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All-New, All-Different Avengers (Collected Editions)
All-New, All-Different Avengers, Vol. 2: Family Business
Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Vision, Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel and Nova are the All-New, All-Different Avengers -- but can they stay together long enough to be more than a footnote in the team's great history? Maybe not, when the events of STANDOFF pit them against the Uncanny Avengers. Who will prove themselves the mightiest Avengers of all? And things get worse as the mysteries of Pleasant Hill deepen! Then, as the team joins Nova on an intergalactic quest, they'll find themselves in chains on the Stalag of Space! Plus: The Avengers must face someone new with an old name -- one that goes all the way back to the beginning. Who is the All-Different Wasp? And is she friend or foe?
Collecting: All-New, All-Different Avengers 7-12 & material from Civil War II: FCBD 2016
Collecting: All-New, All-Different Avengers 7-12 & material from Civil War II: FCBD 2016
157 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2016
About the author
Mark Waid
3,245 books1,321 followersMark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
February 6, 2017
I like the chemistry between these guys. I wasn't sure if I would, but they're kinda cute when you smoosh 'em all together.
Unfortunately, there wasn't really one continuous story arc in this volume, and the sporadic feel didn't do the title any favors.
The first part deals with the All New, All-Different Avengers part in Standoff (you know, the one at Pleasant Hill?) storyline. They show up, fight some other heroes, get mindwiped by the Cosmic Kid, and then Wade saves the day!
Because when there's a child with apocalypse-level power who's teetering on the edge, Deadpool is the guy you want to call in to talk them down.
I know you probably think I'm being sarcastic, but...no. He's actually great with kids.
shrugs
They also go on a space adventure to try to find Sam's dad, and end up saving planet full of crash survivors from Annihilus. Nothing special, but it was good in that Silly Space Adventure kind of way.
But before that they meet Hank Pym's daughter (secret baby from wife #1) who's now calling herself Wasp. Interesting backstory, and it looks like she she has the potential to end up on this team.
I don't really feel one way or another about that...
Likable characters, decent writing, nice art.
I don't know why this didn't make me jump up and down more than it did, but I certainly didn't hate it. I imagine I'll keep up with this one, but I wouldn't spend any $$$ on it for now.
Unfortunately, there wasn't really one continuous story arc in this volume, and the sporadic feel didn't do the title any favors.
The first part deals with the All New, All-Different Avengers part in Standoff (you know, the one at Pleasant Hill?) storyline. They show up, fight some other heroes, get mindwiped by the Cosmic Kid, and then Wade saves the day!
Because when there's a child with apocalypse-level power who's teetering on the edge, Deadpool is the guy you want to call in to talk them down.
I know you probably think I'm being sarcastic, but...no. He's actually great with kids.
shrugs
They also go on a space adventure to try to find Sam's dad, and end up saving planet full of crash survivors from Annihilus. Nothing special, but it was good in that Silly Space Adventure kind of way.
But before that they meet Hank Pym's daughter (secret baby from wife #1) who's now calling herself Wasp. Interesting backstory, and it looks like she she has the potential to end up on this team.
I don't really feel one way or another about that...
Likable characters, decent writing, nice art.
I don't know why this didn't make me jump up and down more than it did, but I certainly didn't hate it. I imagine I'll keep up with this one, but I wouldn't spend any $$$ on it for now.
October 16, 2017
Wow this is tettering towards a 1 but I'ma give it a 2 cause the art is half way decent and I still think the dialog can be good.
So right off the bat this volume is messy. Got the Stand Off event from Marvel that has the Avengers come into the village but most are broken up from each other, the ones who remain aren't really that interesting, and then we get back to the real world. Except this volume mostly focuses on should we "trust" vision? Is he still bad? Does the team get along? Things like that.
Good: The art and the dialog between some characters is fun and enjoyable.
Bad: The entire plot is missing any type of themes or richness to it. I'm surprised Waid is writing this because he's far better than this. Also the volume is messy and multiple stories in one that don't connect in any real way.
Overall a big miss. I want better from the main avenger title for sure. This is a 1.5 out of 5.
