There’s something nostalgic about West Coast Avengers, from Kelly Thompson’s run to the classics, and now it’s back this week. At the helm are Gerry Duggan and Danny Kim, offering up a different lineup with more than one villainous team member. Wait, what? Ultron is on the level?!
As the preview shows, Ultron is officially a member of the team, and he’s saving souls when Iron Man is too busy dodging bullets to help out. Opening the issue with an unexpected villain helping people is definitely a shock, but it’s also a great conversation starter about why this issue is a fantastic opener.
In some ways, Duggan appears to be playing with expectations of what makes a team, and with so many Avengers lineups changing things up, there’s a definitive identity at work here. That is, Iron Man seems to be trying to mix things up with heroes left behind to do some good. Rehabilitation, so to speak, from Ultron to Blue Bolt. That’s intriguing, especially since Tony Stark is currently slightly left behind in more ways than one.
Duggan had to have thought of using “Come with me if you want to live” here, right?
Credit: Marvel
Largely, the focus is on Tony, with Ultron coming up second, which makes sense since they’re the driving force behind where we go from here. Spider-Woman gets to be annoyed, while War Machine is very limited. The general vibe is very clear, but more time with specific team members would help flesh out their roles in the series.
As far as pacing and plotting, this issue never lets up. After the opening action scene, we zip off to a hospital to survey the fallout, get insights into a new Avengers base, and even set up a new recruit X-Men fans should be excited for. The last third of the issue raises the stakes properly and should put anyone annoyed with team member choices to bed.
With such a lean first issue, plenty of great character moments exist. Tony is, of course, the star, but Spider-Woman, War Machine, and even Ultron get moments to show their true selves. In one fun scene, we get to see Ultron analyze a taco, and everyone seems totally normal with the once mass-murdering robot checking on the calories. There’s a lighter sense of fun at work here that feels oddball and just right.
The art by Kim is pretty darn great. Ahrtur Hesli’s color palette is filled with cool blues and warm tones, positioning it in sunny California. This book looks like Michael Mann directed it. Kim is great at little details, like a car battery taped to Tony’s waist or Ultron’s emotionality at certain moments. There’s an added breeziness, with backgrounds tending to be flat color or fewer panels per page.
West Coast Avengers #1 delivers a fresh, exciting take on the classic team while leaning into its quirky and nostalgic roots. Gerry Duggan and Danny Kim craft an engaging and action-packed debut that subverts expectations by placing a rehabilitated Ultron at the forefront alongside a slightly out-of-step Tony Stark. The character dynamics are promising, though further development for the broader team would elevate the story.
With vibrant, sun-drenched visuals from Danny Kim and Ahrtur Hesli that evoke a California cool aesthetic, the issue captures a unique atmosphere that complements the oddball energy of the narrative. Moments of levity, like Ultron analyzing a taco, blend humor with character depth, striking a perfect balance. Ultimately, this is a strong opening chapter that sets the stage for intriguing conflicts, unexpected alliances, and plenty of fun to come. Fans of unconventional team dynamics and innovative storytelling should keep their eyes on this new West Coast Avengers run.
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