The New Avengers # 42 - The Empire, Part 3

Fine issue this, particularly due to some wonderful art from the magnificent Jimmy Cheung.  This issue focuses on Skrully Spider-woman and her machiavellian plotting.  Bendis draws the reader's attention to some key moments from back issues of New Avengers, pointing out what was really going on.  And this is where Cheung comes into his own.  Using the original artwork of David Finch and Frank Cho, Cheung presents alternative takes on scenes we've seen before.  I really liked this angle on storytelling, particularly seeing pages, panel by panel, re-presented by Cheung.  He also excels with a nice two page spread, a little reminiscent of Cho's Jim Steranko homage in issue 14 (I think).  Not just a good filler story but one where we do seem to be finding out vital information.

 I know most of you have probably read these already, but I figured i would warn you I have some spoilers here.
  In this issue we get to see how the queen, disguised as Spiderwoman is actually able to spy for three different groups, and how the information, some of it anyway, leads up to the Secret Invasion. Not too much in the way of action or tension here. It is more intrigue, and a very good back story. A little rewriting of history to show us how long Spiderwoman has been a Skrull. I would see this as essential to the over all story.