So right off the bat this volume is messy. Got the Stand Off event from Marvel that has the Avengers come into the village but most are broken up from each other, the ones who remain aren't really that interesting, and then we get back to the real world. Except this volume mostly focuses on should we "trust" vision? Is he still bad? Does the team get along? Things like that.
Good: The art and the dialog between some characters is fun and enjoyable.
Bad: The entire plot is missing any type of themes or richness to it. I'm surprised Waid is writing this because he's far better than this. Also the volume is messy and multiple stories in one that don't connect in any real way.
Overall a big miss. I want better from the main avenger title for sure. This is a 1.5 out of 5.
March 18, 2017
Two Wasps are better than one!
Vote: 3, 5
Covers are far better than stories (Of course! He's Alex Ross drawing them, man!), first half of the volume sucked for good, I can't stand the kid Avengers trio (but for Kamala) and I'm always expecting more from Waid... But I liked the Annihilus storyline and I love Nadia Pym, the All-New Wasp. Mark Waid and Alan Davis totally nailed the character and her duets with Jarvis and her step-mom Janet are the best parts of this volume.
March 8, 2021
Definitely the best Avengers comic out there right now. This volume gets brought down though by those Standoff crossover issues. You only get bits of the story and are missing a large chunk of it between issues. Skip the first 2 issues and read them as part of the Avengers: Standoff collection. The final four issues have the team headed into space to look for Nova's dad. They get ambushed by Annihilus. I really liked how they stopped him using the nega bands.
February 5, 2017
I love this line-up, I love this creative team and, for the most part, I'm loving this book. The second half of this collection made me happy in a way no Avengers book has since Kurt Busiek's awesome run.
The first half, though... The 'Standoff' crossover? Ugh... Pointless hero vs. hero slugfest. Less of this kind of thing, please.
The first half, though... The 'Standoff' crossover? Ugh... Pointless hero vs. hero slugfest. Less of this kind of thing, please.
December 9, 2016
Waid definitely knows what he's doing with these characters, but he just couldn't get a really good story together in this volume.
April 30, 2021
Ok, THIS was amazing!!! They DID something.
Also, enter Nadia..
Also, enter Nadia..
October 16, 2016
Mark Waid continues to write a comic about great characters … that somehow isn't that great.
It might not entirely be his fault in the first three issues. The first two are bound up in the Standoff crossover, and though the first is a nice setup, the second makes absolutely no sense. It's yet another case of Marvel deciding to put incoherent parts of crossovers in individual collections for no obvious reason. The third issue, then, is the introduction of the All-New Wasp. And though she's a great character, and though Waid writes her well, he appearance stinks of editorial mandate and drags the comic to a halt while the meeting occurs.
But even when Waid's on his own in the last three issues, the comic doesn't really take a big upturn. The idea of a battle against Annhilus in the Negative Zone, with numerous alien races on the sidelines, is great and very evocative. But it's just a long fight. And then, after the Avengers escape the Negative Zone, we get another long fight in the final issue, this time with a single twist that is grossly overused.
This isn't exactly a bad collection (except that incoherent issue #8), but it's not a particularly great one either. My interest in continuing to read Waid's Avengers continues to wane.
It might not entirely be his fault in the first three issues. The first two are bound up in the Standoff crossover, and though the first is a nice setup, the second makes absolutely no sense. It's yet another case of Marvel deciding to put incoherent parts of crossovers in individual collections for no obvious reason. The third issue, then, is the introduction of the All-New Wasp. And though she's a great character, and though Waid writes her well, he appearance stinks of editorial mandate and drags the comic to a halt while the meeting occurs.
But even when Waid's on his own in the last three issues, the comic doesn't really take a big upturn. The idea of a battle against Annhilus in the Negative Zone, with numerous alien races on the sidelines, is great and very evocative. But it's just a long fight. And then, after the Avengers escape the Negative Zone, we get another long fight in the final issue, this time with a single twist that is grossly overused.
This isn't exactly a bad collection (except that incoherent issue #8), but it's not a particularly great one either. My interest in continuing to read Waid's Avengers continues to wane.
