NEW AVENGERS #15 Thoughts

[Van Plexico]

Just read NEW AVENGERS #15, and I have to admit, for all that Bendis utterly leaves me cold (except in ULTIMATE SPIDEY)... this comic book had me literally bouncing up and down with glee, as I read it. It's been a long time since my absolute favorite characters were portrayed in situations that made me this happy.

First off, the cover, which was a big negative, as interesting as it might be in terms of layout and art in general. It's another solo Spider-Woman shot. Another of those comic-shop moments where Van says, "Wait, don't I already have this issue?" Because, y'know, she was also in a solo cover shot last issue. Right off the bat, therefore, I'm ready to tear this comic apart. I open to the first (story) page, prepared to put up with more of Spider-Woman and Her Amazing Boobs, taking over my comic, but instead...

An actual, honest to god FIGHT SCENE in a Bendis comic! I was so excited! And, not just any fight--

WAHOOO!!!!! It's Ms. Marvel vs. Klaw!!!!!!! I just can't be this lucky!!!

And not only that, but she's keeping a Blog to serve as narration for the whole issue. And she even acknowledges her issues involving her super hero name. (Although I've never been one of the fans who say the "Warbird" name "sucks," as she puts it-- I think it's a cool name, maybe for one of Carol's future rogues gallery, maybe from Shi'ar, like "Deathbird"-- I just prefer "Ms. Marvel" for Carol).

So now I get five-plus pages of Carol in action, to start the issue, so you know I'm getting very happy. (Hey now.) I'm not a fan of Cho's art, and I hate the way he draws Carol's costume, especially the lightning bolt, which he makes about three times too big. But he renders her face and hair, and her expressions, beautifully. So I can put up with the gratuituos ass shots and oversized bust in exchange for some very nice portrait panels.

Speaking of oversized busts, now we see Jessica walking around in a tight t-shirt, and it's good to see continuity there: she does indeed have the "DD" implants still in place. Ha.

The personal moments with Carol in the quarters, and especially with Cap, while the antics are going on in the background-- great stuff. Loved it. Wow-- Bendis actually writes very nice character stuff, when he just slows down (crazy as that may sound) and lets stuff happen naturally, rather than trying to force a very, very long conversation unnaturally into a scene that is only very (one "very") long.

And when Carol and Steve are having the conversation... My god, Cho, the renderings there of Carol just make my heart hurt, they're so nice. (Again, hyper-inflation and insignia notwithstanding.)

The Spidey-Jonah bits later on are fun, of course-- that's Bendis in his element, and I think the Spidey parts have been the most consistently well-written parts of the series, thus far.

Great introduction-to-the-public spread. "Avengers Assemble" indeed. And then the twist with Jonah, and Peter says, "See... I can [believe it]." Wonderful.

The Spider-Woman part at the end was both predictable and underwhelming, and frankly, I just don't much care. I guess Bendis loves her, so it's a big deal to him and fans of that character, but I have no stake in it whatsoever. A blah ending to what was, otherwise, a very, very good AVENGERS comic, and one with huge appeal to me, as it featured my two favorite living super-heroes (though Iron Man didn't really get to do much).

If only every issue could be this good. Now I'm definitely anxious to see the new MS. MARVEL!

--VP

[kingb]

Let me say this up front: I used to LOVE Bendis' work. I forgave all of it...the misspellings, the overly cute dialogue that didn't seem to differentiate the characters, the slow pacing... But for the last couple of years, his writing has been like nails on a chalk board to me.

That said, this issue was pretty good. But, once again, I found myself pulled out of the story by a small moment. Something that hit me as...well, moronic. "What's the opposite of liability?" That one question. Of all people to ask it: Tony Stark?! He's never seen a balance sheet in all his years as head of an international corporation?

I know it seems small, but it's one of those things where I could see the puppeteer. Bendis didn't want logic or characterization to get in the way of a good, cheap joke. Again.

The appearance of Ms. Marvel and her battle with Klaw definitely were welcome. But it seemed like just another in a string of half-assed battles with big name villains in this title. At some point, Bendis will have to stop leaning so heavily on "the imprisoned supervillain escapes."

