Is bendis really writing this? Because it’s pretty damn awesome!!
Ever wanted to read about the avengers as a new comic book reader? or was it thanks to the unique upcoming movie that is coming soon to theaters? or just want to go back and see what earth's mightiest heroes are doing....well this tittle is perfect for you. Was there a need for a fifth avengers tittle? well.....maybe....maybe not...I mean we have the .1 issues which are very nice one-shots that help readers get in into this tittles (Avengers is getting one this month by the way). But we are not here to discuss if an extra avenger book staring the heroes of the movie to appeal new readers was a good idea or not. But if this is a good comic to pick up or not.....If you see the tittle and rating on top then you know the answer but why? Because for the first time in a long time, bendis has shown that he can write fun and awesome stories without his usual style that has kinda started getting questionable and unfitting for a big book like the avengers.
The issue starts with a man claiming to be cancer as he states the assembly of a new incarnation of zodiac! Wait who? Guess I have to keep on reading to find out. We then move on to a brand new avenger’s tower and everyone is happy! Wait what? Thor is back? The public isn't acting like a bunch of jackasses? Tony had the money to rebuild the tower?......are you sure I’m reading current Marvel? And not and old issue of what seemed to be from the good old days? Is not explained how he did it but you know what? Screw that! It’s tony stark we are talking about here! Only he could raise that tower again after a certain avenger possessed by an evil magical Nordic hammer that has inside the soul of one of the most fearful generals of an ancient god of fear destroyed it…..this is why I love comics so much people. I can get to say stuff like this without sounding crazy.
We then move on to the middle of nowhere where the hulk, without the beard and intelligence…wait what? Did Jason Aaron approve this? Is just hanging out as he sees a large group of military vehicles heading his way, believing they are after him he is ready to face them but…..surprisingly they are not after him as they get attacked by man in the form of water. Hulk quickly attacks this enemy as he gets fired by the military along with the water guy. The battle goes on as the military attacking both contenders seems to affect the water man who is revealed to be the member of Zodiac “Aquarius” (I mean, what other zodiac symbol represents water?). he escapes but takes a “package” the military were transporting and blame the hulk for it despite him telling them he wasn't responsible and not attacking them, the obvious thing they do is shoot him. Because that’s the smartest thing to do to a green giant powered by anger whose bullets never hurt him and could easily crush them right? But because Hulk is cool like that he just leaves.
Afterwards we see in latveria both black widow and hawkeye on a mission where Clint as the cocky ass that sometimes you can tolerate and sometimes don’t starts asking widow to talk good things of his “manhood” if he ever dies...wait what? why would you ask that to an ex? isn't he supposed to be forcely in love by bad writting with spider woman? moving on, they take some of the bad guys down and steal a hummer that has what seem to be a unique object and their objective. Everything goes well till a humanoid bull with the symbol of Taurus chases them alongside other latverian baddies but they are rescued by both iron man and thor. But the giant bull grabs thor and smacks him around and destroys the hummer using their own ally. The issue ends with the mighty bull claiming that nobody steals from the zodiac…..goddamn this is what I was looking for since I bought the avengers in day one!!!
The Good:
New reader friendly is what this is. Is a perfect place to start reading the avengers since is a total stand alone story. The book feels much more alive than the other two bendis books and though the team is not all there, it makes sense. This is not a team that should exist normally in the first place. Obviously this will be a 6-7 epic and I’m happy with that since this Zodiac incarnation looks awesome. They seem to have all powers that represent their symbol and I totally dig that (Also for the fact that I love greek mythology and I’m a long time fan of the anime/manga Saint Seiya so this guys remind me of the 12 gold saints). It’s action packed and just plain fun…….like how the main book should had been since the beginning! Sure it might not please people who want complex storytelling but come on! Bendis seems to finally starting to have fun as things feel more like classic avengers. Like just hope it goes on like this since this is the first issue 1 of an avengers book that has me really wanting for more.
The Bad:
For a series that is meant to be in continuity……Bendis kinda forgot that Hulk is not the good old mr pissed off mac smashing anymore. He can speak and think like a normal person right now (he is still smart right? I unfortunately could not continue buying issues of Incredible Hulk so I don’t know what’s going on in there but doubt he is back to his old self) and here I thought writers would read the current material or ongoing of characters he/she want to use. But maybe this happens after AVX. I mean, Thor is back and I believe editorial would easily had spotted this. But if it’s because the movie is coming soon and they want Hulk to be similar to avoid alienating new fans…..why not just keep his classic appearance (which is my favorite) and have him speak and think normally? That wouldn’t be a real issue here (for others maybe it would). Also what the hell was that with Hawkeye? is it bad writing or is it just him being a real ass and goes around trying to bang any avenger girl possible.....I don't get what mockingbird and all the other girls saw in him really if he is that type of guy. (then maybe it isn't bendis fault really).
Overall: 4.5/5
A very nice start and a great jumping point to the avengers franchise. If things keep going well I might consider this one to be a great move from Marvel for it feels much better start for any new reader compared to the first issue of the current avengers ongoing. With great action, art and a revamped group of villains I believe this alongside the .1 issue coming up on the main team book, we can hope new readers will join in as the final months under Bendis are ending…….because seriously we need other writers to bring a new flavor to earth’s mightiest heroes. But for now let's just enjoy this book.
