U.S.Avengers, Vol. 2: Cannonball Run

U.S.Avengers (Collected Editions)

by Al Ewing, Alex Arizmendi (Illustrator), Paco Díaz (Illustrator)

When the most patriotic hero of all reveals his Hydra colors, where will the U.S.Avengers stand? Find out as Secret Empire reigns! Steve Rogers shoots to kill - and A.I.M. is his target! Will Roberto Da Costa's dreams come crashing down? Can his U.S.Avengers stay in one piece? Are we actually going to kill Cannonball? Tune in - and find out whether the red-white-and-blue will come through!

COLLECTING: U.S.AVENGERS 7-12

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Comic Book, Fantasy

136 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2018

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dire! Al Ewing wrote great Dynamite and 'Indy' books, but didn't seem to have what it took for the world of Marvel at this stage of his career? I really struggle to like any Avengers team run by Sunspot, and with Squirrel girl in the team why can't they let this idea die already? 4 out of 12, Two Star read, and that's me being generous.

2019 read

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Read as single issues]

Note: This volume should be called Cannonball Run, since Marvel have gotten the trade names of this and Uncanny Avengers mixed up, but that's not really that important.

Let's start with the last two issues of this book, which serve as both the Legacy story arc and the finale of the series; Cannonball's been captured by a Skrull version of Archie, and has to escape Evil Riverdale. Yes, it's as insane as it sounds, but it's perfect, and works as a very meta commentary on the nature of comics as a whole, which I always love. Ewing really has fun with this one.

The Secret Empire issues that precede it go up and down however. The Sunspot/Toni Ho issues are excellent, for example, really looking at their relationships with themselves and those around them, while the more straight forward 'fight the bad guys' issues feel a little too forced.

Paco Medina pencils the beginning issues before heading off to contribute to Avengers: No Surrender, while Paco Diaz drops by to finish up the Archie story. These two have been tag-teaming USAvengers since it started, with Medina even before that, so they know what they're doing. I'm glad Medina is getting the bump that No Surrender should give him.

Just like Ultimates Squared, USAvengers suffered from event derailment in its latter half. Ewing does his best, which is very good, but even his usual wizardry at making events work for him can't save him from the bulldozer that is Secret Empire. Well worth picking up for the last two issues alone, though.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed the Secret Empire stories. Ewing did a good job with them. Unfortunately, this book never really get going as a whole because the team is never together. I'n not really sure why they even started this series when they did, knowing Secret Empire was going to put a huge cleaver right through the middle of the book. Then in the Legacy story, Ewing takes a page out of Star Trek and immerses Cannonball in a fake 50's Archie world along with some space gangsters out of the 20's.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, this is another Ewing disappointment, just like the previous volume of USAvengers.

The initial issues finish the Secret Empire crossover, and they're not bad. Oh, we don't really get the team as a team, but there are some great spotlights, particularly on Roberto and especially Toni, who gets a superb issue. There's also the fun humor that we've been getting in Ewing's Aim/Vengers comics.

There's also a good-enough issue mostly focused on closing the comic out.

But then we finish up on two really horrible issues about skrulls pretending to be Archie and friends. It's supposed to be funny, but it's really not. It's a pretty sorry end to what was a good run by Ewing.

[Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this team and this whole concept. Always tough to see a good series killed by crossover.

Still, Cannonball gets stuck in an evil Archie world and they send in the Red Hulk?! Did I make this happen with the power of my brain?

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book didnt' really benefit from being part of the Secret Empire event (that's 90% of books in this modern age, though. "This book did not benefit from being part of "X" Event"), but I liked the European team they joined. Good to see Dr. Hussain again.

The last arc, about toxic Fandom, was a good read. Apparently to read the rest I have to get another compilation? That kind of sucks. I did love the "Fake Archies", though.

[Alex Sarll]

One of those books where when you're reading it, it makes perfect sense how you get from A to B...but once you step back, you can't altogether remember how a volume which started off fighting Hydra around the world on the edges of Secret Empire, ended up as Ewing revisiting one of his favourite themes - the temptation in comics to maintain an endless, tedious stasis - via a Skrull analogue of Archie. It worked, though.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

More gonzo brilliance from the mind of Al Ewing.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two tons of fun! Lots of good stuff in here. Lots of humor. Lots of action. Fun. Fun. Fun.

[Sirbriang2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final volume of U.S. Avengers, which continued Al Ewing’s storylines from New Avengers (the 2015 series), and it’s a mixed bag. The first few issues are part of the Secret Empire crossover, and they’re...fine. Secret Empire wasn’t a very good story, but these are some of the better tie-in issues I’ve read. Unfortunately, the silliness and creative thinking that Ewing has used in previous volumes isn’t present in these issues. The final two issues involve shape-shifters LARP-ing an Archie analogue, so at least it ends on a weird note.

[Dallas Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful cast of characters that I wish to see a lot more of! This book had so many moments that I would snag photos of and send to friends! This came across very unforgettable in plot as well as in characters! The stories themes were extremely refreshing for the political era it was released in and till this day!

[Adrian J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not terribly enthusiastic about books that criticise me for liking the comics I like.

