New Avengers (Vol. 1) #37

Background

After saving New York from a symbiote virus with the Mighty Avengers, The New Avengers have tracked down The Hoods' gang, and they have some serious backup with them.

Story Details

This issue starts with Dirk Garthwaite A.K.A The Wrecker explaining to someone what happened earlier. Dr. Strange used his powers to create an illusion making it appear that many heroes had gathered to stop The Hoods gang. After several pages of fighting The Hoods guys realise most of the heroes were illusions and were fighting back. After more fighting two things happen, one Dr. Strange confronts The Hood about the demon that posses him and Spidey makes Wolverine laugh! During his battle with Dr. Strange The Hood transforms into his demon form appears to be banished by the good doctor. After even more fighting The New Avengers wrap the battle up and regroup, the team make The Hoods cousin John surrender to the police and leave the other villains to be taken away.

Later we see that The Wrecker is talking to S.H.I.E.L.D Acting Deputy Director Hill. She asks him who The Hood is and he refuses to talk. Shortly after we see The Hood rescuing The Wrecker since he didn't give him up, they then in turn release the rest of the captured gang and The Hood promises to take the fight to The Avengers to see how they like it.

General Comments

Wow - I have to say since the beginning of this book I've been waiting for a giant brawl and this issue didn't let me down. I wrote a rant a while ago about how the NA never had a chance to shine against the old Avengers bad guys like Ultron, but with The Hood they have their own "Masters of Evil" type enemy which is what this books needs. I do hope that this isn't a one shot deal and The Hood becomes a major player in the Marvel Universe, he's already appeared as the new Kingpin in Daredevil so this may stick.

As for this issue, ok we have little plot but some fantastic action, tons of other heroes and a new nemesis for the team. The art as always is spot on, how does Yu get this done every month? I really want him to be the permanent artist on NA after secret invasion. As usual Bendis has the wit to make fourteen pages of brawls be entertaining and humorous.

Although in nitpicking again, The Hood can only go invisible not intangible how did he get near the S.H.I.E.L.D base?

Overall Rating

4.5 webs – No real plot but some entertaining action makes this a great finish to this arc. Guys more Hood please