Uncanny Avengers Annual #1

[starfoxxx]

Well, I have to say I enjoyed this....and at $4.99 I was skeptical of disappointment. <some Spoilers>

I've never been a fan of the MOJO-verse, but it worked for me here.
The story is silly, but that's how a lot of Annuals are; stand-alone stories that can get away with it.
Some of the heroes are out of character, but they are actors in a Mojo-inspired movie, so I can look past it.

The thing I really like about this one is the social commentary of "Mojoworld" being in essence a BUSINESS, all about "maximizing brand loyalty". It's all run by marketing, and feeding crap to the "brain-dead" masses that just want confusing, endless stories, and remain loyal as long as they keep getting their fix of what's "HOT" at the moment.

<<<"Marketing research shows that dumb people only love what they think is ridicule-safe. They follow "heat" because they secretly long for acceptance above all else">>>>

Kind of sounds like the mind-boggling marketing that Marvel uses to sell comic books these days, huh?

But Remender's stance here confuses me, as he has taken Uncanny Avengers down that road, IMO. His use of a confusing, "alternate" timeline story arc in Uncanny Avengers (right in time for the alternate future of the new X-men movie) , and obligatory "death scenes" seems to feed right into the marketing of crap for profit he denounces in the Annual.

I liked Paul Renaud's art, a lot better than Acuna. But some of the facial expressions are goofy. Again, the colors are amazing, but uncredited.

And I REALLY like seeing the team hanging out at AVENGERS MANSION!!!! I hope this isn't just part of MOJO's story....Welcome back, Mansion!!!

[Marvel Boy]

FINALLY getting to read this, I enjoyed it as well. I remember the Mojo stories of old and sometimes the character/scenario can get overhanded, but here, it seemed to work rather fine. Maybe it's because I haven't read of Mojo in quite awhile.

Yeah, Remender does a good job in highlighting some of the problems of the current comic industry/pop culture yet also seems to gleefully abuse those problems to make money. Yet I really wasn't expecting any scathing criticisms here instead this was a fun story.

It was just great seeing the Unity Squad together, acting as teammates, something you don't see that often in the main book. The party scene at the mansion is almost a cliche by now but it was fun seeing them interact. Love, LOVE the idea of the Supernatural Avengers, hope to see them again at some point. And it was so sweet seeing Johnny Blaze again.