Just as Gaydos returned for his stint on Alias’ Jessica Jones last week, so this issue of New Avengers sees David Mack returning to the character he had a hand in creating – Maya Lopez, the deaf hitwoman-turned-heroine known as Echo.

Little is made of Echo’s powers in this issue. From her appearances in Dardevil, we know she has a taskmaster-style ability to copy any movement she sees exactly, but it’s largely underplayed in this issue in favour of simply showing her as a formidable fighter.

The plot gives us a rare look into the actual workings of Secret Invasion, as we see a skrull attempting to replace Maya. The skrulls, it appears, are going to have a ridiculous array of powers to call upon, which is going to make them incredibly difficult enemies to fight, though as this issue demonstrates, they also lack the experience to properly use their powers to maximum effectiveness. Despite employing the powers of several heroes, the skrull is still beaten by Maya and Logan, though it does manage to escape. Afterwards, Maya retires to the Avengers… er, apartment, I guess, before sleeping with Hawkeye. That guy really puts it around.

It’s a fairly straightforward story, but nicely plays off Maya and Logan’s history together (as explained in the pages of Daredevil some years ago) by pairing them up. Bendis is remarkably restrained with his dialogue, allowing Mack’s amazing pencils to speak for themselves. I’ve never seen Mack’s work like this – I’m only used to his painted pages, and I had to check the cover to make sure it was actually him. Let’s get this straight: Mack is nothing short of an amazing penciller. If I worked at Marvel I’d give him whatever it took to have him pencilling something on even a semi-regular basis. As it is, he only seems to put out the odd issue of Kabuki through Icon – a move that seems purely designed to keep him at Marvel ready for this kind of project. Either way, keep doing it.

Oh, and apparently: next issue – Skrulls! For a change? Someone should speak to the Brand New Day guys about writing those next-issue teasers.