The New Avengers #39 By Hervé St-Louis Apr 15, 2008 - 10:32:45 AM Writer(s): Brian Michael Bendis Penciller(s): David Mack Inker(s): David Mack Cover Artist(s): David Mack

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This issue is about the deaf Avenger, Echo, the woman trained by the Kingpin to emulate any fighting style. Echo sees a Skrull who wanted to replace her and a fight to the finish starts. Whichever of the two Echo goes back to the fugitive Avengers’ temporary headquarter, she will end up as one of Hawkeye’s new girlfriend. Is that all part of the Skrulls’ secret invasion plan?

This issue was a mess. It broke from the narrative established in past issues in favour of an unprepared fight between Echo and a new Skrull nemesis. It didn’t make much sense and quality-wise it’s one of the weakest stories about the New Avengers that I’ve read so far.  There was no preparation for the Skrull’s attack and no background information either. Wolverine’s explanation as to why Echo was picked for a change was not satisfying either.  The budding relationship with Hawkeye makes me ask if he and Daredevil are doomed to share the same girlfriends for ever.  

David Mack’s work is good, although I ask myself if Echo is supposed to be Asian. It’s not too clear as previous New Avengers’ artist Leinil Yu did not draw her as an Asian. Mack is a strong storyteller. He likes to frame a series of horizontal frames that tell a sequence of action over a background frame or just a blank shot. The panels themselves have kinetic motion which adds more dynamism to the story told within them. This, of course is not noticeable to readers at first glance which means it flows easily and naturally. Let’s hope Mack will get better material to work with if he is to stay with the New Avengers’ series.

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