MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS Review
MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS
MARVEL COMICS
Writer: Jeff Parker
Penciler: Manuel Garcia
Inker: Scott Koblish
Marvel Adventures is Marvel Comics’ All Ages imprint. As a whole the imprint is far more successful than the former Marvel Age, but the books by writer Jeff Parker really get it right. His comics are not just for kids–any fan of classic superheroes would love his stuff. Parker wrote the first dozen or so issues of Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four and now he’s doing Marvel Adventures The Avengers.
Marvel Adventures The Avengers is akin to a good Avengers cartoon. The book is not in regular Marvel continuity, but that gives Parker the opportunity to make some neat adjustments. The team is a conglomeration of New Avengers, Young Avengers, and The Ultimates with Captain America, Storm, Hulk, Spider-Man, Giant-Girl, Iron Man, and Wolverine, but all the characters have the classic characterization (no pessimism and ultra-violence). Cap’s the Hero, Storm is clam and resourceful, Hulk smashes (finally!), Spidey cracks jokes, Iron Man’s the techy, and Wolvie is always ready to throw down (but not crazy). Giant-Girl seems young and fun. Spidey is in the classic webs, Wolvie is in his Astonishing X-Men gear, and Cap is in classic red, white, and blue. Storm sports an outfit combining Ms. Marvel and her old Cockrum/Byrne duds. Giant-Girl is in old Giant Man spandex. The Hulk is in his ripped purple pants. If only Iron Man had his sleek red and gold Michelinie/Layton/Romita, Jr. era armor.
Parker’s characterization and storylines are perfect for all ages. Plots are just complicated enough. All the characters voices are right. Use of superpowers is exciting and inventive. Stories are fun and humorous, but action-packed. Kids will enjoy it and so will the older reader (especially someone looking for the Marvel comics of the ’70s and ’80s). Each issue stands alone, which is refreshing in this six-issue story era.
Garcia and Koblish do a great job on the art. Their style is modern while evoking the classic Kirby/Romita/Buscema Marvel look. They fill each panel with detail and the characters explode from the page.
Rated G
Check this out if you like: Roger Stern’s Avengers, John Byrne’s Fantastic Four, Tom DeFalco’s Spider-Man, Spider-Girl
Leave a Comment