Pick of the Week
What did the
iFanboy
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Pulls
PENCILS: Stuart Immonen & Daniel Acuna
COLORED BY: Dave McCaig
COVER BY: Stuart Immonen
Size: pages
Price: 3.99
Wow, what a crazy day for comics!
When I walked into my comic book store today it looked like I had just missed the horde of pillaging 9 year old speed freaks. And the store had barely been open an hour! Boxes everywhere! New books everywhere! New trades… everywhere! Why as it such a mess? Well, not only did a metric ton of new product hit the stores today, but so much of it was highly anticipated that dealing with the unexpectedly large early bird crowds took precedence over getting everything squared away. Hell, I had a hard time getting to all of the new books because there were two very large gentlemen (and if you’ve ever met me in person you know that when I say these guys were large… they were built like linebackers!) just couldn’t wait to read Blackest Night #7 so there were doing so right there in front of the shelves. It was so chaotic that I forgot to grab Scalped #35 and had to hit up a second store when I realized my mistake.
All that excitement? Justified.
What a great week of comics this was. I had 18 new books and I was completely and totally happy about it. Well, there might have been a clunker in there, but it didn’t diminish my enthusiasm. I was so fired up about my comics, in fact, that when I finished my stack I didn’t have a clear Pick of the Week in mind. I had three strong candidates that immediately set themselves apart from the rest. And as I often do, I began to write the Pick of the Week in my head for all three and I found that strong arguments could be made for each. That little mental exercise is usually a good way to filter at least one book out. Not this time. So then I entered a zen like state that I like to call “Surfing the Internet.” I decided I’d let my subconscious mind take a whack at it, and lo’ and behold, not five minutes later I was flashing on my favorite scenes from The New Avengers #62 and there we have it: the Pick of the Week.
In comics (or any serialized medium, for that matter) when a beloved character “dies” the thing I look forward to the most is the tearful reunion. It’s the emotional catharsis that I crave. I want to see that moment of reunion between the person thought dead and their friends and family. For me, these stories are not about the fights they are about the characters and I want to experience the joy found in the return of a lost friend along with every one in the book. When Steve Rogers “died” I thought that it would suck for a while, but at least there would be a kick ass return scene with The Avengers. And there was. Forget Captain America: Reborn, a miniseries that I enjoyed for the most part, but a miniseries that pretty much mangled this whole Return of Steve Rogers business. All the good stuff, the heartfelt emotional stuff, that happened here in The New Avengers #62.
Sometimes it’s the little things. I was more than three quarters of the way through this issue when it occurred to me that there hadn’t been a single double page spread yet. This is not something that would normally occur to me, except that Brian Michael Bendis loves to use double page spreads as a storytelling device. He loves to have the story sweep horizontally across two pages. I remember specifically stopping reading and thinking that it was bizarre that there hadn’t been one yet. And then *BOOM* Bendis hits us with two double page spreads right at the end of the issue that he uses to capture the chaotic joy that occurs when Steve Rogers struts back into (the current and temporary) Avengers headquarters. Sure some of these people showed up at the end of Captain America: Reborn, but for me it doesn’t matter. This is where the really good, emotional stuff happens. For me, this is where Captain America truly returned.
When Steve walked in with a steely-eyed look of determination on his face, flanked by Bucky, Luke Cage, Nick Fury, and the Secret Warriors I was just so happy. I knew everything in the Marvel Universe would be okay again. I was very taken with the fact that, for a writer whose reputation is built on lots and lots of dialogue, Bendis let a lot of this stuff play out quietly. Steve had a surprisingly touching and moving moment with Ms. Marvel that was told over five silent panels that Stuart Immonen absolutely nailed. And then The Avengers gathered around Steve but we weren’t placed into the middle of that scene, instead we watched it play out from across the room as the Secret Warriors took it all in. Just as Bendis subverted expectations by holding back on using a two-page spread until the exact right moment, he also subverted expectations by immediately pulling back on the dialogue and letting the emotional moments happen, for the most part, through the art.
A lot of great stuff happened in this issue. Spider-Man and Spider Woman finished up their not-date from hell that was full of such great banter between the two that I am now convinced that they need to get a room, pronto. And before they returned to Avengers headquarters to reveal Steve’s return, it was really great to see Steve Rogers and Bucky and Nick Fury and Luke Cage all fighting together. There was fantastic large panel capturing these old friends fighting alongside each other, working together as a team in the chaos of battle. Stuart Immonen, despite drawing Steve’s face kind of oddly in a few panels, did some really fantastic work in his scenes. (I loved Daniel Acuña’s work in the Spider scenes, as well. He should totally draw a Spider-Man/Spider Woman team-up book.)
