Into the Heroic Age!
First issue of the Avengers of the new Marvel arc, the Heroic Age. Marvel's new arc is about putting the heroes back on top, where as the past decade we have seen them fall... hard. Now, with the dawn of the heroic age, it's time for them to pick up the bricks of the old hero community, and launch forward into the new age of Heroes!
Rearing from the events of siege in where Norman Osborn attempted to end Asgard if not for the intervention of earths mightiest heroes! The issue starts off with Immortus, the elder version of Kang the Conquerer being decimated by the Next Avengers, the future children of the Avengers. Flashback to the current time stream, Steve is asking heroes about joining the Avengers. Most are thrilled, except Wonderman who declares that all these past events are the result of the Avengers existence. Steve says he hopes Simon will change his mind, when Simon declares that if Steve doesn't change his, he will change it for him. The new Avengers meet and Iron Man and Steve get into a bit of an aguement over who will lead the team. Steve says he isn't, and introduces Maria Hill as the new leader. Things are good, until Kang emerges to warn the Avengers of the future. But before he gets a word in edgewise, he's blown away by Thor. The Avengers approach him when all of a sudden he pulls out a yet to be made doomsday device made by none other than Tony Stark. The others grow angry at Tony, but he swears that he never planned on making it. Kang having the Avengers attention alerts them to their future, stating that ultron shall return and bring with him the utter destruction of the Avengers. He then states that the Next Avengers, the children of now Avengers, will destroy him, and take over powers that could ultimately destroy the universe. They ask why he hasn't destroyed Ultron, Kang states he has tried many times, and failed. He leaves the Avengers with the message that if they can stop this event from happening, then he will plague them no more, but if they fail, he will activate the doomsday device. The Avengers contemplate on how to travel through time, when Wolverine says he's got the perfect guy for the job. Kang returns to the future and is asked by his master did all go as planned. He tells his master yes. Who is his master, Meistro, the future Hulk!
I give it a 3.5, a little over average, but still a normal read. It's a good break into the Herioc Age, and really gives the new line up a run for their money. The story by Brian Micheal Bendis is alright, I'm just really not a fan of time travel. When you incorporate time travel, things tend to get confusing. I wasn't a big fan of the artwork. It's descent, but it could of been better. But, artwork aside, it still a good comic. So, go pick it up and submerge yourself into the heroic age. Nice readings.
