Avengers Vs. Atlas #3 Review

Avengers Vs. Atlas #3

The fun continues in Avengers Vs. Atlas #3.  As I’ve mentioned in the previous issue’s review, many “vs.” books tend to be kinda lackluster and lame, but this one has been quite the opposite!

As seen in the last issue, the Hulk has come through the time monster thingy that brought the original team of Avengers to the present day.  And he’s quite upset.  He fights the Avengers and the Agents of Atlas proving to best the combined heroes.  Much to the surprise of Atlas, an even earlier version of Iron Man is seen (Stark even claims that he’s just arrived even though a later version of himself has been a part of this whole incident).

Thor transports the collected heroes involved to Norway so they can battle the Hulk without destroying too much property or hurting any people.  The Uranian is onto how the time monster works and approaches to study it a little more.  However, he steps too close and is changed into his 1950s version.  The Hulk is eventually calmed back into Bruce Banner by Venus’ siren call (which also causes Namora and Thor to have a quick little romantic interlude).  When the team reassembles, they discover before the Uranian reverted back to his younger, Marvel Boy self, he “downloaded” everything he learned to Giant Man.  The mysteries of the time monster begin to reveal themselves when the Avengers learn that the troubles started around the time the Avengers were taking on Kang the Conqueror the first time.  Unfortunately for them, the monster has grown even larger.

This is just an enjoyable book from start to finish.  You just feel Jeff Parker’s appreciation for Silver Age stories and both the Avengers and the Agents of Atlas.  Each character is treated with respect and, as far as the Avengers are concerned, as they should be for the era from which they were pulled.  This series has been a ton of fun to read.

I have to admit, though, that this issue was upstaged by the short Venus feature at the end of the book.  Played out like a television show, Venus is reading letters from various superheroes asking for relationship advice.  The tongue-in-cheek handling of whether or not Hercules should shave his beard, Deadpool’s naughty escapades, Hulk’s apparent attraction to his own cousin, and Jocasta’s insecurities with Hank Pym is simply cute and funny.  I think one of the best aspects of the character Venus is that she’s obviously a sex symbol, but is played with an innocence that makes her even cuter and more appealing.  Think of what Mary Marvel was before Grant Morrison completely trashed her out.  Venus’ outfit is skimpy and dares you to picture her naked, but you are almost afraid that if you do see her naked, her sweetness would be lost and she wouldn’t be quite what you thought of her in that barely-there dress anymore.

(Image courtesy of Marvel Comics)