Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes II #1 *Spoilers*

[Kirk G]

With the debute of issue one of the second volume of EMH, has anyone noticed how many of the stories that were recapped were about Kang or time travel?
Does anyone think the shadowy figures on page two at the bottom might have been the three Time Masters from the end of the Immortus/Tempus Fugit/Scarlet Witch arc?

Hmmmm????

[Will.S]

With the debute of issue one of the second volume of EMH, has anyone noticed how many of the stories that were recapped were about Kang or time travel? It's because of this that I think Kang has been used way too heavily in the past. Even Kurt Busiek used him twice with huge storylines like Avengers Forever book and Kang Dynasty although both Young Avengers and Avengers Forever had awesome uses for him so he should be used alot more sporadically.


Does anyone think the shadowy figures on page two at the bottom might have been the three Time Masters from the end of the Immortus/Tempus Fugit/Scarlet Witch arc? They're actually the same AIM troops that we see in the middle of the book that's transporting what seems to be the Super Adaptoid. I will admit, they do have silhouettes that can be mistaken for Immortus.

As for the book, it was pretty solid stuff. It's basically along the same lines as the first EMH if you liked that and Casey writes Hawkeye as the laid back cool guy we all know and love. I liked the set-up between AIM and SHIELD since SHIELD thought that the Avengers were letting the Super Adaptoid into their ranks when obviously we all know Vision isn't him. Joe also puts forth some good Hank and Janet characterizations as well as the whole chairperson appointing of Hank. The conversations between the big 3 are a reminder of earlier and maybe somewhat happier times although Iron Man rambled on a bit too much about Vision.

As far as Black Panther goes, it's apparent that Joe didn't go with the Priest version as he stated in the interviews that he didn't like that "spy" version of him. I happen to like Priest's version the most since that was always the defining BP for me but oddly enough I don't mind Joe Casey's portrayal either since he's still a strong character that does what he wants and how he wants.

This is my first glimpse seeing Vision's initial induction into the team and how he presents himself to Hawkeye and Jarvis (which has the cool use of powers displayed prominently over the years). It still feels fresh due to Hawkeye and Jarvis's perspective and he's very likeable so you can see why he fit in so well into the Avengers. While the book still doesn't make pine for the old school teams, it's a great way to see the history of the team in between the old back issues and in a semi-modern setting due to the surroundings.

So far 7/10 for me although I'm sure the more oldschool Avengers die hards will enjoy it a bit more since they know of the history more than I do since I never read this era or lineup of the Avengers until now.

[The Shadow]

I'm sure the more oldschool Avengers die hards will enjoy it a bit more since they know of the history more than I do since I never read this era or lineup of the Avengers until now.
Snooooooze inducing.

I got the first issue... won't be getting the second. I got burned on the first over-priced mini... it won't happen again.

[garin]

Yeah.. I don't really get this.

I never read the first EMH mini, but I really like a lot of Joe Casey's work so I gave this issue a go-- and very little seemed to happen. Is this really what classic Avengers fans want? The same people who complain about Bendis' decompression and penchant for talking heads?

It couldn't hold my attention. Maybe if I were a huge Hawkeye or Vision fan. Maybe.

[Mikl C]

The first mini was awful. I won't be getting this.

[Crimson]

So, is that the Super Adaptoid on the first panel?

[Will.S]

Snooooooze inducing.

I got the first issue... won't be getting the second. I got burned on the first over-priced mini... it won't happen again.


Is this really what classic Avengers fans want? The same people who complain about Bendis' decompression and penchant for talking heads?
I wouldn't want this type of lineup back either since they're too "been there done that" and the team was rather paired down.

I think the reason why Joe Casey does such a solid job with these characters is because he was such a big fan of the 60's era Avengers. For me there isn't quite the same compelling mix of characters that were formed in the mid 70's to mid 80's, the Busiek run, and the New Avengers. Still, I gotta give Casey credit in making their perspectives still seem fresh since it's almost like going back into a time machine and living back in that era.

