Avengers vs. Atlas (2010) #4

Avengers vs atlas 4 2010

Each issue of Avengers vs. Atlas ends with an Atlas backup, which is appropriate… since it turns out, the series isn’t actually an Atlas book. I mean, it’s fantastic and I recommend it highly, but it’s an Avengers book.

Boiled down, it’s a love story, full of enthusiasm and absent any of the baggage forty-seven years of stories have saddled on the Pyms.

It’s touching, really, and rather sentimental (in a good way). Parker’s able to present the Avengers, in a pseudo-retcon, full of heroic vigor, but never condescendingly. The series plays to all his strengths as a writer (at least of Marvel superhero books and the strengths he’s exhibited so far in his career).

Parker treats Atlas–though they have some great moments here–as observers. They get to witness some special things, as does the reader.

Excellent Aaron back up too. Concurrently funny, sad and nostalgic.

Avengers vs. Atlas (2010) #3

Avengers vs atlas 3 2010

Once again, I’m opening with a comment about Hardman, because the comic really leaves no other choice. While Parker constructs this elaborate and complicated story (I don’t even know how complicated yet, but it’s the kind of story–a sequel to a forty-year old story–Brubaker does pretty well and Bendis fails on but does try and Millar creates a monstrosity with–Parker does it beautifully, however, simply beautifully), he also gives Hardman this amazing script to visualize.

The action, the talking, it’s just so perfect. Parker’s got all these character interactions going on between the Atlas team–the Avengers are, regardless of Gorilla Man, a lot flashier–amid action scenes. He gives Namora a fantastic little plot point with Thor, but also just an aside to Steve Rogers Captain America about throwing the shield. There’s so much character, it’s a shock.

Parker’s easily Marvel’s greatest treasure right now.

Avengers vs. Atlas (2010) #2

Avengers vs atlas 2 2010

I clearly don’t appreciate Gabriel Hardman enough. Hardman reminds me of Michael Lark’s superhero work, only without the… moodiness. Hardman’s like a non-moody Michael Lark, at least here he is–I honestly don’t remember finding him so stunning. Maybe I’m just forgetting.

Or maybe it’s because he’s got such a great fight to visualize.

The idea of Parker bringing in a different group of Avengers each issue sounds kind of silly, but it’s a great idea (so far). Like I said after the first one, he hasn’t got any big Atlas story going here, instead he’s just got those great characters of his interacting with other characters.

It’s a joy to read. I can’t believe this series–of all the Atlas titles–didn’t cause a big stir.

Then there’s the backup. It’s the first Atlas story I’ve read not written by Parker. Scott Kurtz does fine enough–it’s hilarious.

Avengers vs. Atlas (2010) #1

Avengers vs atlas 1 2010

Why isn’t Jeff Parker writing the Avengers? I’d read an Avengers book by Parker in a heartbeat, even with the strange team line-up they’ve got going. His characterizations here–especially of Wolverine, Spider-Man and Luke Cage (the Captain America is a little nondescript)–are fantastic. It fully accounts for the absurdity of the line-up, but doesn’t let it show stop.

As for the Atlas scenes–it’s mostly Atlas, mostly Atlas in fight scenes–Parker does his standard great job. He’s changed things up a bit, since Atlas stories usually have some underlying arc, but here it’s just the regular one–they’re on a mission of break up the evil Atlas remnants.

The issue’s mostly action, but Parker and Hardman get in four or five set pieces, so it doesn’t just fly by during the fighting. It also doesn’t hurt Parker comes up with some great visual concepts.