Not Young Avengers but has potential
With the start of the Heroic Age, it seems that Marvel has realized that it has been lacking in the young superhero teams. While “Young Allies” pulled from their stable of existing characters, “Avengers Academy” took a different approach by introducing five new super-powered kids.
Penned by Christos Gage (Avengers: The Initiative), the first issue of “Avengers Academy” is told from the viewpoint of Maddy “Veil” Berry, a girl who can turn into a gaseous state. Her internal monologue gives a sense of Maddy’s state of mind and her youthful inexperience. Though her origin story is extremely cliché, Gage is able to set up an intriguing story with a few memorable characters. But “Avengers Academy” is not all about the new character.
Like “Avengers: The Initiative” the faculty is just as important as the students. In this case the instructors are Tigera, Justice, Quicksilver, Dr. Hank Pym, and Penance who now wants to be called Speedball again. Each of these former Avengers has had a less than stellar past, but have tried to learn from their mistakes.
What makes the new Avenger cadets memorable is the art by Mike McKone who is no stranger to teen superhero books, having worked on Teen Titans. Each of the kids looked distinct without looking like overly wrought character designs. One thing though. Mettle, the large red kid, looks very much like a “hulked out” Red Skull. Unless it is going to somehow be revealed as having a connection the villain, his look just seems like a cheap knockoff and a stunt to get more readers.Enjoyed this review? Go here for more or