The Avengers #2 is a beautifully rendered romp that blends keen character work, big-idea bombast, and old-school charm. It builds off the momentum of the first issue and leaves audiences ready for the next.

The Avengers continues to layer big ideas on the foundation of its strong character work. Even if the resolution to one of the story's primary conflicts seems abrupt, more mysteries remain as Earth's Mightiest Heroes continue their battle against Kang.

This issue takes a break in the action to let Mark Waid and Mike del Mundo better introduce us to Kang through breathtaking full-page art. Enjoy it, because if the last few pages are any indication, this is only a brief respite before things get intense.

After pumping the brakes last issue, this issue hits the gas for a thrilling penultimate chapter to this volume's opening arc. Avengers #5 positively drips with adoration for the team's history.

Avengers #6 brings "The Kang War" to a satisfying, epic conclusion. Once again, both writer Mark Waid and artist Mike del Mundo anchor enormous action with small character moments.

Avengers #7 is a fun, if inconsequential, breather issue after the epic first arc. The addition of the Infamous Iron Man should lead to some interesting team dynamics in issues to come.

Avengers #8 brings an interesting feeling of horror in this one-off story before the beginning of "Secret Empire". Unfortunately, the action ends as quickly as it begins, with some Avengers not coming off particularly well in the meantime.

The Avengers #9 doesn't actually do very much to advance the plot of either "Secret Empire" or its own series. It does, however, take its readers on an epic, character-driven adventure beautifully rendered by Mike del Mundo.

The Avengers #10 shines in the keen ear it brings to the disparate voices of its team and with del Mundo's typically gorgeous art. There isn't much story going on, but the issue sets up some interesting narrative possibilities in the issues to come.

The Avengers #11 is a slow burn, character-driven story. Not much actually happens, but it is great to see these heroes interact in ways that deepen and nuance them.

The actual story of The Avengers #672 is kind of generic and doesn't do much to establish how "Legacy" will differ substantively from what came before it. Waid's characterization is sharp as ever, though, so it's not a total bummer that some things have stayed the same.

Scarlet Spider is a book that, like its protagonist, is trying to find itself. The veteran team of Peter David and Mark Bagley lend a classic 90s feel to a character that, at this point, doesn't much resemble his classic 90s self.

Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider #2 narrows its focus and its characterization to make for a more focused issue than its predecessor. However, if readers are going to stick around, the creative team needs to help them find something worth rooting for.

Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider #3 returns its main character to his signature costume, ribbing its audience a bit along the way. Not much plot progression actually happens, but there is fun to be had, along with some great art by Mark Bagley.

Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider #4 propels the series forward towards the conflict between the Spiders. However, now that the story needs the drama heightened, the series' inability to make its protagonist either sympathetic or understandable undercuts its efforts.

Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider #5 delivers a fun, action-packed clash of the Spiders with one more round of killer art from Mark Bagley. Unfortunately, some of the characters, specifically its supporting characters, are simply too underwritten to care much about.

This issue plays addition and subtraction with the supporting cast, hopefully changing it for the better. While Sliney is a competent replacement for Bagley, it isn't enough to elevate the issue.

Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider #7 offers bizarre and abrupt solutions to some of the series' longstanding problems. Still, it offers a hopeful way forward for this series and its main character.

Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider #8 begins a new era for the book. This issue is not overly consequential, but it is fun to see the book bring back some somewhat obscure nineties characters.

Prowler #1 is a competent, if overly wordy, tie-in to "Dead No More/The Clone Conspiracy." As the first issue of a new ongoing, it lacks the necessary hook to make anyone who does not already love the Prowler become invested.

Prowler #2 improves upon the first issue by developing its various plot threads, all of it elevated by great art. However, it still does not have that character-based hook tol keep readers invested for the long haul.

Prowler #3 is a wild ride, light on story but heavy on character and action. Without being restrained to mostly drawing talking heads, artist Jamal Campbell has a chance to show what he is capable

The still-underdeveloped character of Hobie Brown gets lost amid the chaos of The Clone Conspiracy and overshadowed by Julia Carpenter. As always, however, Jamal Campbell comes to the book's rescue with gorgeous art.

The creative team does what they can with what they have, but the events of "Dead No More" leave Prowler #5 feeling redundant. Great artwork and some heroics from the series' protagonist makes the story work better than it might have otherwise.

The Prowler #6 captures the uncertainty of the Prowler's future but ultimately feels as if nothing happened. If this series has had one saving grace, it is the introduction of Jamal Campbell to comic book interiors.