Work throughout the week.

Avengers: The Origin #1
Written by Joe Casey
Art by Phil Noto
Published by Marvel Comics
Review by George Marston and Lan Pitts

Avengers: The Origin is a decent re-telling, that fits nicely into Joe Casey's previous "classic Avengers" mini-series (Earth's Mightiest Heroes 1 & 2, and Iron Man: Enter The Mandarin), offering some alternate views of the classic tale. The biggest complaint is that, at times, it gets a little too verbose for my taste. Lots of word bubbles scattered around. I like the art, but I feel like Noto fails to capture the essence of most of the Avengers. His Hulk looks too civilized, his Thor is too slim, and his Iron Man feels out of proportion. There is a possibility that Noto slimmed Thor to make Hulk look like a viable thread and not the muscle-bound god that Kirby once envisioned. On the other hand, if he wanted to make Hulk more of a threat to Thor, he should've made Hulk bigger instead of making Thor smaller.

Phil Noto's art has improved and isn't as stoic as his earlier works, and how he presented Iron Man and Thor's alter egos just seems less radical. I do like how Casey handled Jan and Hank and does a great job on that front.

The panel construction could have been fixed as well because it felt like there was a lot of things being blocked and cluttered at times. Casey should have just let the art speak for itself at some moments and pull back a bit.

The pacing needs to pick up a bit as well. Though it's intriguing to think how they will amp up the threat. In the original comic, the formation of the Avengers took place over a single issue. Though how much of the pacing issues are to be blamed on turning a single comic into several.

Obviously they're going to add more to the story, but will it be a matter of improving on it or just deviated to the point where it's just ridiculous and completely unbearable? Joe Casey is trustworthy on that end because he's done well with similar concepts in the past.

The update to Rick Jones, making him part of a counter culture group is interesting. It seems like they are revolutionaries...or Young Repbulicans, because that is a lot of fire power.

Overall, it's solid, but it has lots of room to grow by the end of the mini.

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Robert Jordan's New Spring #8 (Published by Dynamite Entertainment; Review by Lan Pitts): Now here's something I thought I'd never see, the finished product of New Spring, which is the prequel to Robert Jordan's famed "Wheel of Time" series, yet here it is. Now I know that Dynamite means business with it's products and won't let the ball drop. This mini series just seems like ancient history to me, it's a shame Jordan can't be around to see it FINALLY in the fan's hands. Some of the art looks like it was done over and there's a sense of inconsistency to it in some places, but other than that, it's pretty standard stuff. Chuck Dixon again nails the adaptation of the book and I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us WoT fans. Now, I hope Dynamite reprints the rest of this mini because it is that hard to find and a bit pricey. The first issue alone goes for around $25 online.

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Vengeance of the Moon Knight #7 (Published by Marvel Comics; Review by Lan Pitts): Tan Eng Haut is not Jerome Opena. And I mean that in every way possibly, besides the fact that they have both worked on this title. Where Opena had more of an action movie-oriented style, Tan has a more grounded and dare I say vanilla style. Perhaps maybe three panels out of the entire issue stood out. What a shame, too. Gregg Hurwitz does a great job again of spinning MK, as a street avenger, but the story is bogged down by a Deadpool appearance. I'm not a hater without merit, but it seems more like a product placement with DP in it than an actual first part of an arc. Just annoys because the book has had a good streak so far, but the art just took me out of the story. Hopefully, Tan will adjust his methods and not be so stiff.

(My fantasy) Avengers Assemble! Fourth reveal!

"Gamma is a girl's best friend"

- Jennifer Walters aka She-Hulk

Talk about brains and brawn in the right package. Not many people have been a part of the Avengers, Fantastic Four, SHIELD, Fantastic Force, Heroes for Hire, AND Lady Liberators. Oh, on top of that, a lawyer with a degree from UCLA.

