Avengers Academy #9 *Spoilers*

**HeroxMatt2.0** · 02-16-2011, 09:22 PM

This was an awesome issue! Christos Gage - you weren't lying when you said the action was going to be ramped up, and I was soooo glad to see something as awesome and epic as Taskmaster vs Finesse. Not only was the action really well handled, but I loved the dialogue post-action scene. It was touching, and great to see more of Taskmaster in that kind of light, then just as a fighting machine. McKone did great work here too, and seeing all the characters get a part in this was awesome. Speedball, Quicksilver and Justice were all fun to read, as usual.

**HeroxMatt2.0** · 02-16-2011, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Chase_Stein

That was really a bummer, Mike McKone was a really great AA artist. His replacement, Tom Raney, is a good artist but his art needs to be more grounded. His characters always look hyper.

I agree, McKone was awesome here. Some of his best work, I reckon - he was complimented really well by Jeremy Cox as well. I think Tom Raney will be a good fit, but also having Sean Chen for the extra issues is good, too. I'm also glad to know that we'll be getting more than 12 issues this year. Does anyone know how many extra issues will be released? I know 10/11 are both shipping in the same month, what else?

EDIT: Answered my own question. May is shipping Avengers Academy #13 and #14!

**mikekerrIII** · 02-16-2011, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Chase_Stein

The video, the trauma, and the humiliation OTOH will last forever.

And since he is on the way to being at the top of the Cosmic class, how is that a good thing?

**Godlike13** · 02-16-2011, 10:12 PM

Taskmaster rocked! Gage should totally do a Taskmaster book

**TonyStark1012** · 02-16-2011, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Godlike13

Taskmaster rocked! Gage should totally do a Taskmaster book

In total agreement with ya!

**HeroxMatt2.0** · 02-16-2011, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by TonyStark1012

In total agreement with ya!

It'd be a wicked contrast of Taskmaster training his villains, and Avengers Academy training their heroes. Maybe for an annual or something we could see that! (like how in some annuals they turn to the villains perspective)

**Iron Maiden** · 02-16-2011, 10:43 PM

I don't know, in light of the recent developments with Taskmaster I wonder what the point would be for him to go back to training villains. Heck, he might be a better fit for Heroes for Hire.

**Skaddix** · 02-16-2011, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Iron Maiden

I don't know, in light of the recent developments with Taskmaster I wonder what the point would be for him to go back to training villains. Heck, he might be a better fit for Heroes for Hire.

that might work for enough cash he will do any job.

**HeroxMatt2.0** · 02-16-2011, 11:34 PM

Also, I was wondering ... with Taskmaster has that memory thing been referred to before this issue? Or is it something relatively new?

**Skaddix** · 02-17-2011, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by HeroxMatt2.0

Also, I was wondering ... with Taskmaster has that memory thing been referred to before this issue? Or is it something relatively new?

He recently received a miniseries that retconned the character and established the new origin which created the memory loss thing.

**HeroxMatt2.0** · 02-17-2011, 12:15 AM

Ah, OK thanks! I think it's a great twist to his character and it just threw this entire issue to a whole new level of awesome when I was reading it.

**HeroxMatt2.0** · 02-17-2011, 01:27 AM

What did everyone think of the last page? Tigra watching the video her students recorded?

**Vic Vega** · 02-17-2011, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by Iron Maiden

I don't know, in light of the recent developments with Taskmaster I wonder what the point would be for him to go back to training villains. Heck, he might be a better fit for Heroes for Hire.

I think he forgot that he is a good guy or something. His new status quo seems vaguely memento like. Maybe he'll start leaving notes to himself too.

**Leocomix** · 02-17-2011, 07:28 AM

Month after month, this proves to be the best Avengers title. It's really stupid that people will pass on this title.

When Taskmaster mentions the DD-Bullseye fight on TV, McKone is even using the panel composition by Gil Kane.

The line "Captain America was at its best during WWII" is awesome
The mention of the American Avenger, a character that appeared once 70 years ago shows that Gage is serious about his job.
The mention of the Angel was nice too. The Angel was number 4 of the Timely characters.
In other words, Gage establishes Taskmaster as somebody whose ability to stand to superpowered characters is built out of definite and extensive research.

The dialogue between Pietro and Tigra is enough to make Bendis, Fraction and Brubaker jealous.

As far as I am concerned Gage is now Marvel's top writer. (Van Lente isn't bad either)

**Songbird/Diamondback** · 02-17-2011, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by Leocomix

Month after month, this proves to be the best Avengers title. It's really stupid that people will pass this title.

Because people want to see Luke Cage and Jessica Jones eat out and Iron Man and Cap bicker like a married couple as the Hood runs rampant across the MU.
(Yeah, I don't get why people pass on this book either.)