There are a lot of comics out there, but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we’re spotlighting “Avengers Forever”, Marvel’s mind-melting Avengers series! This title is named after the twelve-issue “Avengers Forever” 1998 series written by Kurt Busiek and Roger Stern with art from Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino. Busiek, Stern, Pacheco, and Merino crafted an incredible story celebrating decades of Avengers history. Now writer Jason Aaron and artist Aaron Kuder are returning to the “Avengers Forever” world to tell a new version of this story. The idea of Marvel crafting a sequel series to “Avengers Forever” is an exciting proposition. Now that we have a couple of issues of the new “Avengers Forever” let me remind you why you absolutely cannot miss an issue of the legendary return of one of the most important Avengers stories!
Who’s this by?
“Avengers Forever” is written by Jason Aaron. Aaron has written an impressive number of important character runs over the past couple of years. Aaron’s long runs on Marvel characters started with “Wolverine” alongside artist Ron Garney and “Ghost Rider” with Marko Djurdjevic. Aaron continued to work on Wolverine in the popular “Wolverine and the X-Men” series with artists Chris Bachalo and Nick Bradshaw. After the popular series began to wind down, Aaron started working on his landmark “Thor” series with artist Esad Ribic. Aaron went on to write the “Thor” comic book series for years across several different titles. “Aaron” even wrote his own Marvel event with Mike Deodato on art known as “Original Sin.” Aaron’s current work on the main “Avengers” series with Ed McGuinness likely earned him the top spot and motivated Marvel to give him the special “Avengers Forever” name on this new series.
Artist Aaron Kuder is one of the best parts of the series. Kuder is a relatively newer Marvel artist. One of Kuder’s first Marvel projects was “Civil War II: Kingpin” written by Matthew Rosenburg with art from Dalibor Talajic. Kuder contributed to the covers of this series. Afterward, Kuder contributed art to the “Death of X” mini with Jeff Lemire and Charles Soule. Kuder worked on a few important properties like the recent “All-New Guardians of the Galaxy” series at Marvel with writer Gerry Duggan. Kuder also worked with Dan Slott on a few issues of “Fantastic Four” as well. Since starting at Marvel in 2012 it is clear that Kuder is now working on some of the most important series at the publisher today!
What’s it all about?
The original “Avengers Forever” series took a few time-displaced Avengers and pitted them together to stop a common threat. However, in the new “Avengers Forever” world, Aaron and Kuder are going beyond the scope of time to gather Avengers from different worlds together to fight a common foe. Aaron and Kuder have been plucking existing and new versions of characters across worlds and into this brand new series!
What makes it so great?
Each issue of “Avengers” forever thus far has been nothing short of a direct assault on the mind. Aaron utilizes this series to explore new Avengers concepts instead of endlessly mining what has come before. In the first issue of “Avengers Forever,” readers are introduced to Tony Stark, the Ant-Man of Earth-818. Aaron dives deep into Stark’s world and explores what Tony’s mind would look like if he was a man of ants instead of iron. Aaron digs deep into some of the insecurities Stark would have if he invented the Pym Particles instead of the suit of iron. The subversion of existing continuity does not stop here. This issue has a villain that will appear familiar to long-time Marvel readers as well. In each issue of the series, Aaron and company will introduce a concept so novel I can’t help but be excited to turn the next page. This series even introduces a new “Moon Knight” concept which has been incredibly sought after thanks to the recent television series. Aaron’s takes on existing characters are not cheesy either. Aaron uses narration to really dive deep into the motivation of all the different characters he has created for the series or plucked from other continuities.
Continued belowMarvel continues to introduce elements as an homage to the original series in “Avengers Forever” here as well. The pain from Tony Stark in this chapter definitely echoes what Hawkeye was going through in the original series. Also, readers keep getting new revelations about “Avengers” lore here. One of the main goals of the original series was to clear up any continuity errors.
The art here from Aaron Kuder is as ambitious as Aaron’s writing and I would not have it any other way. Kuder packs an impressive amount of detail into each page. The amount of lines that the texture in the sand or a gun has is just mind-blowing. Kuder has a clear Jack Kirby influence which is absolutely required due to some of the strange sights in this series. Kuder clearly enjoys drawing the Robbie Reyes Ghost rider which is one of the only characters from our 616-Universe in this series. Kuder always chooses the most insane version of this character to go on the panel. On one page, Robbie’s car tires are literally on fire and shooting flames out of each wheel. The flames are punctuated with Ghost Rider’s sinister smile. Kuder has been doing some fascinating perspective imagery with Ant-Man also. The cover to “Avengers Forever” #3 is a master class in composition. Kuder is one of Marvel’s very best artists right now thanks to their unwavering sense of ambition.
How can you read it?
“Avengers Forever” is currently published monthly by Marvel comics and is available for purchase in finer comic book stores. The first collected volume of the series is titled “Avengers Forever Vol. 1: The Lords of Earthly Vengeance” and is scheduled for release in June. Do not miss this exciting new series!
