Avengers #5 Review


Last issue we got a look into how Hyperion joined Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Now, we take a look into the origins of the brand new Smasher. Just what secrets lie beneath the mask of the Earth shaking Heroine?

Here is the summary from Marvel:

Meet Smasher, the first human member of the IMPERIAL GUARD and an Avenger.

Watch as the Avengers travel across the galaxy to fight off an invading force.

Watch as the Imperial Guard are broken on a dead moon.

In the past, Isabel Dare was just your normal, run of the mill, Iowa farm girl. She dreamed of going into space one day; and lucky for her, her wish came true when she came across a pair of goggles that belonged to Smasher, member of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard. While star gazing one night she puts the goggles on and is transported to the Shi’ar throneworld, Chandilar and is presented before Majestor (king) Gladiator, becoming the first human to serve on the guard. In the present she and the Avengers answer a distress call and help the Imperial Guard fight off an invasion force on one of the Shi’ar’s planets.

Jonathan Hickman does a great job introducing us to this new character. She is just an average girl with big dreams that basically anyone can relate to. Her motivations are explained and Hickman does a good job of tying it into Grant Morrison’s New X-Men book where the previous Smasher died. He continues to make each issue unique, but not too confusing for new readers. Masterly intersecting past and present events with one another, giving the book a unique flow to it. Showing Izzy’s origins, an Interstellar Avengers battle (which was awesome), and expanding on a plot thread from issue 3.

Adam Kubert’s art is a welcome sight. His panel placement is excellent, and while he cuts corners with a few characters, he more than makes up for it with his well drawn battle scenes, and his architectual design of Chandilar; which is used to great effect when Izzy is first introduced to it.

The second of character “stand-alone” stories, Avengers is still a great read. With plenty of character development, action, and sub plots that will leave you coming back for more; Avengers is a definite read.

4/5

 

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