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed these Secret Empire ones. Soft spot for Da Costa and his A.I.M minions.
Scuffles with Hydra in Europe and Toni has to make some revised life choices.

[Scott Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secret Empire hijacks the book through the longer of the two arcs, although Ewing writes some of the best tie-in issues I've seen associated with the main SE mini. We get some legit character impact out of these issues revealing if not surprising moments for General Maverick, and a transformation of sorts for Iron Patriot/Toni Ho. Sunspot gets a wonderful plot moment as well--although it's not a change in his character just in his status.

The second arc, a couple issue story in which Ewing lands the team in a bizarre space-based take on Riverdale from the Archie Comics, is serious enough to not feel like the purpose is a joke, but consistently bizarre enough that you see the winks all over the place.

And they're rebooting with a new title again! I'm not sure whether I just shrug at this point and hope that Ewing will get these characters back and do more cool stuff with them or scream in frustration at the incessant canceling and re-launching of the comic surrounding Sunspot's team. I'm leaning toward the latter.

[Alex E · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume of the US Avengers starts off with the Secret Empire stories, which really steer the book for a bit. With the team not fully assembled, we get to spotlight some of the characters and also highlight what they're going through. It was interesting to see Al Ewing take this approach, but it kind of worked, and made for some fun and funny reading. Getting to know these characters individually or in pairs was great for when they finally link up together.

The last couple of issues have to do with Cannonball ending up in a picturesque small town from the 50's but in space. This was a bit of Skrull inspired fun from Ewing, and was... ok for the most part. Usually tie in issues for big events are a bit hit or miss, but for me, they were the highlight of the volume. This last story, which was a send off to the series overall, was kind of a let down in my opinion.

But overall, the run was fun and funny, and I think Ewing did great with what he had. Recommended for fans of the more humorous side of Marvel.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was into about half of this book. I liked the continuation of the storyline, seeing the team fighting against serious amounts of baddies, with some unexpected teamups.

After they won, though...

I don't enjoy politics in comics. I'm not a big fan of the in-comic politics, or comics which are obviously pushing a message, even one I believe in. Comics are a form of escapist media for me, and politics is one thing I definitely want to be able to escape. The second half of the book had both in-comic politics and a 'message' comic, so I didn't like it very much.

Plus, a lot of it was focused on Cannonball, the most boring team member, so whoooooo caaaaaaaaares?

I'd rate this more 2.5 than 3, but the average is lower on this book anyway, so I gave it three. I don't love this one, but I did really enjoy the overall conclusion of the main storyline, so if you've read the first, definitely read the second, but this is hardly a reason to start the series.

[Adan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is way more fun than it has any right to be. I love that Bobby DaCosta is consistently the smartest guy in the room (I mean, when he’s not near death due to the M-pox), and I enjoyed the heck out of Ewing’s Contest of Champions characters being included in Euroforce.

PS. That “edgy” sword pun was the absolute best.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there might have been a good book near this book. But it was so chopped up with other plots that it was hard to tell. I think this team has possibilities. And I like the writing. But almost nothing is going to be good written around Hydra takes over the world with Captain America in charge.

[Tim B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the Secret Empire TPB. This volume started off with great story, fun characters, and decent tension. The group called “Champions of Europe “ (including Captain Britain) is introduced, though not really explained or utilized a lot, Hydra is scared. The last two issues of Skrull-Archie-world were really well done and made the volume a little lighter.

[Shir Egoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous series (New Avengers A.I.M) but it was still enjoyable and well written.
This series made me really like characters I didn't know that well before such as Cannonball and Enigma, and also introduced me to some completely new ones like the Champions of Europe.
Also, I loved all of the Riverdale references, it was just genius

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Woah Nelly. This was not for me. The Archie/skrull storyline could have been good but I didn't like it at all.

The first half was more secret empire tie ins which I liked the Toni story but Aikku's in France wasn't gripping me. Toni needs to be part of more teams. I dig her character.
Volume 1 is better.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

First a Secret Empire crossover. Most of the U.S.Avengers team up with some European superheroes to fight HYDRA in Europe because that's what you expect a team called U.S.Avengers to do. Then they head out into space to rescue Cannonball.

Ewing is always entertaining. The art is pretty good.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, it feels as if Secret Empire put a wrench in flowing a U.S. Avengers story with everyone running around to fit that story...and then trying to find a story to fill out a trade.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ewing makes lemonade out of the lemons of Secret Empire and tells a fun little Skrull/Archie story.

[Nate Meadows · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it's nice to see some of the New Mutants in action again the rest of the team is terrible. There is the ridiculous Red Hulk with a mustache, an Iron Man rip off...and Squirrel Girl.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Secret Empire stuff was just fine.

The Archie stuff was very fun, even if I was disappointed to learn that Jughead's time police was a real thing.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun romp, nice art

[Lucas Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better and funnier than the previous volume!

[Brendan Mckillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you just want to read something that you think is going to provide goofy fun with super heroes. That’s what the U.S.Avengers series delivers. Strong characters, solid art, and over-the-top storylines make this a fun read. Even the chapter or two that technically crossed over with some huge Marvel storyline where Captain America was a bad guy (Or something like that. I don’t follow Marvel comics too closely) were still fun if you ignored the references to a events and people not appearing in this series.