After the opening salvo with his Avenger’s teammate Red Hulk, which wrapped up last issue, Spider-Man gets a new partner with this issue. Spider-Man is paired off with Hawkeye for a routine patrol of New York.
Things get off to a bumpy start with Hawkeye having a gruff attitude. He even proclaims that the patrol itself is useless as there’s no need for Avengers to look for trouble since it always ends up finding them anyway. Spidey explains that Captain America chose them to patrol together and figures that Cap has his reasons. Of course, Spidey’s faith in Cap doesn’t sway Hawkeye. The archer comes across as a bit of a jerk. He’s always practicing and acting arrogant about his being perfect and never missing a shot. Of course Hawkeye’s attitude is put on hold a bit when the pair run across a group of snake-themed villains robbing a chemical supply warehouse. By the end of the issue, Spider-Man learns that his faith in Cap wasn’t unfounded as he sees the wisdom in the pairing.
Zeb Wells delivers a nice break from the over-the-top action of the Red Hulk arc. The story would make for a nice short film. The only problem is that Hawkeye comes across as such a shmuck that I can’t help but get annoyed by the character. It doesn’t make me want to read more Avengers stuff like the Red Hulk stuff did.
The art this issue is done by Greg Land (‘Uncanny X-Men’) and, while I’m not to keen on the look since it reminds me too much of those movie/tv adaptations where the art is obviously penciled over photos, I begrudgingly admit that it does fit this story pretty well.
Next issue, Spidey teams off with is fearless leader as he pairs with Captain America Himself! Stay tuned for more Avenging goodness from Zeb Wells and artist Leinil Yu (‘Secret Invasion’) in ‘Avenging Spider-Man’ #5.
Verdict: Borrow
AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #4
Written by ZEB WELLS
Art by GREG LAND and JAY LEISTEN
Cover by GREG LAND, JUSTIN PONSOR, DALE KEOWN, and PETER STEIGERWALD
