I realize this is my first post on here, but I wanted to get started as soon as possible. This is a review I have been wanting to get off my chest since I read this book, so let’s get this started.  Currently in Avengers, Norman Osborn is back…again. He has put together a team of Dark Avengers…again. But this time he has the combined forces of Hydra, AIM, and Hammer on his side. The Avengers have been reorganized with a new roster, and it’s time to track down Osborn and end his evil scheme.

But first, there is something I need to address. This is something that normally irks me, and in this issue it is no exception. The cover depicts Storm, in all of her mutanty-goddess glory, standing front and center. Storm joined the team in issue 19, I believe, and that’s about it. She hasn’t really gotten a chance to fight since, in issue 20, she was sent on a mission with Red Hulk, and was soon knocked out by these new Hydra/AIM/Hammer agents.  So you would think from the cover that Storm would rise up and show what she can really do. Negative. She’s in four panels in the whole issue, (5 if you count the AvX ad). It’s also worth mentioning that she is unconscious in all of those panels. Basically, I’m saying the cover is misleading, and that has always been a comic pet peeve of mine.

Now, I would be lying if I told you that this issue lacked action. Currently, Hawkeye and Spider-Woman are surrounded by Hydra-Hulks; Iron Man has been compromised and is attacking The Protector, Red Hulk and Storm have been attacked by Wasp-like Hammer agents, and Cap, Hill, and Vision are being jumped by a Giant Man Hammer agent. This book touches on all those current predicaments. The segment of Iron Man fighting the Protector, and Vision fighting for the first time in a long time, were some of the best parts of the issue. However, I would say this issue is far from being one of my favorites. The action was nice, but I didn’t feel satisfied. It felt lacking, like you were promised a Philly cheesesteak and were handed a grilled cheese instead. Still acceptable, but it’s no cheesesteak.

The art in this issue was a change I really enjoyed, but a few things still caught my eye.  Since Romita Jr. departed from the book, we’ve had Daniel Acuña and I am not a big fan of his work. So, knowing that another artist, Renato Guedes was on this issue, I was hoping for something that better suited the book.  I wasn’t disappointed. Guedes adds great flavor to the book- a cartoony feel, like what Romita Jr. had.  I love the way he draws the majority of the characters, which is usually how I base my opinions of artists. Notice I said the majority of characters. One thing that Acuña and Guedes do, that really bugs me, is how they draw Hulks.

Planet of the Apes or King Kong?

Yes, I feel like both Acuña and Guedes draw hulks too ape-like. Acuña, more so in his last 3 issues, made Rulk look so primitive. I really don’t care for it.

After the whole “Fear Itself: Avengers” tie ins, I was hoping the book would take off again. The first 13 issues, (1-12.1), were great. I really enjoyed them, and it was what made me track down and buy the back issues and place this title on my pull list. Fear Itself was filled with all these interview panels. There would be action, but the bulk of the book was filled with these head shots of Avengers talking about their feelings about what was going on. This issue was a step towards the stories that first drew me into the title, but it still isn’t where it should be.

What do you think? Do you like the current story-line? Would you rather see the Avengers actually fight the Dark Avengers? (I know i would) Let me know in the comment section below.