The New Avengers (FDNY Promo)

Background

This particular special projects comic is a 10-page physical comic that is being distributed by the NY Fire Department foundation (the non-profit arm of the FDNY) and Marvel and concerns fire safety. The story ends on a cliffhanger with the final four pages only being delivered digitally at the The FDNY Foundation website.

Story 'Under Fire!'

The New Avengers (Captain America (Bucky), Iron Fist, Hawkeye, Mocking Bird, Ms. Marvel, Luke Cage, and Spider-Man, along with several members of the FDNY are all present at Avenger’s mansion delivering a fire safety lesson to a group of schoolchildren when the mansion is attacked by the Wrecking Crew (Wrecker, Bulldozer, Piledriver, and Thunderball). As the Avengers jump to defend themselves and their guests, the firemen rush to get the kids out of the room, even as the mansion catches on fire due to the attack.

As the kids are exiting from the mansion they recall the fire safety tips that they were given earlier by the Avengers. As the Avengers fight off the supervillains, the Firemen get the kids out of the building, then rush back in to put out the fire that is now raging throughout the building. The firefighters even lend a helping hand to Hawkeye and Mockingbird preventing them from falling through a hole in the floor.

The Avengers easily (and handily) defeat the villains, and the firemen just as quickly extinguish the blaze. Afterward, the Fire Commissioner thanks the Avengers for their help, and Cap (on behalf of the Avengers) thanks the firemen for theirs, making them all honorary Avengers.

General Comments

At the height of the attack, the story abruptly ends and readers are directed to go to www.fdnyfoundation.org to acquire the final four pages of the story. This is good on so many levels as it not only helps kids discover the web, and comics on the web, but (hopefully) will get them to learn more about the FDNY Foundation, fire safety, as well as access some fun games and activities at the FDNY Foundations’ website.

Overall Rating

I love these types of comics, as they not only promote the comicbook industry itself, but it also helps to “prove” that comics are still a very viable medium. The story’s message of fire safety is clear and to the point, and even though the action is couched in the form of costumed heroes punching each other, I believe that the core message is still understandable to its intended audience. This story gets an extra point as it directs readers to go to The FDNY Foundation website to acquire the rest of the tale.

Footnote

As stated at the onset of this review, only the first 10 pages of the comic appear in print, with the last four appearing only on the The FDNY Foundation website. Actually, the entirety of the comic is available on the website.

The final four pages of the comic are posted in the gallery along with this review.