New Avengers Annual #1

Genre action Author Brian Michael Bendis Publisher Marvel Comics External Links Official Marvel Comics Website

Since it's start a few years ago, The New Avengers has been a wonderful comic in larger collections, but the individual issues have been very disappointing. Finally, with an annual-forced to contain a story in itself-there is a single issue that stands alone as a good story.

As the cover might suggest, Avenger Luke Cage gets married to his long-time girlfriend Jessica Jones. But first, as all superhero comics suggest, there must be a fight. An adaptoid-a creature capable of stealing super-powers, shows up outside the Avengers' headquarters, and a subsequent superhero fight rages across Manhattan.

For the first time, readers get to see the New Avengers work as a team. For the first time, they are united in fighting a common threat. What's more, they do it all in a single, self-contained issue. This issue is simply nonstop fun. This is The New Avengers as it should be. Finally, writer Brian Bendis has found his voice for this book.

On the art side of things, Olivier Coipel is a wonder. While a few of his page layouts are confusing, he handles the action sequences with grace and intensity. Also, his characters smirk and frown with exaggerated emotion fitting this type of outlandish story. Again, this issue is simply fun.

Finally, The New Avengers has an issue worthy of recognition. This is their story as it should be. There's plenty of action, plenty of humor, and tons of fun.