April 26, 2017
(3.75)This is a really fun series, nothing too heavy or time traveling and lots of story for this new crew. I am really into what Waid is doing with this new team of Iron man, Ms marvel, Nova, Miles, Thor, vision, and now the new wasp. The book is jam packed with a few really fun stories including a comic cube shard mishap, intro to the new wasp, and Nova looking for his dad. The bulk of the story is the crew in space searching for Nova's dad and going into the Negaverse where there is a big bad villain. The other main story is the new Wasp which is also a fun and not too complicated intro. The art is pretty dang good and this volume ends with the beginning of civil war 2 ( ugh) looking forward to vol.3!
September 28, 2020
I’m just not loving it.
I don’t read Avengers to hang with a bunch of kids. I want grownup heroes doing grownup shit! This was very scrappy and cutesy, with Sam Alexander, Kamala Kahn, Miles Morales and kid Wasp quipping their way around, making silly jokes, poking fun at each other and basically killing any and all dramatic tension.
Like... I get it... hero comics are for kids, but what about Hickman’s Avengers? Why can’t Avengers continue being like that? Don’t we already have Young Avengers and various other kiddy titles like Squirrel Girl? It’s just not what I wanted. “Well it’s not for you.” Yup. You’re right. Not for me. Three stars.
I don’t read Avengers to hang with a bunch of kids. I want grownup heroes doing grownup shit! This was very scrappy and cutesy, with Sam Alexander, Kamala Kahn, Miles Morales and kid Wasp quipping their way around, making silly jokes, poking fun at each other and basically killing any and all dramatic tension.
Like... I get it... hero comics are for kids, but what about Hickman’s Avengers? Why can’t Avengers continue being like that? Don’t we already have Young Avengers and various other kiddy titles like Squirrel Girl? It’s just not what I wanted. “Well it’s not for you.” Yup. You’re right. Not for me. Three stars.
October 8, 2016
Hmmm. The first half if rather slight. Being the Standoff crossover portion of the book.
Second half of the book is much better. We're introduced to another new version of the Wasp. This time she's Hank Pym's daughter from his first wife. This is very fun to read. Especially when Nadia Pym meets up with Jarvis and Janet Van Dyne. Later, the team goes to space to help Sam search for his father. And it's a fun little adventure. I'm so pleased Waid is still around at Marvel. He's one of few names that's in a vast ocean of new names post-Secret Wars which has stuck me as a whole as being like an extended Assistant Editor's Month. Artwise, there are a couple issues by Adam Kubert (oddly would never have known it had I not read his name) and a few pages by my beloved Alan Davis.
Still getting used to the idea of having teens on the Avengers, other than Rick Jones. Still seems odd-ball to me. Though I do love the new Nova and I do love the Miles Morales Spider-man. Can't quite say I love the new Ms Marvel. Her powers are a bit too creepy and not Marvel-esque. I can see why they were added from a Marketing reason. The kids are popular! Let's put them in the Avengers! Even though it makes no sense at all if you've read the Avengers for any length of time. For example, the Tony Stark, or even Steve Rogers of the Civil War 1 era would never allow teens on the team to be exposed to the danger involved. Go back read from Perez/Busiek era to present you'll get what I mean.
Second half of the book is much better. We're introduced to another new version of the Wasp. This time she's Hank Pym's daughter from his first wife. This is very fun to read. Especially when Nadia Pym meets up with Jarvis and Janet Van Dyne. Later, the team goes to space to help Sam search for his father. And it's a fun little adventure. I'm so pleased Waid is still around at Marvel. He's one of few names that's in a vast ocean of new names post-Secret Wars which has stuck me as a whole as being like an extended Assistant Editor's Month. Artwise, there are a couple issues by Adam Kubert (oddly would never have known it had I not read his name) and a few pages by my beloved Alan Davis.
Still getting used to the idea of having teens on the Avengers, other than Rick Jones. Still seems odd-ball to me. Though I do love the new Nova and I do love the Miles Morales Spider-man. Can't quite say I love the new Ms Marvel. Her powers are a bit too creepy and not Marvel-esque. I can see why they were added from a Marketing reason. The kids are popular! Let's put them in the Avengers! Even though it makes no sense at all if you've read the Avengers for any length of time. For example, the Tony Stark, or even Steve Rogers of the Civil War 1 era would never allow teens on the team to be exposed to the danger involved. Go back read from Perez/Busiek era to present you'll get what I mean.
