REVIEW: Avengers / Invaders - 2 of 12

Here's one definition of a good comic book.

"A book that stays with you almost a full week after you first read it."

***SPOILER ALERT***

After reading this book, I was planning to give it a 3 out of 5 score, as I'd decided it was a fairly average book. But then my Dad came down, and I got a little sidetracked. Consequently, I didn't get a chance to post a review. Or much else.

(sorry about that)

But as it happens, it's probably a good thing that I didn't. As around about now - I'd be posting my first ever retraction.

I was going to tell you how I wasn't quite as gripped as I was expecting to be, and how I would have liked to see a little more in the issue, but now... Somewhat surprisingly... I have a different opinion entirely.

This issue of Avengers / Invaders stayed with me throughout the past week. I couldn't help but remember scenes from the book;

• Captain America, and the Sub-Mariner emerging from a night in the subway;


• Iron Man putting the Invaders 'down' with the help of some 'Mighty' Avengers;


• The (original) Human Torch, kept captive in an indoor rainstorm;


• Bucky cutting his arm open to facilitate an escape;


• the 'New' Avengers plotting to 'save' the Invaders.

Having thought about it - I think I can explain why my opinion changed. All of the above scenes carry weight. Not just a 'good story' weight. But a 'historic weight'.

Jim Krueger, Alex Ross and Steve Sadowski have created something quite wonderful. So wonderful in fact, that it fits squarely in that 'blink and you'll miss it' area of our collective vision.

If you read issue 2 like I did the first time - quickly, in amongst other books - I bet you'll be of the same opinion as me a week ago. Average.

But read it when you're free of distraction, sitting in a relaxing chair, by an open window, with a coffee, and you'll read a true piece of Marvel history.

This series is shaping up to be more than good. Its shaping up to be special.

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5
(think coffee - think favourite chair - think relaxing breeze - think avengers / invaders issue 2)