New Avengers (Vol. 1) #39

Background

Maya Lopez A.K.A Echo was the New Avengers operative in Japan. She recently returned to America with the team after discovering the alien race known as the Skrulls have secretly invaded Earth.

Story 'Echo'

The story starts with Logan and Maya discussing their past and their current situation. Logan tells her that the only reason he rejoined the team after Captain America was killed was to bring her back from Japan. Maya accuses him of hitting on her, Logan says he wasn't and one day she will hit on him and there's nothing he can do about that, it's his curse. She smiles and leaves.

While on patrol Maya is confronted by Daredevil. She asks him why he asked Captain America to send her to Japan. Daredevil tells her Cap's dead and then he realises she meant before he was killed, he says it has all worked out. Maya asks who he is really. "Daredevil" then turns into Maya and attacks her with Cyclops style eye beams. Just as the Skrull is about to kill Maya Wolverine attacks and saves her. Wolverine is burned by the Skrull so Maya has to fight alone. She gains the upper hand when Wolverine has healed enough to help her so the Skull flys away. Maya asks why Wolverine was following her. He tells her that if he was a Skrull she would be the one to replace as she is the one with the least amount of history.

Later back in the new base Clint Barton is talking to Maya. She tells him she doesn't know why she's an Avenger. Clint admits he felt the same when he first joined up, but then something will happen that will make them the right person at the right time and they will take the shot that counts. Maya tells him that this isn't the Avengers, Clint agrees but notes that everyone said the same thing when he first joined up. Clint admits the other night that after the fight with the Hood when he was patching her arm he was going to kiss her. Maya says she wouldn't have minded and they kiss. Later after sleeping together Maya wakes up and looks at Clint, who's still asleep, she uses her hand to cover her eyes.

General Comments

Now this is more like it, an issue of New Avengers that ties directly into Secret Invasion, which includes character development and story development. Echo is not one of my favourite members of the team but more issues like this and she may become one. I'm not sure about how easy the Skrull gave them self away but thats a minor point

I have to say the art by David Mack is really good. I'm not a fan of his painted work but this style works really well. Typical Bendis writing so its all good.

Overall Rating

I have to say the art by David Mack is really good. I'm not a fan of his painted work but this style works really well. Typical Bendis writing so its all good. I'm just waiting on Secret Invasion to kick into high gear.