Written by Kurt Busiek.
Art by Steve Epting; Alan Davis; Ian Churchill; Yanick Paquette; Al Vey; Mark Farmer; Norm Rapmund; Ray Snyder; Tom Smith; Rick Starkings; & Comicraft’s Albert’s Deschene and Saida Temofonte.
Avengers: The Ultron Imperative – Written by Kurt Busiek; Roy Thomas; Roger Stern; & Steve Englehart.
Avengers: The Ultron Imperative – Art by John Paul Leon; Paul Smith; Tom Grummett; Karl Kesel; John McCrea; James Hodgekins; Jim Starlin; Al Milgrom; Pat Oliffe; Livesay; Jorge Lucas; Mike Royer; Klaus Janson; Don Heck; Jerry Ordway; Barry Windsor-Smith; Jim Cheung; Cam Smith; Kieron Dwyer; Rick Remender; John Estes; Paul Smith; Hi-Fi Design; & Comicraft.
Compilation Cover Art by Alan Davis; Mark Farmer; & Tom Smith.
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics in 2005, this 232-page compilation consists of Avengers # 36-40, Issue # 56, Annual 2001; and Avengers: The Ultron Imperative (all from 2001-2002).
- # 36 (“No Rest for the Weary”): Ms. Marvel, Iron Man, & the Vision are summoned from their assignment rounding up alien fugitives. Ex-3D Man Hal Chandler’s wife comes to Avengers Mansion to confront Triathlon. Hank Pym is mysteriously abducted. Pagan and Lord Templar attack Avengers Mansion. Captain America needs emergency help against Bloodwrath in Slorenia.
- # 37 (“Scorched Earth”): The team (Cap, Iron Man, Captain Marvel {Monica Rambeau}, Wonder Man, & Scarlet Witch) must take drastic measures vs. Bloodwrath. The team’s other half (Ms. Marvel, Jack of Hearts, Triathlon, Wasp, & the Vision) face off vs. Pagan and Lord Templar. The question is: who is impersonating Hank Pym/Goliath?
- # 38 (“Above & Beyond”): Guest appearances include Thor, Quicksilver, Firebird, & Black Knight. Including a cameo from the nefarious Taskmaster, the team has multiple ongoing assignments. Ms. Marvel & the Vision enjoy a date night. The Avengers’ next crisis is evident: Kalkhimthia, Greece is now overrun by an army of Hulks.
- # 39 (“Condition Green”): In New York City, Silverclaw tangles with Diablo. In Greece, the outmatched Avengers could desperately use Bruce Banner’s intervention to end the threat of multiple rampaging Hulks.
- # 40 (“Thoom”): Including a Doc Samson cameo, the dual battles from Issue # 39 continue. As Silverclaw’s fight vs. Diablo rages on, the Avengers face a skyscraper-sized Hulk. It’s time for Bruce Banner’s Hulk to enter the fray. Two more villains make their latest appearance.
- The Ultron Imperative: The team (including Pym’s Yellowjacket & Hawkeye) faces a double-threat in Ultron and Alkhema’s metallic armies. Hawkeye faces a heartbreaking ultimatum.
- 2001 Annual: Full-page artwork includes homages to Cap’s ‘Kooky Quartet;’ Giant Man, Thor, & Iron Man vs. the Vision; the Avengers ‘Heroes Reborn’ era; a double-page battle scene; and the Silver Age Avengers vs. the Hulk. “House Cleaning” has Jarvis e-mailing the team’s government liaison, Duane Freeman, on the team’s latest extraordinary complications.
- # 56 (“Lo, There Shall Come … An Accounting!”): It’s Audit Day! Facing a Stark Foundation audit with potential I.R.S. complications, team members are interrogated re: questionable invoices, especially for public property damage. Guest Avengers include She-Hulk, the Beast, Thor, and U.S. Agent.
REVIEW:
If judged solely on the impressive page count, this collection is a reliable option for Avengers fans. Outside that perspective, there isn’t necessarily a must-have among these reprints. It’s really a matter of just enjoying the solid Avengers plotting with terrific production values (including consistently good visuals). One just has to keep in mind this book is clearly meant for Marvel loyalists.
For instance, various sub-plots, like the Hank Pym abduction, aren’t resolved here before shifting to The Ultron Imperative. Keeping track of the roster’s revolving door might also throw off some casual fans. Even so, these compiled stories aren’t boring, as they are at least provided in chronological order.
The closest approximation to a storytelling gem is saved for last. Suffice to say, an audit, Avengers-style, is at least worth checking out. With that in mind, Avengers: Above and Beyond is appropriate for middle schoolers and up.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Full-page reproductions of the various covers are included. A four-page Avengers roster lists all members up to the addition of then-Captain Britain (Kelsey Leigh) in 2004.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
