When vampires mobilized to attack over the Earth during the Blood Hunt, the Avengers were caught off-guard. The tide of the battle was ultimately turned by a team of reservists. This leads to the formation of a new team of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers Assemble #1.
This first issue introduces the Avengers’ Emergence Response Squad. The brainchild of Steve Rogers, the ERS is intended to deliver a more immediate answer to threats requiring a swift response. To that end, he reopens the team’s mansion base and invites the new team to move in, living on-site like fire-fighters.
The squad is quickly called into action. Faster than you can say “Avengers Assemble,” Captain America, Photon, Shang-Chi, and Wasp are pitted against a newly empowered Sin. The daughter of Red Skull taps the power of the goddess of hate, Erida, to further her own dark agenda. Meanwhile, Hawkeye takes over the orientation to revive an old team tradition: the weekly poker game.
Avengers Assemble a welcome throwback to the good ol’ days
Steve Orlando‘s script is packed with action and the threat posed by Sin is a serious one. However, Avengers Assemble #1 is just as concerned with introducing the core cast and establishing their personalities. This is particularly important in the case of more obscure recruits, like Lightspeed from Power Pack or Night Thrasher.
Orlando doesn’t quite manage to develop all the ensemble evenly, but there are many nice touches throughout the issue. Chief among these is Shang-Chi manipulating his teammates’ chakras to numb their ability to feel hate. There is also a fun bit where Hercules implies the Allspeak that allows him to understand all languages also lets him read body language and know when everyone is bluffing during the poker game.
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The artwork by Cory Smith is detailed and driven. The art only falters in the long shots, where Smith has no chance to indulge in the fine linework that defines his aesthetic. The close-ups and mid-range scenes are superb, however, well-paired with the colors of Sonia Oback.
With a focus on character over action, Avengers Assemble #1 feels like the Avengers comics of old. The team looms a bit too large at times, but this premiere issue is a solid start. It is highly recommended to all fans of Marvel Comics and superhero team books.
Grade: 4/5
Avengers Assemble #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
