Avengers Next #1 *Spoilers*

**SKJAM!** · 11-02-2006, 06:57 PM

This is the further adventures of the Avengers from the M2 universe, most notable as the home of the Spider-Girl comics. They had their own continuing series back when, but more recently have been stuck with guest appearances in Spider-Girl and a couple of limited series.

SPOILERS follow.

The Avengers are down to about half-strength, with several of their members injured, retired or in the case of Kevin Masterson (aka Thunderstrike), depowered. The remaining team members debate whether to disband, and if they stay together, what recruitment strategy to follow.

Meanwhile, a mysterious young man steals something from the mansion's medical lab. He (Warp) then teleports away to meet his clients, an ugly old woman in an orange pantsuit, and a huge fellow in a purple pimp outfit (face carefully hidden, but longtime readers will have no trouble figuring out who he is.)

American Dream and Kevin wonder why anyone would want old Avenger tissue samples. Their discussion is interrupted by the arrival of Sabreclaw, one of the Avengers' longtime enemies. He claims to have reformed somewhat, and wants to join the team.

He quickly gets a chance to show off his chops, when the Mansion is attacked by zombified versions of many past Avengers. A general call goes out, and Blue Streak & J2 quickly join the fight. Spider-Girl gets the message as well, but since she no longer has a costume (see her own series for details), May has to assemble her Hoodie Girl outfit.

The Avengers fight a pretty even battle with the zombies, and we learn that the old woman from earlier is responsible for animating the duplicates. Meanwhile, Warp and the big guy use the distraction to slip inside the mansion.

The Avengers are beginning to tire as the intruders confront Kevin, who reveals that the big guy is someone he already knows.

Spider-Girl finally arrives and distracts the Hag enough to disrupt the simulacrum spell. The old woman beats a hasty retreat, and the Avengers regroup, only to learn that Kevin's been kidnapped.

A fairly decent issue, not great but perfectly decent, and at least it's about Avengers who are an actual team.

**Joe Acro** · 11-02-2006, 08:02 PM

That does sound like a fun read. I might look into it.

Is there a footnote saying we should see her series?

**Den** · 11-02-2006, 08:08 PM

While I like grabbing digests of Spider-Girl when I can, I had missed the A Next Run when it came out. So when I heard this was coming out, I thought I'd give at least the first issue a shot.

I enjoyed it, but as you say, it wasn't great. I was happy to see a certain old foe of Thor's back, and I'm curious to see where they're going with this.

**protege** · 11-02-2006, 08:10 PM

So- where are the missing Avengers? Who's retired, and who's injured?

**SKJAM!** · 11-02-2006, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Joe Acro

That does sound like a fun read. I might look into it.

Is there a footnote saying we should see her series?

In the comic itself, no. The backstory is included in May's thought balloons.

**SKJAM!** · 11-02-2006, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by protege

So- where are the missing Avengers? Who's retired, and who's injured?

The five characters specifically mentioned are: Freebooter, injured (and sponsoring Sabreclaw as his replacement); Stinger, retired from the Avengers due to personality clashes; Spider-Girl, retired from her costumed identity (though we know that won't last long); Mainframe, recalled by the government; and Thunderstrike, depowered when Galactus ate Asgard.

**Joe Acro** · 11-02-2006, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by SKJAM!

In the comic itself, no. The backstory is included in May's thought balloons.

I was really hoping for the use of footnotes. I guess Quesada's mandate remains...

**Jeff-E** · 11-03-2006, 06:28 AM

Can someone hit up some spoilers about the last issue of Last Planet Standing. I got every issue but the last for some reason my store missed it. Thanks.

**protege** · 11-03-2006, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by SKJAM!

The five characters specifically mentioned are: Freebooter, injured (and sponsoring Sabreclaw as his replacement); Stinger, retired from the Avengers due to personality clashes; Spider-Girl, retired from her costumed identity (though we know that won't last long); Mainframe, recalled by the government; and Thunderstrike, depowered when Galactus ate Asgard.

I hope freebooter and Thunderstrike come back before the series is over.

**Nevets F** · 11-03-2006, 09:35 AM

Fantastic issue. I loooooved it.

**sschroeder** · 11-03-2006, 12:31 PM

I'm glad I took a chance and decided to buy this. I haven't been following the stories and characters from this universe at all, but the Wieringo cover and Ron Lim pencils piqued my curiosity.

Maybe I'm imagining it, but the art team really gives Lim's pencils some more depth or dimension than I remember from the old days. Perhaps it is something in the coloring. I don't know that Lim had actually been gone from comics or just off my radar, but this seems like a potentially nice comeback for him, if this book gets any attention. If you are an old fan of his, you will probably want to check this out.

The story hits all the standard (in a good way) stuff for an Avengers comic. Discussion over membership, team status or policy. External threat that includes a fight. A larger mystery gets underway that will probably anchor the story arc. And a decent but not overly shameless cliff hanger. The issue stands on its own as the one where they fought the <I won't spoil it>. This is how to do a comic like this. I'm not saying it is the greatest thing ever, but it is a proven formula that works here.

The dialogue is decent. The character design for J2 is a little dorky, but I like most of the other ones.

Even the ads are interesting. Blue Man Group instruments. Planet Hulk spread. Star Wars Transformers. Warcraft card game.

**protege** · 11-03-2006, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Joe Acro

I was really hoping for the use of footnotes. I guess Quesada's mandate remains...

That reminds me- i used to love those footnotes back in the early 60's.

**sschroeder** · 11-03-2006, 03:39 PM

At least this book uses thought balloons, which I enjoy. So many comics have dispensed with them.

There was a nice use of faded grey lettering to indicate whispering in this issue too.