[stuccoyoutuBE]

I am a big fan of what has been named "Classic Avengers", and with that being said, this was awful, boring, just spectacularly dull.


Sorry, but if these are the type of stories that an "old school" writer will bring to an Avengers monthly, then I would rather have Bendis write every Avengers book on the market.

EMH was crap, plain and simple, in my opinion of course.

[Will.S]

EMH was crap, plain and simple, in my opinion of course.
I actually liked the first one quite a bit but I thought Kolins art was better in the first than Rosado's in this one. Plus this is a set up issue but I do agree that the price is a bit too high for my tastes so depending on the next issue or so I'll decide wether to keep getting them individually or as a trade.

[Beast]

Call me when they decide to cover the Beast years in these. ;) :D

[Crimson]

Yeah.. I don't really get this.

I never read the first EMH mini, but I really like a lot of Joe Casey's work so I gave this issue a go-- and very little seemed to happen. Is this really what classic Avengers fans want? The same people who complain about Bendis' decompression and penchant for talking heads?

It couldn't hold my attention. Maybe if I were a huge Hawkeye or Vision fan. Maybe.

Isn't the whole idea of the series to be a behind a scenes look at the characters? Looking at what happened in between the big fights in the orignal issues.

I can see why people don't like it, but it did what it said on the tin.

[Babylon23]

Is this really what classic Avengers fans want? The same people who complain about Bendis' decompression and penchant for talking heads?

No, this isn't what classic Avengers fans want. What we want is a non-decompressed ongoing series set in the present featuring a classic Avengers lineup. Preferably one that doesn't ignore established Avengers continuity and history.

Anyway, this was a solid enough issue, filling in the gap between the 2 miniseries. Hopefully things will pick up in the next issue. It should be interesting to see Goliath's breakdown and his transformation into Yellowjacket.

[garin]

Isn't the whole idea of the series to be a behind a scenes look at the characters? Looking at what happened in between the big fights in the orignal issues.

I can see why people don't like it, but it did what it said on the tin.
I didn't go into it with any expectations. It could be that it was exactly what it aimed to be, but I'm confused about the target market here.


No, this isn't what classic Avengers fans want. What we want is a non-decompressed ongoing series set in the present featuring a classic Avengers lineup. Preferably one that doesn't ignore established Avengers continuity and history. Well, you can want more than one thing at a time. It seems like you enjoyed this, so I suppose that answers the question.

It just baffles me a little that anyone who's critical of New Avengers for decompression and a lack of action could really be enthusiastic about this book. It struck me as more decompressed and frankly boring than any issue of Bendis' Avengers I can remember.

[Babylon23]

Well, you can want more than one thing at a time. It seems like you enjoyed this, so I suppose that answers the question.

Actually, I described the issue as solid. I agree with the comments made by others, that nothing much really happened. That's why I'm hoping things will pick up next issue.

The thing is, it's kind of silly to assume that classic fans will love this book purely because of the lineup. There are numerous complaints expressed about NA, only one of which is decompression.


It just baffles me a little that anyone who's critical of New Avengers for decompression and a lack of action could really be enthusiastic about this book. It struck me as more decompressed and frankly boring than any issue of Bendis' Avengers I can remember.

Well, given that I haven't been anything but bored with NA, I'll just agree to disagree. Still, if all 8 issues of EMH are like this one, I'll agree with you. So far, we've only seen one issue, so time will tell.

[garin]

The thing is, it's kind of silly to assume that classic fans will love this book purely because of the lineup. That seems more Marvel's assumption than mine. I'm incredulous that anyone could love the book on the evidence so far.

Well, given that I haven't been anything but bored with NA, I'll just agree to disagree. Still, if all 8 issues of EMH are like this one, I'll agree with you. So far, we've only seen one issue, so time will tell.Fair enough. I'm especially disappointed, I suppose, because I love some of Casey's other books so much. I guess I should have learned my lesson from Iron Man: The Inevitable- his mainstream stuff doesn't work for me.

