Bendis is one of my all time favorite writers in superhero comics. His runs on Ultimate Spider-Man, Powers, and Daredevil each easily crack into my list of top-ten favorite runs on a superhero title. However, I’ve never been a huge fan of Bendis-style characterizations in his Avengers work. That being said, I shouldn’t be too surprised when Bendis does nail an Avengers story like he has been of late in titles like: Avengers Prime and this latest arc of the Avengers with Jr Jr. But here I am after finishing Avengers 12.1, in awe at what a great issue this was. The Avengers are written as true superheroes and the villains are just plain evil. I know this sounds a bit overly simplified but its a classic Avengers tone. I think many of you will agree that this comic just screams old-school Avengers fun which is somewhat missing in the less black and white universe which most of Bendis Avengers work has seemed to dwell—and I’ve liked a lot of those stories too as well, just not quite what I want from my 616 Avengers stories.
Truly, for anyone who may not enjoy most of Bendis’ Avengers work but greatly enjoyed Avengers Prime, I highly suggest picking up this issue! You won’t be disappointed.
And oh yeah, Brian Hitch is in top form in this issue too!!