The Heroes Return Era of the Avengers

[Nomads1]

I really loved that Iron Man armor. For me, it was one of the best. It reunited so many great features from other armors. And I prefer the original take, not the redesigned version after #12.

Peace

[Hypestyle]

Since I’m going to check out Christopher Priest’s run of Black Panther, and his Captain America & Falcon mini-series, it’s worth checking out his earlier work with the Falcon, which also features a character which will be relevant to his Black Panther run.



The Falcon #1-4
The first issue has art by Paul Smith, who I love from his brief X-Men run, Nexus fill-ins and Leave it to Chance. The rest is by Mark Bright, who is solid.
It starts quite weird morally. A drunk kid is about to rape his girlfiend, when the Falcon stops him and encourages her family not to press charges, which fits with his civilian identity as a social worker. There is a sense of a guy trying to prevent someone from his neighborhood from becoming a lowlife, even if the story would be told differently now. An important context is that these comics are 40 years old. If you were to use Fantastic Four #1 as the start of a new era of comics, this is in the first third of Marvel. I’m not sure I should think about how old these comics are.

In the second issue, Falcon is attacked by a malfunctioning Sentinel, which I recall Jarvis addressing in the Busiek Avengers run. It delays him, which results in a tragic police shooting and a race riot, a story that is quite ahead of its time. Later issues feature the kidnapping of President Reagan, and a showdown with a major Spider-Man villain. It’s unrealistic even in the context of superhero stories, but there are some good sequences, and it’s legitimately thought-provoking.
B

Please tell me that wasn't a Klan/Secret Empire mask being pulled off of "Ron".... (you know what, let me leave it alone, lol)...

I'd love it if Priest was the main Avengers writer now. At least 3 years worth of arcs. Alas...

[K7P5V]

I really loved that Iron Man armor. For me, it was one of the best. It reunited so many great features from other armors. And I prefer the original take, not the redesigned version after #12.

Peace

Same here. It's not among My Top Three Favorite suits-of-armor, but I always get nostalgic whenever I see it (T^T)

[Mister Mets]

Captain America #2
This is just an excellent set piece. Hydra is planning a terrorist attack, and they have a hijacked naval sub. Cap has 21 minutes to save the day before the military sinks the submarine. And it ends with a major sacrifice.
The opening has some cool scenes involving Cap's shield. When Cap gets onto the submarine, the Navy guys take advantage of the opportunity to fight alongside Captain America. Waid isn't exactly subtle in explaining the significance of what Cap loses, but the scene does it in a way where Cap's not asking us to feel sorry. Garney is in fine form, depicting tense drama in very closed quarters.
A+



Captain America #3-4
There’s an odd set-up where a six issue stretch of issues ties in to a Hydra plot, so it could all be considered one storyline. However, issues 2-4 are all self-contained, even if there are hints of events that will require a follow-up. These two issues are connected by the debut of a new Supreme Hydra (who seems edgier and younger- of a type with Buffy’s Spike or the Elite’s Manchester Black), and a cliffhanger bringing back a silver age classic.
Both issues are really good. In the third issue, Cap deals with a hostage crisis at the Smithsonian where he has to protect two brats from Hydra, and finds the most appropriate possible replacement for his missing shield.
In the next issue, he largely tries to avoid a standard superhero pissing match, which is morally interesting. However, he’s hanging out with Hawkeye who is trying to cheer him up, and these early Heroes Return issues get a good sense of a complex dynamic between two people who respect one another, but have a very different understanding. Cap’s self-aware enough to see how people treat him like an icon, and that he sometimes things to feed into that. And it’s not clear whether Cap was right to try to avoid a public fight with one of his enemies where the people get what they want, and they’re inspired, and it’s all according to plan.
It seems the reputation the Waid/ Garney comics have is that the year before Heroes Reborn was better, and this is an imitation. From my perspective, these issues are better. Waid’s sense of the character is as strong as ever, and it benefits from the connection to a decent Avengers run. Meanwhile, Garney has gotten better colorists. One feature of the work I like is how different the real Cap is from all the toys and merchandise.
A

