In celebration of the Avengers’ 60th anniversary, Marvel Comics has got Paul Levitz and Alan Davis back on a new epic superhero miniseries. Titled The Avengers: War Across Time, the first issue is out this week and features the classic Avengers team early on in their tenure. That’s Giant-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Wasp joining forces against a threat from the future: Kang! But in this first issue, can they topple a weaponized Hulk?
The first thing you’ll notice when you purchase The Avengers: War Across Time #1 is how extra-sized it is, as it runs 44 pages long. Set after the events of Avengers #11, the team is headed to New York after Kang created a robot replica of Spider-Man, wreaking havoc in the city. We soon learn Kang is at it again, and this time he’s created a Hulk replica powered by a Hulk heart from the future!
This is for fans of the classic era of Avengers, right down to the horny Wasp flirting with everyone and the by-the-book Captain America. There’s a different vibe with this team in part because they’re all pretty new to this team thing. Surprises from the classic comics appear, like Iron Man’s roller skates popping out of his boots or Aunt May getting rescued by a hero in a tight situation. The characters sound like the classic versions and act as such too.
Wasp is thirsty.
Credit: Marvel
Probably the most surprising character trait is Wasp, who is super horny in this book. Right off the bat, she’s hitting on Captain America and Thor. Then later, in the scene pictured above, she’s asking Giant-Man to sleep with her. You don’t typically see characters this thirsty these days, but it was a defining trait of the old days.
A panel from the classic Avengers #3.
Credit: Marvel
Hell, there’s even a classic credits section featuring fun remarks for each creator like “lettered lovingly by Cory Petit” or “art in admiration by amazing Alan Davis.” This issue is very much a celebration of the old-school Avengers and Marvel Comics.
The art and action are where it’s at with The Avengers: War Across Time, though. This book is packed with action from nearly cover to cover, and Alan Davis does not disappoint. His style suits this anniversary celebration as it is reminiscent of an older time, and Rachelle Rosenberg’s colors include that classic comic charm too. The extra page count is largely utilized with fight scenes. You get Giant-Man vs. Hulk, Captain America vs. Hulk, Wasp vs. Hulk…you get the idea. Each hero gets to fight him one on one, with impressive moments throughout. Possibly the coolest moment is when Hulk flips Giant-Man into a pile of police cars. It’s the kind of fight comics that are reminiscent of Jack Kirby’s iconic Thing vs. Hulk showdown issue. There are multiple creative fight scene moments, all worth checking out.
The Avengers: War Across Time is a great fight comic and a great celebration of classic Avengers comics. You’ll get the general feel of how the comics read back in the day with tons of Alan Davis art. If that’s what you’re expecting, it delivers big time.
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