Broken Frontier

The Young Avengers and New Avengers combine teams to put a stop to the conflict between the Kree and Skrull for the right of ownership over Teddy.

I can’t believe it took nearly three months for the release of this last issue of Young Avengers to hit the stands, but it was well worth the wait. This issue had it all: action, intrigue, revelations and finally acceptance, as the first chapter in this exciting new team comes to a close. Yes, that’s right; this book is ending and going on hiatus for a few months, but no worries because a "season two" is waiting in the wings!

The issue picks up right where the last one left off, as the junior and senior Avengers decide to call a truce between them and work together as a singular unit. The first order of business is to get Eli (hurt last issue) off to a hospital, and once that is taken care of the remainder of the team get down to quelling the onslaught of rival Kree/Skrull platoons. The battle rages on for several minutes and it seems that the combined efforts of both teams easily overpowers the alien races, until separate fleets of Kree and Skrull descend down from the skies to enter the fray. There is no way the Avengers can handle a larger amount of troops, so Teddy decides to surrender himself in order to spare his teammates further grief.

I think I am going to stop there, since I want to keep this a spoiler free review. I will say that there is plenty of conflict established here, but this story is in the capable hands of writer Allan Heinberg. All of his story beats are integral to the issue and placed at the appropriate moments, so if there is anyone doubting the sincerity of his story then let me be the first to quell your fears. There is a definite point to all this and one of the key aspects of Allan’s writing is that he intuitively understands the marriage of drama and action. Now with that being said, I think it’s safe to say the man did his homework when it came to utilizing Avengers lore and history, and I thought it really hit home for me at the end of the issue. All I can say is that I am sad to see this series come to a close, but I am so looking forward to the start of season two.

The art for this issue was splendid throughout, and Jimmy Cheung pulled out all the stops with supplying several big splash pages. His first big moment came earlier on when the two teams decide to unite as one, and there was a dynamic team shot with the proverbial "Avengers Assemble" battle cry being uttered. I liked the way it was handled and all the characters felt like they were leaping off the page, and it certainly set the tone and pace for the remainder of the issue. His work here was nothing short of brilliance and I am looking forward to his stint on season two and in his upcoming guest shot on New Avengers.

Overall, this was one wild ride from start to finish. I was skeptical at first when this book was announced, but after reading the series straight through I have nothing but continual praise for it. The Young Avengers have proven to be a formidable team, and every member is likeable and realistically portrayed to a certain extent. Again I think this should be credit to Allan Heinberg and his passion as a storyteller made this book one of the better products Marvel has released in recent years. I say Avengers assemble again and again!