Jonathan Hickman is heading us towards a good direction with this series, i cant wait to see why lies ahead especially since they find out the invasion was not what it seems, they were actually running away from SOMEONE!!! Read Full Review

This really is a special series - not to be missed! Read Full Review

Pushing the Avengers beyond Earth means pushing the definition of the team as Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Avengers #5 introduces a new female Smasher to the Marvel universe that already shows a lot of promise. She's got major leadership potential, and her ascension in the ranks of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard is another example of human influence reaching farther into space. Avengers #5 succeeds as a stand alone issue because of it's self-contained focus on Smasher, but also serves Jonathan Hickman's greater narrative that spans Avengers and New Avengers and the greater Marvel universe. Read Full Review

Avengers #5 is a tightly-plotted, well-drawn story that turns the obscure character Smasher into a person you care about. Read Full Review

Avengers is really starting to hit its stride with this second story arc. While it's annoying to have to shell out $4 every two weeks, the sting is worth it if this is the kind of story we're going to get. I love what Hickman is doing right now. He is delivering a massive story, perfectly utilizing his massive cast of characters, bringing some emotional attachment to the table, and he ushering back an old-school science fiction feel to this series. Adam Kubert went into beast mode on this issue, I was really impressed with his work, it is much better here than in the previous issue (which was my first exposure to him). Avengers is turning into the comic I was hoping it would be and I couldn't be happier to see Hickman at the helm and partnered up with some amazing artistic talents. Read Full Review

OK, Marvel, you've kept me back on the title for the time being. But I am holding you to high standards. I compare this first story arc inAvengers to the Chuck Austen run where there were many downsides and only a couple of positives. Prove me wrong. Make this THE title to define Marvel. I dare you. Read Full Review

Helping this epic story unfold is the art from Adam Kubert. Really, what more is there to say besides this is art by Adam Kubert? Yes, Kubert’s lines are strong, his inks heavy and his ability to dictate action unquestionable, but what makes Kubert so good is his ability to bring in and release the work. When heavy detail is needed, Kubert is right there, when a simpler panel is required, Kubert backs off. This creates a more cinematic look to the art, which fits in perfectly with the transcendent Hickman’s story is. Read Full Review

I do not really want to spoil much with my review on this issue so I am just going to stop it right there. Hickman's run on the Avengers still looks like it is going to be epic. We have one more origin story next time around and then we are straight into the second team arc. These origin stories have been an absolute blast, and I am hoping we will see plenty more in the future after the next one. Read Full Review

Jonathan Hickman's version of Earth's Mightiest Heroes is all about the adventure and Adam Kubert's sensational art drives the point home. Isabel, an Iowa farm girl, becomes the first human to join the Shi'ar Imperial Guard.  Opening flashback scenes of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers' initiative of an increased Avenger presence serves as a reminder that this is a different world we live in and that threats are more dangerous than ever before. Read Full Review

We end on another Big Foreboding Close-Up, but I wasn't as annoyed this time. Even though the larger story didn't move with this issue, I feel like we made progress with "Avengers" #5. The team is slowly coming together, and the characters are what I have always read for anyway, so I appreciate that. I'm excited to see how the old guard and new guard mix together, in more ways than one. Read Full Review

There's nothing wrong with introducing new Avengers, it's just the way in which Hickman has gone about this series as a whole that bugs me. Maybe if Smasher had actually done something in the series so far then she'd deserve an origin issue. But she's barely appeared. What about the origin for Captain Universe, who Dues ex Machinaed the bad guy in issue #3? Where's her origin? And why suddenly tell Smasher's origin in the middle of his bio-space-jungle story? Anyway, oddness aside, it's a strong origin and I think Izzy could prove to be a fun character. There's very little fanfare behind her becoming a superhero and an Avenger, but perhaps Hickman has some good stories in mind. Yet again, there is no way I would recommend this series to anyone who isn't already steeped in their knowledge of all corners of the Marvel Universe. And that seems counterproductive considering the publicity push behind Marvel NOW! Read Full Review

The second of character “stand-alone” stories, Avengers is still a great read. With plenty of character development, action, and sub plots that will leave you coming back for more; Avengers is a definite read. Read Full Review

Whether we're getting this book weekly, bi-monthly, or tri-monthly, I'll still anticipate the following chapters with the same excitement as long as they follow this trend of excellence. Read Full Review