And then at the very end of the issue, after the emotional reunions, Steve spots the news reports about Norman Osborn attacking Asgard and taking down Thor (the events in Siege) and the time for hugging is over. It’s time to get down to business. I don’t know why it is, but whenever Captain America — Steve Rogers — gathers his troops and yells “Avengers Assemble!” I get all goosebumpy. There is not much in this world that will summon my inner child faster than that.
Conor Kilpatrick
What a totally misleading cover this one had.
conor@ifanboy.com
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Conor, what did you think of Choker #1? Did you read it? 🙂
Yeah!! More love for Steve Rodgers!!
I can’t wait to get home and read this! Its in my car so maybe if I just sneak out…
Props for getting the pow out so fast! Can’t wait to read this issue.
I don’t read New Avengers but I’ve got to ask, how well do Acuna and Immonen mesh? I can’t think of two artists with more different styles.
Two questions:
1. What shield is Steve Rogers using and where did it come from?
2. Why in the world is The Hood on the cover?
This issue was great, no doubt about it. But… man, I just couldn’t get over the fact that the scene in which Cap finds out about the invasion of Asgard already happened in Seige in a completely different way! I know, it’s a total nitpick, but for some reason it just stuck in my craw.
My favorite scene was the two HAMMER guys arguing about weather they should join the fight or not. Hil-freakin’-larious.
Wouldn’t have guessed this being POTW in a million years. Then again, I have no real connection to just about every Marvel character (plus I almost never like a Bendis book), so this really just wasn’t my thing. I wasn’t really a fan of the art either. The Immonen stuff was alright, but the Acuña pages looked like the characters were superimposed onto the background at times (Kind of like how Greg Land’s art looks, though I don’t think Acuña was NEARLY that bad).
I’ve only read the mediocre section of my stack and one book from the good half, so as of right now, Batman and Robin is my leading contender. I doubt it’ll win.
@ llash – You could tell there was an art change, but then they were two different scenes so it wasn’t a big deal. I normally don’t like Acuna, but here his pencils were very good. His characters were well-defined and not muddied like they usually seem.
@CaseyJustice- it’s not a nitpick when the same guy wrote both.
I know a lot of people didn’t love Secret Invasion and the Avengers tie-ins but the continuity lined up pretty well. But this issue, the annual, and Siege feature HUGE continuity flubs. Like I said, it isn’t a nitpick when the guy can literally pull up all three documents on his computer at once and ask himself if it lines up or not. In my book, attention to detail is what separates a pick from the pack.
As an entity all its own? This issue rocked!
@ swifty
I believe that’s one of the force sheilds, they made those for Steve during a time he wasn’t Cap or he lost the sheild or something. He fished that out off the rubble of his apartment last issue.
I enjoyed the H.A.M.M.E.R. Agent as well.
@Swifty – I believe it’s the energy shield from the 90’s. I could be wrong though.
Great review, can’t wait to get my hands on this issue.
I’ve been reading New Averngers since issue one (it’s one of the comics that got me back into comics full steam) and though I know Bendis is writing the next "Avengers" book (which I’m sure is going to be awesome). I cant help but feel a bit sad that this book is ending. The chaotic nature of the series has made it, for me, a must read every month. And though I understand the frustration with the constantly changing artist, I can’t deny the great run by Yu and Immonen. Next month is the last issue and the finale, this was a hell of a book, and I’m glad the last few issues have been so damn good. New Avengers, how I will miss you. (And lovingly place you in my long box.)
@Swifty – i believe that’s a shield made out of unbaptized baby ghosts
As I recall, the whole reason Cap was going through the rubble was to retrieve that energy shield from its hidden compartment.
Speaking of my faulty powers of recall, I’m relieved I wasn’t the only one thinking, "Didn’t I already see the scene where Cap finds out about the siege from a television? Wasn’t he in costume? And alone in an apartment?" Not that it really matters. It is interesting that two artists working with the same writer would produce two radically different versions of the same (fairly important) moment, if that is actually what happened.
@Jimiski: Maybe he was watching a repeat of the story in Siege 1 and continued to be outraged. Cause if you watch a news channel when major events (or even minor events take place) they will play the same story from the same camera angel again and again. (or at least that’s what I’m going to tell myself happened.)
