Avengers: The Initiative Special #1 – Review

By Christos N. Gage & Dan Slott (Writers) and Steve Uy (Art)

The Story: Meant for longtime Initiative readers, this special issue focuses mostly on the Initiative recruit, Hardball and his relationship with both Komodo and Hydra organizations. Also, the book offers a short story about the day Trauma’s unique powers manifested during a school day.

What’s Good: As part of this special’s target audience, I really couldn’t be much happier with how things come together in this issue. It really hits all the right notes as Hardball’s bittersweet love story is handled extremely well. The Hydra plot wraps up (or truly begins?) in a satisfyingly interesting fashion, and Trauma’s origin proves to have been worth the wait. Simply put, longtime Initiative fans will find a lot to like here. Especially since Christos N. Gage’s character work is some of the best to ever grace the series known for it’s strong, well-written cast. In addition, Steve Uy’s artwork is the best it has ever been.

What’s Not So Good: A minor complaint, but Steve Uy’s work is definitely lacking in some spots. While it is without a doubt much improved from his last outing with the Initiative series, I can’t help but wish it was a bit more detailed.

Conclusion: For those that have been reading Avengers: The Initiative from the beginning, consider this to be a must buy. The character work is outstanding and the payoff for sticking with the series so long is most definitely worth the purchase price.

Grade: A-

-Kyle Posluszny

Avengers: The Initiative #13 – Review

Christos N. Gage (Writer) and Steve Uy (Artist)

Available 5/21/08

After reading Avengers: The Initiative #13, the first feeling that came to mind was relief. As regular readers may know, I was not a fan of the previous issue and was left wondering whether one of the better books out there had finally lost its magic. Things felt underdeveloped and rushed while the artwork left me wondering what had happened to the Caselli and Rudoni pairing. As it turns out, issue #12 was really just a bump in the road and this series is, thankfully, back on track.

With the start of this new arc we are introduced to the next batch of Initiative recruits: Prodigy, Annex, Gorilla Girl, Batwing, Sunstreak, and Emery “Boulder/Butterball” Shaub. On the bus ride to Camp Hammond, we get a taste of each characters personality, a little bit of background, and lots of amusing dialogue. From there, we see the staff deal with the hilarious complications that stem from Emery Shaub’s unique power set before the recruits sneak out of camp for some down time. If you haven’t noticed from the description, this is the very definition of a light, amusing, and fun story. Everything here works extremely well and because of that, this series reclaims its spot near the top of my reading list.

It was surprising for me to see Christos N. Gage completely take over writing duties for this issue, but he does an excellent job bringing the fun back to Camp Hammond. The dialogue is solid across the board and Gage shows he has quite a knack for writing dry humor. Each character is given some time to shine – something this series has excelled at – and I hope this new group of recruits continues to get a equal amount of face time.

Another welcome surprise is Steve Uy’s artwork being considerably stronger than his previous effort. The panels flow really well and with the exception of some slightly cluttered action, I can’t really say anything negative about the his storytelling. If I have any complaints with this book, it’s regarding the character work and the use of colors. Everything has a very washed out look to it and the lack of distinction in character expressions is a bit distracting. The Taskmaster continues to look quite strange, and many of the costume designs could use more detail, as everything looks rather bland. As I said before, everything is a step up from the last issue, but I wish the colors were more vivid and the characters less drone-like.

I am fully back on board with the Camp Hammond training initiative. This issue brings back the pure fun that put this series on the map in the first place. The dialogue is sharp, the artwork (while it still could use some improvement), is something I’m adjusting to, and the newest batch of recruits show a lot of promise. All in all, a very nice start to the next chapter of The Initiative. (Grade B+)

– Kyle Posluszny

A Second Opinion

I won’t lie, I was severely disappointed with this issue. After last issue’s events, I knew we would see much less of the main characters that made the first act so enjoyable, but I assumed that they would be replaced by just as engaging characters. The “star” of this issue is a new recruit code-named “Boulder,” but Taskmaster quickly dubs him with the name of “Butterball.” I understand that he is supposed to be based off of the stereotypical comics nerd: he’s overweight, weak, a loser, and he probably has that annoying nasal voice, but that doesn’t make him a likable character. He’s actually annoying. Not wanting to ruin too much, I’ll just say that by the end of the issue Butterball has to leave the Initiative, and I’m assuming the things done for him in the end were supposed “heartwarming,” but I personally don’t really care.

The other cadets don’t hold too much promise either, and are perhaps the most disappointing part. In the first issue, we not only meet a dynamic cast, but there is a shocking event that not only draws the reader into the story, but sets up the events for the next eleven issues. None of the characters presented here are people that I really want to read about, and there weren’t any important events to speak of. If this is supposed to be an introduction issue, it is extremely weak. The only hope I have is that Gage is only writing one or two issues before Dan Slott returns to the team-up and we get more of the strength he brings to this book.

