New Avengers #56

Although I have not loved the last year New Avengers in the same way that I did pre-Secret Invasion, I really enjoyed this issue. The plot here is driven by a power-neutralizing ray that makes the powered Avengers impotent. Only Mockingbird is left at full strength to fight the remains of the Hood's gang.

Watching Mockingbird hold her own against the Wrecking Crew et al really made me like this character. Frankly, it was a much better way to use Mockinbird than the recent limited series with Mockinbird and Ronin, which meandered its way into nowhere. The assistance from weakened but still moderately functional Clint and a Spider-Man powerless save for his webbing (which, of course, is mechanical) was really interesting. While Immonen's pencils are a bit sparse for my tastes, the point was made quite well.

I raced through this book, since the action was just exciting. The cameo appearance of Norman Osborn and his Dark Avengers worked as well as it could have. Sure, there was a bit less witty Bendis dialogue than one might want, but the net effect of this book was fun. And there ain't nothing wrong with fun.