Avengers 1: Avengers World Paperback – January 1, 2014

I bought the comics when they first came out. I remember thinking that Hickman was the perfect writer to take over from Bendis. Reading these stories again, I still feel the same way.This is a great story. Hickman really understands each individual character and what drives them. Cap and Stark going even bigger with the Avengers is perfectly executed here. The best issues are the ones that explore individual characters. I loved how Bendis brought new characters to the team, and I'm glad that Hickman continued to do so.A lot of foreshadowing of events to come are present. Hickman always plays the long game with whatever series he writes, which is good. It may take until the end of his run for subplots to play out, but it's always worth it.

I previously read and reviewed the inaugural volume of Hickman’s sister Avengers title, “New Avengers,” which I adored. This series, “Avengers,” is distinct in tone from that other title. Firstly, it draws from a much larger universe of characters (as the word “world” in this volume’s subtitle suggests). My first reaction upon reading this was that “Avengers” is attempting to match the scale of DC’s old “JLA” series, or of Marvel’s early “Ultimates” series, albeit with a team set in the Marvel Universe proper.The six issues contained in this volume are divided between one “gathering of the team” storyline (#1-3) and three issues focusing on three subgroups of the expanded “Avengers World” (#4-6). The latter issues spotlight three new Avengers: Hyperion, the new Smasher, and the new Captain Universe. Viewed another way, all six issues are part of a larger, overarching storyline featuring a new group of villains (the Garden), a new character (Adam), and the fallout of the Garden’s actions in the first three issues.Hickman does an expert job of juggling the various characters, giving depth to them, advancing their storylines, and concocting “big idea” stories that play out over several issues and engage the reader. While ambitious, mercifully his “big ideas” are not quite as convoluted and impenetrable as Morrison’s have become over the years. In scale and ingenuity, however, they do resemble Morrison’s runs on “JLA” and “New X-Men,” and in fact Hickman links Smasher’s origin story to a memorable scene from the “Imperial” storyline in “New X-Men.” But distinct from those other blockbuster series is Hickman’s willingness to bring in obscure, even fringe characters, right off the bat. He trusts that he can sell the readership on these characters’ long-term potential.The immediate fracturing of the core Avengers team arguably dilutes the supposed A-list efficacy that that team is supposed to have, since the main team is, after a bit of grandstanding, promptly defeated in issue #1. Readers not familiar with these heavy-hitters (Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye) may not understand why it is meant to be such a big deal when they are brought down. This is one potential weakness of Hickman’s approach. On the other hand, there is precedence for dismantling an established team at the start of a series (or the start of a creator’s run). The classic example of this would be Giant-Size X-Men #1, which introduced the version of the X-Men that is familiar to us today. To a lesser extent there is Avengers: Disassembled, which kicked off Bendis’s long tenure with the Avengers franchise. So Hickman is in line with the tradition of several accomplished and influential stories.Opena’s artwork (#1-3) is stunning, as usual. Adam Kubert’s art (#4-6), though, represents a step in the wrong direction for him. It may in part be due to his inker, but compared to his former work this has fewer lines, is less angular, and seems less detailed. The result is a cartoony look that falls flat in panels that call for a lot of action. It isn’t terrible, though, and you could chalk up this gripe to preference.Of the many comics that I current follow, most of them I follow for the sake of keeping up with stories that I used to follow and enjoy when I was younger (i.e., out of habit or obligation). By contrast, I look forward to Hickman’s Avengers books because I enjoy them.

If you're new to Hickman I envy you. You're in for a treat, but beware there is some work involved. His run (so far) on Avengers is nothing less than cosmic and complex. It's also well worth the effort. Captain America and Iron Man decide to expand the team and not a moment too soon. Strange things are happening on Mars and around the world on earth. It takes earth's mightiest heroes to stop the end of our world and the genesis of a new one. In true Hickman fashion, this is only the beginning of the hero's troubles, but if you were a fan of his run on Fantastic Four, and even if you weren't, it will be worth the ride I'm sure. The art on this series is very well done also, although it is not all done by the same team. A small quibble and a small price to pay for some grade A story telling.

Typically, I'd write this articulate, pretentious review about the story, the artwork, the synergy of those...but what is really stuck in my craw, is Marvel's continued neglect of the binding. I read a review in All-New X-Men where the reviewer likened the current binding to a children's book. That, right there, is the most accurate description of how I viewed this book after pulling the plastic off. The matte finish on the cover mutes the colors, and ruins the artwork that would otherwise pop with more vibrant colors. Call me an old man, but I prefer the faux-leather/dust-jacket/sewn-binding printing that I've grown accustomed to since...immemorial. The price continues to increase on these volumes, yet their presentation continues a downward spiral.I don't want to leave this review without discussing the positives of the book. That wouldn't be fair to Hickman, Opena, and Kubert, who have begun to sew the seeds of an old-school Avengers story similar to Korvac, Kree-Skrull, and Operation: Galactic Storm (I liked it, okay?). I see a lot of parallels with Hickman's Fantastic Four run, however, I hope he doesn't fall victim to becoming a one-trick pony like Brubaker (everyone's a spy, didn't you know that?), and cultivates this current roster of Avengers to save not only the solar system, but to remind folks that they are always going to be Earth's Mightiest Heroes. You have great wild-cards with the Stupidity Spider-Man (Dumbest. Idea. Ever.), Hyperion, and Captain Universe definitely intrigues me.I fully intend to give Hickman another shot at captivating me with the Last White Event storyline, however, I would implore Marvel to step back and review the way they are presenting these volumes. My nearest comic book store is over 50 miles away, so I read via trade (and they look really cool on the bookshelf). I would much like to enjoy my ~$18 purchases without dialogue and artwork getting chewed up in the gutter of the book. Peace.