REVIEW: Avengers: The Initiative - 13

Well, I wasn't all that keen on what happened in The Initiative issue 12, but I (begrudgingly) understood why it had to pan out like it did. Which is why I picked up issue 13 - to give it a second chance.

And to be honest, I had a bit of a mixed reaction to it.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Christos N. Cage takes up the writing reigns this issue, introducing a new team of recruits (Boulder, Prodigy, Annex, Batboy, Gorilla Girl and Sunstreak) to readers, and doing a fine job of creating an interest in them from the moment they step off the bus at Stamford. Steve Uy also once again takes up art duty on the book, giving an interesting but not amazing take on our new young heroes.

Sadly, as good a follow up to issue 12 as this is - it isn't a comic that inspires confidence in the life of the book. Christos did a fantastic job of creating a really interesting character (Boulder [or Butterball as Taskmaster nicknamed him]) with some unique points of interest - but commits a cardinal sin almost instantaneously by removing him from view before the end of the book. Although, the way Boulder reminisces about his short time on the base, does leave you with a smile.

Pete's Score: 3 out of 5
(could have been great, if Boulder had been sticking around for a little longer - but still enjoyable)

REVIEW: Avengers: The Initiative - 12

I was left more than a little confused after reading this comic book. The one question that hung over my head, was "ok - so - has this book just ended, or is it just about to end?"

Now - I'm well aware that this comic isn't under the chop (yet), and that this is just the closing chapter on this particular team,but @£$% me if this doesn't read like a final issue.

Dan Slott has done a fantastic, bang-up job with Avengers: The Initiative. I've been hooked enough on his writing to buy all 12 issues, and I've been impressed with how he's managed to draw me into the lives of Cloud 9 and MVP. But man alive, he's dropped the ball on this issue.

The story sadly feels more than a little bit rushed, and I do dislike saying this (being an artist myself) - but the artwork just isn't up to scratch when compared to previous issues.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Some interesting points have come out of this issue however.

1. Trauma (Terry) who appeared to be killed - now looks like he's come back to life;
2. The Crusader is really a Skrull in disguise, and;
3. Slapstick can't change back to Steve Harmon (which may explain his recent erratic behaviour).

Now - that aside, because this is the ending of a story arc, it was no surprise to see a graduation of our would-be heroes from the initiative program. What was a surprise however - and huge mistake in my eyes, was how each of them learned that they would be posted to different groups around the country - essentially splitting up the core team of this book, andforcing the reader to say 'sayonara' to the characters they have grown to care about. 

Why on earth has this happened...? I'm picking this book up to read about the existing characters within it. I'm not picking this book up thinking that I want to see the trials of a new set of faces each and every year. If I wanted that - I'd be buying a DC Showcase, or a Marvel Presents comic.

This is not - and should not be - one of those comics.

Pete's Score: 3 out of 5
(a limp ending to a great year - such a shame to see the departure of so many interesting heroes) 

REVIEW: Avengers : The Initiative - 11

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?)