December 29, 2022
This volume begins with an Avengers: Standoff tie-in. Despite being an event tie-in, this was pretty good and mildly creepy. I didn't read the actual event.
This is followed by the introduction of a new Wasp, Nadia, daughter of Hank Pym. This story was nice, especially her introduction to Janet Van Dyne.
The final story involves a battle against Annihilus in the Negative Zone. This was somewhat clever but mostly boring.
This is followed by the introduction of a new Wasp, Nadia, daughter of Hank Pym. This story was nice, especially her introduction to Janet Van Dyne.
The final story involves a battle against Annihilus in the Negative Zone. This was somewhat clever but mostly boring.
May 26, 2024
This was lite. L-I-T-E. Lite banter, lite drama, and with dialogue aimed at 10-year-olds. That’s not a diss—there’s nothing wrong with comics that skew younger—it just didn’t land with me as it was so darn breezy that the details flew away by the time I put it down. For younger readers.
November 10, 2016
4.5 stars.
My favorite part of this series is the team and while it was great to see Jan again (screw you Marvel for putting her on the back burner) I could have done without the Nadia portion.
Anyway, Nova's going through some stuff because his dad is missing and it's making him emotional and irrational. Vision is trying to atone for what he did when he was reprogrammed. The scene with him and Kamala almost made me tear up a bit. Jane says she kissed Sam because of the heat of the moment which, after Supergirl s2e1, rubs me the wrong way. There could have been something there but the writers abandoned it for some reason. Okay. Tony doesn't seem to have anything going on. Jarvis has a subplot and Tony doesn't; which was interesting. Kamala and Miles both just seem to be adjusting to life as an Avenger.
The plot with the aliens was okay. I enjoy the earth stuff more. Next stop is Civil War II and I might be stopping here because I still think that arc is total bullshit.
My favorite part of this series is the team and while it was great to see Jan again (screw you Marvel for putting her on the back burner) I could have done without the Nadia portion.
Anyway, Nova's going through some stuff because his dad is missing and it's making him emotional and irrational. Vision is trying to atone for what he did when he was reprogrammed. The scene with him and Kamala almost made me tear up a bit. Jane says she kissed Sam because of the heat of the moment which, after Supergirl s2e1, rubs me the wrong way. There could have been something there but the writers abandoned it for some reason. Okay. Tony doesn't seem to have anything going on. Jarvis has a subplot and Tony doesn't; which was interesting. Kamala and Miles both just seem to be adjusting to life as an Avenger.
The plot with the aliens was okay. I enjoy the earth stuff more. Next stop is Civil War II and I might be stopping here because I still think that arc is total bullshit.
September 24, 2016
[Read as single issues]
The All-New All-Different Avengers get swept up into crossover hell as part of Standoff to begin with, so I've copied over my review from the Standoff collection rather than repeat myself:
These issues are more of a mini-arc within Standoff itself as the Uncanny and All-New All-Different Avengers are drawn to Pleasant Hill by mysterious twin Maria Hills, and find themselves under Kobik's influence and assimilated into Pleasant Hill itself. This ends a little too quick, as if they're mostly just being forced into Standoff by editorial mandate. Oh, wait. Still, solid if unremarkable, especially for as good a writer as Mark Waid.
Adam Kubert's artwork is extremely rushed in these issues too; I still don't think he should be on a monthly book, even one where he rotates with other artists. He always seems to have one or two really good issues and then the rest all fall apart very quickly.
Luckily, Mahmud Asrar steps in to pencil the following 4 issues, which are much better in both artwork and storyline, as the Avengers head off into space to help Nova find his father, picking up from a plot thread over in Nova's solo series. Of course, they get caught off-track by Annihilus, and the team has to rescue a planet of refugees from the Negative Zone. This story is much better for characterization and action, blowing the Standoff story out of the water easily.
Crossover hell hurts All-New All-Different Avengers in this second volume, with the second story excelling in both story and art, whilst the Standoff issues feel rushed and unnecessary on every level.
