It’s been a while since we’ve covered ‘Avengers Assemble’ here on ScienceFiction.com, but after the tie-ins to ‘Infinity’, I added the book back to my pull list and have been enjoying it ever since. However, it was recently revealed that the series would be ending in March with issue 25. Since this book needs more love before it heads out the door, I decided to give it some in the form of a review this week.
As a tie-in to ‘Inhumanity’, this series has been following Anya Corazon, the young hero who took up the mantle of Spider-Girl, as she is on a mission to retrieve the body of her Social Studies teacher, who happened to be one of the dormant Inhumans that turned into a cocoon thanks to the effects of the Terrigen Bomb set off by Black Bolt. Anya ventured to Avengers Tower to seek the help of Captain Marvel, but she was busy helping Bruce Banner deal with the madness ensuing on the streets of New York. Instead, Spider-Woman and Black Widow went with her to investigate (and to form Team Spider Lady). After they learned Dr. June Covington was the one they were after with the help of Wolverine and the Hulk, the mission turned into a manhunt (or womanhunt?). For this, the ladies tagged in Logan and Spider-Girl’s lesson in heroics from the Avengers continued with a day in the field with the surliest member on the roster.
Up until now, Spider-Girl got to see the fun side of being a hero thanks to Spider-Woman and the tactical side thanks to Black Widow. But in this issue, she really got a crash course in tough love from Wolverine as she had to learn how to prepare for battle and the tough decisions that come with being a hero. First of all, sometimes I forget that Logan deals with children since he is the headmaster of the Jean Grey School. Second of all, these lessons have been great to observe, even his hard to swallow one. I feel like Kelly Sue DeConnick and Warren Ellis are systematically dissecting the different aspects of what is necessary to be a superhero and teaching us along with Spider-Girl. It’s a really interesting subject for a story arc and it’s been quite an enjoyable lesson to learn along with Anya.
Maybe one of the reasons why it’s such a fun lesson to learn is because the writing is so funny while being very intelligent. Usually, when I think of the things that I’ve read by Ellis, I don’t think the humor is one thing that I took away after finishing those books. Sure, it definitely helps that DeConnick is there with her usual playfulness, but since they co-wrote this stuff, I’d imagine that the intimidating individual known as Warren Ellis must have a funny bone in there somewhere. In fact, I recall Kelly Sue mentioning that back when I had a chance to interview her at New York Comic Con. Either way, whether it’s the comedy, the action, or the message, the writing of this tandem has been fun to follow.
Finally, after going on about all those noteworthy things, I have to say that my favorite part of issue twenty-three is Jessica Drew’s ringtone. She definitely knows what the best Marvel animated series in the past 10 years was.
Yup, that’s the ‘Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ theme song.Anyway, I’m really bummed that we’re two issues away from this title ending because I love the way DeConnick writes the Spider Ladies. Maybe one day when she has time, she could work on a Spider Fam book featuring Jess, Anya, Natasha, and maybe even Mayday or Ben Reilly. But until it’s gone, I’ll definitely be enjoying ‘Avengers Assemble’.
Final Score:
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #23
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Warren Ellis
Art by Matteo Buffagni & Nolan Woodard
Cover by Jorge Molina
