New Avengers #50
This review written by James Hunt on Feb.27, 2009.
Finally, the Dark Avengers meet the New Avengers for the match-up you’ve been waiting for!
Or rather… they don’t. You can colour me slightly miffed that the meeting I was looking forward to – the one that was advertised in all the material and on the cover of the book – DIDN’T ACTUALLY HAPPEN. It makes complete sense, of course, and shows exactly how formidable Osborn is now that he’s in a position of power, but, well, it’s not exactly the comic that was advertised…
That aside, there’s much to love about the issue. The issue does, at least, feature the New Avengers reacting to the first appearance of the “Dark” Avengers, and that scene plays out with some of Bendis’ funniest dialogue for ages – although Phillip Tan’s artwork for the same scene leaves much to be desired. As improved as Tan is, he’s not really in the same league as the book’s previous artists. On a title like New Avengers, readers deserve top artistry.
On some level Marvel do understand that – this issue, extra-sized, has a unique gimmick of having single page character focusses during the big fight scene, drawn by artists associated with that character, including some brilliant spidey art by McNiven and an always-welcome glimpse of Gaydos drawing Jessica Jones. It’s a unique approach to a fight scene, and a welcome “event” to mark the book’s 50th issue – even if that does mean seeing some of Greg “got the” Horn’s laughable attempts at rendering an interior page.
Of course, as good as the plot is, and as special as the extra artwork is, there’s one fact that deeply overshadows this entire issue, and that’s the price. If part of you doesn’t wince at the idea of paying $4.99 for an issue of New Avengers, then, well, you’re lucky that you’re rich enough not to care. I used to pride myself on buying comics with scant regard for how much it actually cost – but when one comic costs almost 4 quid, it’s genuinely hard not to complain. I actually bought a *NEW* TPB containing 8 issues of Fantastic Four for less than twice that price. I don’t want to stop buying singles, I’m sure Marvel don’t want me to stop buying singles, but this is getting ridiculous.
February 28th, 2009 on 12:28 am
I was overall kind of underwhelmed with this issue, but loved Clint’s speech at the end.
Also, it wasn’t until this issue that I realized how much I loved David Aja’s art (and that I miss him being on Iron Fist), and how much I equally hated that of Greg Horn’s.
March 2nd, 2009 on 10:52 am
For some reason or other I haven’t got to a shop in a bit, but I’ve really lost interest in New Avengers now, my disappointment with Secret Invasion, combined with too many status quo changes and me totally not getting that Tan chap’s art (seriously, I just think it looks lame and 90’s) is making me think of dropping it, and soon.
March 19th, 2009 on 6:23 pm
I’ve had a chance to read it now, and though I enjoyed it, particularly the scenes where they’re guessing who the Dark Avengers are, but I think I’m going to call it a day with the New Avengers.
Tan’s art isn’t to my taste and the ever shifting status quo of the team has just become tiresome now. I loved the book from the start but it hasn’t really gripped me for a while now, the last time I really got excited was the Elektra skrull reveal.
Having said all this, I’ll probably buy the new story in trade anyway when it comes out, ’cause I’m a sucker like that.
March 19th, 2009 on 6:25 pm
Also, I think Bendis got Clint’s dialogue and attitude right, but he never worked as Ronin for me.
March 19th, 2009 on 9:19 pm
Tan’s art is definitely a weak spot. No idea why they thought he was a good fit for the title. He’s improved massively since even his X-Men days, but is he really New Avengers material? Personally, I’m not convinced.
March 21st, 2009 on 8:56 am
I’ll have to disagree on this one- I feel Tan’s art is well suited to chaotic actions sequences, and to my mind he’s the best artist currently working on the Avengers franchise.