The All-New All-Different Avengers get swept up into crossover hell as part of Standoff to begin with, so I've copied over my review from the Standoff collection rather than repeat myself:
These issues are more of a mini-arc within Standoff itself as the Uncanny and All-New All-Different Avengers are drawn to Pleasant Hill by mysterious twin Maria Hills, and find themselves under Kobik's influence and assimilated into Pleasant Hill itself. This ends a little too quick, as if they're mostly just being forced into Standoff by editorial mandate. Oh, wait. Still, solid if unremarkable, especially for as good a writer as Mark Waid.
Adam Kubert's artwork is extremely rushed in these issues too; I still don't think he should be on a monthly book, even one where he rotates with other artists. He always seems to have one or two really good issues and then the rest all fall apart very quickly.
Luckily, Mahmud Asrar steps in to pencil the following 4 issues, which are much better in both artwork and storyline, as the Avengers head off into space to help Nova find his father, picking up from a plot thread over in Nova's solo series. Of course, they get caught off-track by Annihilus, and the team has to rescue a planet of refugees from the Negative Zone. This story is much better for characterization and action, blowing the Standoff story out of the water easily.
Crossover hell hurts All-New All-Different Avengers in this second volume, with the second story excelling in both story and art, whilst the Standoff issues feel rushed and unnecessary on every level.
September 8, 2016
Man, for such an amazing team of Avengers, this volume was pretty mediocre. I love these characters so much, but I just couldn't get excited here. Also the art made the last issue confusing, they were very inconsistent with who was and wasn't wearing transportation jewelry when it mattered greatly in the story.
July 6, 2024
The All New Avengers are tricked by a faux Maria Hill into visiting Pleasant Hill where they battle another team of heroes before beginning to uncover the real mysteries of this strange town (which must have been part of the inspiration for the town of Westview in the tv show WandaVision). Then the team helps Nova search for his father in deep space, only to be sucked into the negative zone where they must defeat the hugely powerful Annihilus.
October 10, 2017
3 1/2 stars.
Review to follow.
Review to follow.
March 19, 2020
I don't know, it's just ok...
July 18, 2023
it was a snore
February 9, 2021
The characters had a stronger bond in this one and they’re fun together but I feel like this series is lacking the stronger plots I expect from Marvel. Main points were: all-new, all-different wasp and do we trust vision or not? That was it really. Artwork is great.
February 16, 2017
I think I agree with the general consensus on this one. Awesome characters, great art, 'meh' plot. I love the team though, and their dynamic is great.
February 1, 2017
The first two issues seem like they are preludes to Civil War II. Kobik, the sentient Cosmic Cube is introduced and a sample of her powers and mental state are exemplified. This was fairly confusing and really felt like I was missing some major plot points. The contents page has a short blurb about what's going on with SHIELD and Pleasant Hill but it wasn't enough. It all feels forced to get the characters into the crossover event.
Having said that, there were two nice character moments, one between Sam and Jane, and then another between Vision and Ms. Marvel at the beginning of the first issue.
This volume also includes the Free Comic Book Day issue that introduces the new Wasp. I believe this now completes the Avengers Doppleganger team, except for Black Widow (as far as I know). The twist here is just who her parents were and just like with the Hawkeyes, Janet van Dyne actually likes her.
The last two issues have the team go out into space to deal with a bad guy. This was mundane, had some minor plot technical issues that were just ignored and you also have more of the kid Avenger "wow!" stuff. Very uninspired.
Having said that, there were two nice character moments, one between Sam and Jane, and then another between Vision and Ms. Marvel at the beginning of the first issue.
This volume also includes the Free Comic Book Day issue that introduces the new Wasp. I believe this now completes the Avengers Doppleganger team, except for Black Widow (as far as I know). The twist here is just who her parents were and just like with the Hawkeyes, Janet van Dyne actually likes her.
The last two issues have the team go out into space to deal with a bad guy. This was mundane, had some minor plot technical issues that were just ignored and you also have more of the kid Avenger "wow!" stuff. Very uninspired.
December 16, 2016
I rarely write actual reviews of the trades that I read. Instead, I usually voice my thoughts about the writer, or the characters, or the state of the comic industry, when the trade came out.
