New Avengers #6 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Stuart Immonen (pencils), Wade von Grawbadger (inks), Laura Martin & Rain Beredo (colors), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters)

The Story: A mystically roided up Wolverine takes on Agamotto for the fate of the universe.

What’s Good: This arc has bothered in a way; Bendis seems so intent on convincing us of the scale and stakes of this conflict but, perhaps due to the facelessness of the bad guys, I never quite bought into it.  Last month’s issue promised a mystic battle of epic proportions, yet again, but this time, we get an issue that truly delivers on that.  New Avengers #6 is just as big in scope and action as it promises to be.

The duel between Wolverine and Agamotto is well done, with Agamotto taking on various forms from the Marvel Universe and Wolverine’s past.  It feels explosive and, well, powerful and in that sense, it does what it’s meant to.  What really helps out the duel, however, is how Bendis emphasizes the Avengers team and keeps it from being just “Wolverine vs. Agamotto.”  By watching the battle, showing concern, and giving support, the battle with Agamotto instead feels like a team effort by friends and, as such, it becomes a lot easier to root for Wolverine and emotionally invest in the battle itself.  It’s one of those situations where Bendis is really able to highlight the chemistry this team has.

The conclusion of the conflict will no doubt be a source of some controversy, but the event itself is well done.  Bendis delivers on his promise of a major character death and, all told, it’s done in good taste.  The character goes out in truly heroic fashion and it feels appropriately important and massive in scale.  Better still, it leaves behind a new and very compelling villain.  It also leads to an excellent final page where Daimon Hellstrom wonderfully sums up who the New Avengers are and what makes them unique as a team.

The real star this month, however, is Stuart Immonen.  His action scenes are as exciting as ever and his characters are, as always, very likable.  What’s really awesome though is how he alters his style when depicting Wolverine’s duel, which is rendered in a really awesome, almost painted feel.

New Avengers #5 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Stuart Immonen (pencils), Wade von Grawbadger (inks), Laura Martin (colors), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters)

The Story: The Avengers learn who is behind the mystic attacks and devise a plan to challenge him/it.

What’s Good: By this point, it should go without saying that I’m loving this as a Marvel mystic storyline.  It makes New Avengers feel distinct, it helps bring in some real power players from an arena that is largely ignored.

Focusing on the mystic corner of the Marvel Universe has also brought the best out of Stuart Immonen and Laura Martin, who are able to make the kind of bright, vibrant, Saturday-morning artwork on steroids that they clearly excel at.  New Avengers, even moreso now with all the mystic lights, spells, and blasts, is just downright fun to look at.

This issue’s plot had enough twists and turns to keep me interested.  There’s a constant sense of things getting increasingly large, both the story and the villain.  Things keep getting exponentially bigger and by the end of this issue, from a mystic perspective, the conflict is positively massive in scale despite its really only involving one team of Avengers.  Certainly, putting an identity on the bad guy (and it’s a huge one) helps a great deal with this.  Not only is the revelation both interesting and surprising in its gravity, but it also helps to make the story feel more important, something that has been lacking lately what with all the faceless, formless goons the Avengers have been fighting lately.

New Avengers #4 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Stuart Immonen (pencils), Wade von Grawbadger (inks), Laura Martin (colors), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters)

The Story: The Avengers beat demonic faces and Iron Fist confronts Dr. Strange.

What’s Good: There’s a lot of action this month.  In fact, there’s a ton of action.  The great news is that that means we get a lot of sweet, sweet Stuart Immonen artwork, highlighted by the big, bright colors of Laura Martin.  Along with von Grawbadger, this is one of the most underrated art teams at Marvel.  Their work is pure, Saturday morning bliss and when there’s as much mayhem and as many explosions as there are this month, it makes for art that is a whole lot of fun.  It’s the sort of stuff that makes you excited, while carrying a gleefulness that brings the kid out of you.

