Avengers #11

So, before I start reviewing this book, I want to take a minute to complain about the cover.

The cover is all the key characters in this issue with a Japanese themed redesign. It looks kind of cool, sure but there are some problems with it. Like the fact that in this issue, they go to Macau, which is in the People's Republic of China. I feel like I should make a “do they all look the same to you?” joke here, but being as obscenely white as I am, I'm not sure that's the best idea.

The other problem I have is that they didn't even put on new costumes, and some of them didn't even wear costumes this issue! Once I finished reading the issue, it felt like they decided to slap some well-done fanart on the cover that sort of fit the theme. Knowing Jonathan Hickman, I half-expected some crazy alternate dimension to be going on, so I was a bit disappointed.

However, there is a reason you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, so let's continue on to the review!

This issue was fun. Not deep, probably not important, but it was fun. It was nice breather from the pretty dense story Hickman has been telling in Avengers lately and I appreciate it. Plus, anytime I get to see Shang-Chi, I'm probably going to like it. I enjoy martial arts books and Iron Fist or Shang-Chi is a one-way ticket to my wallet.

Watching some of the lower-tier Avengers cut loose in a Chinese casino was a blast. Sunspot and Cannonball convincing low ranking members of A.I.M. to party with them was really fun. Black Widow and Spider-Woman getting into a few tiffs and Captain Marvel playing poker with some villain was just great. It felt like these characters all became a little bit more human.

Plus it was like casting Ocean's 11 with Avengers. Take note, Marvel Studios. Avengers 3 should involve a casino.

The only issue I had with the writing was it seemed a bit disjointed. The group hardly interacts together throughout the issue, and I would have liked to see more cohesion in their plan.

Mike Deodato's art is still great. It's detailed, without losing too much in the big picture. I absolutely adored seeing the A.I.M. guys wearing tuxes with the beekeeper helmets and there is an incredibly excellent design for some villainous armor.

The only complaint I have about the art is Captain Marvel's hair. It just looks absolutely ridiculous to me, and even more so out of costume. It isn't his fault (unless he did the designs, in which case it isn't his fault anymore) but it just bugs me. How does she even get her hair to do that?

So, the only complaint I have about the art is something entirely personal and pretty irrelevant. Pretty solid, right? I'm pretty sure if you like her hair, you won't have any issues with the art. But don't quote me on that.