This is what I call a "whiplash" comic.That's because writer Brian Bendis' run on New Avengers up to last issue was terrific - funny, adventurous, unpredictable, loaded with great action sequences - it was at the top of my reading lost.
But this issue - not so much.
That's because the issue is split between two stories that make little sense. One part takes us back to 1959, where Nick Fury is assembling a team of Avengers to tackle a secret mission for the President. He gathers some familiar names - but it's all just cameos and cute dialogue. It features some excellent artwork by Howard Chaykin (always a favorite) - but his stylized art doesn't work well alongside Mike Deodato's ultra-detailed, kinetic work. Both are excellent on their own - but the mix doesn't work.
The modern-day story is bizarre, too. The Avengers attack a warehouse that they somehow know is being used for evil purposes - but we don't know how they know. Luke Cage removes a truck by picking the whole thing up and carrying it, which is a good trick since the cab and the trailer are not a single solid piece. It would have made more sense for him to just drag the vehicle.
At any rate, we get lots of violence, but no new information about the mystery villain named Superia (except that she's quite powerful).
You can't help but feel that Bendis has been watching Jonathan Hickman jiggering with the Marvel timeline in S.H.I.E.L.D. and wanted to give it a go - but so far - for this story - it isn't working.
Grade: B
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