Bendis’ story this month, much like the past couple of issues, also manages to really highlight just how starved we are for a Marvel mystic story and just how underused this corner of the Marvel Universe is.  That Bendis has decided to center his first arc around a fully mystic plot makes the comic feel fresh and unique amidst Marvel’s products, no small feat for an Avengers title.  This freshness only adds to the fun that Immonen’s art already naturally brings forth.

Really, though, Bendis’ script this month is mostly about promises of big things to come.  The hinted-at developments towards the end of this issue are really intriguing and I can’t wait to see where they go.  Bendis seems to be implying some darker, and less heroic roots for Dr. Strange, which definitely has me very interested.  This looks to be a surprising turn of events that should elevate this story and keep it feeling distinct and important.

What’s Not So Good: This issue has much of the same problems as last month’s did in that there’s only so high I can grade a book that is almost entirely action.  Worse still, it’s action that pits the Avengers exclusively against faceless, nameless, and voiceless demons.  These demons attack in such numbers and are so void of personality and distinguishing features that it’s impossible to ever really feel them as legitimate threat, and certainly not a special or unique one.  As a result, I never really felt invested in the action or its high stakes, and certainly not to the extent that Bendis desired.  It was fun action, sure, but it also felt insubstantial and superficial.

New Avengers #3 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Stuart Immonen (pencils), Wade von Grawbadger (inks), Laura Martin (colors), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters)

The Story: The Avengers fight against the hordes of demons invading Earth while Iron Fist finds himself trapped in another realm.

What’s Good: Of the new Avengers books, this continues to be the best of the lot.  The characters have the strongest chemistry and there’s an upbeat camaraderie present that, to me, is generally a key component of any successful superhero team book.

While there’s a lot, a lot, of fighting in this issue, it’s not totally mindless.  The dynamic between the Thing and Spider-Man continues to be a highlight for me.  Their conversation mid-battle this month is both humorous and surprisingly meta-textual and self-aware.  The innate understanding that Spidey has for both the Thing, and what it means to be a comic book character, is fantastic; I also enjoyed how Bendis managed to use this as a means to express what I assume to be one of his own beliefs: in a book like New Avengers, sometimes giving the people what they want is more important than trying to be innovative for the sake of innovation.

Readers of my Avengers-related reviews will also know about my well-documented love for Victoria Hand.  Given that, the fact that she makes an appearance this month is already a plus.  My fanboyism aside, however, she really is put to good use.  Her gradual redemption, her awkwardness about performing a heroic deed, and her general frustration over her situation is all great to read and continue to make her as likable as possible.  Bendis’ use of Hand also remains perhaps the most solid representation of the Heroic Age, and how it marches forward from Dark Reign.

New Avengers #2 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Stuart Immonen (pencils), Wade von Grawbadger (inks), Laura Martin, Matt Milla, & Rain Beredo (colors), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters)

The Story: The New Avengers fight their unknown demonic adversaries in an effort to keep the Eye of Agamotto away from them.

What Good: Despite all the demonic possession and punching, it’s the light-heartedness and comedy that truly make this issue of New Avengers something special.

There are so many little remarks, and not just by Spider-Man, that are guaranteed to make you smile.  All these little jokes and ribs lend warmth to the book while also making it clear just how well these characters know each other.  The back-and-forth between Spider-Man and Wolverine in particular was a definite high point for the issue as the characters naturally work well together.  I also don’t know if I’ll ever quite get over the image of Spider-Man running about with a baby monitor.

Further aiding this light-hearted feel is the plot itself, which is basically a mad dash for the Eye of Agamotto, with the Eye continually changing hands throughout the issue.  This gives the book a really brisk, fast pace that brims with life and energy while also providing even more opportunities for comedy.  The whole sequence gives off a feel of wild, superhero slapstick that makes for a feel-good experience.

New Avengers #1 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Stuart Immonen (pencils), Wade von Grawbadger (inks), Laura Martin (colors), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters)

The Story: Luke Cage (re)assembles his Avengers team and something very, very nasty possesses the former Sorcerer Supreme and it wants the Eye of Agamotto.

