New Avengers #1
It's no secret I was big on New Avengers, I Started reading the book with issue #3. I've loved the evolution of the team from being front and center in the media to then having to go underground against Tony Stark and the registration act, to fighting the hood and having Clint Barton step up and become leader again. All in all it's been a great series so far.
So with this new #1 I was a little nervous, I loved the preview, reading it last week and reading through this thread my hopes got just a little bit dashed. So when I finally got to sit down and read the issue myself I came to one conclusion....this group is insane.
What I read was a fun first issue that had plenty of strong character moments and some interesting set up to a problem that's been boiling since right before a new sorcerer supreme was named. This has been set up so far in advance that casual and new readers wouldn't have caught on to how far in advance it's been set up. (Hellstrom gave a cryptic warning that something big was coming at least a year and a half ago in New Avengers.)
Anyways we get Luke Cage being stubborn which leads to a revelation that Avengers mansion has been rebuilt and the fact that Steve Rogers wants this Avengers team to still be alive and well. It also looks like Luke will be the team leader which is odd as he's also leading the Thunderbolts which I am sure will be referenced down the line as things change for both teams.
It looks like for at least the first arc we are dealing with the biggest roster yet ranging almost 10-11 members depending on how long certain players stay possessed. (It's obvious to me that Doctor Voodoo will be staying on the team. Though Strange is in the preview art as well so I guess we'll see)
I enjoy the character interractions just as much as the other two books that Ed and Brian have already launched and it's always great to see guys like Danny and even strong female leads like Carol and Jessica getting plenty of limelight.
Also things will get really interesting as Luke is now seemingly possessed and Victoria Hand is the new Liaison for the team.
Verdict
Story: 8.5
Art: 10
Back up: 10
Final Score: 9
Guess i'm Punchy/Twigg this week which is fine by me.