Avengers (Vol. 4) #23

Background

Norman Osborn is making life difficult for the Avengers. He's teamed up with a range of criminal organisations, stolen their genetic information to mimic their powers and is destroying their public image.

Story Details

Cap is captured and Norman and Madame Hydra are trying to bully the American government into doing what Norman wants and it seems to be working. Meanwhile, other Iron Man and Storm are being held and experimented on in a secret facility, but Quake has found them and starts bringing down the house. Back at the mansion, Vision dusts himself off and pursues Norman Osborn.

At the secret headquarters, Quake manages to free Iron Man, Storm, Spider-woman, Red Hulk and Hawkeye. It looks like the Avengers are on a roll and the tide has turned, when they Osborn appears, backed by Hand ninjas and reveals that his blackmailing of the President worked, he's back in charge and the Avengers are under arrest!

General Comments

A fairly strong, fast-paced issue with things moving along at a much faster pace than I thought they would. I liked Osborn as leader of the Thunderbolts and head of HAMMER, it made for some great stories. I have really liked aspects of this storyline, particularly the way Norman is screwing with the public perception of the Avengers. It just seems a bit anti-climatic the way this story seems to be heading. I mean Osborn hasn't learnt from past mistakes and just wants to be head of a new HAMMER? Really? He keeps the Avengers alive too... surely he should have learnt his lessons in that area. I know arrogance is one of his failings, but this is just stupidity, not arrogance.

I guess the real strengths of this issue depend on how the storyline is concluded. I'll be disappointed if the Avengers just manage to easily save the day next issue and things go back to a happy status quo.

Overall Rating

Solid.