Has it really been six years since NEW AVENGERS started? It feels like just yesterday that DISASSEMBLED was running and I was seeing that now-iconic cover of NEW AVENGERS  #1 on display for the first time at the Mondo Marvel panel at Wizard World Chicago ’04. You know the one I’m talking about - - it had the new line up all covered in shadows with a lightning bolt striking behind them. I bring that up because Marvel’s run a preview for the conclusion of the series that’ll be rolling out over the next couple weeks. You’ll recall that the third volume AVENGERS finished with issue #404, but the era itself ended with the AVENGERS FINALE special. Bookending things appropriately, this current volume of NEW AVENGERS will finish with its 64th issue, while its storyline will conclude with a NEW AVENGER FINALE special.

I remember it being such a novel pairing to see Bendis working with the great George Perez on AVENGERS FINALE. Who, oh who, could follow Perez? How about Bryan Hitch? This will certainly be an interesting meeting of the minds, as the preview images below can attest to. Surprisingly, Bendis actually says that, even though he tailored his script to Hitch’s talents, the artist actually extended a number of character-based moments, not just the big money action. He did enough extending that FINALE has actually been upgraded from its original double-sized length (man, it’d be so easy to insert double-entendres there. I’ll leave it up to you).

While the new volume of NEW AVENGERS is right around the corner (NEW NEW AVENGERS? BRAND NEW AVENGERS?), this finale will mark the end of the storyline Bendis started with issue #1. Think about that… HOUSE OF M, CIVIL WAR, WORLD WAR HULK, SECRET INVASION, DARK REIGN and, now, SIEGE have all been part of one big storyline that began in summer 2004. Now that we’re at the tail end of it, what is the assessment of the maniacs in the Comic Vine community? Was it epic?

And, lest I forget, NEW AVENGERS #64 (with art by Mike McKone) comes today, and NEW AVENGERS FINALE comes out in two weeks.

Gallery

I love the art! I don't really get why they are ending the series just to start it up again with almost the same roster...

@Nobody number 1's sell, doncha know.

Great art, I have the same question as Nobody about why are they ending it just to restart it. The only reason I can figure is to make the "Heroic Age" feel totally new. Which I understand, I don't agree with it, but I do understand. Although how good these final New Avengers look I doubt I'll get them because I just haven't been following the New Avengers or any of the Dark Reign/Siege stuff since the start of Siege.

Man I've dropped and picked up this title more times than I care to remember. I haven't read any of it since the whole "Who'll be the next Sorcere Supreme" arc. But this issue looks really good. I think I'll pick it up. 

I wish I didn't miss out on the past few months. I followed this book through good times and bad, and it pretty much marked my return to seriously collecting comics.

So, what? Norman did that to his face?

I wish they were not restarting this series.

"I love the art! I don't really get why they are ending the series just to start it up again with almost the same roster... "

the furst character i've seen growing up in to many years is danielle

I love new avengers. But I am very happy its ending and starting over. It does feel like everything since disasembled is ending and we are entering a new era. I can get on board with that.
 
@King Quisling said:

" Man I've dropped and picked up this title more times than I care to remember. I haven't read any of it since the whole "Who'll be the next Sorcere Supreme" arc. But this issue looks really good. I think I'll pick it up.  "

" I wish I didn't miss out on the past few months. I followed this book through good times and bad, and it pretty much marked my return to seriously collecting comics. "

Why'd they have to end the series :'(

Mike McKone should be the artist on everything

I really liked STuart Immomen as well

" @Nobody number 1's sell, doncha know. "

A Spoiler For  Siege 4 Is In the New Avengers
 

" I love the art! I don't really get why they are ending the series just to start it up again with almost the same roster... "

Give it 12 to 24 issues then they'll go back to the previous numbering as it approaches 100.

" @Nobody number 1's sell, doncha know. "

" @Kid_Zombie: Definite must-read? "