I miss reading New Avengers, and now with it being cancelled for the ‘Heroic Age’ it will be missed. Sounds like a really great issue of this series though, good choice conor.
My pick was Captain Swing #1 though; cause it was Warren Ellis at his best: Being insane.
OK, I figured it all out:
NA Annual 3- pp. 21-28: The Dark Avengers trash Cap’s house in Brooklyn while the ladies rescue Ronin.
NA 61- pp. 2-23: Steve and Bucky fight HAMMER agents, Living Laser, and the Corruptor; the "not-date" between Spider-Man and Spider-Woman and ensuing fight with Griffin and Mandrill.
NA 62- pp. 1-18: Both fights continue, including Luke Cage being reunited with Steve.
NA Annual 3- p. 29: Spider-Man sees Cap’s house destroyed.
NA 62- pp. 19-22: but insert the first two panels of NA Annual 3 p. 30 into the mix.
Siege 1- pp. 22-23: Steve has changed into his costume and is watching more news footage, getting mad.
NA Annual 3- pp. 30-32: Ronin apologizes to the group and Captain America enters with inspiring words.
Siege 2- pp. 8-end: Cap makes his speech and the heroes prepare to take off.
Any questions?
Solid review, Conor.
My pick was Batman and Robin, but Scalped was also a top contender. Both of those issues left me incredibly satisfied. Good stuff all around this week.
@ABird: That’s uh…..that’s really confusing to follow even with that clear explaination. lol
Abirdseyeview belongs to the No-Prize era.
Great pick and a great review Conor!
Not my Pick, but you almost made me change my mind! I shared your opinion that this felt more like the return of Steve Rogers than Reborn was.
As far as it not fitting with the events of Siege I was upset at first. But I decided to look at it like it was flashback. A quick reminder of how we got where we are after the cliffhanger of Siege #2 before the start of Norman’s ass-whooping in #3.
@ABird: Wow. Is it bad that that actually makes me feel better? What the hell is wrong with me? I’ve contracted that dreaded afliction… chronic continuity!
My pick was Viking #5. Just a very well done arc finale. All of my books were pretty damn good though. And I think I saw Drakedangerz at my store today which was a little bizarre (sorry I didn’t say anything).
It’s all tied up! Both Josh and Conor have not picked Blackest Night three times each! Who will not pick it the most!?!?
@skeets: I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again; Blackest Night is more than the sum of its parts. It will read far better in a collection than in issues; like Sinestro Corps War.
That was a great book, I loved the two different artists, it worked for this story, I have really been loving morvel lately, can’t wait to get into the Heroic Age!
I cannot wait to find out what Immonem is drawing after New Avengers ends.
Shocking
Haven’t been able to choose the POW on my own, but you’ve sold me on New Avengers. The end *was* great.
I didn’t read the review but this issue was mediocre at best. Holy non event
@Conor
This was my POTW as well. Bendis succeeded outside his standard comfort zone, and I agree – this was an exceptional week. I gave 5’s to ROK: Inhumans, Marvels Project, and Thor, as well, but this is the book that blew me away.
My pick was Scalped, hand’s down. It was exceptional.
Oh yeah, and my POW was Blackest Night, narrowly edging out Spider-Man: Clone Saga.
Yeah, you heard me!
Sweet baby jesus no. This, and the other Siege books this week, were pretty colossal disappointments. Not one but TWO issues of Avengers set prior to the Siege #1? That’s insanely bad planning. Add that to an issue of Thor completely incompatible with Siege:Embedded and a Dark Wolverine that was essentially two dream sequences strung together and I am left deeply, deeply frustrated I elected to buy all the Siege titles this week. Immomen’s art was stiff (Worst example of this: Spider-Women apparently has trained at the same dojo as the Rockettes). Not good. Not good at all.
Man, Green Arrow #30 was a damn fine issue. I picked it up on a lark, but Krul nailed this one. I still don’t have a pick, but that one is definitely in contention.
I really like Acuna’s artwork, but I just didn’t feel it in this issue of the NA. He and Immonen have such starkly different styles – they just don’t work well together.
Loved the "unofficial" return of Steve Rogers.
This is one of those moments where I want to say ‘it’s all pretend’. I’m not sure the stuff all lined up but it was a good reunion scene all the same and I’ll be happy to see the story continue in ‘Siege.’
I haven’t gotten all my books yet but I really enjoyed this, and xfactor, and Batman & Robin — really enjoyed Morrison’s writing of Batwoman!
