New Avengers #6 continues to deliver team dysfunction for the good guys and clever character twists on the bad guys. The Killuminati have made twelve thousand people die, or go missing in Osaka, Japan, but who will stop them? Not the New Avengers, who we find in New Mexico bickering amongst themselves. It’s a team that somehow manages to stumble into small victories in another issue packed with character beats.
As dysfunctional as the team, New Avengers #6 mixes things up nicely in the first half of the issue. Clea and the rest bicker with a fun back and forth, one of the Killuminati moves to gain power, and Black Widow sleeps with Winter Soldier. What else could you ask for?
The second half is more honed in on a mission, as Clea enters Guru Strange’s castle, after being caught by Taskmaster. Guru Strange is an interesting and disturbed sort of character, reveling in being horny and carnal, while also being a kind of mirror to Clea’s husband. Sam Humphries script keeps you entertained with its back and forth, and the eventual spike in action.
This series has always been good about giving every team member something to do or say, with Carnage and Wolverine getting brief but strong moments in the second half. Ultimately, Clea steals this issue and makes you realize how fun she can be. It may seem crazy, but the inclusion of two new Killuminati at the end of the issue only makes the chaos of it all more fun.
Clea is a lot of fun.
Credit: Marvel
While Carnage and Wolverine are definitely present, they do seem to be used less than others. In the case of Carnage, he does come off as less Eddie Brock than in his main series, which is a bit surprising. Unless there’s some twist we don’t know about yet.
Art by Ton Lima with colors by Rain Beredo is good, with a detailed style that suits the extra panels on each page, compared to conventional comics. The detail in environments is very strong, reminiscent of European comics. There’s some striking layout work as well, like the “foreplay” between Winter Soldier and Black Widow, or the repetitive panel work to show the two are not connecting much after sex.
New Avengers #6 is a chaotic, character-driven blast that proves dysfunction can be just as entertaining as heroics. Sam Humphries keeps the banter biting and the surprises coming, while Ton Lima and Rain Beredo’s art brings polish and flair to every page. Between the wild team dynamics, steamy moments, and new villains entering the fray, it’s another reminder that this book thrives on beautiful chaos.
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