Walker's art has made this series look beyond amazing from the beginning, so you'd be right to get nervous with someone else filling in. Luckily, Vitti does a bang-up job with this issue and is kept in the same visual ballpark as Walker with some help from series colorist Frank Martin. Vitti is tasked with conveying a lot of information with numerous quick flashbacks, and each one does its job well. If Hopeless keeps this up, then by the end of the first arc he will have proved all of the naysayers wrong, myself included. Read Full Review

While this isn't a stand-out issue, it still serves to inform new readers who the characters are. But I'm not sure we'll get to see where it all leads. Read Full Review

Overall, this book is still a lot of fun. It's definitely not just a kill-fest like a lot of people expected when it was first announced. There's some really good character development going on in 'Avengers Arena' and I hope it continues. Read Full Review

There are a few problems inherent with this series that Hopeless has promised to address. Still, I can't help but be confused as to why none of the adult Marvel heroes (or even the teenage friends of those in the Arena) haven't noticed the absence of the cast. The whole situation is still so unbelievable"Is Marvel really going to allow the deaths of all of these characters? Most people would think not, and that perception tends to discredit the book somewhat. I mean, Reptil is not a major character by any stretch, but the guy has an obvious fanbase. Many fans are waiting for the bait-and-switch, with the most likely explanation being that the characters are trapped in a VR video game. Still, I must say again that what Hopeless is doing here is a great read. You might not like the concept, but it's hard to argue that the execution has made for a strong reading experience. Read Full Review

Her power to cast any spell once (but only once or the spell will backfire the second time) brings a much needed element of capriciousness to the "murder island" premise and I'm interested to see what else Hopeless can do with it. I'm still apathetic towards the other characters however, although with the following panel, it's almost as if Hopeless, in all his hipness, had read my mind! Read Full Review

Despite the massive road blocks, this issue is pretty good. Though it's not bad, if I look at this from the point of view of a fan, I'd probably feel just as angry that these characters are literally trying to kill one another. Oh, and when this series ends or is taken over by a new team, please don't make all this simply go away or retconned. That would only lead to more angry letters. Read Full Review

Allesandro Vitti etches looks of fear and desperation on each character's face, which in previous adventures, held expressions of hope and determination. One can only hope that these characters (and the book) will find their path to safety and redemption, otherwise the whole thing will just be an exercise in exploitation and pain. Whether Avengers Arena succeeds or fails depends on which path Hopeless chooses to take. Read Full Review

There's a ton of potential in "Avengers Arena," but I find myself wishing that Hopeless was writing a completely out-of-continuity book, and maybe not even a Marvel book, so that he really could let loose and be bold in his choices. As it is right now, some issues are more enjoyable than others, but already the series feel too formulaic and rote. Read Full Review

The series depends on past readers knowing and loving these characters, but then their deaths only anger the faithful. While new readers are left wondering just why the heck everyone is so mad. Read Full Review

These characters feel so real and that is how this series will shine.