The Good
Let me start off by saying, I love this book. I've said it before, as much as I'm digging the other Avengers titles, I love the self-contained feel and the vibe this book delivers. Of course this isn't a traditional Avengers team. Obviously inspired by the Cinematic Universe, we have a joint team of Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents including Nick Fury Jr and Agent Coulson with the team overseen by Maria Hill. Like many, I was skeptical about Fury Jr and Coulson in comics but Ales Kot is making them work. Throw in Black Widow, Spider-Woman, and Hawkeye, how could you not like this team?
There is a nice mix of humor and action that simply makes this a fun comic to read. The combination of the heroes and Agents in the middle of a crazy mission, all showcased by Michael Walsh's brilliant art makes me want to read the comic all over as soon as I finish. The way Kot mixes up the storytelling allows Walsh to do different things. And I have to mention an overhead panel that lays out all the action was incredible.
With the team splitting up for two separate missions, we see the majority of the first in this issue. The action will continue in the next.
The Bad
I have no complaints. I love the vibe and feel of this series. It's not often we can have series, deeply rooted in the Marvel Universe, that can easily stand on its own. I love a shared universe as much as the next person but it's great being able to read a book with cool characters, doing their own thing and not have to worry about other crazy scenarios.
Actually, there is one complaint. Not enough M.O.D.O.K. in this issue.
The Verdict
This is my favorite Avengers title. Because of the nature of the team and the missions they go on, there is a nice and separate feel from the rest of the Marvel Universe. That means You can easily enjoy this series without having to worry about what's happening in other titles. Ales Kot gives the series a light-hearted and sometimes humorous tone but when it comes time for the action, he puts Michael Walsh to work. Walsh's scenes are priceless, regardless if the characters are standing around or in the middle of a gunfight. This is a book I look forward to reading every month. I can't get enough.