In the case of this book, it feels like a reminder of how frequently Marvel books shift, as far as creative teams and status quo. I think that Waid is still on the title at this point. this book came out in the past year, and there is already going to be a relaunch of the title, with a slightly different team roster.
Why couldn't they spend a few years focusing on this particular team? I really like this dynamic- The older avengers serving as mentors for the younger characters. Don't answer that question for me, I know the answer- it is because Marvel makes it a point to relaunch their titles every year or so, at this point.
that dynamic is the strong point of this particular trade. The weak point? the book becomes incoherent when they throw in a tie - in to the Stand Off crossover. Once that is over, the book gets right back on track.
In the case of this book, it feels like a reminder of how frequently Marvel books shift, as far as creative teams and status quo. I think that Waid is still on the title at this point. this book came out in the past year, and there is already going to be a relaunch of the title, with a slightly different team roster.
Why couldn't they spend a few years focusing on this particular team? I really like this dynamic- The older avengers serving as mentors for the younger characters. Don't answer that question for me, I know the answer- it is because Marvel makes it a point to relaunch their titles every year or so, at this point.
that dynamic is the strong point of this particular trade. The weak point? the book becomes incoherent when they throw in a tie - in to the Stand Off crossover. Once that is over, the book gets right back on track.
February 14, 2017
Mark Waid has been kickin out some good ones lately, So with this fun and unexpected grab-bag of heroes, and with the very talented Adam Kubert to help us visualize the story, it can be pretty durn good. But for me things really kicked up a notch when this Mahmud Asrar took over the pencils and inks (with Dave McCaig on colors)!
Wow, pretty superb stuff art-wise!
Yeah, and as I have a soft spot in my synthetic heart for a certain synthezoid Hero, I was quite happy to see him not only on the team but also as an active player, not lurking in the background like some creeper.
Fun.
Wow, pretty superb stuff art-wise!
Yeah, and as I have a soft spot in my synthetic heart for a certain synthezoid Hero, I was quite happy to see him not only on the team but also as an active player, not lurking in the background like some creeper.
Fun.
July 21, 2017
Pretty charming, as you expect from writer Waid and these fine artists. The crossover with Standoff is slight. I like the all-new, all-different Wasp more than I thought I would, though, making her pretty much the standout here. Especially because she meets here and does not exclude Janet Van Dyne, the winsome Wasp.
Recommended.
Recommended.
October 30, 2016
Oh so bland. In space can anyone hear you yawn?
August 20, 2021
ms marvel y nadia superiores 🤚🏻
March 12, 2023
Finally reading this to clear it off my tablet. This volume comprises several bland story lines, starting out with the unfortunate Standoff crossover. I could not have cared less about this crossover, I would have had to read 14 different books from series I have no interest in to follow the whole story. This story involves a secret prison town where villains are "rehabilitated" by being mind-wiped and given alternate identities as productive members of society with no knowledge or memory of their pasts. As I didn't read the majority of this story, I had no interest or investment in whatever was happening. I don't blame writer Mark Waid for this, as I'm sure he was forced to participate in this crossover event by Marvel editorial, but these issues were utterly skippable.
From there we have a standalone issue that introduces the new Wasp character, Nadia Pym, Hank Pym's daughter with his first wife. This is another issue that feels largely like a throwaway, perhaps intended to introduce the character before shuffling her off into her solo series.
And then there is a three-issue arc where the team goes off into space in search of Sam Alexander (Nova)'s missing dad. They get waylaid on an alien planet, and before they know it they're This story feels a bit rushed, and the intercutting between this and Nadia Pym and Janet Van Dyne's shopping trip in New York makes it feel particularly disjointed.
The composition of the team in this book is interesting and leads to some fun character interactions, but overall this series feels entirely skippable. After Jonathan Hickman's massive and complicated incursions storyline that led to his big Secret War event, these simpler adventures are certainly a change of pace, but one I find a disappointing followup to his incredibly well-written run. Mostly this book just feels like it's spinning its wheels waiting for a better story to come along.
Adam Kubert and Mahmud Asrar's art is crisp, clean, and fun to look at, with well-done action sequences, but the art is not enough of a draw for me to elevate this book.
