Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by John Romita Jr.; Klaus Janson; Paul Mounts; & VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art by Alan Davis; Mark Farmer; & Javier Rodriguez
SUMMARY:
This untitled issue (included as part of the “Fear Itself” saga) was published by Marvel Comics for November 2011. Narrated mostly by Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), Hawkeye, and the Protector in a debriefing, they describe confronting the Red Skull’s daughter and her armored Nazi robots during New York’s destruction.
With Bucky Barnes’ Captain America evidently dead and Avengers Tower destroyed, the four Avengers struggle to mount some form of offense against overwhelming forces. With Ms. Marvel providing a possibly sacrificial diversion, the Protector remotely takes control of Tony Stark’s Iron Man suits to strike back. Intervention by the New Avengers (Luke Cage; Spider-Man; Jessica Jones; Mockingbird; Iron Fist; Daredevil; & Wolverine) comes into play. Steve Rogers’ Captain America makes a brief cameo.
REVIEW:
While writer Brian Michael Bendis does an okay job with this issue’s script, the end result is hardly anything inspired, let alone original. The same applies to the disappointingly shoddy interior visuals, which sport only a few above-average panels. Quite frankly, this issue’s sole creative asset is an intriguing cover image, which (no surprise, considering the dire circumstances) doesn’t impact Hawkeye & Spider-Woman’s brief (and best-forgotten) romance. Avengers # 17, as a result, accomplishes minimal entertainment value.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
A full-page cover reveal for the next issue also provides thumbnail cover reveals for New Avengers # 16; Secret Avengers # 17; and Avengers Academy # 20. Honoring 9/11’s tenth anniversary are six pages of reprints from Marvel’s “A Moment of Silence” and “Heroes,” both first published in late 2001.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars
