Next Avengers, Part 1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: John Romita Jr.
Inks: Klaus Janson
Colors: Dean White
Cover: Romita Jr., Janson and White
[rating:4/5]
THERE CAME A DAY! Yeah, you’re going to be hearing that a lot in the near to immediate future….
Marvel’s premiere supergroup that doesn’t have an X in their name, The Avengers, are back in full swing after the events of SIEGE, and better than ever. The new team has a classic feel, as new head of S.H.I.E.L.D. Steve Rogers (the former Captain America) enlists pretty much every hero ever to be an Avenger once again, with a core, streamlined team of Thor, Spider-Man, Hawkeye (Clint Barton, now back to his original identity), Wolverine, Captain America (Bucky), Spider-Woman and Iron Man. The arrival of time traveling villain Kang The Conqueror and the presence of a doomsday device built by a future Tony Stark (man, he just can’t catch a break) leads to the team facing their first world ending scenario.
I’ve got to admit, I loved this issue. The surprises come fast and furious, from the second page reveal (out of all the Marvel Animated Features to become canon, that is the last one I expected) to it’s final page revelation of the arc’s true villain, The Avengers #1 is a solid book with the look and feel of a classic Avenger’s title. My only problem with the issue is I still don’t care much for John Romita Jr.’s art. He draws an amazing Spider-Man (pun not intended, honest), but everyone else looks like they’re made of bricks.
The Avengers #1 is still a damn solid start to the new volume of the classic Marvel heroes. With it’s classic line-up and time travel elements, it’s almost reminiscent of Avengers Forever, which is still one of the best Avengers stories to date. With the entire Avengers line relaunching in the coming months, the start of The Heroic Age is looking mighty fine.
