New Avengers #7 Review
The Avengers have faced some of the worst foes in the history of Marvel Comics. Be it Ultron, Kang, Skrulls, Kree, Gravitron, or Dr. Doom himself, they’ve defeated them all. But in Brian Michael Bendis’ New Avengers #7, they face their worst enemies yet – paychecks, the search for a nanny, and the man himself.
New Avengers #7
As the Mansion gets repaired from the mystical attack of the first arc, the New Avengers need to figure out who is going to be on the team, but the presence of Norman Osborn’s former right hand gal, Victoria Hand, isn’t making things any more comfortable. After yet again explaining herself for working with Osborn during the darkest period in Marvel’s history, they decide to let Steve Rogers’ word speak for her. She then passes out paychecks straight from Commander Rogers himself for being Avengers. Unfortunately for Spider-Man, he doesn’t get paid because he hasn’t divulged his secret identity (yet another drawback of “Brand New Day”… curse you, Mephisto!). However, the paychecks really steams Luke Cage. Cage, who doesn’t want to answer to anyone, even Rogers, doesn’t want anyone to get paychecks. Thanks to the intervention of Jessica, he finally agrees to take the paycheck. With the found money, the search begins to find baby Danielle a nanny, but they have a particular need for this nanny – he or she needs to have powers to assist in the protection of Danielle. After several are interviewed, the couple decides on Squirrel Girl, despite Wolverine’s wishes to never see her again. Meanwhile, Doctor Strange, who accepts the offer to become an Avenger and crash at their place, brings in a grumpy Wong, who isn’t too pleased being a “second-rate Jarvis to a second-rate pile of Avengers.”
Man… I don’t even know what to say about this issue. I can say one thing about the use of the characters in this issue. I do like how completely and utterly inept Luke Cage is at thinking about the best interests of his team. He literally campaigns against his team being paid even if they need it. He wants so badly to prove he can lead this team without Steve Rogers checking in on him, but he inspires no one on his team because his own desires comes before the needs of his team. I know this is some sort of arc that Bendis is sending Cage on, but he’s actually been stepping backwards lately. He’s so forceful, and has such a big chip on his shoulder, his personality takes over and apparently no one else can or wants to step up and take over. Nah, it’s probably just this arc Bendis has put Cage on that keeps him in his leadership role.
Stuart Immonen’s art is definitely a bright spot in this series. Along with his inker, Wade Von Grawbadger and colorist, Laura Martin, this book has very solid art that is very nice to look at from one page to the next. It’s definitely a unique style in the facial expressions and bodywork, but it’s very fitting for an Avengers title and one that I look forward to seeing each month.
Aside from that, it’s a particularly bland issue. I know I’ve said it before and taken some heat for it, but when you have Avengers on the cover with members of the team doing some pretty actiony posing on that cover, you’d not really expect 22 pages of hatin’ on paychecks, the man, and needing to find a nanny. Shouldn’t the next bad guy either be shown plotting their next diabolical scheme, or… I dunno… Maybe attacking the Avengers? There isn’t a single thing in this issue that couldn’t have been summed up quick enough to give us at least a tease at the next actual arc. Also, why is Wong so pissy these days? I thought he was the ever-loyal man servant of Dr. Strange. I guess we’re getting some sort of character arc there too (just what I always wanted for Christmas).
Now, I’m not saying every single issue needs an explosion or anything, but it needs a hell of a lot more than this. If we’re going to pay $4 a pop, let’s give people something more than the thrill of interviewing D-Man for the open nanny position. If you ask me a year or two down the line if I remember The New Avengers #7, the only answer I could give is, “Oh yeah, isn’t that the one that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING happened in?”
A COMIC BOOK BLOG RATING
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good art. I like the Luke Cage story where he’s a completely inept leader because he doesn’t want to have to answer to anyone and dammit, what he says goes! | Nothing interesting happens. Nothing particularly cool happens. Pretty much nothing happens. |
| Rating |
1 Comment
Are you kidding with this review? This was the perfect
“down-time” issue where the characters get a chance to reflect and
interact with one another. It was well-written, at times hilarious,
and a much-needed respite from the first 6 issue arc. There does
not always have to be a villain or antagonist in every single issue
of a superhero comic. Seriously, years from now, when one looks
back on the run, they don’t typically remember “Part 5 of 6 issue
big slambang apocalyptic fight arc” but they will remember
delightful issues like this one that focused on character,
personality, and moved the status quo along.