NEW AVENGERS #61

NEW AVENGERS #61

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis

PENCILER: Stuart Immonen

ARTIST: Daniel Acuna Pages 9/11, 15-17, 22-24

INKER: Wade von Grawbadger

COLORS: Dave McCaig Pages 1-8. 12-14, 18-21

LETTERS: RS & Comicraft's Albert Deschesne

COVER: Immonen, Grawbadger and McCaig

Warning: Contains Spoilers

With the post-Siege “new” Avengers lineup already being previewed and discussed, the last four issues of the magazine that brought me back to comics seem somehow superfluous. And yet much can be found within the pages of NEW AVENGERS #61 to enjoy without thinking of the coming Heroic Age without its clouds of dark reign.

First, I like the sort of twin focus writer and Marvel Universe guidance counselor Brian Michael Bendis takes here with Avenging pairs Captain America (Bucky) and Captain America (Steve Rogers) in one scenario and the Spider Pair in another. Not only does it ring as “familiar” to longtime readers, but it is also fun. (I loved it when Jessica admitted that, although she can fly, “I want web-shooters.” These were definitely scenarios in which the talking head approach Bendis is famed for worked, and worked most successfully.

Another difference here is the use of some of the Hood’s criminals. Some if not all of these guys were among those originally freed when Electro shut down power at the Raft, a “maximum-maximum security” prison for super-powered criminals, allowing a mass breakout in New Avengers #1.

Since that time, they have been a sort of Greek chorus for the Hood, rising and falling like the tidewaters. They have had their moments, individually (especially Dr. Harrow and the Wrecker) and collectively, but this issue is the first that showcases the group’s members as realistically threatening in the manner in which some were first introduced.

Oh, they might be nickel-and-dimers now, but when super-criminals like the Griffin and the Mandrill were first introduced they were genuine threats to our boys in spandex. As I recall, no personage less than the vaunted Mandarin himself said the Living Laser was the most powerful among his cartel at one time. This issue revisits that feeling.

I am not a reader of Captain America or its related minis and this question might already have been answered somewhere, but to me (at least as far as this adventure goes) it will be interesting to see who winds up wearing the red, white and blue uniform, Cap or Bucky. I believe we already have a news release from Marvel with Bucky being a member of the post-Siege team. How this works out for Steve Rogers is anyone’s guess. (Hopefully not a return to either The Captain or Nomad. Perhaps Cap could take a hint from Hank Pym, once simply “Doctor” Pym, and work as … Steve Rogers? Interesting thought, anyway.)

Whatever the outcome of the last few issues of New Avengers and despite the sometimes sour tones I make about Bendis, I do appreciate this team for what it has been, how popular it has made the heroes I loved as a kid and I am excited about this new Heroic Age as the Big Three reunite in some promised manner.

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