Broken Frontier

The mystery deepens as the newly comprised Avengers band together to track down Electro for some answers.

This issue of New Avengers marks the team’s first foray together, as they probe deeper into the mystery behind the prison break of the Raft. The heart of the tale is laced with the usual ‘Bendis hyperbole’ and interspersed with an engaging plot to lead the team on its first outing together. The team is well represented here with a diverse cast of characters, and it definitely shows in this issue.

It begins with the team meeting as a full group for the first time on the top floor of Stark Towers. They decide to pump SHIELD for info, but only find themselves getting the runaround from the newly appointed director. As frustrating as this is, the group decides to forgo SHIELD’s help and examine more closely the core group of villains set free during the prison break. It doesn’t take them long to figure out the main villain behind the breakout is Spider-Man’s old foe Electro. The only question they ponder is why he would be involved, so they head off to Boston to find the answers they seek. But upon confronting Electro, the team learns that he’s just a pawn and the true culprit is still at large.

Much of the issue is a set-up for things to come, and it’s obvious that writer Bendis relishes greatly in the setting and plotting of this issue. His strengths here are the continuous banter between the characters, and this is expertly crafted through the exchanges between Cage and Spider-Man over seeing Jessica Drew back in costume. Now to be fair I did find the some of it to be a little on the juvenile side, but there’s no mistaking the flair behind it. Bendis has a good handle thus far and it will be interesting to see where he takes the team in the issues to come. I will say that as much as I enjoy Bendis’ writing, I am not as impressed with the craftsmanship of artist David Finch. It’s not that I find fault with his style of art, but I find it to be straightforward and not nearly as dynamic as it probably should be. This is a shame really, since I find the art on Young Avengers much superior and more appealing overall. I’m willing to give David a chance here, and will wait patiently for him to grow a little more. I think in his case it’s just a matter of time.

Anyhow, this is not a bad issue to start with if you’re picking up the book for the first time. The story is just getting underway and almost all the characters are set with the exception of two more, and both of these heroes are set to appear in upcoming issues. So pick this one up if you’re curious to see the new team gel as a unit; it’s well worth the $2.25.

-Kenneth Gallant