After saving the world even the Avengers need some time to recharge and Avengers #8 is just that. It’s a rebuilding sort of issue which shows off their new base and integrates characters (or checking in on some of them). It’s also drawn by David Marquez, who positively dazzled with his work on the recent Defenders series.
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
WORLD TOUR begins! In the aftermath of their world-shaking battle against the Dark Celestials, the new Avengers team is officially formed, complete with a startling new headquarters at the top of the world. Behold the wonders of Avengers Mountain. But someone who doesn’t seem impressed is Namor, the ferocious lord of Atlantis, whose rage may turn the oceans red with blood!
Why does this matter?
Jason Aaron has wrapped up his first arc on the Avengers; he not only introduced an ancient version of the team, but also thrust one of the craziest threats right into there ever loving faces. All that after the team was broken up for some time (and Tony was in a coma, remember?). This issue begins to show what this team is made of going forward from new members to figuring out what is going on with older ones.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Is it legal to hire a minor for the Avengers? Credit: Marvel Comics
The art by David Marquez is really special and this issue proves that over and over. There aren’t any fight scenes, but you don’t need that when the visuals are so rich. That’s not entirely true–Cap does fling his shield at Ghost Rider–but overall this is an issue of characters walking and talking. Marquez makes that easy on the eyes, keeping you tapped into the characters’ emotions via their facial expressions and always doing a little extra with their body language too. In one panel for instance, Marquez has Doctor Strange looking down at where She-Hulk dug her fingers into a metal table. His reaction is one of reserved concern that adds to her storming out of his examination room.
Speaking of She-Hulk, Aaron is doing a great job subtly revealing she’s not back to being a raging monster for the heck of it. Her story has more to unfold and many more of the team members’ stories do too. We get an inside look at Robbie AKA Ghost Rider and it’s fun to see a new younger member (still in high school) join the team; he gives an interesting perspective which adds some necessary grounding to the team. Then we have Tony Stark, who has a key scene with Captain Marvel; it has been ages since she put him into a coma and yet this scene seems purposeful and necessary to progress their dicey past. It’s also fun to see Thor acting all nervous around She-Hulk after they locked lips a few issues ago.
Do you pose like that for all the new recruits? Credit: Marvel Comics
It can’t be perfect can it?
It’s a table setting issue to be sure so don’t expect big action or even big plot developments. The biggest reveal is the new base they’ve taken up in which is fascinating and wild, but it’s hard to argue it’ll satiate fans interest for long. There is a cliffhanger that should lead to a fun classic villain appearance next issue, but it’s too little too late.
The Captain Marvel and Tony Stark conversation is also a bit hard to swallow. I know they’ve sort of made amends elsewhere, but Tony reducing their squabble to letting bygones be bygones is hard to swallow even if he’s recently been reborn and seems more chipper than ever. It’s also slightly odd he spins it into a, “Hey maybe we can hook up” joke.
Is it good?
A good issue that taps into multiple characters rather well. This team lineup is intriguing and is a lot of fun to read, especially with their new digs inside a Celestial!
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