Broken Frontier

Several major revelations come to pass, as team members Teddy and Billy learn the truth about their origins.

We’re coming to the end of year one of Young Avengers, and I must say writer Allan Heinberg has pulled no punches with this thrilling and revealing issue. He manages to tie together a key moment in Avenger’s history into the continuity of the Young Avengers, and makes it count the most in my estimation.

The issue opens with Teddy being confronted by the Super-Skrull. He is told about his true parental heritage, and the revelation that he is the son of the late Captain Marvel. Teddy is astounded by the news, and before he can take it all in an armada of Kree and Skrull fleets attack the kids and the Super-Skrull. The situation seems like a lost cause, but the new Avengers make a well timed appearance to even the odds a little. The situation turns into a brutal stand-off once the new Avengers realize that both alien races want Teddy to join each side, so Captain America is forced to make a choice he may soon regret.

Again, I have nothing but high praise for writer Allan Heinberg. With this issue he really shows his mettle as a superior storyteller and his passion for the craft definitely shines through. He was able to build up tension between all the characters, and I must say this issue was at an all time high for dramatics. What I liked most about this story was how he paid strict attention to previous continuity to write a plausible explanation for the origins of both Teddy and Billy. It totally clicked for me.

The art that accompanied this fine story was stellar as usual. Jimmy Cheung has developed intoan excellent artist and it shows here with the myriad of characters popping up on every page in the latter half of this story. The big splash page at the end of the issue hooked me completely and it certainly sets up a visual menagerie to be continued right into issue twelve. I know the series is going on hiatus after the next issue, but once the series returns to active duty I can guarantee that it will knock your socks off. In the meantime though, you can catch Jimmy Cheung’s work on an upcoming issue of New Avengers, so there should be no worries there for fans of his work.

Overall this series has been a real treat to read through despite the scheduling delays. This issue in particular has peaked at the right time, and it’s safe to say the build-up here is well worth the wait until the crescendo is finally reached next issue. If you haven’t already done so go back and pick up parts one and two of this "Family Matters" story arc and let a great story mesmerize you completely. I know it has for me and already I am chomping at the bit for more. I can’t wait for season two of this fine series to start up.