Post by goldenfist on Jan 31, 2008 9:42:56 GMT -5
Here's a review of Mighty Avengers #8 from ign.
Mighty Avengers is in a deeply unenviable position. The string of delays knocked off its sync with sister title New Avengers and as a result, way back in November New Avengers #36 (which this issue was meant to ship alongside) essentially outlined what would happen in Mighty through to February. Since then, we've have had to trek through issues detailing dead plots that we knew clearly didn't endanger or significantly alter the team, knowing somewhere amidst it all was the dreaded symbiote story. Well, Mighty Avengers #8 is the tomorrow we feared yesterday.
I will give this issue credit for one thing, though. Taking into account Bendis's penchant for decompression and the rushed nature of the plotting, it seems like this issue might've at one point been two books of Venomized New Yorker madness, but was wisely jammed into just one in an effort. Mercifully, it seems that neither Bendis nor the editors labor under the delusion that this story is strong enough to hold readers' attention for more than a few pages. If nothing else, I find solace in the fact that this poor story idea is now over with. All that aside, however, let's deal with this issue.
Truthfully, it's a mess. As I said earlier, the pacing is so rushed it makes the entire issue seem inconsequential (which we know it is, but that's beside the point). Call me crazy, but I think Mighty Avengers, a top-selling title that's meant to be a Marvel flagship and one of the main torchbearers of the new Initiative direction, needs to be busying itself with something more than a new Ultron and a Venom symbiote outbreak. Why is Avengers: The Initiative becoming more relevant than this book?
The characters are another sore spot. The much-heralded Venom Janet (Janom? Okay, sorry...) enjoys about three panels, and the rest of the team basically sits around while Iron Man does what needs doing. Unfortunately, Iron Man as the big hero basically undercuts Ms. Marvel as the leader. Much was made of Carol's position in the first issue of this series, but all she seems to do when a crisis hits is punch things and freak out in thought bubbles.
And the thought bubbles, oh the thought bubbles. They've been a minor annoyance in the past, only really useful when it comes to Ares's wacky inner musings. Here, they outright impede the flow of the book. In the midst of battle, having to switch between quick fighting quips and meaningless "Oh no!!" thought bubbles is a real pain and adds absolutely nothing besides dragging the scene down. Another scene between Janet and Hank is also laced with the infernal things, but instead of being easily ignorable, they serve to embarrass the characters, adding an univited Grey's Anatomy melodrama tone about feelings or something. There's a way to use thought bubbles effectively, and this certainly isn't it. I severely hope Bendis gets the memo soon.
A real waste of an issue all around, but unfortunately it was necessary in order to move the team out of their rut and into something we haven't already heard about, which is more or less promised next issue. It's a shame Mark Bagley's last Marvel work before his DC exclusive contract kicks in is this.
Review Score:4.6 Poor
Mighty Avengers is in a deeply unenviable position. The string of delays knocked off its sync with sister title New Avengers and as a result, way back in November New Avengers #36 (which this issue was meant to ship alongside) essentially outlined what would happen in Mighty through to February. Since then, we've have had to trek through issues detailing dead plots that we knew clearly didn't endanger or significantly alter the team, knowing somewhere amidst it all was the dreaded symbiote story. Well, Mighty Avengers #8 is the tomorrow we feared yesterday.
I will give this issue credit for one thing, though. Taking into account Bendis's penchant for decompression and the rushed nature of the plotting, it seems like this issue might've at one point been two books of Venomized New Yorker madness, but was wisely jammed into just one in an effort. Mercifully, it seems that neither Bendis nor the editors labor under the delusion that this story is strong enough to hold readers' attention for more than a few pages. If nothing else, I find solace in the fact that this poor story idea is now over with. All that aside, however, let's deal with this issue.
Truthfully, it's a mess. As I said earlier, the pacing is so rushed it makes the entire issue seem inconsequential (which we know it is, but that's beside the point). Call me crazy, but I think Mighty Avengers, a top-selling title that's meant to be a Marvel flagship and one of the main torchbearers of the new Initiative direction, needs to be busying itself with something more than a new Ultron and a Venom symbiote outbreak. Why is Avengers: The Initiative becoming more relevant than this book?
The characters are another sore spot. The much-heralded Venom Janet (Janom? Okay, sorry...) enjoys about three panels, and the rest of the team basically sits around while Iron Man does what needs doing. Unfortunately, Iron Man as the big hero basically undercuts Ms. Marvel as the leader. Much was made of Carol's position in the first issue of this series, but all she seems to do when a crisis hits is punch things and freak out in thought bubbles.
And the thought bubbles, oh the thought bubbles. They've been a minor annoyance in the past, only really useful when it comes to Ares's wacky inner musings. Here, they outright impede the flow of the book. In the midst of battle, having to switch between quick fighting quips and meaningless "Oh no!!" thought bubbles is a real pain and adds absolutely nothing besides dragging the scene down. Another scene between Janet and Hank is also laced with the infernal things, but instead of being easily ignorable, they serve to embarrass the characters, adding an univited Grey's Anatomy melodrama tone about feelings or something. There's a way to use thought bubbles effectively, and this certainly isn't it. I severely hope Bendis gets the memo soon.
A real waste of an issue all around, but unfortunately it was necessary in order to move the team out of their rut and into something we haven't already heard about, which is more or less promised next issue. It's a shame Mark Bagley's last Marvel work before his DC exclusive contract kicks in is this.
Review Score:4.6 Poor
