New Avengers (Vol. 2) #16

Background

Marvel’s Fear Itself event is here and The Avengers are caught in the middle. Last issue Sin’s army attacked New York and the Avengers mansion. Squirrel Girl and Danielle Cage were trapped inside the mansion during the attack.

Story 'Fear Itself'

The story starts with various Avengers being interviewed. They all talk about being an Avenger and what it takes to be one. It’s not being a “crazy mutant ninja” or a “public menace”, or an “alien from outer space”, or a “wizard”, or a “convicted criminal”, or a “rich drunk guy”, or “an ex-Hydra agent” or a “circus boy with a criminal record”. Sometimes it takes The Avengers to define a person.

Next we Daredevil fighting the Nazi mechs during the attack on New York. Luke Cage tells interviewer that Daredevil has sacrificed more for New York City than anyone else, and if anyone is asking if Daredevil is Avengers material they should be asking if The Avengers are Daredevil material. During the battle with the Nazis Daredevil sees Avengers Tower collapse.

Next we see Jessica Jones being interviewed. She says she wasn’t there when the tower fell but she was worried about the mansion where her daughter was. She also mentions that Daredevil overheard the Nazis speaking about the Avengers mansion. Next we see last issues ending, with the mansion under attack. Squirrel Girl tells the interviewer that she could hear sounds which sounded like the Nazis were attacking each other so she decided to investigate. Daredevil has stopped the Nazi attack and tells her to hide in the safe room.

Three weeks later Luke and Jessica invite Daredevil to join the team. So what make a worthy Avenger then? How about a “Selfless samurai warrior”, or “a miss understood hero who never gives up”, or “a cunning military mind from another culture”, or “a true master of the mystic arts”, or “an unbreakable urban warrior”, or “a futurist”, or “the best secret agent in the world”, or “the best marksman on the planet” or “a swashbuckling ninja who can’t say no to a friend”.

General Comments

YES! Daredevil has finally joined the team. I've been waiting for this to happen since the first New Avengers story arc and all I can say is it's about time! For those who've not been reading DD's adventures in his own book, Daredevil is back to being the swashbuckling hero he was in his early days and has moved on from tough times that culminated in the Shadowland story. It's always great when Bendis writes Daredevil and hopefully old Hornhead will be onthe team for a while.

Deodato drawing Daredevil - Awesome stuff. I'm really looking forward to what the future holds for the team.

Overall Rating

OK aside form DD joining the team nothing much happened but as this is another tie-in issue that's to be expected.