COMIC REVIEW: FTN reviews Mighty Avengers #4

Writer: Al Ewing

Pencils: Greg Land

Inker: Jay Leisten

Colorist: Frank D’Armata

In a world of Avengers, New Avengers, Secret Avengers, Uncanny Avengers and Young Avengers, you may think that it is ok to skip the Mighty Avengers. Well you would be wrong especially after reading this issue.

In the aftermath of Infinity the Inhumanity has started and for Luke Cage that means taking his rag tag team that were brought together by circumstance and turning them into a fully fledged Avenger’s unit. However as he states it his team is strictly voluntarily and anyone can come and go as they please. Their mission to help those in need, to be there for those who the other Avengers don’t have time to help and to be the team of the people. All of that sounds great to those involved, all except for one……

The Superior Spider-Man!

Spider-Ock has major issues with Cage’s idea of forming a new team and even more so with him calling them an Avengers team. What was great about his berating of Cage in the beginning of the issue was he call back to previous superhero teams. He makes mention of not only Cage’s former team of Heroes for Hire but even goes way back and says why not just call the team the Champions. I know of the Champions and it was a hoot to actually have them being recalled by name in a modern book. Of course we know from Superior Spider-Man Team Up that Spider-Ock does not play well with others and if he does he wants to run the show feeling that with his superior intellect he is the only one fitting to lead. This point shall be revisited later in the review.

Now the main focus of this issue I think for most readers will be the introduction of the new Ronin. Since the beginning of this title we have had a character that went by the name of Spider Hero (no hyphen) and wondered who he was. Well the hints are being dropped in this issue as to his true identity and probably the most obvious clues are his hideout which contains a plethora of swords, axes and the like and his long black leather coat. Something big is up with him to the point he says his face cannot be shown at this time and by the conversations he has in this issue with Kaluu the Black Magician that should only point the finger at one being in the Marvel Universe. (Yes I know spoilers have leaked out about who he really is but let’s not peak behind the curtain just yet.)

What was really cool was when the Spider-Hero says he needs a new costume, they reference back to Clint Barton’s time as Ronin and that he left the costume with Cage. So with it readily available a new Ronin is born and ready for action.

This issue is full of humor and just fantastic dialogue from writer Al Ewing. His inclusion of Falcon into the mix and the running gag of him trying to let everyone know that he is not Captain America’s sidekick but a hero in his own right were hilarious. Also adding in the family dynamic with Cage and his wife and daughter really shows who he is for readers who may not be familiar with Heroes for Hire. Mostly though this is an Inhumanity tie-in and as such with Attilan sitting in the Hudson Bay and a corporation sending in a new Inhuman to acquire fresh Terrigen Crystals and you have the setting for the street team to enter the fray.

I would be remised though if I didn’t mention the one page cameo of Hauptmann Deutschland! Who is he well he is the Captain America of Germany as shown when the team is talking about where the Blue Marvel currently is. Marvel can we please get a Hauptmann Deutschland ongoing series please?

Oh and from earlier yes Spider-Ock show up with a giant robot and tells Cage he is ready to talk about the teams leadership. Meaning he wants to talk about himself leading the team and if Cage does not come out of the new headquarters he is willing to tear it down to get at him. With this type of set up I can’t wait for the next issue.

This is a title not to be passed over. It is brilliant and is bringing a lot of Marvel characters that truly need time to shine in their own book. Plus it has the Superior Spider-Man and right now that equals gold.

So from Spin to all of you I give this Issue a MIGHTY

4.5 out of 5 nerds