The Avengers, a group of the mightiest heroes in the Marvel Universe fighting together to protect our world from those that might try to harm it. They are the flagship group for Marvel, and are now known around the world thanks to their blockbuster success. The Avengers comic was one of the victims of the great re-numbering known as Marvel NOW! Does the book’s new creative team hit it out of the park, or is it a strike out? Find out after the jump.
Avengers #3
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Jerome Opena
Colors: Dean White, Frank Martin, Richard Isanove
Letters: Cory Petit
Cover: Dustin Weaver, Justin Ponsor, Mark Brooks, Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Previously in Avengers: Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Thor had all gone to mars to engage a cosmic trio composed of a self-proclaimed “creator,” his sister who is in turn an avatar “deconstruction” and their robot guardian. They group is defeated, Captain America the only one to return to Earth, calls on all of the other Avengers that are held in reserve, including the likes of Wolverine, Spider-Man, Shang-Chi, Captain Marvel, and many more. They then head to Mars to try to free the captive Avengers.
BELIEVE IN HICKMAN
When you boil down the issue it’s really just a bunch of fighting between the Avengers and the bad guys. That is not an inherently bad thing, it is definitely very satisfying fighting, with every hero getting a chance to shine and show off why they have been chosen to be part of the team. There is a bit of confusion at times, especially since the characters have no yet really had enough time to become identifiable for me without having to go back and look at which one is which. It ends in a very surprising way that I will not spoil, but it left me with a lot of questions. Questions I am sure Hickman will answer, given enough time, but at this point just confused me.
OUT OF THIS WORLD ART
The art for Avengers has been some of the greatest comic art I have ever seen. In fact it is some of the greatest art period. The entire style is realistic, every face looks distinct and real, and at the same time carries an iconic feeling to it that really makes heroes feel like heroes. It’s just a shame a new artist is set to take over.
BOTTOM LINE: PICK. IT. UP.
If you have ever wanted to read Avengers but could never find a good point to jump in, this is the series for you. Start from issue one and catch up, it’s a hell of a read so far and promises to only get better. There have been some complaints that this arc has invalidated some previous Marvel canon in regards to the beginnings of their universe, but I have always been of the opinion that each story or arc plays in its own canon more or less. I seriously recommend this book. Avengers #3 earns 4 out of 5 stars overall.
[rating: 4/5]DID YOU READ THIS ISSUE? RATE IT!
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5 Comments
Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Hawkeye, “Scarlet Spider”, and Thor
When did the clone of spider-man become an Avenger?
I think you mean Black Widow.
Yes I do thanks, but how awesome would it be if Scarlet Spider was an avenger?
That would be seriously awesome.
I think with him it would make all the spider-people avengers.
Spider-Woman
Spider-Man
Venom
Scarlet Spider
actually….i would read that book.
Strange ending to the story if you ask me. We’ve literally just finished flashing back to the team’s founding, and on the next page Captain Universe (I think) pulls deus ex machina out of his ass, and BAM! The end. I was looking for a Second Act.
So was I, but I have read that the next few issues will be dedicated to character back stories (including Captain Universe) which should explain it all. I also have a feeling this isn’t all we are going to see of Ex Nihlo and gang.