists, given how wonderful Frank Martin’s work always is.  This month, there can be no doubt: Kubert has tightened up his pencils.  Things no longer looked at all rushed, giving us the “high-budget,” polished, top-shelf work we usually expect from Kubert.  This makes him a good fit for a book like this: I’m so used to seeing Kubert draw big event comics that at this point, my brain is basically conditioned into thinking “this is important!” when seeing his work.  Basically, I think we can put his rushed performance on Avengers #4 in the rear-view mirror now; this is the Kubert you were probably expecting.

Sadly, while the artwork is improved, I’m not really sure that I can say the same for the script.  Hickman gives us another issue largely focused on one of his new Avengers, which remains a good plan of action for the series.  The problem is that, unlike Smasher last month, this new Captain Universe just….isn’t very interesting.  Much like last month, her origin is pretty by the books but unlike last month, we don’t have a strong, sympathetic character with which to prop that up.  Stricken with a happy dose of amnesia, Tamara Devoux is simply too much of a blank slate to carry the issue on her own.  As for her the Captain Universe sentience inhabiting her body, it’s really more of a walking, talking portent more than a real, sympathetic character.

Avengers #5 – Review

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

The Story:  Get to know the new Smasher.

The Review:  I noted last week that Hickman’s Avengers was moving in a stronger, more character-focused direction, delivering a stronger script as a result; I’m happy to report that he continues in that direction, delving even more deeply into the background of one of the new recruits, this time a young farm-girl turned cosmic super-hero.

This is really the first issue of Hickman’s run that I can honestly say has something that’s been utterly lacking thus far: heart.  Our new Smasher is relatable and likable, with Hickman managing to trace her ascendancy from a girl who’d seemingly given up on her potential for more pressing concerns right up to her adventures in space and promotion by Gladiator, he of the mohawk and purple skin.  The result is a character arc that, while compressed, also feels uplifting and optimistic, emphasizing the power of the individual and his/her potential for greatness, much like any good superhero comic does.  This was really the first issue of Hickman’s that actually felt human, which is vital, as Hickman’s first arc, while it had its strengths, often felt cold, losing its emotional core in favor of all that epic scale.  As such, this closer focus on a more grounded character was well needed.  The relationship between Daring/Smasher and her grandfather was also a nice touch which led to a line repeated throughout the comic that harkened back to the running theme of Hickman’s Fantastic Four: the importance of never self-limiting and always pushing the boundaries.

Avengers #5 – Review

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

The Story: The Avengers discover the truth behind the breaking of the time-stream and come up with a gameplan.

What’s Good: The new main Avengers title continues to deliver its brand of old-school, pulpy stories, which is a good thing, as combined with Romita’s distinctive, scratchy style, it makes the title stand out among the mass of Avengers-related title, and that’s a major accomplishment in and of itself.

It also provides grounds to use a smattering of characters that can’t be found anywhere else, guys like Maestro, the Next Avengers, and most importantly, Kang.  Kang is presented really well this month, both arrogant and sniveling, seemingly in a constant state of petulance.  There’s a sense throughout this issue that Kang’s up to something that the others can’t quite put their fingers on, despite their suspicions.  I couldn’t help but get the feeling that despite his current downcast state, he’s still pulling the strings somehow, which did intrigue me about the story-arc’s future.  There’s also a certain kind of tragedy inherent to the fact that the broken time-stream has resulted in, or perhaps is caused by, Kang’s fighting the same unwinnable battle against Ultron again and again and again.  It’s a nice statement on the classic comic villain and, combined with Romita’s down-trodden rendition of Kang, makes the character all the more compelling, even sympathetic.

Beyond that, Romita’s art maintains its recent upswing in quality.  Large panels are very impressive, and the bigger the action, the better.  Giant, flamboyant images are clearly what Romita excels at and he attacks any and all action sequences with gusto.  The book isn’t lacking character, and while it may not be for everyone, I found it to be fun.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Brightest Day #10 – It was a thin week, which didn’t make it hard for Brightest Day #10 to steal the title. Johns and Tomasi focused on only two subplots and made them move forward, reminding me why I was buying this series. The artwork on the Aquaman subplot didn’t hurt any either.

Most Anticipated: Kato Origins #4: Way of the Ninja. Although I can’t say (or write) Cyborg Superman with a straight face, I can’t say I’m not looking forward to the slap down between an iron-jawed guy with a light-bright in his chest and the GLC equivalent of Yoda. But, Jai Nitz and Colton Worley have delivered three solid, quality issues of Kato Origins and I’m expecting #4 to stomp the competition.

Other Top Picks: Green Lantern Corps #52, The Flash #5, Green Lantern Corps #52, Justice League of America #49, Legion of Super-Heroes #5, Power Girl #16, Black Widow #6, Uncanny X-Men #528

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Morning Glories #2 – I love this new series.  It reminds me a lot of Lost in that it is just continuing to throw weird things at us.  There are probably about 15 things in this series that I’d like to know more about.  That’s amazing when you consider that most comic series are doing good to have a single hook.  Bravo Nick Spencer!

Most Anticipated: The Walking Dead #77 – From all the teaser images that have been showing up online, it is pretty obvious that the band of survivors safe time in the walled enclave is coming to an end.  Can’t wait to see how Kirkman and Company set this story up.

Other picks: Elephantmen #27, Skullkickers #1, Velocity #2, Avengers #5, Avengers Academy #4

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Morning Glories #2 – Morning Glories reigns supreme in this otherwise thin week.  The book manages to sink the hooks from its fantastic debut just a little bit deeper while making me just as hungry for another issue.  Better still, the art looked much stronger.  It’s a twisted little book, but very accessible nonetheless and not without humour.  I think this is going to end up being one of those books that I look forward to month in and mouth out.

Most Anticipated: Thor #615 – A lot of people are probably wondering, with his third Marvel ongoing, whether we will see the Fraction from Invincible Iron Man or the Fraction from Uncanny X-Men on this book.  I’m banking on the former, what with Thor’s not being a team-book, let alone a team the size of the X-Men.  Rather, it’s cast has a kind of structural similarity to Iron Man, which is a good sign.  While I’ll miss Kieron Gillen, I can’t wait to see what Fraction has in store and Pasqual Ferry’s artwork is oh-so-sweet.

Other Picks: The Flash #5, The Walking Dead #77, Fables #98, Fantastic Four #583, Avengers #5, Secret Avengers #5

Joe’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week – Tales of the Dragon Guard: Into the Veil #1 – A huge surprise to me, this one was.  I picked this up for the First Impressions column this week and it was, hands down, the most involved I found myself getting in anything I’ve read recently.  A wonderful fantasy epic that had everything you could hope for in such a story.  In one 50-page story!  A must-buy.

Most Anticipated – Pilot Season: 39 Minutes #1 – The description I read of this comic:  “Robbing a bank is easy; it’s the getaway that’s hard. The bank’s surrounded by police officers, alarms are blaring, customers and employees are screaming, and the streets are blocked off. So what’s the solution? Kill everyone in town.”  Nuff said.

Other Picks: Flash #5, Supergirl #56, Walking Dead #77, Avengers Academy #4, Avengers #5, Hulk #25, Secret Avengers #5, Thor #615, Ultimate Mystery #3, Ultimate Spider-Man #14, Uncanny X-Men #528