Overall, this is a nice issue. It's doesn't have too much of ‘the feels' but it's not too heavy on talk as well. Plus it's got a clever use for the varied powers and abilities for each Avenger. More importantly it's got a great backstory to an already interesting character. Read Full Review

Of the Marvel NOW! titles, "Avengers" is consistently the one I look forward to the most, regardless of the publishing frequency. Hickman made an indelible mark on the legacy of the Fantastic Four and so far he seems to be on track to do something equally memorable with Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Read Full Review

Hickman gives his Avengers book some much needed heart – a substantial improvement all-around. Read Full Review

Back on Avengers #5, the issue was another winner in my book that was able to make me care about a character that meant nothing to me last week. Plus, Kubert's work in this issue is a step above what he did in last weeks issue, so I'm expecting it to be similarly good in the next issue. Speaking of next issue, the solicit promises “Captain Universe deciphers the code that was hidden in the first five issues” so I'm sure there will be a lot to discuss when that hits the stands. Read Full Review

Hickman is sure taking his time to arrange the pieces for his long form game in this book, but in the meanwhile it's nice to see such nice done-in-ones every now and then. Read Full Review

Another origin story, Hickman delivers a satisfying issue with his introduction to the new Smasher. While not as thematic and relevant to The Garden plotline as the last installment, this issue was solid and enjoyable, with just enough mystery at the end to keep things interesting. I also like seeing how these new subteams within the main Avengers roster all work together fluidly to address specific threats, giving everyone some screen time without feeling too bogged-down. Kuberts art is strong and engaging throughout, although I found that Frank Martins overzealous use of reds muddied some of the action and left things feeling a little flat. Despite some nitpicks, this is still a good read. Read Full Review

The actual story here feels like a throwaway used to showcase what Smasher can do and where she came from. On that level it works pretty well. Although, with any Hickman story it is safe to bet that this seemingly insignificant tale will have bigger ramifications down the line. Taking into consideration how this story connects the Avengers more intricately to the cosmic part of the Marvel universe along with Marvel's teaser for their Free Comic Book Day offering, it definitely gives you a reason to get excited. Read Full Review

At this point I'm assuming we've got several more of this pseudo one shots coming detailing the rise of these lesser known heroes. That's really not such a bad thing, but lets hope they're not all left with these slight cliffhangers, or in the case of issue 4 major ones. At least this issue feel like it's worth buying, even if it's a stand alone one in your collection it's a decent read. Read Full Review

This issue was really enjoyable and I liked reading about Izzy. The action was rendered well and looked really good but felt like it went by way too fast. This issue was definitely better than the last one and it keeps improving from here. I really loved the series early on but it started to decline at the third book. The fifth issue was a refreshing glimpse of hope that has me looking forward to the next. Read Full Review

I say all of this with the caveat that I truly do have faith that Hickman will give fans the bombastic epic that they’re wanting, it’s just not happening yet. His work on Ultimate Comics Ultimates proved he can work with these characters and make them do great things, he’s just going to need to make that tangible. Read Full Review

The story wasn't half bad, but I don't really see how it relates to anything else going on anywhere else on Earth-616. Hopefully the place setting will be finished soon and we can get to real story, but until then, just wait this one out. Read Full Review

I'm really looking forward to the future of this title because of Jonathan Hickman's history of huge overarching plot lines and with the last page cliffhanger here revealing that the ‘attack' on the Shi'ar by that massive war armada earlier in the issue wasn't an attack but that they were actually fleeing from something much worse, I am really anticipating this title each month. Read Full Review

When Dare — even her name seems contrived — gets the command to put on the glasses, she does so with little hesitation, and as she gets taken into space, her reaction is far too unrealistic for someone getting shot into space.Avengers #5 feels too trite and small as if it's another building block in Hickman's Avengers extravaganza, which has taken a really steep dive. Read Full Review

The series is not without an intriguing idea or possibilities. It's not even without a big name on art like Adam Kubert. However, when the art is even mildly disappointing and the stand alone issues seem to buckle under their own potential, it signals a troubling trend that may push this series in a wrong direction. Read Full Review

Crazy in hindsight just how much Hickman has stayed the same. We've got a secret Krakoan-esque language. Focus on Smasher. Focus on the Shi'ar. This is my favorite issue so far of this Avengers re-read. The emotional core hit and the story was fun.

Smashing.