New Avengers #7 - Mobile Edition

Marvel Comics
New Avengers #7
By Colin Andersen
December 13, 2010 - 20:44

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller(s): Stuart Immonen
Inker(s): Wade Von Grawbadger
Colourist(s): Laura Martin
Letterer(s): Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist(s): Stuart Immonen
$3.99 US

Man, I really want to love this book. I really do and I’m trying so hard. But every month I find myself disappointed. Maybe I’m just getting tired of Brian Michael Bendis-written Avengers books (to be honest, that happened a couple years ago). There’s so much here to work with though. I love the cast of characters and I’ve even been able to get past so many of the members already being one other superhero teams. What I can’t get past is Bendis’ constant wise-cracking writing style and so little happening every issue. Much to my chagrin, issue #7 does nothing to change any of this.

To be fair, I wouldn’t call this a bad issue because it really isn’t. I was entertained from beginning to end, but not in the same way I am when I read Avengers Academy or Secret Avengers. After the climactic battle of last month’s issue, the team unwinds and takes the time enjoy a meal, finally nail down exactly who’s on the team, and who Luke Cage and Jessica Jones’ babysitter is. So yeah, if you’re looking for big fights, you’re in the complete wrong place. This issue is all about the team interactions. There are no hints about any upcoming plot arcs at all here. There is a lot of little things though and some hit better than others. One thing I did enjoy is Dr. Strange’s formal induction into the team. It’s about time is all I can say. With the way he’s been floating across so many different Marvel Comics lately, and now that writers don’t have the excuse of him being too powerful to be on a team, it makes sense to actually make him a member of the Avengers. There’s also a nice nod to not every member of the team knowing Spider-Man’s secret identity. There’s also a scene I particularly enjoyed when Jessica Jones chews out her husband. As much as I enjoy Luke Cage, he’s been a little overplayed in recent years and often portrayed as always right so it was nice to see some prove him wrong in so satisfying a way. Of course, the plot point for this issue that’s been getting the most attention is the hiring of Luke Cage’s nanny. If you haven’t heard who it is yet, I won’t spoil it but suffice it to say that it should lead to some interesting interactions in the coming months. There’s already been one interesting meeting between the nanny and Wolverine but, frankly, it’s more disturbing than funny. All of this was well and good but some hint of what was coming for the series in 2011 would have been nice.
   Month in and month out I’m forced to write how distracting Bendis’ writing is becoming. This has always been a problem, but ever since Siege, it seems to be almost out of control and this issue practically lives off of it alone. Every character really does sound like Spider-Man and are all cracking wise every time they open their mouth. Admittedly, it fits better here than in some of his other books like Avengers since the New Avengers are more of a family, but it still is too much. It definitely works better for some characters than others and I would like to see more distinct voices for everyone. I did enjoy some of the dialogue during the nanny interviews though; it was easily one of the highlights of the books.
   One area that I can never complain about New Avengers is the art team though. Stuart Immonen is honestly and unquestionably one of the best artists in the market today. Even in an issue like this where very little is going on, you will never get visually bored, Every character looks exactly as big or small as they should with no one seeming bulkier or taller than they should. Most importantly, everyone stays in proportion throughout the whole book and it helps a lot. Somehow, Immonen even manages to make scenes like Luke Cage talking about covering building damages with an insurance representative pop artistically. Once again, a lot of the credit for this goes to Laura Martin who has to be one of the top colorists that Marvel has in the stable right now. Every scene look bright and cheery and entertains like a comics book should. Excellent eye candy here. I just wish that Immonen and Martin had some more…exciting stuff to work with.
   At this point, I’m not sure if there is anything Bendis can do to change his writing style back to something I particularly enjoy anymore. Doing something about his dialogue would certainly help but he also needs to stop being so decompressed and have more happen in every issue. At this point, there’s so little happening each issue that it is hard to justify buying New Avengers as individual issues. As great as Immonen’s art is, it doesn’t justify $3.99 an issue. Just wait for the trade paperback and save yourself for money; you’re not missing too much by waiting.

Rating: 6.5/10