From there we have a standalone issue that introduces the new Wasp character, Nadia Pym, Hank Pym's daughter with his first wife. This is another issue that feels largely like a throwaway, perhaps intended to introduce the character before shuffling her off into her solo series.
And then there is a three-issue arc where the team goes off into space in search of Sam Alexander (Nova)'s missing dad. They get waylaid on an alien planet, and before they know it they're This story feels a bit rushed, and the intercutting between this and Nadia Pym and Janet Van Dyne's shopping trip in New York makes it feel particularly disjointed.
The composition of the team in this book is interesting and leads to some fun character interactions, but overall this series feels entirely skippable. After Jonathan Hickman's massive and complicated incursions storyline that led to his big Secret War event, these simpler adventures are certainly a change of pace, but one I find a disappointing followup to his incredibly well-written run. Mostly this book just feels like it's spinning its wheels waiting for a better story to come along.
Adam Kubert and Mahmud Asrar's art is crisp, clean, and fun to look at, with well-done action sequences, but the art is not enough of a draw for me to elevate this book.
April 3, 2020
Negative zone antics, malfunctioning androids, and a fun waspy day out make up the bulk of this volume. And while Mark Waid does keep the story light and fun, the lack of any major repercussion or sense of danger really kept this book from being as good as it could be.
This volume begins with two tie in stories from Standoff. So right away, annoying, cause you don't get the whole story. But if we move passed those first two issues, then we get a nice four parter about the team and the new member, the Wasp. She is the unknown daughter of Hank Pym, who has basically grown up in a Russian gulag, training in the same stuff that her famous dad was known for. She tracks down the avengers in order to get more info on her dad and learn her own identity. This results in Jarvis and her taking a road trip to meet the original wasp, who takes her on a nice day out to bond. This was a fun subplot that worked well contrasted against the main plot.
The main plot was the team going into the negative zone and trying to get back while Annihilus tries to destroy our world (again). And while this story did have some cool moments (like Thor vs Annihilus) I did have some problems with the decisions that the characters made. I mean, they discover a portal that goes who-knows-where and they, as a team, decide to jump in and see what happens. Really? Is that a good strategy? It leads to the Negative zone, half team immediately gets imprisoned by Annihilus, and the other half are definitely out of their element. Then when they get thir shit together and finally have Annihilus on the ropes, Nova decides to try and kill him himself and messes everything up. Ugh... Mark Waid is a fantastic writer and I usually really like his stuff, but some of the story beats of this book where straight up confusing.
But like I said, the volume is pretty fun overall, has some cool moments, and the art is great. Asrar is a consistently solid artist, and seeing his work is always a pleasure. I would recommend this to Avengers fans definitely.
This volume begins with two tie in stories from Standoff. So right away, annoying, cause you don't get the whole story. But if we move passed those first two issues, then we get a nice four parter about the team and the new member, the Wasp. She is the unknown daughter of Hank Pym, who has basically grown up in a Russian gulag, training in the same stuff that her famous dad was known for. She tracks down the avengers in order to get more info on her dad and learn her own identity. This results in Jarvis and her taking a road trip to meet the original wasp, who takes her on a nice day out to bond. This was a fun subplot that worked well contrasted against the main plot.
The main plot was the team going into the negative zone and trying to get back while Annihilus tries to destroy our world (again). And while this story did have some cool moments (like Thor vs Annihilus) I did have some problems with the decisions that the characters made. I mean, they discover a portal that goes who-knows-where and they, as a team, decide to jump in and see what happens. Really? Is that a good strategy? It leads to the Negative zone, half team immediately gets imprisoned by Annihilus, and the other half are definitely out of their element. Then when they get thir shit together and finally have Annihilus on the ropes, Nova decides to try and kill him himself and messes everything up. Ugh... Mark Waid is a fantastic writer and I usually really like his stuff, but some of the story beats of this book where straight up confusing.
But like I said, the volume is pretty fun overall, has some cool moments, and the art is great. Asrar is a consistently solid artist, and seeing his work is always a pleasure. I would recommend this to Avengers fans definitely.
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