[Babylon23]

Fair enough. I'm especially disappointed, I suppose, because I love some of Casey's other books so much. I guess I should have learned my lesson from Iron Man: The Inevitable- his mainstream stuff doesn't work for me.

Funnily enough, that's how I felt with Disassembled and NA. I was a fan of most of Bendis non-Avengers work.

Anyway, I'm giving the book a couple of more issues. Now that the recap is done, hopefully Casey will get into the story.

[Kirk G]

So, is that the Super Adaptoid on the first panel?
Yeah, from what I get of it, the answer is yes. I guess I was off base on the Three Time Keepers or Immortus appearance. It would now appear to be the AIM creators of the SuperAdaptoid. (PS: If he's broken free, how does this jive with the X-Men #128 appearance against the mimic? Before? After?)

[Kirk G]

I wouldn't want this type of lineup back either since they're too "been there done that" and the team was rather paired down.

I think the reason why Joe Casey does such a solid job with these characters is because he was such a big fan of the 60's era Avengers. For me there isn't quite the same compelling mix of characters that were formed in the mid 70's to mid 80's, the Busiek run, and the New Avengers. Still, I gotta give Casey credit in making their perspectives still seem fresh since it's almost like going back into a time machine and living back in that era.
Yeah, that's a good way to describe it (especially concidering what just happened in the issue before we join the Vision's tale...that is, Avengers #56... when the Avengers really DO use Dr. Doom's time machine to go back in time and watch what happened.)

It does sort of feel like I'm back there enjoying the first appearances of the Black Panther in the title, and the Vision really does have the flowing cape and dramatic mysterious stances... like when they were first introduced. However, if memory serves, the Black Panther had altered his mask to show/reveal that he was black underneath... and that was some of the subtext, that a Black man in America would be assumed to be guilty of the murder of the Avengers before the investigation (from issue #53) "Night of the Panther). I didn't like the alteration of mask at the time, but nowadays, I can see why it was done to make the story work. A Tip of the hat to Roy Thomas!

I guess the title "Earth's Mightest Heroes" DOES imply that it's about the characters... not necessarily about their fights.

But I got to give credit to the author for connecting the dots in a way that I never would have seen before... that a synthezoid that attacked the Avengers on Avengers Day back in issue #46 might actually be the Vision less than a year later when ANOTHER synthezoid is unleased to kill them....AND THEY ADMIT HIM WITH OPEN ARMS BEFORE CONSIDERING ALL THE POSSIBILITIES. (Remember, it will be less than a year later before the Vision betays them all in #66-68 "Betrayal" because of internal programming by Ultron.) I say, serves them right! Iron Man certainly has a lot to say about it at THAT time, when the computers try to kill him during a training session and then they learn that Ultron is back! Serves him right.

I'm just a little uncomfortable to see such heavy handed references to the chairman role of the Avengers being such a burden being passed to Hank. I think we all know where this is going, and I'm a little sorry to see it get such obvious treatment right from the start.

But then, I just re-read the first 6 issues of the first series last night, and Cap's nightmares of Zemo and his mission to kill him was certainly known and well handled there.

I just find it an interesting experiment and worth the investment at a higher price to add to my collection of that time period (I started buying Avengers originally with The Black Panther's addition to the line-up because of his appearances in the Fantastic Four in the prior year or two!):cool:

[kcekada]

I thought the first series was decent, so signed on for the second.

The art turns me off. Very generic. At least the previous artist had a style (though some don't like it). The current artist really has not discerible style. Layouts are very uinspired. I'm dropping it. Too bad!

[Icebreaka]

I really liked this, sounds like I'm in the minority though. I'm always happy to read about silver age avengers and especially I like this crew.

The bit with Hawkeye and Vision and Jarvis in the kitchen was classic to me. Maybe I'm just easily amused but I liked the banter. Beats the hell out of the last year or so of New Avengers in my books