Avengers #0

   More a commercial than a comic, this issue of Avengers is provided to promote the numerous Avengers-related comics spinning out of the aftermath of the still-running Secret Wars.

   It is, at best, a mixed bag.

   The All-New, All-Different Avengers is promising, if just because it's being written by Mark Waid - the story teased here focuses on the Vision and the Scarlet Witch - so that's nice.

   The New Avengers promises an interesting mix of Young Avengers and an Ultimate menace.

   The Uncanny Avengers brings in the most unexpected addition to the team, which continues to mix heroes with mutants.

   Then there's the mostly-female (or all-female) A-Force, the new Ultimates (which seem a lot like the Mighty Avengers), and Squadron Supreme, a modern version of that team (which has a strong resemblance to the JLA).

   So, lots to choose from, but you don't get enough of a sample here to decide which one is most worthy of your hard-earned $3.99.

   Perhaps I'm the only one, but I long for the days when there was just one Avengers comic. Like so many other titles (Spider-Man and X-Men being the worst offenders), more spinoffs just water down the brand.

   Better to have one terrific comic than a dozen mediocre ones.
 
Grade: C+

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