What’s Good: Last month, I griped a little bit about Avengers #1.  Overall, I was just underwhelmed and not as impressed as I thought I would be.  As a result, heading into New Avengers #1, I didn’t have a great amount of confidence.

I’m happy to report that my trepidation was unwarranted.  New Avengers #1 is, in many ways, of the caliber that I had expected out of Avengers #1.  It spins out of Dark Reign in an organic, touching way and its team-building portions are quite a bit of fun.  More importantly, despite being a title at the forefront of the Heroic Age, it doesn’t at all feel forced or artificial.

The team’s formation, with Cage’s objection to being a government man and Stark’s solution to this dilemma, is enjoyable and speaks well to the core essence of the team.  I’m glad that Bendis has also opted to make this team a more intimate affair; it basically feels like a group of buddies, lending the issue a more genuine feel.

Perhaps the strongest part of this issue, and certainly the portion that really hooked me, is unfortunately something that I can’t reveal.  Suffice it to say, a certain character integral to the bad guy side of Dark Reign joins the team, and he/she remains as compelling as ever and works wonderfully with the team.   His/her motivations and his/her dynamic with the team are very strong and adds a spice to this issue that makes it feel all the more lovable and substantial.

Team building aside, one of the toughest parts of making a successful issue like this is setting the roster and status quo while simultaneously introducing the conflict for the next story-arc.  All told, Bendis manages this admirably.  When the team finally runs into its new enemy, it’s not at all jarring like Kang’s appearance in Avengers #1.

Immonen meanwhile hits this out of the park.  I love Mike Deodato’s work, but right now, I think this is the best looking Avengers book.  It’s bright, happy, and accessible.  The characters all look adorable, while the mystic pyrotechnics are impressive.  Also, don’t be fooled by the Saturday morning aesthetics: urban backgrounds reveal a lot of detail.

Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #4

By: Rick Remender (writer), Jefte Palo & Alessandro Vitti (artists), Jean-François Beaulieu (colorist)

The Story: Nightmare has taken over the world. The other heroes of the Marvel Universe, including Doctor Strange, are his captives. Only Doctor Doom has escaped the clutches of Nightmare, and his fortress is falling.

What’s Good: Remender’s take on Nightmare is brilliantly conflicted. He’s made Nightmare a creature of irrational appetites, but of cunning intellect. If that’s hard to understand, let me put it this way: Nightmare has been slowly materializing Jericho Drumm’s nightmares for decades, signs of hyper-intelligent cunning. However, pages later, when Nightmare is on the verge of conquering Doom, the last holdout of humanity, he doesn’t care that this will result in their mutual destruction. Even when Doom points it out to him, it’s like Nightmare doesn’t care, not because he doesn’t understand the consequences, but because they seem disconnected from what he wants. It’s an interesting and disturbing take on such an old and powerful Marvel villain.

Remender’s vision of Drumm was equally compelling. I liked the visible arc of Drum growing into the role of sorcerer supreme (arcs similar to those being followed by Bucky, Donna Troy, Dick Grayson and Wally West) over the last couple of issues, but the revelation that Drumm himself, in combination with Nightmare’s influence, was creating the curse he is suffering, was awesome. Suddenly, I saw why Drumm had been tapped as the sorcerer supreme. It made sense, as much as it had when Strange had taken on that mantle. Remender did some great work here.

And, although I’m running out of space to praise Remender, I have to point out the great world building he did here. Those of us following Dr. Strange thought we’d seen all that could be seen of Marvel and magic. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Remender’s magic, and the introduction of the Lao, and a different set of cosmic (who all seem to be minor, compared to the ones Strange had tapped) is really, really cool.

And the art was great. It was not realistic. The stylistic, gritty take on Drumm’s magic is great. Nightmare never looked better or creepier than on the cover of this book. The spookiness evoked by Palo and Vitti works, through the dangling, shrunken heads on the staff of Legba, the clawing hand at the entrance to Bondyè and the scary supernatural creatures now working for Nightmare (including the spirits of vengeance!). The action sequences were dynamic, the faces expressive, and the world and people textured and real. All in all, art and story matching really well.

