Avengers Assemble #2- The Avengers Series We Didn’t Know We Needed
From Marvel Comics
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Scott Eatin and Elisabetta D’Amico
One of the most surprising comics on shelves right now has to be Steve Orlando’s new Avengers Assemble series which hosts some of the most unique and alluring Avengers ensemble characters to date.
I don’t even remember seeing advertisements for this series, but last month I saw it on the shelves at my local comic book store and audibly remarked to no one in particular, “Huh…. Steve Orlando is doing an Avengers series? Neat,” and promptly picked up the book on that alone. However since then, the experience of reading both issue #1 and issue #2 has been some of the most fun I’ve ever had reading an Avengers comic and I sincerely need to know if anybody else is reading this?!
I can see how this title might be overlooked by a lot of comic fans because it does feel inherently redundant, with Jed MacKay’s popular main-line Avengers run continuing after a major summer event and now stretching into its 21st issue Side note: while I love the framing of the cover for the whole “Avengers vs. X-Men” thing, I couldn’t help but laugh at the idea of Captain Marvel punching Cyclops… Scott would be dead, right?
However, I think that Orlando has found a particularly worthwhile, even necessary niche in the current Marvel comics mythos by providing us, on one hand, a clever, action packed series with niche characters penned by a veteran comic book writer, and on the other hand, a platform for slice of life tales featuring earth’s mightiest heroes that is ostensibly the “Superhero Soap Opera” I didn’t know I needed.
In the modern landscape of comics, personal, quiet, and reflective moments with big name heroes are decidedly rare in order to fill each issue with that much more attention-grabbing spectacle and fan fare. Which is what makes the balance of storytelling in Avengers Assemble so remarkable thus far. In just two issues, we have received in universe updates to multiple heroes that have been out of the Marvel Comics spotlight for years, expanded on group dynamics with some heart-felt interpersonal scenes as well as comedic ones, all while advancing a complex, current crisis as well as a looming, underlying threat of a satanic cabal to Mephisto!
If you have been wanting to get into a big superhero title like the Avengers but have been hindered by the idea that they are “style over substance” then I suggest you give Orlando’s Avengers Assemble a chance while we are still early on in the run. Which may be more important than you think to the overarching Marvel Comics Universe, as it was just revealed at the Marvel retailers expo (literally as I was writing this review) that Steve Orlando will be writing The Astonishing Avengers series starting in January 2025 accompanied neatly by The Astonishing X-Men and The Astonishing Spider-Man.
Let’s talk more specifically about Avengers Assemble #2, which means,
WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!
Our epic tale begins with a quick cold open to our villain of the week which is- freakin ghost monkeys! If that fact alone doesn’t sell you on this series, then truly nothing else can… No- I do have to admit a bit of trepidation at this over the top introduction to the series, which I find to be a little too ridiculous for my typical sensibilities, but it is a credit to Orlando’s writing that my opinion was entirely changed by issues end. Also, I think it is important as avid comic readers to actively allow for new styles of writing rather than being obstinately closed off.
We then cut to the re-opened Avenger Mansion in New York City where our large cast of Avengers actually reside- a Golden age plot device that Orlando makes such effective use of, it makes you wonder why such a quaint meeting space was ever abandoned in favor of sterile orbiting space stations or bizarrely macabre repurposed ancient alien heads.
We catch up with Captain America, Hawkeye, and Night Thrasher as they discuss the civil safety side of the Avengers Emergency Response Squad with new uniforms and a reinvigorated campaign of hope. However, they are interrupted by Hercules on the Crisis monitor- which is one of the funniest images I’ve seen all year, with a MASSIVE brightly optimistic Hercules happily seated in front of a large monitor giving us exposition like some nameless, “red shirt” side character. This simple plot point is indicative of what Orlando does best with his cast of prominent characters, by treating them like real individuals with real responsibilities and useful capabilities rather than monolithic legends that can do no wrong, always entrenched in some critical dilemma.
With this, our team of the week sets off to confront the strange ghost ape epidemic plaguing a rural Massuchests township. Which is another highlight of this series, that our Avengers team make-up changes with whoever is available at the time. Last issue saw Captain America, Photon, Shang Chi, and Wasp teaming up against the Red Skull’s daughter, Sin- while the next issue is set to star Lightning, Lightspeed, She-Hulk, and Wonder Man. It is such a simple, ingenious narrative structure that makes this series feel more like cinematic episodic television than a typical comic book.
As Hercules does battle with the confused, silent ape spirits, as the only members of the team with the God capabilities to interact with ethereal beings- Night Thrasher and Hawkeye independent perform intel, learning that the ghosts are not malicious and in fact are trying to communicate, mouthing the word, “Kragoff.” Hawkeye discerns that this is referring to the defunct villain and soviet scientist, The Red Ghost, which doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense in a quiet New England town.
Meanwhile, we see members of the remounted Serpent Society, collecting an elixir from a moonshiner’s hut in the woods to deliver to their new master, Mephisto. I love this element of the story which reveals new villainous team members and the politics of the Serpent Society, while slowly developing a threat that the Avengers aren’t even aware is mounting, just a few miles away. It speaks to the eternal, heroic struggle that the Avengers face, having to choose which people to save and which crisis to face, leaving room for innocents to be harmed and evil to grow.
Back at the mansion, we are treated to a really touching scene with Lightspeed, who is in her college years now, which is a lovely evolution for her character- as she talks to her idol, The Wasp. Lightspeed expresses concerns at her ability to juggle her own life with the work of an Avenger, but the Wasp reassures her that she has always had what it takes to be an amazing hero, a sentiment that a lot of longtime comics fans share. Personally, I always have a soft spot for child characters that we get to grow up alongside and see into adulthood, I think I just reflexively want the best from them and want to see them get their moment to outshine legacy heroes one day. Additionally, we find Lightning and Shang Chi relaxing as they are embroiled in a movie marathon of Wonder Man’s early films, as they discuss its unconscious homoerotic subtext, which is the funniest thing I’ve read in comics this year hands down.
Back in Massachusetts, the Avengers corner the Red Ghost, sequestered in the basement of his suburban home as they learn the true purpose of these monkey ghosts- revenge. The Red Ghost explains that in his early days experimenting with cosmic radiation and breaking the boundaries of physics, he used hundreds of ape test subjects that all perished after being consumed by the radiation- but obviously crossed over to another plane of existence in the process. Which turns this objectively silly confrontation into a sobering reminder of the brutal cost of science and innovation at the hands of uncaring, self obsessed men like The Red Ghost. Hercules and Hawkeye convene with the ape spirits who say they will only leave once Kragoff is dead. However, Captain America appeals to them as a fellow test subject, assuring them that Kragoff will see justice and that they deserve to rest. Hercules then solemnly absorbs the horde’s ghostly energy with his magical mace and the poor creatures are finally allowed to be free.
It’s a really touching moment that showcases some unique or underutilized facets of all of the Avengers involved, particularly from Hercules, and highlights Cap’s most important quality as a leader, his ability to inspire faith.
Avengers Assemble is offering a truly refreshing and engaging saga, effortlessly exploring the personal side of life as an Avenger, an inspiring quality that has been missing from the mainstream title for some time. Please support your local comic book stores and seek out Avengers Assemble #2 on shelves now!
-Nicholas Aaron Hodge
