West Coast Avengers #1
Marvel Comics 2018
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Stefano Caselli
Coloured by Triona Farrell
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
A NEW ERA DAWNS…AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! HAWKEYE (KATE BISHOP). HAWKEYE (CLINT BARTON). A guy named FUSE. Never have they ever been called “the big three” of...anything. And now here they are, reunited for, okay, well, it’s only the second time ever. Thank god they also brought AMERICA CHAVEZ, GWENPOOL and KID OMEGA. Wait. What? That’s right, it’s the new West Coast Avengers, son. And you better hope they can figure out how to save the world because BIG things are headed for the West Coast.
If I am to be brutally honest there was an 80% chance I was going to pass on this. As I have grown older I have realised a few things like the expression “back in my day” and “when I first” that used to make my eyes roll are now phrases we’re uttering ourselves. While my brain perfectly understands what is going on my heart is more like why is this necessary. Will there come a day when the kids phase out the adults? Pass the mantle, become them and then make room for another generation to follow? If folks like Kelly are going to be given liberty to tell the stories she wants to and exploration characterisation and character development she needs these kids who are still malleable. I am okay with that too so what if it’s not the West Coast Avengers in the Mini-Series and then launched as a monthly from my teenage years that was then this is now.
Clint and Kate’s relationship has really become something of legend in the Marvel Universe. Just the fact that she was homage/legacy (earning a dead man’s name—CA) to becoming something of a protege to his friend, family and someone who they each can turn to without hesitation or judgement, okay judgement yes but it’s alright. Solid base to build upon right there. However while the opening is good seeing these Land Sharks (SyFy eat your heart out) sold this book to me. I am not sure who else besides Kelly could tackle Sharks that seem to have been crossed with Salamandar’s as hokey as it sounds and then throw in superheroes, two of which have no powers add a couple more folks to the mix and make the story as believable as it comes across.
Stefano and Triona work extremely well together and I am more than pleasantly surprised by how good this is. No offense but Marvel isn’t known for quality interior artwork these days. The attention to detail here is phenomenal from how realistic the anatomy of the shark looks, yes teeth, gums, wrinkles, scarring plus those added feet, all the way to the final panel in the book the consistency is the same. It is the little things like that and the way varying weights of linework get manipulated to convey feelings and emotions that make a strong silent impact. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective show off a strong eye for storytelling. I just ask for one thing, use some proper backgrounds for cryin in the mud now.
With the exception of Gweenpool (trying too hard to make her a legit thing) the characters are interesting and show promise. Seriously though I have no idea what Gwen is supposed to bring to this other than prove she’s a stupid rip-off character that should’ve been let alone. Phew, had to get that out there and off my chest. So Kelly manages to be the first person to get me to read a book with her in it not only all the way through but to get me to come back.
Well Whatever did happen to The West Coast Avengers compound? Will this be a chance to see some old friends who are heroes out in the western way? So ditch that thing with the sperm head and bring on the action, fun and knowing these folks some malarkey and I will be here to enjoy!
Marvel Comics 2018
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Stefano Caselli
Coloured by Triona Farrell
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
A NEW ERA DAWNS…AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! HAWKEYE (KATE BISHOP). HAWKEYE (CLINT BARTON). A guy named FUSE. Never have they ever been called “the big three” of...anything. And now here they are, reunited for, okay, well, it’s only the second time ever. Thank god they also brought AMERICA CHAVEZ, GWENPOOL and KID OMEGA. Wait. What? That’s right, it’s the new West Coast Avengers, son. And you better hope they can figure out how to save the world because BIG things are headed for the West Coast.
If I am to be brutally honest there was an 80% chance I was going to pass on this. As I have grown older I have realised a few things like the expression “back in my day” and “when I first” that used to make my eyes roll are now phrases we’re uttering ourselves. While my brain perfectly understands what is going on my heart is more like why is this necessary. Will there come a day when the kids phase out the adults? Pass the mantle, become them and then make room for another generation to follow? If folks like Kelly are going to be given liberty to tell the stories she wants to and exploration characterisation and character development she needs these kids who are still malleable. I am okay with that too so what if it’s not the West Coast Avengers in the Mini-Series and then launched as a monthly from my teenage years that was then this is now.
Clint and Kate’s relationship has really become something of legend in the Marvel Universe. Just the fact that she was homage/legacy (earning a dead man’s name—CA) to becoming something of a protege to his friend, family and someone who they each can turn to without hesitation or judgement, okay judgement yes but it’s alright. Solid base to build upon right there. However while the opening is good seeing these Land Sharks (SyFy eat your heart out) sold this book to me. I am not sure who else besides Kelly could tackle Sharks that seem to have been crossed with Salamandar’s as hokey as it sounds and then throw in superheroes, two of which have no powers add a couple more folks to the mix and make the story as believable as it comes across.
Stefano and Triona work extremely well together and I am more than pleasantly surprised by how good this is. No offense but Marvel isn’t known for quality interior artwork these days. The attention to detail here is phenomenal from how realistic the anatomy of the shark looks, yes teeth, gums, wrinkles, scarring plus those added feet, all the way to the final panel in the book the consistency is the same. It is the little things like that and the way varying weights of linework get manipulated to convey feelings and emotions that make a strong silent impact. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective show off a strong eye for storytelling. I just ask for one thing, use some proper backgrounds for cryin in the mud now.
With the exception of Gweenpool (trying too hard to make her a legit thing) the characters are interesting and show promise. Seriously though I have no idea what Gwen is supposed to bring to this other than prove she’s a stupid rip-off character that should’ve been let alone. Phew, had to get that out there and off my chest. So Kelly manages to be the first person to get me to read a book with her in it not only all the way through but to get me to come back.
Well Whatever did happen to The West Coast Avengers compound? Will this be a chance to see some old friends who are heroes out in the western way? So ditch that thing with the sperm head and bring on the action, fun and knowing these folks some malarkey and I will be here to enjoy!
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