Review: Avengers World #1

Writers: Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer
Art: Stefano Caselli
Marvel $3.99 Jan 8th 2014

This issue ushers in the post "Infinity" Avengers into the All-New Marvel Now branding. The team is relatively the same line up for the most part (the core team) with a more global-response repurposing mission statement.

The idea had been that the Avengers needed to get larger and they did. Now their mission is to be more of a global presence and they get that opportunity in quick order.

For a #1 issue, it is very accessible to new readers who may or may not even know who all the members are. Several of the teams current roster had their origins in Hickman's current run in the main Avengers title and played large roles in the "Infinity" event. The team has been reduced in size since "Infinity" but several of Hickman's newest members remain active on the team roster. But as I stated before, this issue is very accessible to new readers dispite these new members that you may not be familiar with yet.

It begins with dialogue between Steve Rogers and Bruce Banner discussing the team, their new role as active global responders and their developing relationship with SHIELD.  This section contains the only problem I had with the issue. And the issue is because of its characterization of Bruce Banner. He was written in a way that seemed smug and cocky. Although he has gained control, confidence and appreciation of himself during his characters growth in his solo title, I feel it still was a bit forced, over the top and not the Banner I know and love. His time with SHIELD has put him in a prime place with the Avengers and he and Cap discuss the current state of SHIELDS leadership.

In this issue, four seperate threats occur across the globe and the Avengers split into response units to deal with these threats while Banner and Captain America remain at the Helicarrier to coordinate the efforts.

This splitting of the team into smaller groups allows every character to recieve some amount of time in the spotlight and allow more interpersonal interactions among the characters. Also, the threats themselves all have very intriguing plot hooks that I am excited to see develop....some of which pick up on storylines that have been evolving out of other titles like Secret Avengers.

The locations of these threats range from numerous natural disasters occurring the North America, the Hand causing problems on the island Madripoor (an island that is actually on the back of a living dragon!) , an entire Italian city that has had every citizen disappear and finally the terrorist organization AIM is up to something in their country and of course it is not good.

Like I said, smaller squads,  fantastic plot points to grow and the art could not be more engaging and beautiful. The art in every panel is breathtaking and worth the cover price on its own.

Its appearing like it is going to be an exhilarating ride so don't miss out or get left behind.....don't wait for this to go to the trades. Get it now.

Rating: Buy it

Avengers #24.NOW "Rogue Planet #1"

Avengers 24.NOW "Rogue Planet"
Writers: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Esad Ribic, Salvador Larocca, Mike Deodato, Butch Guice, 
Dean White, Frank Martin, Paul Mounts and Laura Martin
Price: $4.99 

Prelude to this issue:
The Avengers have been through a two front war on Earth and throughout the cosmos during Hickman's recent epic crossover event "Infinity". The massive tale had it's seeds  planted in the first issue of Hickman's current run and the story arc has only recently come to a close. The Avengers swelled their team ranks in order to meet such a threat at the start of the series. The heroes suffered several defeats prior to being able to lead a desperate and fragile alliance of intergalactic races (that included former foes such as The Skrulls and Annihilus) to victory. The arc ends with The Avengers victorious against both an ancient race of conquerors and Thanos' forces that had invaded earth . 

Avengers 24.Now could be viewed as a stand alone story, but you can tell that this is the tip of another iceburg and Hickman plans another marathon arc. This one shot is full of hints that the worst has yet to come. This issue also ties heavily into plot points from New Avengers, which Hickman also writes.

In this issue, we have an "Iron Man" from the year 3030 that races back in time to the present to warn the Avengers of oncoming destruction. Apparently, the memo got lost about time travel issues in the current Marvel U. The issue has a few lighthearted moments with the team enjoying some much deserved rest and relaxation, There are friendly games and a barbecue with Thor. But it isn't fun and games for Captain America and Tony Stark who discuss which members of this team of Avengers they should keep and which ones should be let go. No big spoiler, but Wolverine and Spider-Man are both off the roster with other members still being up for debate. This is when the future Iron Man arrives, convinces the team of the oncoming threat of a planet that is hurtling on a collision course towards Earth, and the heroes develop a plan to stop it. But sadly, at no time do you actually feel from the characters that they are actually in real danger. The concern that does carry weight with the team is who launched the planet in the first place.

The story is well thought out, concise and delivers what you would expect. Unfortunately, what I have also come to expect is very little in character development from the team members. The recent plots and team size have both been so large during Hickman's run that I feel that we lose character growth, development and personal stories of the teams members that would enrich the team as a whole. Sure, if you like Hawkeye, you can go read his solo title. But in this Avenger title it feels like you're holding a deck of gaming cards with stats and powers and not characters with personality.

But don't let that critique turn you off from this over-sized, stand alone story. It's funny, exciting, intriguing and once again building towards a larger plot. But, I do hope that the stories become more personal for the team members and not just another, "The world is going to end! Call everyone we know with powers!" Hickman has been able to deliver the epic tale, deliver new characters and members with interesting origins and bring the cosmic universe to the rest of the Marvel U. But can he make these large epics more personal? Time will tell.


Rating: Borrow it