As 2013 gets underway, the Avengers franchise is bigger than ever at Marvel. There are various team books that fall under the Avengers banner, but there are the many solo and spinoff titles starring heroes like Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America as well. It's getting to the point where you need a fat wallet and a PhD in comic book continuity to keep track of all these titles.
Sadly, we don't have the first one, but we do know a thing or two about the Avengers franchise. Just as we did with the many books that comprise the X-Men franchise, we've put together a guide to the many Avengers comics that are either currently on the stands or set to launch in the coming months. For each series, we break down the basic concept, where it fits into the larger picture, and explain why it might appeal to you.
Check Out Our Guide to X-Men Comics
In addition to the main series, there will be a handful of tie-in comics in other Marvel books. All of these tie-ins will carry an AU tag next to the number, and readers of the respective ongoing books are free to read or ignore these tie-in issues at their choosing.
Why You Should Read It: Event fatigue is a common complaint for many comic readers. And while we certainly sympathize, we're hopeful that Age of Ultron can avoid the pitfalls of many events. The fact that the story is relatively self-contained and that the entire event lasts only from March through June helps. We're also excited to see artist Bryan Hitch working on a Marvel series again. And there's the fact that Bendis is teasing a major plot twist in the finale that will shape the course of the Marvel Universe moving forward. If nothing else, Age of Ultron won't be your average alternate future storyline where all the pieces are put back neatly in place at the end.
For those interested in which of Bendis' previous books have been building towards Age of Ultron, check out this feature.
Why You Should Read It: Anyone who has much exposure to Jonathan Hickman's work knows he loves to develop intricate, years-long plans for his books. With his Fantastic Four run concluded, Avengers is where his next grand saga is taking root. The series also ships biweekly, which should appeal to the more impatient readers who hate waiting a month between installments. And befitting a flagship Avengers title, Hickman is joined by a bevy of talented Marvel artists, including Jerome Opena, Adam Kubert, Mike Deodato, and Dustin Weaver.
However, readers who prefer smaller, more character-driven stories may want to look elsewhere. With such a large cast and an emphasis on drama and spectacle, there's not as much room for the sort of banter and interpersonal conflict that defined the movie. There are other Avengers books to scratch that itch.
Why You Should Read It: If you love characters like Darkhawk, Haz-Mat, and Sister Grimm, this is the only place you'll be able to read their adventures for the foreseeable future. However, our reviews of the first few issues have been mixed at best. The art is certainly great, and the writing technically sound. But we have yet to be won over by the core concept. Many readers are understandably miffed at the idea of their favorite teen heroes being killed off in such large numbers. Whether these deaths actually hold or are merely part of some larger ruse on Arcade's part, the book still has to prove itself.
Why You Should Read It: When we mentioned how there are alternatives to the plot-driven, epic storytelling approach of Hickman's Avengers series, we were referring first and foremost to Avengers Assemble. This series isn't the place to see the Avengers clash with the biggest and baddest villains of the Marvel U. Instead, the book celebrates the team's family dynamic. DeConnick brings a uniquely humorous and heartfelt approach to the series that sets it apart. Stefano Caselli also set a high visual standard with his work on the first story arc, and one that we hope to see continue as DeConnick's run progresses.
Why You Should Read It: If you read Captain America solely to see Steve Rogers suit up, sock bad guys in the jaw, and call it a day, this new volume of Cap might not be for you. As with his work on Punisher, Remender is intent on exploring the weirder side of Cap's career. But with a character who's been around as long as Cap, it's exactly that sort of unusual take that helps set the new series apart. Even after only a handful of issues, it's clear this series will never be guilty of feeling boring or redundant.
Why You Should Read It: Anyone who feels that there aren't enough female creators or characters in comics need look no farther than Captain Marvel. The series has quickly established itself as the book Carol Danvers always deserved. As with Avengers Assemble, DeConnick brings a light, funny, character-focused touch that sets the series apart from many other superhero books on the stands. And between artists like Dexter Soy and Emma Rios, Captain Marvel boasts a unique visual style too. Plus, Benjamin Bailey routinely raves about the series in his reviews, and he seems pretty on the ball.
Why You Should Read It: Though there's a new series called Thunderbolts on the stands, fans of the original concept of villains taking on new identities and being rehabilitated will find Dark Avengers the more recognizable of the two. And whether you call this series Thunderbolts, Dark Avengers, or Uncanny Great Lakes Dark Thunderbolts, Jeff Parker's writing has remained consistently great over the years. The worst problem facing this book is that the lack of a new #1 issue and the relatively obscure cast of characters may turn potential new readers away, even though the series itself is hardly inaccessible.
Why You Should Read It: Doesn't the fact that Guardians of the Galaxy features a gun-toting raccoon and a giant tree monster seal the deal in itself? Even if not, this book is shaping up to be one of the most integral new additions to the Marvel lineup this year. Writer Brian Michael Bendis has teased that the book's importance will become apparent once Age of Ultron wraps up later this year, and it appears as if the events in Guardians and other cosmic titles will build heavily towards Marvel's next event comic coming later in 2013.
We've been very impressed with Bendis' transition into the X-Men franchise so far. Hopefully this new series will show a similarly fresh and engaging quality. A special Point One issue this month will introduce newcomers to Star-Lord's origin and set the stage for the series' true debut in March.
Why You Should Read It: We were excited about the prospect of this new series from the beginning thanks to the quality of Waid's Daredevil series. And thus far, Waid hasn't disappointed. The series feels fresh and accessible, and is really the best outlet for Hulk fans itching for the hero to return in Marvel's movies. The series is a bit of a return to basics following the expansion of the Hulk family in recent years and the inversion of the Banner/Hulk dynamic in Jason Aaron's recent Incredible Hulk series.
Why You Should Read It: To be honest, our Review Crew hasn't been thrilled with Iron Man so far. The first five issues read like more of a placeholder designed to coincide with Iron Man 3. But the good news is that the series has a second chance to establish itself with this new storyline. Gillen has and is delivering some great work at Marvel, so we're hopeful his Iron Man run will eventually come to rival his Uncanny X-Men and Journey Into Mystery.
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