Written by Zeb Wells
Art by Joe Madueira; Ferran Daniel; & VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by “MAD!” & “Lusen”
SUMMARY:
Published for January 2012 by Marvel Comics, this untitled debut issue has the Avengers (Steve Rogers; Thor; Spider-Woman; Hawkeye; Red Hulk; Wolverine; Iron Man; & Spider-Man) vs. a giant A.I.M. robot. Red Hulk begrudgingly obliges after Spider-Man tries bumming a ride back to New York City after the mission. At the NYC Marathon, Major J. Jonah Jameson and thousands of participants are overrun by the Mole Man’s underground minions (the Moloids).
Spider-Man and Red Hulk intervene, but a gigantic underground monster bearing razor-sharp fangs and a paralyzing neuro-toxin from its mouth proves formidable opposition. An abducted Jameson finds out that Mole Man isn’t the culprit behind this assault.
Note: Though the images aren’t provided in this issue, the variant artist teams are: ‘Ramos & Delgado;’ ‘Campbell & Delgado;’ and Joe Quesada, Danny Miki, & Richard Isanove.
REVIEW:
Well-played fun! Between the tongue-in-cheek gags (i.e. Spider-Man and a foul-mouthed Jameson are both in vintage form) and the solid action sequences, writer Zeb Wells does a stellar job with this new title launch. Wells is further supported by the art team’s top-caliber visuals. If anything, the brief “Not it” sequence of the Avengers each declining to give Spider-Man yet free ride is worth the price of admission by itself.
The same could be said of Jameson’s hilariously irate reaction to the city’s property damage, as he is oblivious of any fear of the Moloids. For Spider-Man and/or Avengers fans, Avenging Spider-Man # 1 proves a good-natured gem to read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Marvel allots a two-page spread for the issue’s credits alone. Senior Editor Stephen Wacker offers a single-page letter to fans as to why Avenging Spider-Man will be an Avengers-themed variation of Spidey’s old Marvel Team-Up series. A six-page preview of writer Jeph Loeb & artist Ed McGuinness’ Avengers: X-Sanction # 1 has the team (Captain America; Falcon; Iron Man; Wolverine; Spider-Man; and Red Hulk) vs. the Lethal Legion on a rainy night in downtown New York.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