Perhaps the only thing I have enjoyed is Steve Uy’s art, and believe me, I’m surprised to be saying that. Up until now, I haven’t enjoyed anything he has done, but in this issue he has finally pulled away from his usual drab and presents us with several pieces of great work. I especially enjoyed the one (and only) fight scene toward the end. Just make no mistake: I still will be extremely glad when (and if) Caselli returns to the book. (Grade: C-)

-M. Staples

Avengers: The Initiative #12 – Review

By Dan Slott, Christos N. Gage, (Writers) and Steve Uy (Artist)

Avengers: The Initiative has been one of my favorite reads for quite some time now. That is why it almost pains me to say that this issue is a failure on a number of different levels. It does have high points, but unfortunately, those are few and far between. They also only serve as a way to show just how much potential this issue had.

This issue deals with all of the various plot threads that were left hanging following the chaos created by the Tactigon wielding K.I.A. and does very little justice to any of them. To put it simply, there is too much story to tell and not enough space to tell it. Here is a quick rundown of the things this issue attempts to cover in less than 22 pages:

• Tony Stark’s hearing regarding the cloning cover up, the K.I.A. chaos, and the injuries/deaths at Camp Hammond

• The way the government and the Initiative deal with the deceased.

• The injuries sustained by various members of the Initiative, including the Skrull infiltrator.

• The graduation ceremony for the students.

• The assignments given to those graduates and how they take the parting from one another.

• Why a group goes rogue from the Initiative program and who is involved.

Almost every plot thread here could have had some sort of emotional impact after the rollercoaster ride that was the K.I.A. arc. Instead, everything moves along so fast that any such impact is lessened by the drastic shifts in tone. From a sarcastic question and answer exchange during the hearing, to dark humor while a body is presented to a family, to an incredibly somber chapel scene, and back again, this issue never feels consistent in any way. Dan Slott and Christos Gage have told an incredibly entertaining story with the large cast of Initiative recruits and teachers up to this point, so it is difficult for me to understand how things could become so uneven with this issue. I will say, however, that there are some poignant scenes from time to time, especially one involving Thor Girl that I was incredibly impressed by.

This issue also features an artwork change, from the team of Stefano Caselli and Daniele Rudoni to artist Steve Uy. While his work is fitting for this issue, I can’t help but wish it was done by the team I have gotten used to. Some of the characters look quite different, like Taskmaster and Ant Man, and the lack of definition from time to time hurts the expression of various emotions.

Overall, I was extremely disappointed. I sincerely hope this was just a rocky shift over to a brand new arc and not a new status quo. I believe Dan Slott and Christos Gage will right the ship sooner than later, but there is no denying that this issue was a big missed opportunity. (Grade: D+)

– Kyle Posluszny

A Second Opinion

I have to disagree with Kyle on this one. Yes, the book plays out very unevenly, and some of the dialogue is hokey (especially the thought bubbles), but that’s just Dan Slott for you. He’s an old school Marvel fanboy. If you look at this series, it’s been about a year since its inception – and one year is probably enough time for these kids to graduate (I’m sure it’s been less than that, continuity speaking, but that’s besides the point). This issue serves as an excellent end cap to the current storyline while opening up the future to possibilities. For instance, the new look for UltraGirl is one that will definitely get people excited.

Dan Slott is still up to his antics. The moments we get with Ant Man and Taskmaster are priceless. And Slapstick may be the lamest character in the Marvel Universe, but his one-liners are laugh out loud hilarious. The art is definitely not anything to write home about, but the coloring goes a long way to keep the animated look of this title somewhat consistent. Ultimately, this issue is an epilogue and there’s usually nothing epic in nature that happens in a story like this. Perhaps the only thing I really found lame was the need for our heroes to be fully costumed while at a judicial hearing. Take it for what it is and enjoy it. (Grade: B-)

– J. Montes

A Third Opinion

Slott and Gage have put out another piece of genius. This issue, while lacking the action of the last several issues, is the epilogue of the first act of Avengers: The Initiative. In fact, if I didn’t know that this series was continuing, I would’ve thought that this was the series finale. Because of this, it may not be a good jumping on point for new readers (wait until next issue), but it will certainly satisfy those who have been reading since the beginning. Within its pages, we find out the fates of all of the recruits introduced in the first two or three issues, and I’ll admit some were quite surprising (especially the one whose fate seemed already determined; those who’ve read the issue will know who I’m referring to).

Perhaps one of the most interesting is the fate of the newly formed New Warriors team, composed of the Old New Warriors (so the New Old New Warriors? That’s it, I’m confused.) Confusion of their proper name aside, what becomes of this group is something I certainly did not see coming, and a new ongoing about this group would provide another great insight on the current state of the Initiative; I would certainly give it a look if it was also written by Slott and Gage.

This story also has a lot of political play, as those responsible for the MVP clones finally have to reveal their mistakes to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the U.S. government, and we get some courtroom drama as fingers are pointed at different people. During this scene, we get some more cryptic messages about War Machine’s current “condition,” as revealed in last issue. Perhaps the solving of this mystery will be dealt with in act two?

One last thing of note from this issue is the introduction of a new doctor with transparent skin. I’m not sure if he’s a mutant, or has some sort of powers, but I definitely want to know his story. It’s the subtle storylines like these two which help make this series so enjoyable. While my favorite character from this series may have moved on to better things, I’m definitely looking forward to the next issue, and what the new batch of recruits will bring. (Grade: A)

-M. Staples