[Mister Mets]

Fury/ Agent 13 #1-2
In this tie-in, Agent 13/ Sharon Carter uncovers evidence that Nick Fury faked his death in “Over the Edge” a crossover between Daredevil, The Incredible Hulk, Dr Strange and Ghost Rider in which the Punisher was brainwashed to kill Nick Fury. So this seems like a story that exists mainly to bring Nick Fury back to a major position in the Marvel Universe after weird 90s comics like that one, and the Nick Fury VS SHIELD mini-series, although it does build on Sharon Carter’s sense of betrayal after an undercover mission went south and she was abandoned.
I’m not familiar with artist Ramon Bernado. He’s not bad. He’s got a manga sensibility, kind of like a cross between Joe Mad and Steve Skroce. He depicts modern espionage scenes (in a very comic-y way) and some sequences set in World War 2.
Some parts of Terry Kavanaugh’s story work. The explanation about what Nick Fury’s been up to connects to his personality and history. There’s a decent twist with the fate of his mysterious antagonist the Fallen Angel, which fits the idea that some of the people in Marvel’s espionage corners are very damaged. I do not buy the explanation of why Sharon Carter had to suffer for years (Nick Fury thought she was dead, and she didn’t think to get word to him or Cap?) Tony Stark has a role, since it’s revealed he’s had reason to suspect Fury faked his death and hasn’t bothered to tell anyone. Then he goes and confronts SHIELD in a way that would cost him every military contract he’s ever had (granted, at the time his status quo was as a very expensive consultant.)
C



The Avengers #4
This is just an astounding standard Avengers issue. It should be dull, largely focusing on the founding Avengers trying to determine a new line-up. But material that’s been subequently stretched out for TPBs is fine if its one issue. And it’s matched with a plot where B-lister Whirlwind gets away from the most impressive Avengers lineup ever because there are so many of them they get in each other’s way.
The spotlight goes to Hawkeye who is a little bit pissed that he’s not one of the founding Avengers choosing a new lineup, so he helps Justice & Firestar (quasi-Avengers after the last story) get some good publicity, only to discover it may cost him his spot on the Avengers. The resolution is just perfect. Other effective details include Iron Man’s worries about Carol Danvers, the debut of a new supporting character in an Avengers government liason who is the anti-Henry Gyrich and a sad conversation between the Vision & Scarlet Witch, in what is probably one of the best breakups in superhero comics.


I mention the writing more, but George Perez may legitimately be the best American comics artist ever, and this an issue with astounding work by him. It’s dense but you want to focus on every detail.
The beauty of this run so far is that it gives Avengers fans what they wanted, but a better version than what they imagined in their head. It’s a bit like Top Gun: Maverick that way.
A+

[Alan2099]

This right here is one of my favorite Hawkeye moments of all time.

[Nomads1]

So awsome!

Peace

[Mister Mets]

Iron Man #4-5
Tony goes to an expo on an island with an extinct volcano to promote a new product, and terrorists decide to attack, along with supervillain Firebrand.
The story opens with Tony Stark announcing a new web browser, which is an interesting time capsule. But it does work as a character moment, and as a way to make the readers see Tony Stark as someone who could exist in the real world. The subplots and recurring characters are decent. Tony learns some bad news about his friends. Rhodey is up to something. Tony's co-CEO’s granddaughter is introduced, someone who seems like a ditz but can take charge (which is a dynamic that works well for a potential love interest for Tony.) Cousin Morgan keeps screwing things up. This is really good as a relatively typical story in the new status quo.

