Mighty Avengers #1

Mighty Avengers has been nothing short of controversial since the cryptic announcement of the title earlier this year featuring strange signs. After the team was formally announced as one that was attempting to diversify the Marvel line, fans were reeling in excitement over the attempt at something different at the major publisher. DC has never done anything to the extent focused on by this new series. It can be likened to Marvel succeeding at a heated match of chess proving that they still appreciate their fans. Fan favorite characters like Luke Cage and White Tiger are also given the spotlight in this title. Thanks to veteran writer Brian Michael Bendis the Cage family is now a staple to the Marvel U, prominently featuring both a minority and a married superhero. There is no way a character like this could possibly exist in the context of the modern DC Universe. Thankfully the publisher that is more adept at understanding their audience is more willing to open up these ideas.

Writer Al Ewing really begins to impress here in the context of the dialogue. His short bursts of interesting information and ideas compressed into word bubbles seem to be the strength here. There are a lot subtle surprises here that readers should appreciate, for instance this series is grounded yet still very tied into the events of Infinity as a whole. Major players move around on the chessboard towards interesting places in this comic. There is also a tease towards a surprise character that will drive readers crazy. Monica Rambeau is tackled in a very interesting manner that shows a different side to her character. There is also a point made in here that Marvel is tackling the Cage with a refined level of grace. This book also starts with an ending, which is a fascinating concept for an Avengers series. Hopefully Ewing will continue to play on the expectations of readers going forward into the story.

Unfortunately this also leads into the art of Greg Land. The announcement of his art on the title, meant that the comic would be receiving a lot of heat from major comics fans. The photorealistic pencilling has garnered a fair amount of heat for more jaded critics and comic book readers. While it is slightly disheartening that faces and expressions are similar or even completely referenced, his art does not bother me to the major degree as it does others. The layouts are pleasing on the eyes, and in most cases are very dynamic. The panels featuring characters bursting out of the page are also quite pleasing on the eyes. The most grating part of the pencilling is the face of Monica Rambeau. Her face looks exactly the same as some other models Land has referenced, and it is not what the she should really like.

While the art of Greg Land falls short in a couple spots here and there, Ewing writes an incredibly solid first chapter of the new incarnation of the Mighty Avengers. It seems like sticking around and watching some of the fireworks occur will be engaging for many who are interested in the comic. This makes a great statement for diversity in superhero comics, while still be an engaging read.