New Avengers (Vol. 1) #11

Background

Last time in the New Avengers... the mystery of the Sentry is finally revealed and Robert Reynolds powers and mind have been restored. Returning to Stark Tower the Avengers discover that the Sentry's Watchtower has reappeared atop their own headquarters. Finally, Ironman is willing to believe Captain Americas idea that the Avengers are a group destined by fate!

The issue ends with Ironman once again sitting in a meeting of superheroes with Doc Strange, Mr. Fantastic, the Black Bolt, and the Submariner. When Tony is questioned about S.H.I.E.L.D. and the goings-on in the Savage Land he claims nothing happened saying it was, "Just the usual stuff." The final panel in this issue is the steely gaze of one very serious, very unhappy Ironman!

And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes found themselves united against a common threat! On that day, the Avengers were born - to fight the foes no single super hero could withstand!

Story Details

A mysterious warrior opens this month's New Avengers. A ninja type, dressed in black, stands amidst a pile of bodies asking again, "Who will tell me what I need to know?"

Flashback, yesterday, New York City. Captain America walks towards Matt Murdock, the Man Without Fear. They discuss yet another of the criminals escaped from the Raft, the Silver Samurai. With his backing the Japanese Underworld group known as the Hand would be able to establish a permanent base of power. Cap asks Daredevil to join the Avengers once more but Murdock declines because he doesn't want to endanger the New Avengers. In his fatherly way, Cap tells the story of when he stopped being Captain America and became Nomad. The guilt trip finds its way through the Daredevil's armor and he recommends someone, a mercenary, to help the Avengers with their mission.

Osaka, Japan our mysterious warrior eavesdrops on a secret meeting between the Hand and the Silver Samurai. Then, without warning, in strolls Madame Hydra. While the mercenary looks on the room behind him fills with ninjas. Battle explodes as the dark warrior fights his way out and flees towards the Japanese Stark Tower.

A wounded and bleeding figure pulls itself up over the balcony of the Stark Tower penthouse, where the New Avengers are gathered after a long flight. Arrows and shurikens slash into the back of the mysterious warrior leaving him lying unconscious at the feet of the Avengers and surrounded be hundreds of ninjas!

General Comments

I haven't said this yet but I need to, I really like the artwork that goes into this new series. I've never been a big fan of the cartoony looking comic books so mad props to the art-boys behind the New Avengers.

The story itself is pretty good, nothing too complex or underhanded just some plain old-fashioned bad guys doing bad things. What I am a little worried about is the addition of another Avenger. While Ronin looks to be pretty awesome when it comes to handing out beatings, we did just add a member, didn't we? I was kind of hoping that we'd progressed past the building phase and had moved on towards some real adventuring.

One thing that confused me on this issue was the involvement of Madame Hydra. She's complaining about Hydra being weak and corrupt, small men with small dreams and all that. Hold on, didn't Spidey just foil a major Hydra plan in the Amazing storyline? Those Hydra struck me as anything but weak and small- minded!

Overall Rating

Despite being disappointed and a small continuity foul-up I'm giving it three and a-half webs because the Avengers always turn over a good story... even when their fouling up. How you ask? Because when is a combination of good guys, bad guys, mystery, and destiny ever a bad thing?