AVENGERS

Issue 38

"Above and Beyond"

Writer: Kurt Busiek

Pencils: Alan Davis

Inks: Mark Farmer

        This is the start of a "bold, new era", now that Busiek has been joined by Davis and Farmer. By and large, I like it. Oh, it has its problems, but I like it.

        Certainly it's easy to tag it as derivative of The Authority. A group of superhumans who decide that becoming more active and less-reactive, contrary to the traditional superhero form, makes sense. And, if one's going to start talking precedents, Mark Gruenwald of all people beat out the Authority folk years earlier with his Squadron Supreme 12-part series. In such an incestuous arena as superhero comics it's just a waste of time focusing more than passingly on who came up with what first. Some people become angry with that idea, but that's their problem. I'm more concerned with who's done it best, and what nuances someone brings to a given idea.

         In this case we have a highly honorable group - particularly as it's co-chaired by Captain America - that still is working in cooperation with U.S. authorities. These are two, highly significant distinctions between the Avengers and the Authority. While I've enjoyed what I've seen in The Authority (though I enjoyed the Ellis material more than the Millar work) I wouldn't want to see that done in The Avengers. Whether or not it seems to hamstring them, whether or not it's the fashionable thing to do, this is a team with a proud history and integrity. Most of the Avengers are people I'd like to know. The Authority, however... maybe as a matter of necessity.

         This issue begins with the plot seed for the next issue, in one of those "mystery villain" angles where the only mystery is who wouldn't immediately know who the villain was. I don't mind it, since I'd like to but I'm always a little surprised by these moves, wondering what went wrong or if we're deliberately being pitched some slow ones.

         The character interaction remains a strong aspect of the series, and Kurt keeps them all nicely recognizable to us long-timers and accessible to the newcomers. The tiny sample plot involving Taskmaster is, unconvincing, shall we say. One such escape (you'll see, or have already) might have worked, but perhaps as many as four? No, I'm not buying it. However, it's a fairly minor point. I'm interested in seeing where this leads, and like what I see so far.

         Now if they'd just wrap up the Triune Understanding, the Triathlon/3-D Man connection and the tale of two Hanks, I'd be a happier reader. Some things are just going on too long.

                                                      MJN

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