Avengers Academy #27

Cover by David Lafuente, Christina Strain

Avengers Academy #27 (March 7, 2012)

Writer: Christos Gage

Penciller: Karl Moline, Jim Fern

Colorist: Chris Sotomayor

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

It’s been a very long time since I last reviewed any Avengers Academy so I admittedly have a lot of catching up to do. I am especially a little in over my head as this issue features the Runaways in a crossover between the two Marvel teen teams. I have never read any Runaways issues and only know the fundamentals of the characters and their backstories.

Nonetheless, I was able to pick up the basic tension between the teams and the central plot fairly quickly. Gage isn’t too bad at exposition via characters’ dialogue though I occasionally found the teens’ voices a little false.

Avengers Academy: Fear Itself #18

Cover by Billy Tan, Leonardo Olea

Avengers Academy: Fear Itself #18 (August 17, 2011)

Writer: Christos N. Gage

Penciller: Andrea Di Vito

Colorist: Jeromy Cox

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

For the first time since I began reading the Avengers Academy, I found myself rather indifferent to the latest plotline. Avengers Academy: Fear Itself #18 was not a bad issue per se, or even a particularly weak one. It was just filler: an action-filled in-between moment between the cliffhanger of the previous issue and whatever turn of events occurs next.

There were some elements to this issue that I did like and I have to say, I just enjoy reading about this motley group of teenagers. The strongest thing about this issue and probably Gage’s entire run on this series is the distinct characterizations. He manages to imbue each character with individual flaws and strengths while still focusing on the group dynamics. It’s a tough balancing act that does falter every once in a while but for the most part, I am repeatedly pleasantly surprised by Gage’s skill at handling this.

Avengers Academy Fear Itself #16: A God-Awful Small Affair

Cover by Leonardo
Olea

Avengers Academy Fear Itself #16: A God-Awful Small Affair

Writer: Christos Gage

Penciller: Tom Raney

Inker: Andrew Hennessy

Colorist: Jeromy Cox

Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna

Thus far, Avengers Academy has consistently been my favorite Marvel discovery. Though its previous entry in the Fear Itself series was just alright, I still enjoy reading these comics and seeing how these teenaged characters are dealing with decidedly grown-up superhero situations.

Gage's writing is stronger here than in #15, a much welcomed improvement. Rather than wallowing in melodrama as he did before, Gage up-ed the action and the characterization. He shifted the focus entirely away from the student Avengers for most of the issue, which both bothered me and yet made sense. Instead, the narrative stayed mostly with their main teacher, Dr. Pym. At first this threw me, but as the founder of the Avengers Academy, he's as integral to the series as the students themselves. Correspondingly, Gage's rendition of Pym was very strong here.

Avengers Academy #15

Cover by Billy Tan

Avengers Academy #15

Writer: Christos Gage

Penciller: Tom Raney, Scott Hanna, Andrew Hennessy

Colorist: Jeromy Cox

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

So yesterday was pretty bad and as I was feeling pretty miserable all day, I knew I wanted to read a comic that would not be too dark or dreary. So I steered clear of Batman and basically all of DC. Having so enjoyed the easiness and fun writing of the Avengers Academy, I decided to try their entry in Marvel’s Fear Itself series, which is basically a big crossover series that came out this year and something that, as a new fan, I only sort of understand. Whatever.

While Avengers Academy #15 was not as light-hearted or breezy as #14, it still gave me an enjoyable reprieve from reality (which I desperately needed at the time).

Avengers Academy #14.1

Cover by Billy Tan,
Leonardo Olea

Avengers Academy #14.1

Writer: Christos Gage

Penciller: Sean Chen, Scott Hanna

Colorist: Jeromy Cox

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

BREAKING NEWS:

I have actually read a Marvel comic and enjoyed it!

That’s a pretty big deal for me as I have always been a strictly DC fan (as if you couldn’t already presume that) and have always been unimpressed with the Marvel universe. Nothing about it particularly appealed to me though I have been told by more than one source that Marvel’s writing tends to trump DC’s. I was willing to believe that but I was never interested in reading about Spiderman or Iron Man when DC has the holy trinity of heroes: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.

But if I am to become more versed in comic books, I need to branch out and try other heroes on for size and that means taking the plunge and reading some Marvel. So with a great deal to pick from, I rather randomly decided to try on Avengers Academy and I am so glad I did!