Avengers comic tittles have undergone too many changes to count in its long history. But of the modern reboots, Mark Waid’s AVENGERS #1 is perhaps the most unique among its peers. How? It beautifully blends a passion for the history of the mythos with a yearning for the future.
The scene is set: an all-new Avengers team assembles to take down a Frost-Wolf in classic superhero fashion. But the creature isn’t the only thing on their mind. The Vision is missing, and Peter Parker, the CEO of Parker Industries, has requested that they pay him a visit.
Story
The new roster of Avengers—consisting of Captain America (Sam Wilson), Thor (Jane Foster), Hercules, The Wasp (Nadia Pym), and The Vision (who’s suspiciously missing)—take down the Frost-Wolf with relative ease. However, they soon find themselves in Parker’s building with doubts about his intentions. But to their surprise he offers technological goodies in the hopes that they invite Spider-Man to join their crew.
The team is repelled by Parker’s overeager attitude, but are soon interrupted by Kang the Conqueror. In response, the heroes spring into action with the help of Spider-Man (who is just as cringeworthy as his alter ego). What’s more, they find the villain in conflict with The Vision, who seems to be hiding something from the rest of the team.
Waid’s narrative offers readers a breath of fresh air for fans of Earth’s mightiest heroes. The banter between Parker and the other teammates, even when facing the time warping powers of Kang, reminds us of classic Avengers stories. And Vision’s secrets adds plenty of intrigue. But the best gem in this issue is Waid’s updated roster of heroes, which adds a fresh flavor that makes this a saga to remember.
Artwork
Mike Del Mundo’s penciling, ink work, and coloring, combined with Marco D’alfonso’s color work, presents readers with a cohesive set of beautiful panels. Readers will find the illustrations transition smoothly throughout the story—it’s as if the characters blend in with the environments around them like an abstract painting. Yet at the same time each hero’s colors are differentiated to showcase their unique superhero identities. Cory Petit’s lettering, working in tandem, seems to flow with the action as if it were part of the scene itself.
Conclusion
AVENGERS #1 was an exciting start to this particular era in Avengers history. It brought fan favorites together from the past and the future in marvelous fashion.
Were you excited to see Kang make an appearance in this issue? Let us know in the comments below!
