Reading Avengers: The Initiative since issue 1 has been an interesting experience. Interesting in a very good way. The book was originally conceived as a mini-series, and because of this - in the first issue you had a feeling of a self contained story.
A self contained story that was wonderfully interesting. A story, that you sort of hoped would evolve into a new team book, or at the very least a follow-up mini-series / one-shot.
Instead, fans of the comic got something even better a few short months later. The series was extended from mini status, to ongoing. And since then - very interesting things have been happening.
***SPOILER ALERT***
The most interesting of which - was the arrival of a whole bunch of Michael Van Patrick clones, literally popping up everywhere (Michael was a character who was killed in a tragic accident at the start of the series).
Back in issue 8 - we met the craziest of crazy MVP clones - 'KIA'. Since then, we've been reading the four part 'Killed In Action' storyline, which culminates in this book.
Without spoiling anything, it's worth saying that if you haven't read the past three issues - you really need to get them before you read this. There are deaths aplenty in them, and answers to many a question asked over the book's run.
In issue 11 - (what seems to be) all that's left of The Initiative go up against KIA (including what appears to be a massively damaged War Machine - inside and out), each meeting with a varying degree to failure. Either partial, total or utter.
Before the climax to the story occurs, Dan Slott and Christos N. Gage do something that I really wish they hadn't.
They call the Mighty Avengers in.
Ok - some of you will be wondering 'what's so bad about that'? Well, one of the great things about this book since issue 1, has been it's ability to link in with the Marvel Universe, but not depend on it.
The book has been brilliant in being a standalone entity, creating new characters and asking interesting questions - and I have no doubt it would work with or without the 'Avengers' logo on it's cover.
This book really doesn't need to rely on the so-called 'heavy hitters'.
It can do perfectly well on it's own.
Pete's Score: 3 out of 5
(good ending to the storyline - shame about the Mighty Avengers - what on earth is going on with Slapstick?)
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