AVENGERS #77

"Figured we'd cross the pond…take in a few sights…eat some bad food…and kick some bad guy booty," explains Hawkeye, concerning the Avengers' visit to England. Thus begins Chuck Austen and Olivier Copiel's reign as AVENGERS' creative team in "Lionheart of Avalon, Part 1" where a single mother copes with a cruel world, Hawkeye gives Captain America love advice, and the Avengers fight the Wrecking Crew.

The pacing is well-calculated, the action plentiful, and the character moments charming. Brilliant attention is given to Hawkeye-his amusing analysis of Captain America's romantic ideals, his wild enthusiasm on seeing giant-sized Wasp, and his bravado while facing the Wrecking Crew. However, Austen's Captain America appears oddly incompetent, and the Wasp is rendered totally ineffective and downright ditzy.

Copiel's art is detailed and stimulating. Hawkeye again shines in this issue with his lively expressions and commanding combat presence. Also, though all attempts to improve Hawkeye's classic costume habitually fall short, Copiel's new design is a more successful attempt, with only minor alterations. Yet, Captain America's appearance is not as impressive; he's remarkably beefy in a far less flattering manner.

Overall: B+