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 new adventures of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in “Avengers” by Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa. After an old foe alerts Captain Marvel and her team of a new threat, the stakes have never been higher for the group tasked with defending their home. If you like creative new villains, exciting and innovative superhero fights, and witty banter, then this is the comic for you! Join us as we show you why you should give this new team a shot.
Who is this by?
“Avengers” is the latest book by Marvel star Jed MacKay (“Moon Knight,” “Strange,” “Black Cat”), who does an excellent job of blending his team’s comic personalities with their cinematic counterparts. While MacKay’s other books do feature ensembles, this is his first time taking on a true team title, and so far, he has found a nice balance for all the characters.
While MacKay handles the scripts and story, C.F. Villa (“Black Cat,” “Amazing Spider-Man: Beyond,” “X-Men”) brings “Avengers” to life with some of the most impressive and easy-to-follow action on the shelves today. Villa’s characterization is also top-notch, capturing the personalities of every team member and creating some memorable new villains for our heroes to trade blows. Federico Blee (“Asguardians of the Galaxy,” “Dawn of X,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) joins Villa in the art team and provides lush, beautiful colors to action sequences and knows how to set the tone of a scene.
What’s it all about?
After a large-scale, multiversal battle, it’s back to basics for the newly elected Carol Danvers and her team of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. While the first two issues of “Avengers” are pretty straightforward, assembling a team, fighting a foe, and saving civilians, things start to get messy after Kang the Conqueror alerts them to a new threat.
“Avengers” introduces a new pantheon of villains, Myrddin and the Twilight Court, forcing the team to split up and putting them at a distinct disadvantage. Avengers are stronger together, but now they are far afield. In a series of global fights, the team has to deal with near-god-like beings, sadistic engineers, and a foe who can control the dead, and things aren’t looking good for the team.
What makes it so great?
In the first couple of issues, you might think that Jed MacKay’s foray into “Avengers” is all about building brand synergy with the comic universe and its cinematic counterpart. A similar characterization exists between the characters on the page and their big screen personas. Kang shows up at the end to kick the plot into action. Heck, even the lineup isn’t all that dissimilar from what you might see on the big screen. But the thing that makes it work is that MacKay is staying true to the state of the world in the Marvel universe, and what quickly looks like it might be a fight between Kang and the Avengers becomes something much more interesting: a team that looks like they will be able to give the Avengers a run for their money.
The Impossible City and The Ashen Combine are an exciting new team of baddies for the Avengers to go toe to toe with and help to set a good tone for the growing threat of Myrddin and the Twilight Court. Characters like Idol Alabaster, The Citysmith, Lord Ennui, The Dead, Meridien Diadem, and The Impossible City itself are the best examples of what you hope for in memorable villains. They are visually exciting, have entertaining and interesting powers, and provide a compelling and credible threat to each team member. From Thor having to fight a god whose powers are belief-driven to Tony Stark having to play an art critic to distract the Citysmith, “Avengers” have some of the most fun and imaginative superhero fights I’ve seen recently. Plus, having a villain team that instantly knows to divide and conquer is exciting, putting the Avengers at a distinct disadvantage.
Continued belowOverall, “Avengers” has a lot of fun and is incredibly imaginative. MacKay has a great handle on the team’s banter, and each fight highlights each character’s point of view and personality. Also, Villa’s art is next level. Each of the Ashen Combine is visually dynamic and portrays their powers clearly. With each new page, you can expect some new, exciting action setpiece, or if it’s a quieter scene, strong expression of emotions and personality. It’s a big book with a lot of plates to spring, but thus far, MacKay and Villa are proving up to the task.
How can you read it?
“Avengers” is published monthly by Marvel Comics, and the 5th 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.
