REVIEW: Avengers: The Initiative - 14

Woah. Looks like Dan was holding out on us with issue 13... This book's a complete belter. And when you read it alongside Mighty Avengers 15... Well... Damn.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Just as The Mighty Avengers did, the Initiative issue 14 takes a look at the work of the Skrulltastic Henry "Hank" Pym, and how he's been using his connections to get other Skrulls into some highly strategic positions. Strategic positions such as - one on every single fifty-state Initiative team.

Dan Slott has done a top notch job with this issue's script, making you wonder what he was upto a month ago, and why it took a tie-in to inject a little life into the book following the original team's departure.

That minor dig aside - Stefano Caselli crafts some truly magical scenes, leaving you genuinely surprised by some sequences, and truly impressed with his stylistic accomplishments.

A marked improvement, worthy of your cash.

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5
(much better than the previous issue - worth picking up)

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)