Marvel Comics
Avengers the Initiative #21
By Hervé St-Louis February 7, 2009 - 07:37
Publisher(s): Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Christos N. Gage
Penciller(s): Humberto Ramos
Inker(s): Humberto Ramos
Colourist(s): Edgar Delgado
Letterer(s): Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist(s): Humberto Ramos, Edgar Delgado
$2.99 US
The Initiative is falling apart with Norman Osborne’s
arrival at the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers. Hank Pym has left and
none of the former senior Avengers wants to replace him. Tigra, Stingray,
Hellcat all pull out. Meanwhile the last wildcard of the Skrulls, the clone of
the original Thor is running loose and wants to destroy everything. Who will
stop him?
When I saw that Dan Slott’s name was missing from the
credits, I was afraid that the issue might not turn out so good. Ramos’ art did
not help and really did not encourage me to read this book. His characters feel
like a bunch Play-Doh figures without spines and incredibly large muscles. They
have incredibly small tiny heads and large mouth the size of the state of
Arizona. Supporters call his art cartoony. I call it annoying. Yet, there is a
little bit more structure to his work in than past material I’ve read by him.
Ramos’ style is definitely no longer in with the times, though.
Gage continues the plot exactly where it ended last
issue. It’s interesting to see that he worked for several issues with Slott
before he took over the series on his own. I think it’s a good way train groom
a new writer. I’m afraid that the Thor clone (also known as Clor), will become
a regular villain in the Marvel Universe. I’m tired of those dark versions of
super heroes running around. The Thor clone was a good device for the Civil War
series, but his continued use makes him but another crazy bad guy. In this
issue, he certainly has lost the greatness that he exhibited in Civil War.
Gage is a good writer and ads layers of characterization
to his characters. Each is unique and has its own motivations. It’s hard to
guess where this story is going though. Oh, well, at least the ride is
worthwhile.