I’m right there with ya, Caroline. It seems like they roughly all lined up, and maybe there was a costume disparity. Enh. Each issue that had a scene seemed to work fine on its own. I’m cool with it.
And I also totally enjoyed Morrison’s Batman & Robin — best issue since the Quietly stuff, and I agree on Batwoman.
Haven’t finished everything, but B&R may be my pick at this point.
you both have skipped my post above. it all makes sense.
Great issue.
Say someone loses control of their vehicle and drives it through a storefront. Interview the driver, the cashier and a person on the side walk across the street, you’d get different stories with slight detail discrepancies.
Maybe that wasn’t what Bendis intended, but I like the idea of different titles having slightly different interpretations/POV of major events.
Someone has a thing for lost in translation (me too)…just sayin 😉
Wow, talk about different strokes for different folks and all that.
I thought this was the worst book of the week by a country mile. The art was very poor from both artists, the characterisations where uneven and not much of note happened. In actual fact, it may be the worst issue of new avengers i’ve read (and i’ve read them all!).
BN as POW for me with Flash Rebirth and B&R chasing it’s tails.
At least this puts Steve with the rest of the Avengers while he was watching the news about Asgard. When I saw that page in Seige I was wondering why Steve was watching TV at home alone in his costume. That seemed kind of sad but indicative of Steve’s return. I’M BACK….I said I’M BACK…hello?…hello?….I wonder what’s on TV.
Great issue. Everything’s really building to the finale to years and years of story. Steve’s back and all is right in the world (of Marvel).
This issue of Scalped is one of my favorites for the series, and possibly, the best single issue from the year. So, so good. I don’t normally disagree with the pick, and seeing as how I didn’t read this issue of New Avengers, I can’t really complain. But damn, was Scalped really good. I’m thinking it was one of the issues in the running. Definitley my POW.
So, the Hood is on the cover, but he wasn’t in the book at all, in fact he was only barely mentioned ONCE? Eh?
The page where Luke Cage realizes who he’s looking at, and his eyes get all big was superb. I don’t care about continuity in this case, because these moments were geniune (fictional) moments. Clint adding the capper backing up Steve with "Damn right!" was awesome too. Perfect characterization.
@iFanboys:
have you ever given POTW to a comic and rated another with more stars?
I’m not sure why, but I gave more stars to TWD, but picked Scalped as POTW.
Or am I developing yet another personality?
It’s happened.
@UncleBob Ron did it a few weeks back with Sword #3, I think. Hilarity insued. The place errupted! People just couldnt seem to deal with it.
@AlanRob – If by people, you mean TNC. If I remember right, he actually asked Ron to unpick the book so he could change it to 5 stars. Haha. Oh, TNC. Wouldn’t be iFanboy without him.
Nice pick. I haven’t had time to grab this one yet, but if it’s anything like the last issue, I’ll love it.
It looks like the only criticism of any of the Siege books is that they’re not quite fitting together, not that they’re not good stories. Hmm. Priorities?
A bunch of great individul moments in this issue. I wasn’t as sold on the art, however. Some pages I was blown away on (loved the shadows on the wall behind the Spider man/woman fight). Some pages, well, Clints face changes a LOT in the last couple of pages.
I’m just crazy over Blackest Night right now. John’s 50+ issues are all coming together beautifully.
iFanboy Pick Of The Week FAIL
The correct answer was Scalped #35.
Ok, so I went out tand bought this based on this review..man was I dissapointed. I have been so underwhealmed by Captain Americas return. This should have been a HUGE event at Marvel. The CA:REBORN was bloody awful. But after reading this review I thought I would finally see that moment I had been waiting for. Huh ? Cage hugs Steve..Spidey makes a joke..Steve says something to Carol we can’t hear. ( I REALLY wanted to see the reaction of the proRegistration heros..the moment they apologize to Steve maybe ?????) What a waste. This is the hero they have mourned for how long ? And thats it ??? What a bloody waste.
How the hell was this POW ??
Because it was awesome!
It was awesome, I agree.
Hurm…
It was a great comic and pretty emotional, especially the scene with Cage and Cap.
This issue was about as awesome as watching paint dry. I want my 10 minutes back.
Cap Reborn did not mangle the return of Steve Rogers. It kept it in Brubaker’s Cap universe. It told the sotry he wanted to tell. The Marvel universe reaction would always be told in other books. I couldn’t see it any other way.
This pick is a dropping of the ball. Scalped #35 is Pick of the Week (2.24.10) now and forevermore.