All in all, this is probably my least favorite "The Old Order Changeth" issue in Avengers history. But, despite that, it's probably the best issue of New Avengers yet.

If I truly had a spine, I'd cast a vote for what I'd really like to see in Avengers by dropping this comic altogether.

[roddkinzeryahoocom]

This issue rocks, Frank cho did the best artwork of every pages, and also Ms.Marvel (Carol Danvers) wow!

[Van Plexico]

All in all, this is probably my least favorite "The Old Order Changeth" issue in Avengers history. But, despite that, it's probably the best issue of New Avengers yet.

I will agree with both of those statements.

If I truly had a spine, I'd cast a vote for what I'd really like to see in Avengers by dropping this comic altogether.

The only thing keeping me buying it is that I run the Web site and also have to talk about it at conventions, so I need to stay current. But I am glad I got this one, so I could see the Ms. Marvel stuff. (And when Frank Cho is drawing a book, "stuff" can have many meanings. *rimshot*)

[Van Plexico]

This issue rocks, Frank cho did the best artwork of every pages, and also Ms.Marvel (Carol Danvers) wow!

But what about the fact that he gets her costume design so wrong? Like I said, I love her *face* in this issue, but jeez, she's not Wanda or Jessica (with the DDs) and the lightning bolt is just way too big on her suit.

[roddkinzeryahoocom]

To tell U the truth. I didn't think there was nothing wrong with the costume, but I was suprised the lighting bolt was too big, it's just I didn't nocited, I thought Ms.Marvel looked amazing.

[Shiryu]

From what I read here, this issue seems pretty good (it will be an year ish before it arrives in Italy unfortunately). I actually liked the Warbird name, probably because it doesn't mean anything in my language but sounds cool, but ms. Marvel is ok as well.
Anyway, I seem to understand that there is a roster change in this issue. Who's still there and who leaves ?

[Van Plexico]

Within the constraints of the way Cho seems to draw *all* women, yeah, she was beautiful.

Man, it's tough, having a two-plus decades-long crush on a comic character. Ha. :-)

[neuroloader]

It was a good issue overall.....loved the interaction between jameson and spidey, but I am getting tired of bendis' hate of wolverine, I know he is overused, but that can't be an excuse to make him act like some sort of retarded thug.

[assembler]

I just bought my copy of NA 15, and for me, its the jumping on point to the new series. And to be honest, I'm not sure if there's enough to the New Avengers to warrant me buying a second issue of the series.
First off, tell me Cho won't be the regular artist. Cap and Spidey looked like, well, it'd be rather un-PC of me to say what I think they looked like, so I'll say "effeminate." Am I the only one who noticed this?
Second, besides Cap and Iron Man, I don't really know any of these team members. I'm familiar with Spidey only through the cartoons, and I've never read anything featuring Spider-Woman, Luke Cage or Sentry. Why couldn't we have at least one more classic Avenger? I'll admit that I'm not a long time Avengers fan, I only started reading the series after the 3rd volume began with Busiek and Perez, and I didn't even get too far into it before the local shops stopped carrying comics and have only recently been able to get back and forth to the comic shops in town to try and catch up, but I still managed to get enough in the know to get to understand the key-players. That all being said, why couldn't we have Wonder Man, or Wasp, or the Beast? (BTW, off topic, but for someone who's never read X-Men, WHY is Hank a stupid looking lion man now? Where's, to paraphrase Perez, is my funny little monkey man?)
There was, of course, ONE bright spot in the comic, and that was the end scene which showed off JJJ's assholeyness. That illicited an LOL.

[Adrian J. Watts]

assembler:

Some mutants (read: the POPULAR ones) have been developing secondary mutations. The Beast's was to become cat-like. Originally, he even had paws, and had trouble handling his scientific equipment (although that was soon forgotten).

Iceman became made entirely of ice (although this was dropped post-House of M) and there were some other very crummy changes, too.

The secondary mutations come without rhyme or reason. All the popular characters got theirs at the SAME TIME, independent of age or history. More Grant Morrison nonsense (he's good at DC, but he should never write for Marvel again).

- Adrian