I read a lot of comics. And while I read a lot, there are a few titles I actually want to read. Avengers: The Initiative was written by Dan Slott (She-Hulk) and an excellent change of pace from most Marvel titles. The series focused on recruits to the registered super hero Initiative. These teens have to undergo a super hero basic training to be allowed to use their powers in public and to help people in need.
While the series broke my golden rule, manufacturing random, new heroes just because, the series’ use of Marvel continuity as it’s backbone allowed the series to stand as a major part of the Marvel Universe, and not just a random super team travesty, like The Twelve or The Order. The characters grew on me and the various plots, which took the team into World War Hulk and the beginnings of Secret Invasion, fully utilized Slott’s action and drama writing abilities.
I’m gushing, I’ll admit, but when issue 12 ended and the team graduated, I was sad to see them go. This week’s issue of Initiative features a new team of trainees. And while I tried not to let me attachment to Trauma and Cloud 9 give me a negative disposition to this new story arc, I found myself less invested in this issue. I soon discovered this wasn’t written by Slott, but by Christos N. Gage. But that wasn’t the problem either.
I don’t like the characters. These are Z-List Marvel heroes and villains alongside some fabricated newbies. There was a man-bat, a gorilla-girl, a fire girl, and two guys who have some sort of powers, though I’m not sure what. The best character was Butterball, and they sent him home at the end of the issue. Slott’s use of characters was a unique blend of old and new characters with various abilities, from Robert Kirkman’s Irredeemable Ant-man to the mythological Thor Girl.
For this series to survive we need a lot more characters, more references to Marvel continuity… heck, I think we just need Dan Slott.
Matt Knicl: My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.
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Matt Knicl
My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.