Brian Bendis' run as a writer on the Avengers and the New Avengers has been (mostly) stellar, so we can certainly forgive him if he doesn't bat a thousand (after all, no one does).It was a mighty effort to carve out a cosmic storyline, as The Hood tries to collect the Infinity Gems that would make him unbeatable.
Those gems were last seen in the keeping of the Illuminati - Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Professor X, Namor, Dr. Strange and Black Bolt.
But their secret is exposed, and the entire roster of the Avengers is assembled to try to stop The Hood from gathering the gems.
The issue features some sharp dialogue and some terrific art by John Romita, Jr. and Klaus Janson, but the story lacks the kind of clever twist or unexpected turn it really needed to bring all the elements together.
We're left with a conclusion that's frankly disappointing, as no one learned anything or accomplished much.
So a rare stumble, but still a better comic than most. That's the problem with doing consistently excellent work - it's hard to avoid an occasional slip.
But it doesn't bother me - I appreciate that the creative team is aiming high and swinging for the fences. Everybody hits a pop fly now and then.
(Can you tell baseball season is here?)
Grade: B
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