CBR: The Dark Secret of "Avengers Academy"

[CBR News]

In the final pages of "Avengers Academy" #1, writer Christos Gage and artist Mike McKone dropped a bombshell about what's really going on. We spoke with Gage and editor Bill Rosemann about the shocking revelation.


Full article here.

[Mark_S]

Gage: Very important. They want to make it clear where the wrong choices will lead. Just as a real-life "Scared Straight" program is meant to show at-risk youths where and with whom they'll end up if they go down the wrong path, this visit is meant to make the students think about how unpleasant it would be to share a cell block with Crossbones or Tiger Shark. But it's important for their education as heroes, too. Sooner or later they have to encounter super villains, and the teachers felt the best way for the first such exposure to unfold would be with the villains behind bars. Because, of course, in the world's most secure prison, nothing could possibly go wrong…

I think that quote was kind of interesting. They make mention of how uncomfortable it can be to share a cell with a supervillain, but not the fact that many supervillains-when not in prison-live in mansions. As the Kingpin has shown you can make a pretty good living being a bad guy and really what have these kids seen so far that would make them think being a superhero is a good idea? Look at their teachers, how much joy have they had in their lives since they got powers? I'd love for the kids to run into Dr. Doom on his throne and then have Hank, Tigra and Pietro explain to them that being a bad guy is a no-win scenario.

Mark_S

[Thad]

The Avengers learned the kids existence by pouring over some of the files left over from when Norman Osborn had control of the Avengers and all superhuman matters in the Marvel Universe.

What were they pouring over them? Maple syrup? Mountain Dew? Children's tears?

[Sighphi]

Why are they spoiling their the twist of their comic book?
PAD would go nuts if this happened to one of this books.

[eh_ver]

Um, the issue came out yesterday and there was a spoiler alert at the top of the page. I'm not sure what they are spoiling for you.

[eh_ver]

I thought this ending was (nearly) right up there with Thunderbolts #1. As soon as a finished the ending, I realized how much wealth there is in this plot. I think we'll definitely see some growth for all of the students, and not all for the better. I imagine Finesse would go bad. Maybe Hazmat, but those are both a little on the nose. I just look at them and see a bunch of "Moonstones/Meteorites" from the start of T-Bolts. We never knew which way she was going to go (heck, we still kind of don't) and after the first issue of AA, I don't know with any of these kids. Reptil prooved himself in the Initiative Special, but that was before the Dark Reign, I guess.

I got this and Young Allies yesterday and I have to say that this book really really has me excited. Like, loooooong term excited. Its cool to see a book with this much potential just starting.

[Kolymar]

I thought this ending was (nearly) right up there with Thunderbolts #1.

Very much agreed.

[eh_ver]

Thank you.

If it wasn't for all the 'shocks and twists' burning us out over the past few years, this ending would have had a lot more weight for the MU, I think. This, I think, has real good long term potential and has a real charm to it.

[DisneysFolly]

I thought this ending was (nearly) right up there with Thunderbolts #1.

I had the opposite reaction. Because i knew there was supposed to be a shocking ending, all I could think of was Thunderbolts #1 before I read the title. I just kept thinking about what would be the big twist. So by that point, my mind was subconsciously prepared for some variation of that Tbolts ending. And that's what i saw it as.

Now that's not to say I don't think it was a good title. Or that the twist plot MAY have promise. But i just don't know that the characters are interesting enough to compel me to stick with this for long. For one, I feel like Marvel just isn't breaking any barriers anymore with their superpowered kids. New X-Men, Young Allies, The Initiative....I just feel like the characters have started to become interchangeable archetypes at this point. And i'll want to see that aspect of the story not take 50 issues to progress. But ultimately, I have a hard time believing that half these characters could ever become evil threats of significant magnitude in the Marvel Universe. Veil? Seriously?

But I dig Gage and Mckone and i like the Avengers slant to it so i'll try to be patient and hope my fears and concerns are refuted.

[Psycwave]

I'm really eager to see where this goes. I loved the first issue and can't wait for more!

[Jay R.]

Reading what heck is the big twisted plot real there.

[Monty_Cristo]

I think that quote was kind of interesting. They make mention of how uncomfortable it can be to share a cell with a supervillain, but not the fact that many supervillains-when not in prison-live in mansions. As the Kingpin has shown you can make a pretty good living being a bad guy and really what have these kids seen so far that would make them think being a superhero is a good idea? Look at their teachers, how much joy have they had in their lives since they got powers? I'd love for the kids to run into Dr. Doom on his throne and then have Hank, Tigra and Pietro explain to them that being a bad guy is a no-win scenario.

Mark_S

they could have Doom show them his face (or lack of friends).

[Mark_S]

they could have Doom show them his face (or lack of friends).

Doom doesn't need friends. :) And his face didn't stop him from bedding Morgana Le Fay.

Mark_S

[Scavenger]

I agree..the shock had the impact of something with little impact...not so much because of the idea, but the pacing.

I'M glad they talked about how great McKone is with with emotions...I mean look at this brilliant pannel!
[URL=http://img824.imageshack.us/i/aa1legioncps009.jpg/]

Wow! Now that's amazing! You can just feeeel the emotions dripping off the page! BRILLIANT!

[Sijo]

OK, I haven't read the issue yet (and I don't mind spoilers) so might someone tell me if they say WHY these kids are considered potential supervillains? I mean, since when has there been a way to detect that in Marvel, short of having an evil latent side ala The Sentry's? Doesn't anybody with powers in effect have the potential to be either a hero or a villain, or even (as seen numerous times) to switch roles from time to time? Heck Avengers like Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch started as villains. You'd think the Avengers would be one of the teams willing to give superpeople the benefit of the doubt. Right now this sounds like a poor attempt to give the series meaning ala the shocking reveal of Thunderbolts #1. Hopefully there's more to it than "they were in Osborn's to-recruit list".