I do like how well-realized the companies and setting are, with questions about how the island's casino based economy will be affected by supervillain terrorists. Firebrand is a solid foe, someone with absurd power who is dangerous because of his willingness to put others at risk. He’s a true believer, manipulated by others, which is a dynamic I like and which gives him a decent voice. I always appreciate it when the bad guys’ plan makes sense, which applies to the people thinking they an control a terrorist. I also appreciate how Iron Man saves the day, calling in a specialist and hijacking the bad guy’s tech- something that is a bit of a cliche now, but was much fresher in the late 90s.
A



Iron Man #6
Guest-artist Patrick Zircher is solid. He reminds me of Perez, which is the highest compliment and shows why he’s such a good fit with Busiek. The Black Widow needs Tony Stark to agree to be bait. I like the take on her where she would rather be an agent than a superhero, because she’s able to use all of her skills that way. Things go a bit south, and Tony’s taken captive.
As a standalone story, this is really good. We get multiple supervillains, solid interactions between Tony & someone he’s got a lot of history with, and a solid challenge that could have easily been expanded into a multi-part story or a crossover. I’m getting a sense in this reread of the many things Busiek is good at, and this is a reminder that one of these is single issue stories that aren’t the typical superhero adventure (think Eisner’s the Spirit and anything it influenced.)
A

[K7P5V]

So awsome!

Peace

To the utmost, I agree!

[Mister Mets]

Captain America #5-7
The Sensational Hydra’s plans come to fruition as we discover why he has been intentionally trying to inflate Cap’s reputation. That plot works well with Cap’s headspace, where he’s suspicious of how he’s treated. This three parter takes some risks similar to Secret Empire, weaponizing the public’s trust in Captain America, except it lands differently as the culmination of the half year of set-up in one book, rather than as an event mini-series..
There is a cool scene where Captain America has to escape alien technology, although that doesn’t detract from the idea that the aliens shouldn’t have made it so easy for him to escape in the first place.

The story takes advantage of the return of the Avengers, with appearances by his team-mates but an understanding that Captain America has to stand alone to overcome this enemy. Waid is able to thread that needle decently.
The story has three artists. Garney gives way to Dale Eaglesham, who is fine. Half of the last issue goes to Andy Kubert, and we get an immediate sense of why he is such a star artist. He’s really good, with some truly impressive layouts.
B

[K7P5V]

^^^It goes without saying, but Andy Kubert nailed it (IMHO):

[Mister Mets]

Avengers #5-6
It’s a solid superhero story. The Squadron Supreme accuse the Avengers of being imposters, which does kinda makes sense after the events of Heroes Return and Thunderbolts. This complicates a rescue mission.
The story itself is okay. The main thing I appreciate is the character details and the development of the subplots. Character voices are great. That elevates the material. And George Perez is just an art god.
There’s a good sense of what it takes for Captain America to lead this team. Honestly, it may be my single favorite Avengers line-up. Decent conflicts are built/ expanded, like Warbird hiding both her alcoholism and decreased superpowers, and Hawkeye getting upset about unglamorous assignments.

It’s a bit frustrating with the Squadron Supreme being so obviously wrong. That ends up connecting to a B-list villain. This is likely a below-average story in the context of the Busiek/ Perez run, which just shows how impressive the whole damn thing is. They’ve done better (See the A+ grades for the previous two stories.) They’ll do better (I expect Ultron Unlimited will get an A+ grade, and I have fond memories of the Grim Reaper two-parter.) And plenty of other titles would be ecstatic for two issues on this level.
B+

Avengers/ Squadron Supreme ‘98

The Avengers team up with the Squadron Supreme when they realize that they’re manipulated by Imus Champion. Carlos Pacheco delivers the art, and I can see why he would soon get some plum assignments like Avengers Forever and the JLA/ JSA one-shot.
This is very close to a dry run of Avengers/ JLA, with the Avengers splitting up and going on missions with members of the Squadron Supreme while Imus Champion takes them out. But the story also shows what makes the Squadron different, as the Avengers realize that these recurring antagonists/ Justice League knockoffs have greater depth than they anticipated. There’s even a decent explanation for all the times that the Squadron ends up brainwashed that elevates the previous adventure. And this story provides a satisfying conclusion to an ongoing story that’s been going on for decades, which adds to B-stories in earlier runs.
I’m not that familiar with Imus Champion as a bad guy. He’s tall and rich, which are okay distinguishing features. He’s fine as a bad guy who isn’t on the level of Kang, Ultron, Morgana or Zemo but still powerful enough to require two superhero teams to fight him in an annual.
It ends with Justice and Firestar joining the regular roster, while Antman and the Wasp come back as reserve Avengers, so I take back what I said about the team in the last story being my favorite Avengers line-up: this one is. There is a lack of diversity, although that will be addressed in two issues.
A

