Review: Mighty Avengers #6

Review: Mighty Avengers #6

Written by: Al Ewing

Art by: Valerio Schiti

Cover by: Greg Land

Marvel

$3.99 January 5th 2014

 Let me start by saying that this cover truly outshines the rest in the series so far. It set my expectations higher for this issue and I was not disappointed. Finally, we get past the chaos of Infinity that threw this team together haphazardly. And we see the team has divorced itself from Superior Spider-Man after his attempted coup of the team's leadership. 

The teams formation and evolution begins to feel more organic. Now that the roster is established and finalized we begin to see why this team is choosing to stay together. Their mission statement is pretty clear.....need help? Then you should hire the Mighty Avengers! They are operating out of a renovated theater and are setting up helplines, shelters and response teams for everyday people in crisis. A departure from the other Avengers titles, this team's going to clean up the neighborhood. 

Where this issue shines the most is the characters interactions with each other. The dialog is fantastic and shows that Ewing has a good grasp of the history and characterization of the cast.The cast is moving into the new headquarters and you get the feeling that it is starting to feel like this is a home more than a high-tech super base. There is this strong sense that this is more of a family than most teams that start out. This team for the most part, is up front and understands one another. 

White Tiger has been traumatized by the events that happened to her in Avengers Arena, and she is near a breaking point of restlessness. Blue Marvel has separate scenes with both Mr. and Mrs. Cage that go in very different emotional directions. And in another scene, team members Power Man and Spectrum train together under the tutelage of veteran Avenger She-Hulk. Iron Fist drops by to visit his friends and wish them a happy housewarming. Luke introduces Danny to the new team, but it doesn't appear that Iron Fist will be joining the team as a regular or official member just yet. 

The only action comes from that of what appears to be the simple arson of a book store. The man who committed is a far-right fanatic. (We learn the arsonist has a boss and there is more to it than a simple fire) He believes he got away with the crime. Throughout this issue, the plot keeps cutting back from scenes of the teams interactions at their home to this arsonist. The arsonist seems paranoid that a bird is following him, and that anxiety is ever growing for good reason. 

This issue crescendos with a very cool moment that will seemingly propel this team into their first official adventure. This is a great jumping on point for people who get intimidated by years of continuity or for anyone who is familiar with the characters and their history but is tired of cosmic invasions and end of reality threats. 

The interior art was vastly improved making this issue far more enjoyable than some previous issues. It's about damn time that we have a Marvel team made of characters who are solely on one team alone. ( New Warriors will be out soon, but not here just yet) The readers are getting dynamic characters, interactions and team development and that is what draws you to a team book in the first place.

Rating: Buy it

Review: Mighty Avengers #5

Review: Mighty Avengers #5

Written By: Al Ewing
Art By: Greg Land
Marvel
January 22nd 2014 $3.99



Sure, there are a lot of Avengers titles out there. Some feel there may be too many. It's true of course, but this feels different then before. The great thing about this Avengers title is that it sheds a spotlight on something that has been missing in comics..... diversity. Oh I get it, you mean this is the "Black Avengers." Sure, that would be what someone might draw from it on the surface. But although there is much more racial diversity on this team, its the heroes that comprise it which makes this title stand out from the pack. It is a team without Iron Man, Wolverine, or any of the other heroes who are in 6+ more books a month. Sure, it has faces you may know of such as Superior Spider-Man, (for now) but it also has a few that you're probably much less familiar with because this is the only book on the shelf you will find them in. And guess what..... it's freaking awesome.

After Marvels Infinity event, Superior Spider-Man decided this "street-team" of Avengers was in desperate need of new leadership. Despite the fact that the teams leader, Luke Cage, has had years of experience leading an Avengers team Spidey decided for himself that Cage's leadership was ineffective and outdated. This issue resolves that debate in a very entertaining fashion. Meanwhile, we get more clues into who the new Ronin may be.....Don't worry, if the internet hasn't spoiled the reveal for you yet, we won't. And finally,Ronin  takes the rest of the team to investigate a "Death Cult" that has been interested in the Attilan ruins that crashed into the Hudson River. When they arrive, we see that Cortex Incorporated is already there and the three groups do not want to play cooperate.

The artwork was much improved for this issue despite the look of photo-reference for character's faces. The action flows through the panels and is never overworked or confused during the fight scenes.

The book has been very entertaining, but now that the team is established (we may have an official new member *wink*) and we have a plot outside of a Marvel Event, we will now see if this team will continue to entertain. With a fresh squad made up of lesser-knowns to casual fans and some great potential plot threads, it's going to be nice to follow a street level team with more personal development and character growth.

Rating: Buy it