The Mighty New Avengers
Marvel might say that its entire universe was altered by the Civil War shake-up, but its the Avengers, now even more scrambled than “Disassembled”, which bears the most visible change.
Though I’m, as always, behind the curve, I’ve managed by now to pick up both the first New Avengers post-Civil War as well as the first issue of the Mighty Avengers, and I have to say, I’m impressed.
Both books are written by Brian Michael Bendis, promising well-balanced characterization with addictive, if not hilarious, dialogue (like when Spider-Man suggests the whole team wear matching Dr. Strange outfits).
New Avengers, or as Spidey puts it, “The New New Avengers”, has the awesome roster of Wolverine, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Spider-Woman, Ronin and Dr. Strange heading to Japan, where Echo, the 1st Ronin, was left to fend for himself when Civil War found her teammates literally slugging one another.
Mighty Avengers, on the other hand, has Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, Sentry, Wasp, Wonder Wan, Black Widow and Ares rounding out the public teams, which won Civil War but seems to have lost a greater battle. Now, in between bouts with giant monsters and a revamped Ultron, Tony Stark refers to Captain America as simply “Rogers” and views Spidey and Luke Cage as threats to world security, all to the chargin of his loyal field commander, Ms. Marvel.
All of this leads to question I’ve been wondering for the last few years of “Avengers” history - do the ends justify the means? “Avengers Disassembled” made the Scarlett Witch an unstable psychopath who ultimately wished away 90 percent of the mutant population, but such events paved the way from the fanboy team-up of Iron Man, Captain America, Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine and Spider-Woman in the pages of “New Avengers”.
Now the likelihood of seeing that team is next to nil, with Captain America dead and the team still split down the middle. But “Civil War” engineers like Warren Ellis and Brian Michael Bendis are working wonders with the premise, and these climatic shake-up’s certainly do sell comics - just look at how much air-time Steve Roger’s death got in mainstream media.
But still, is it worth it, to throw monkey wrench after monkey wrench into fan-favorite ideals and traditions? You know the old saying - its all fun and games until someone uses an eye (for comics).
April 4th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I still need to pick up my final issues of Civil War. I might consider the Mighty Avegers, because I’ve always been an Iron Man fan. Not sure though, I like a little stability in my series.
April 4th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
If you didn’t hear, Tony Stark is now Director of SHIELD, which is a mixed bag. On one hand, he’s nowhere near as cool as Nick Fury, but on the other hand, he has Maria Hill making coffee runs for him, which is just downright hilarious.
And also, what he did to the SHIELD hellicarrier is worth the price of “Mighty Avengers” alone.
April 5th, 2007 at 1:29 am
I’m old(er than you, probably) I remember when getting the new Little Lulu comic book was the cat’s meow!
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April 5th, 2007 at 3:23 am
I shall do what I always do and wait for the ructions and changes to settle then get an explanation from someone who understands what’s been going on and *then* enjoy reading.
April 5th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Barbara,
You are older than me. Not for remembering Little Lulu but for using the phrase “the cat’s meow.”
April 5th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Haha I use the “Cat’s Pajamas” whenever I can. Sometimes I vary it up with “the cat’s ass” I don’t know why.
April 5th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I picked up Mighty Avengers and New Avenger and may start Iron Man as well. I like where they are taking this with The Initiative story line.
April 6th, 2007 at 7:49 am
Keith,
I really like the team assembled in Mighty Avengers. I didn’t think I would - with the exception of maybe Iron Man, Sentry and Black Widow, I wasn’t a big fan of the roster. But I really liked where Bendis is taking Ms. Marvel, making her a lot like like Luke Cage - the outspoken right-hand (wo)man who has her own opinions of what’s going on post-Civil War.
Glad you like the books. I’ll try to get my hand on more to review on my next run to the comic store!