Written by Howard Chaykin
Art by Howard Chaykin; Jesus Aburtov; Manny Mederos; & Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Art by Howard Chaykin & Jesus Aburtov
SUMMARY:
Published by Marvel Comics for December 2011, this untitled issue kicks off a five-part mini-series. In late 1959, at a posh New York restaurant, Nick Fury and his Avengers squad (Namora; Kraven the Hunter; Dominic Fortune; Sabretooth; Ulysses Bloodstone; and Ernest “Silver Sable” Sablinova) toast the success of their recent mission before going their separate ways. Subsequently, these stateside Avengers face HYDRA assassination threats.
In Latveria, the undercover Louise “Blonde Phantom” Mason playfully seduces Nazi war criminal Dieter Skul in a castle bedroom. Elsewhere, a HYDRA operative posing as middle-aged Mr. Sydenham of the U.S. State Department sets up to defraud the Wakandan royal family of vital technological secrets in a covert transaction.
REVIEW:
Though the issue likely merits a parental advisory for some grisly violence, writer-artist Howard Chaykin solidly establishes his primary cast. Yet, one will notice the issue’s limited plotting. With eight Avengers to account for, the issue is more a series of short sequences. Chaykin’s best effort at character depth is Kraven & Namora’s pre-attack scene as a romantic couple at the docks.
Despite its tawdriness, the sultry Blonde Phantom’s brief scene as a counter-intelligence specialist suggests that she might play a far more vital role later in this series. Imbued by Chaykin’s trademark artistic style, the dark visuals convincingly generate a Cold War espionage noir-like ambiance. Accordingly, Avengers 1959 # 1 proves an intriguing thrill ride for adult fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a full-page cover reveal for Avengers 1959 # 2. There is also a two-spread hyping tie-ins to the Spider-Island storyline.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
