I can’t help but feel that everyone has been a little harsh on the Avengers lately. Not that every criticism leveled in the direction of the 30 or so current titles isn’t justified, but these stories add up to much more than the sum of their parts. Perhpas Bendis’ style of writing engenders the concerns I hear voiced on this website and the podcasts. I would just ask that you stop for a moment and put some faith into these characters that you love so much and read again with a less jaundiced eye.

This issue of New Avengers is just big-time comic fun. Although essentially a good ol’ fashioned, knuckles-to-eyeballs brawl story, its well-paced telling and dramatic shifting scenes helped make it the best “fight” issue I’ve read in over a year. And the art. Oh, the art. Granted, Deodato can get a little carried away sometimes with the muscles and the joints and the anatomical features I’ve never actually seen before anywhere else, but this story had fight-scenes to beat the band. My eyes loved every minute of it, and I hope yours will too.

There’s comic goodness here. Give it a try. I think you’re going to like it.