When the makeup of a super “hero” team includes monsters, classic villains, and suspect ethical choices, fans prick up their ears. That’s the case with The New Avengers, a new series by Sam Humphries that AIPT had an exclusive chat with to learn all about. Now the issue is out, and the team includes Carnage, Hulk, Namor, Clea, and Wolverine. Their leaders are Black Widow and Winter Soldier, two characters currently in a relationship. All told, it’s an enticing lineup made all the more intriguing due to their enemy revealed by the end of this issue: the Killuminati!
The New Avengers #1 opens in a run-down gas station out in New Mexico. Winter Soldier is having a chat with a seemingly nice old timer, but soon he’s drawn his gun on him. He’s working with Doom in this new age of Doom ruling all, and Winter Soldier won’t stand for it. Enter stage right, a gun to his head, and we’re quickly seeing Black Widow and Winter Soldier in bed post coitus. The opening is badass and efficient as it sets up the leadership of the team.
From there, the issue takes on a heist vibe, with our leaders bringing in new members. They start with Wolverine, who is drawn in a spectacular full-page splash by Ton Lima. The fact that we can see her blades go through a guy’s skull and out his mouth is every indication this series aims to get as close to a hard-R rating as possible. The pace is quick, with the midway point of the issue dropping the three-man team into their central conflict. That involves clones and the introduction of the Killuminati.
Steamy.
Credit: Marvel
You’ve got to respect this issue for introducing the Killuminati not in the cliffhanger, but with a decent number of pages to go. That way, they aren’t just standing there, revealed in all their twisted, designed glory, but also met with resistance by the New Avengers. Characters take some gnarly hits in this fight, which reminds us this is a no-holds-barred high-stakes sort of book.
There’s also romance with the promise of more. The general vibe of Winter Soldier and Black Widow is strong, reminding us that they’ve been at this for a while and respect each other. They offer a sexiness on top of the violence that works.
Lima’s art is excellent at drawing the eye across the page, which helps quicken the pace. The storytelling is on point, with dynamic reveals and easy-to-follow action. If I were to nitpick, I’d say Killuminati Black Bolt looks a bit silly, like a bloated baby, but the design for most of these villains will help set off your imagination.
The New Avengers #1 kicks off with confident swagger, combining edgy character choices with stylish visuals and high-octane pacing. It’s a thrilling, bloody remix of the classic Avengers formula that trades old-school heroics for dangerous alliances and brutal confrontations. While not every visual lands, the story crackles with energy and stakes that promise an unpredictable ride.
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