Given her powers from a blood transfusion from her cousin, Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk, Jennifer came to appreciate the confidence and assertiveness that had come with being She-Hulk. For a long time, she felt more comfortable in her form as She-Hulk than in her "normal" form as Jennifer. She eventually became comfortable in both forms, and realized that she has much to offer the world in both her forms and went off to become a hero in her own name.

I know I have Thor on the team, but you need more than one muscle-bound hero and She-Hulk fits that bill. She doesn't have the cosmic powers or the magic that Genis-Vell and Thor possess, but what she lacks in those fields, she more than makes up in wit, intelligence, and charisma.

(My fantasy) Avengers Assemble! Third reveal

"I'm strictly a bow and arrow type."

-Hawkeye

Ladies and gentlemen, my third reveal: Clint Barton, the original Hawkeye. While not an original member, he is considered one of the essential Avengers by many. He started out his comic career as a villain until he reformed and had Iron Man back his sponsor and was elected to the team. I'm a big fan of this character and while he's taken a few detours from his purple and blue moniker (Ronin), he'll be back when the Avengers reform in Marvel's Heroic Age.

He's a skilled marksman, tactician, and personality up the wazoo. He's a great team member and asset to whoever's flag he's bearing.



Welcome aboard, Clint.

(My fantasy) Avengers Assemble! Second Reveal....

The second member of my fantasy Avengers is...



Genis-Vell/Marvel's Captain Marvel/Photon

Probably the most cosmic character in the 616 Universe aside from Silver Surfer and the likes of him, comes Genis-Vell. He's basically Green Lantern and then some. There are many incarnations of this character, from a Kree warrior to a Green Lantern equivalent, to a cosmic champion that is one of a kind. I've always liked this design and just really dug the character. I mean, at one time he was stuck inside Rick Jone's body.

He's no longer Captain Marvel, but Photon. His current costume is alright, but a little too Starman for my taste.

I still think his powers and attitude are what a good team needs, especially on an Avengers team.

(My fantasy) Avengers Assemble! First Reveal

Avengers, Assemble!

The first member of my fantasy Avengers roster is...



The Mighty Thor.

I couldn't think of a more marvelous power house that comes from the House of Ideas. There's might, magic, and majesty. Sure the JLA has Superman (just not lately), and to think you have a god on your side probably boosts your ego a bit. I would imagine so, anyways. Thor's book now is simply fantasy as it's best and I also couldn't think of a better leader of my team than the Odinson. He's been seen in numerous versions of the Avengers team, also serving as a founding member.

It's easy to see why I would choose the God of Thunder here.



(Art provided by George Marston of If This Be Sketchblog fame, and Heir to the Realm of Majesty)

(My fantasy) Avengers Assemble!

"And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, the Avengers were born — to fight the foes no single super hero could withstand! Through the years, their roster has prospered, changing many times, but their glory has never been denied! Heed the call, then — for now, the Avengers Assemble!"

— Prologue from The Avengers

You might seen the teasers Marvel has released lately about their "Secret Avengers". I have to admit, even though I lean towards more DC nowadays, I am intrigued at this line up. I mean, I'm already going to bite once the Avengers book hits because it's nice to see Clint Barton in the purple and blue as Hawkeye.

So, I thought it would be fun just to come up with my own "Secret" Avengers.



Eight members, each a piece to the puzzle that I think would be a perfect Avengers team. The Avengers have seen dozens of shake ups and roster changes than most people can remember. There is an idea of who the Avengers are and a "classic" roster, much like how people have an idea of who the JLA are and who it consists of.

There is a certain truth to that, but I think of it as Marvel's team that should be it's front line, and not just some A-list assortment. There should be might, magic, cunning minds to fight off aliens, wizards, mutants, terrorists, gods, and anything you can throw at them.

So for the next week, I will reveal a single member of my dream Avengers team. George Marston from If This Be Doomsday fame has helped me out with the imagery. Guesses and assumptions are always welcome.