New Avengers #1

Most of this issue is divided between two storylines. The first storyline involves possessed versions of Dt. Strange and Daimon Hellstrom attack Dr. Voodoo in an attempt to capture the Eye of Agamotto.

The other storyline invovles Luke Cage rebuilding his Avengers team. Luke buys Avengers Mansion from Tony Stark for $1 and Steve Rogers tells him to run the team how he wants to. Luke and Iron Fist arrive at the Mansion to find Victoria Hand waiting for them. After some conflict, Luke agrees to have her on the team in a consultant type of role. The scene shifts to the new team having dinner and Cage trying to convince the Thing to join the team.

They're interrupted by the Eye of Agamotto appearing followed by Dr. Strange and Daimon Hellstrom. They claim that Dr. Voodoo is dead. The issue ends with Luke and the Eye of Agamotto having some sort of reaction.

My Take: I really enjoyed this issue. It felt like less happened here but I think I enjoyed the issue a little more than I did Avengers #1. I really like the lineup to this team as it feels really off beat compared to the more classic lineup in Avengers.

I like the different feel to both books too. Avengers feels like a return to the Avengers of the 60s to the 90s. It feels like a classic lineup taking on classic threats. New Avengers feels like a continuation of the original New Avengers title. It feels like I'm getting the best of both worlds with these books right now.

The characters also have some good relationships going. Veronica Hand is hated by everyone on the team due to her former connections to Norman Osborn. Jessica Jones in particular wants to kill Hand. The Thing seems happy to be there as it's a change of scenery from the Fantastic Four. I look forward to seeing how the character relationships will develop in the book.

I liked the art quite a bit for this issue. I think it was better overall than the Avengers book. My only complaint with the art is that I felt it was too bright. In my opinion the New Avengers should have darker art overall. Don't ask me why, that just feels right.

I like how the there were two storylines going on throughout the book and they combined to end the issue. It was nice seeing the team get together and set itself up while the threat was also moving and shaking it's way to them. I'm really looking forward to the next issue of this as I really have no idea where they'll take the story.

I'd give this issue a solid A- for a good story and pretty good art.