New Avengers #2 Review


T’Challa has assembled the Illuminati in order to help him stop the latest threat to the world. The threat is explored a little more this second go around; and we get a sense of what we are in for in this book.

Here is the summary from Marvel:

  • The Illuminati gather to plan for the death of Everything.
  • Infinity gems, old wounds, lies, agendas and universal incursions.
  • “It breaks hope — it crushes what makes us decent and steals what little honor remains.” –Black Swan

The Illuminati has gathered together and tensions are running a bit high. The mysterious woman known as Black Swan explains to Reed that an event has happened that is causing world’s across the multiverse to be destroyed way before their “time”. Captain America, Namor, Dr. Strange, Iron Man, Black Panther, & Black Bolt all convene on how to approach the situation; with Cap getting more and more apprehensive as more “unfavorable” solutions are presented to the group. As talks continue to break down, Cap divides the group into two teams: one to build a warning system, and another to search for the deceased Charles Xavier’s piece of the Infinity Gauntlet. As the group begin to move out, T’Challa & Reed discuss the worst case scenario should their first plan fail.

As a second issue goes this one is superior to its initial outing. Where as the 1st issue focused mostly on Panther’s initial reaction to the “incursion event”, this issue introduces the other Illuminati members and their interactions with one another. A lot of scientific babble is thrown around that bogs down the story SOME, but also provides some essential insight onto what is happening. I think Namor shines a bit more in this issue than the other members since he is basically a wanted criminal in Wakanda due to his attack during AvX. His smug attitude towards T’Challa and Wakanda as a whole is pretty typical of his character and you can see why T’Challa wants to kill him. One of my favorite moments is when they are verifying their identities and Namor says, “I am Namor, the Sub-Mariner. I regret…nothing. (Talk about a jerkwad.)

Steve Epting’s art is also amazing. The realism he employs in his illustrations really adds to the seriousness of the story. There are no fight scenes per se; but we do get glimpses as to what will happen as the story progresses. So as far as art goes there is really nothing more to say at this point.

Things are starting to roll forward in this book, and the scale keeps getting bigger; which is a stark contrast to Hickman’s Avengers story which was big from the jump. New Avengers is a slow build with an incline similar to a roller coaster; slowly climbing to the top with the big “drop” coming soon. It is a different feel compared to Bendis’ run, but it is still an enjoyable read.

4/5

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