[Gaastra]

[IMG][/IMG]

The Avengers Volume 3 #1-3
After 33 issues of related material, I finally got to the opening arc of the Heroes Return Avengers in my read-through of the Heroes Return era of the Avengers. I remember liking this story, and thinking it’s probably worth including in an Avengers Top 10, or in a Busiek Top 10. I may have undersold it.
In the first issue, a new threat calls together all of the Avengers as monsters from different mythos attack all over the world, including an opening scene which shows what 18 Avengers were up to. More are summoned to the mansion, including future members Justice & Firestar, who were mainly there because one of their friends got attacked. One thing I just love is how even in this super-dense story, different heroes have their moments to shine. Even D-Man, who is generally treated as a joke. Justice might be the best version of a common comics trope of a future member working with the team on a special mission.

Love how iron man is just staring at the screen with the photo of the avenger he killed a few weeks ago with no trouble in that picture and even brings up "are deceased" to boot!

[Nomads1]

Avengers #5-6
It’s a solid superhero story. The Squadron Supreme accuse the Avengers of being imposters, which does kinda makes sense after the events of Heroes Return and Thunderbolts. This complicates a rescue mission.
The story itself is okay. The main thing I appreciate is the character details and the development of the subplots. Character voices are great. That elevates the material. And George Perez is just an art god.
There’s a good sense of what it takes for Captain America to lead this team. Honestly, it may be my single favorite Avengers line-up. Decent conflicts are built/ expanded, like Warbird hiding both her alcoholism and decreased superpowers, and Hawkeye getting upset about unglamorous assignments.

It’s a bit frustrating with the Squadron Supreme being so obviously wrong. That ends up connecting to a B-list villain. This is likely a below-average story in the context of the Busiek/ Perez run, which just shows how impressive the whole damn thing is. They’ve done better (See the A+ grades for the previous two stories.) They’ll do better (I expect Ultron Unlimited will get an A+ grade, and I have fond memories of the Grim Reaper two-parter.) And plenty of other titles would be ecstatic for two issues on this level.
B+

Avengers/ Squadron Supreme ‘98

The Avengers team up with the Squadron Supreme when they realize that they’re manipulated by Imus Champion. Carlos Pacheco delivers the art, and I can see why he would soon get some plum assignments like Avengers Forever and the JLA/ JSA one-shot.
This is very close to a dry run of Avengers/ JLA, with the Avengers splitting up and going on missions with members of the Squadron Supreme while Imus Champion takes them out. But the story also shows what makes the Squadron different, as the Avengers realize that these recurring antagonists/ Justice League knockoffs have greater depth than they anticipated. There’s even a decent explanation for all the times that the Squadron ends up brainwashed that elevates the previous adventure. And this story provides a satisfying conclusion to an ongoing story that’s been going on for decades, which adds to B-stories in earlier runs.
I’m not that familiar with Imus Champion as a bad guy. He’s tall and rich, which are okay distinguishing features. He’s fine as a bad guy who isn’t on the level of Kang, Ultron, Morgana or Zemo but still powerful enough to require two superhero teams to fight him in an annual.
It ends with Justice and Firestar joining the regular roster, while Antman and the Wasp come back as reserve Avengers, so I take back what I said about the team in the last story being my favorite Avengers line-up: this one is. There is a lack of diversity, although that will be addressed in two issues.
A

I miss SO MUCH THIS Squadron Supreme!

Peace

[CaptainUniverse]

The Squadron Supreme arc was my first introduction to those characters and needless to say I fell in love with them right away. The Squadron Supreme is so cool and it is a shame that they were all killed off after Secret Wars, well...except for Zarda. I hope they come back someday.