Avengers Prime #1- Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Alan Davis (artist), Mark Farmer (Inker)

The Story:  Thor, Iron Man, and the original Captain America try to iron out their differences in the aftermath of Siege when the trio are pulled into the Nine Realms against their will.

What’s Good: Bendis and Davis deliver a first issue that will prove to be a blast for any Avengers fan out there.  While Avengers #1 a few weeks ago proved to be a mixed bag for many readers and felt much like Bendis doing his best impersonation of a traditional Avengers tale, Avengers Prime fires on all cylinders and succeeds where it’s much more hyped sister title faltered.  Much of this is due to Alan Davis’ and Mark Farmer’s amazing artwork.  Davis’ renditions of the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ Big Three just feels right.  He brings the perfect amount of grandeur to the proceedings.  One only needs to open this issue to the initial double-page splash that opens the story to see what I’m talking about:  the fallen city of Asgard, burning in the distance, while our three heroes watch in grief.

It’s not only an awe-inspiring image, but appropriately sets the tone for rest of the plot.  Not only does the artist efficiently sell the big set pieces and action scenes, but he does a hell of a job with his character work.  For example, there’s a scene where Tony and Steve get lost in an argument that’s been brewing for years, and Thor solemnly asks them to please leave if they’re only there for his sake.  Davis close-up of the God of Thunder’s eyes as he speaks says everything that Thor isn’t saying with words, and it is a sobering moment.  Another wonderful beat in the story that is all artwork in it’s success is the silent page where Steve, having just defeated a small army of troll-like creatures, spies a shield on the ground, and as he picks it up, there’s a small hint of a grin that crosses his face.  It’s a great capper to a fun little scene that Davis knocks out of the park.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Green Lantern #54 – Out of a very solid week (my reviews were, unusually, B’s and A’s), Green Lantern takes the crown. Hal Jordan, arguing and bickering with Sinestro and Carol Ferris, while they all try to figure out an impending doom, was just awesome. And the collection of the entities from the different batteries cranked up the tension and mystery. Tune into Brightest Day!

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #3: The last installments of the Brightest Day event (GL #54 and GLC #48) have me chomping at the bit to see what happens next.

Other Top Picks: Red Robin #13, Red Hood: Lost Days #1 (of 6), Adventure Comics #12, Thanos Imperative #1, Avengers Prime #1, Darkstar and the Winter Guard #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Madame Xanadu #23 – A solid conclusion to a really fun arc.  Great art and continual little winks and nods to its readership make for a great time, along with a cast that is universally lovable.

Most Anticipated: iZombie #2 -With a first issue that was almost entirely introduction and set-up, I don’t think we’ve really gotten enough to sink are teeth into from iZombie.  Hopefully this issue will give us more to gauge.  For this reason, this issue carries much of the same excitement for me that #1 did.

Other Picks: Brightest Day #2, Sweet Tooth #10

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Amazing Spider-Man #632 – A combination of GREAT art with a really nice reimagining of a classic Spider-man rogue (The Lizard) to make him much scarier than he used to be.  ASM has been on a great run for the last 6 months or so.

Most Anticipated: The Thanos Imperative #1 – I was looking forward to Thanos Imperative: Ignition last week and it was really good.  Marvel doesn’t keep us waiting by bringing out the first issue of the Cosmic event this week.  I can’t wait.  This will be the first book out of the stack this week!

Other picks: Red Robin #13, I, Zombie #2, Dust Wars #1, Bulletproof Coffin #1, Avengers Prime #1