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 looking at the super adventures of plain clothes heroes in “Avengers Inc.” by Al Ewing and Leonard Kirk. After a series of mysterious deaths in a high-security prison, Janet Van Dyne is on the case. There’s just one problem: they’re not dead, and Janet is on the case! If you like noir mysteries, episodic adventures, and witty banter, then this is the comic for you! It’s no mystery why you should check this comic out; let us tell you why.
Who is this by?
“Avengers Inc.” is the latest comic from Al Ewing (“Wasp,” “S.W.O.R.D.” “Ant-Man”), who continues his nearly perfect run of crafting creative comic adventures. Ewing has an impressive array of genre work under his belt. From epic space operas, mind-boggling multiversal misadventures, and everything in between, Ewing continues his genre-bending comics with a noir thriller.
Leonard Kirk (“Fantastic Four,” “Supergirl,” “JSA”) brings the noir-inspired world of “Avengers Inc.” to life by playing with shadows, intense character emotions, and a limited color palette from Alex Sinclair (“Venom,” “52,” “Batman.”) Together, the team creates a unique and moody book that is distinct from other titles on the shelves right now.
What’s it all about?
After a string of mysterious deaths in the Raft, “Avengers Inc.” starts with Janet Van Dyne there to investigate. There’s just one problem. After Wilson Fisk’s tyrannical reign as Mayor, public support for costumed heroes is at an all-time low, meaning that the Wasp must approach this mission from plain (ish) clothes. After the villains start to literally rise from the grave, the Wasp receives an unlikely ally, her former foe David Cannon, with a new look, personality, and identity, Vic Shade.
Together, Janet and Vic form Avengers Inc, a team investigating super crimes without the glitz and glamor of the superheroics the city opposes. From failed heists to murdered gods, if it’s a super crime, Wasp and Shade will be there to investigate.
What makes it so great?
Who doesn’t love a good mystery? “Avengers Inc.” is an incredibly solid premise that takes full advantage of an evergreen setup, an odd couple crime-fighting duo. Ewing has an exceptional control over the balance of a solid noir narration and fun, plucky dialogue. Sometimes, it seems like the comic is a blend of more intense mystery thrillers but balanced out by the two leads’ lighter, cozy mystery dynamics. While this might sound like a tonal mess, it works quite well and proves that Ewing is one of the greats working right now.
The other main thing that makes “Avengers Inc.” exciting is the fact that it’s an episodic comic. While plenty of comics today are mired in their long-term plans and stories, “Avengers Inc.” is committed to giving us a new mystery every month, and from the first couple of issues, it’s clear that Ewing has big ideas. From mysterious deaths in a super prison to a failed heist in the former Avengers Tower, it will be fun to see what misadventures Wasp, Vic, and the hero of the month deal with. Sure, there is the setup for an overarching story, but that is not what’s driving the issue by issue adventures, each one is a satisfying story that hints at something bigger, not a deflated chapter.
Similar to the episodic nature,” Avengers Inc.” also features a unique look. Ewing seems to like to work with artists who play with intense colors and lighting, “We Only Find Them When They’re Dead” comes to mind, and “Avengers Inc.” is no exception. Much of the panel-to-panel work in the comic has somewhat muted colors. While not necessarily “muddy,” there is a degree of saturation that prevents the colors from popping off of the panel, perfectly contrasting with the often harsh background lighting and colors of the various pages. These intense background lights make the scenes feel closer to a neo-noir world saturated by neon and synthetic lighting, to the natural interplay of light and shadows of their classic noir counterparts. For this comic, it works perfectly. It’s also interesting to see what colors Sinclair uses for each setting. While the morgue is an obvious cold blue, the warden’s office is a drab green, and Avengers Tower a harsh red. These muted colors also help other elements of the page layout pop. For instance, the first time we see Vic Shade’s red eyes, it perfectly contrasts with the morgue’s grayish-blue background. This helps to instantly establish the character as unique and different. It’s a clever bit of visual storytelling.
Continued belowOverall, the first two “Avengers Inc” issues are just fun and get you excited to see what Ewing and the team will cook up next. There are plenty of possibilities for superhuman crime. It’s about time a superhuman team looks into them.
How can you read it?
“Avengers Inc.” is published monthly by Marvel Comics, and the 3rd issue comes out this week. You can catch up by picking up the back issues at your local comic shop or online on sites like Comixology or Marvel Unlimited.