New Avengers #60 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Stuart Immonen (pencils), Wade von Grawbadger (inks), Dave McCaig (colors), and Albert Deschesne (letters)

The Story: The Avengers try to remove the device attached to Luke Cage’s heart as Norman Osborn closes in.

What’s Good: The impending arrival of Osborn and the time limit that implies puts a heavy strain of tension on the entirety of this month’s issue, and Bendis does well in capturing the sense of desperation.  Everything feels properly “edge of your seat.”  More importantly, the pay-off of this cat and mouse game comes to a satisfying and humorous conclusion that will definitely make you smile, as the Avengers get one over the Iron Patriot.  The fact that they manage to seemingly pull off the impossible also continues the new trend of making the team look good after so many months underfoot.

The Hood’s presence was also solid this month.  With his new power boost, Parker reasserts himself in a big way, killing a character in a manner so simple and matter of fact that it’s hard not to be stunned.  But really, the best part of Bendis’ use of the character this month is that he actually makes Osborn sweat.  It was rather enjoyable seeing Osborn so genuinely frightened, even cowed, by the Hood.  With stones in hand, Parker of all people is becoming yet another factor that Osborn may have bitten off more than he can chew with.

New Avengers #59 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Stuart Immonen (pencils), Wade von Grawbadger (inks), Dave McCaig (colors), and Albert Deschesne (letters)

The Story: The Avengers, with some friends, attempt a daring ploy to rescue Luke Cage.

What’s Good: While it’s nothing groundbreaking, this issue is absolutely solid and as such, it’s the best single issue of New Avengers to come along in some time.  It entertains without committing any real crimes.

First off, on the art front, while it’s taken a few months (as you’ll see from my past reviews of NA), I’ve finally gotten used to Immonen’s presence on the series enough to actually thoroughly enjoy his artwork.  His pencils brim with vitality and are distinct and light-hearted enough to make New Avengers stand apart from the Dark Reign pack.  That alone is an achievement.  Immonen’s style is just pure fun, really and his takes on the characters always carry the interest and freshness of seeing your favourite indie artist do a sketch or variant cover for a beloved mainstream comic.

The real achievement this month though is Bendis’ management of such a large number of guest stars.  The presence of Strange, Voodoo, Daredevil, and Iron Fist maintains its cool factor, but they never really take over the comic or feel like they’re taking away screen time from the Avengers.  The Avengers are still the front and centre stars of the show and the guest stars are merely the backdrops, and that’s just the way it should be.  The guest stars don’t take over the comic so much as they enhance it.

Other than that, there are several little things Bendis does well.  The collision, and conflict, between technology and the mystic arts was an interesting little aside, one that clashed without jarring the reader, at times even giving off a paranormal feel.  Also, having the heroes use a ploy that the bad guys used to use on them in order to get the drop on Osborn was a nice touch.  Basically, to beat a villain, the Avengers have to adopt the sort of cunning usually reserved for villains.  It’s a nice bit of role reversal that doesn’t compromise their heroic status.

What’s Not So Good: While Bendis tried his best to convince me, I’m still not sure I wholly buy Osborn’s being dumb enough to fully and completely buy into the attack at Camp HAMMER.  Perhaps other readers will feel differently, but it felt just a little too easy to me.

Also, I understand she’s a grieving wife and I should feel sympathy, but I found Jessica Jones to be really, really agitating this month.  Her spontaneous outbursts, sobbing, and half the panels having her in tears just got under my skin somehow.  Perhaps I’m just a soulless bastard, but I just found her really annoying.  Perhaps it’s the complete helplessness, relative uselessness, and her kneejerk quips that got to me.  Perhaps it’s how quickly the confidence and resolve she opens the issue with inexplicably dissolves to mush.  Certainly, Immonen’s illustrations of her don’t help her case any.

Conclusion: One annoying character in such a large cast is thankfully not enough to ruin a good comic.  It’s a fun superhero yarn that is everything your standard, monthly Avengers comic should be.

Grade: B+

-Alex Evans