FACE-TO-FACE WITH ARCADE!
• What happens when the Murder World survivors confront their former captor?
• Hint: Someone doesn't survive!
This issue was pulse pounding and relentless. The inherent comedy offset the bitter seriousness of the situation. The unified front, when it mattered, of the Survivors made for a realistic and troubling team dynamic, and the death of Arcade, who had only recently become truly dangerous in the previous series, was truly shocking. The most striking pages in the issue are the pages of the Survivors beating Arcade bloody in a vengeance fueled frenzy. The muted colors of the characters over a back drop of red, with no dialogue, and only sound effects spattering the page comes off visceral and cruel, a side of Survivors most would have expected to have been left behind in Murderworld. I can't wait to see what Zemo has in store for our"heroes (?) next month! Read Full Review
One cast member, at least, gets an incredible development but, again, not until the end. Its a great, satisfying moment, though, so its well worth the trip there. This issue is a great example of why I was thrilled that this book was announced so close to Avengers Arenas ending: events like those that happened in Murder World SHOULD have severe, psychological consequences in comics that are aiming where this one is aiming, and this delivers on that premise while STILL not being completely dark and gritty. In fact theres very little grit to be found, and thats been replaced with some genuinely funny, if darkly so, moments that make this one of the more interesting books in mainstream superheroing. Read Full Review
This issue had all the shock value and dark humor that this series and its predecessor are known for and somehow each new issue is still fresh and exciting. This latest installment stands at the crossroads between the past and the future, and offers to resolve the events of Avengers Arena while introducing the driving force behind Avengers Undercover and bridging the gap at the same time. This series is based on a special brand of chaos that ensures that no one can predict what will happen next, which only leaves me more excited for that next issue. Read Full Review
The Bottom Line: The art overall takes a bit of a dip, although the coloring and storytelling remain strong. Story-wise, Hopeless continues his exploration of character growth, philosophical themes of ethics and morality, and ominous subplots that bode even more suffering and dilemma for our heroes. The cover says "game over," but in many ways, the game is really just getting started. Read Full Review
Overall Avengers Undercover is going in the right direction so far. It's not as if I'd doubt that things can only get better from here, but there is always that risk when it comes to working with younger heroes. Dennis Hopeless knows what he's doing with them and what he wants from them, that much is what makes this one of the books from Marvel involving younger heroes a must read. Still remains easy to get into as well if you haven't read Avengers Undercover. Read Full Review
Superhero comics are frustrating sometimes because the characters never really change, but Hopeless is making sure that these characters have no choice but to, making Avengers Undercover one of the most fun reads in the Marvel Universe. Read Full Review
Overall, I'm glad that I waited to share my thoughts on this series. I waited just the right amount of time to really form an opinion on this book and the consensus in my mind is that this is just an awesome commentary on modern pop culture as the first book was. After all, it seems like the mainstream audiences are taking to villains more so than ever these days, so it's interesting to see the heroes straddle those lines as well in the pages of Marvel Comics. Read Full Review
Only the art holds this issue back from being an early high point for the series. Cluttered panels and haphazard scene transitions don't do full justice to the tightly plotted, darkly humorous story being told. Read Full Review
Still, "Avengers Undercover" isn't coming off my pull list any time soon. It's doing fascinating things with unexpected, underused characters while still offering a dark satire of pop culture. More importantly, though, Hopeless creates genuine questions about how each of his characters will act. I find them difficult to predict, in a way that I don't often experience with older mainstream superheroes, who've already grown into themselves. In that way, "Avengers Undercover" taps into one of the coolest things about young superhero titles: it isn't just about who they're fighting, it's about who they'll become. Read Full Review
Avengers Undercover #3 brings closure to the narrative in Avenger Arena. The issue also sets the tone and plot for the future of the series. The series has an intriguing plot, good characterization and script. If the pacing and the art in the later portion of this issue is maintained throughout the series, Avengers Undercover will be a must read of the summer. Read Full Review
Arcade’s apparent death was incalculably satisfying and it’s looking like Avengers Undercover is a worthy sequel to Avengers Arena
Very enjoyable, though the plot comes together maybe just a little too easy for our young heroes. The interiors communicate well but the figure drawings are often wonky.
Good issue, but the change in artists right at this point of the story does hurt the book a lot. Considering that this was sort of a mirror of the first issue of Avengers Arena, it is a terrible shame that Kev Walker doesn't draw this.
Artists aren't interchangeable like that.
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