An Avengers chapter so special, Marvel had to go to legendary Avengers artist Neal Adams to bring the fire! It’s THE RETURN OF NORMAN OSBORN! H.A.M.M.E.R. is becoming a force to be reckoned with and the followers of Osborn are ready. The New Avengers/H.A.M.M.E.R. showdown is one for the record books and is the first chapter in the blistering new storyline that will herald the return of the Dark Avengers!
I loved everything about this book because it has everything a comic book fan could ask for. Bendis did a wonderful job of writing the perfect blend of levity, humor, suspense and action into this book. Paul Mounts' color treatment really makes the art work pop off the page, especially when Norman receives a visit from an old friend and when that poor, poor soul upsets Logan……when will people learn? Read Full Review
I suspect the story will get much more interesting from here, but frankly, even with the excellent artwork, things are off to a sluggish start. Read Full Review
Look, I know everyone hates Bendis, and what he's done with the Avengers; I won't try and argue you out of that. But if Neal Adams' recent comeback has been met with mixed results so far, this comic makes it seem as though he's finally got his legs back under him again. In the time since he last worked for Marvel, the main cast of characters has shifted a bit, and this issue is basically one balls-out series of action beats featuring many characters for whom the Adams touch is not nostalgic, but actually fresh and new. Ms Marvel soars, Wolverine bleeds, Iron Fist and Jessica Jones go to town on armored flunkies, and Adams' lanky, animated Norman Osborne hits that perfect blend of presentable madness that makes him appear more formidable than the bulky man-monster-in-a-suit way that we see too often; we also get a startlingly creepy Green Goblin reveal. And it ends with a moment of triumph for Osborne that seems like a good setup for the next few months of Avengers books. Read Full Review
This isn't a .1 issue that will stop many presses, but it isn't bad. It's a good comic to go back to when this mega arc begins next year and it is a definitive "this is where Osborn succeeded in getting out of jail" point to reference. I still my reservations about the team's actual ability to get a job done. Read Full Review
Wasn't expecting Neal Adams on Avengers at 2011
I feel like we’re still a little Norman Osborned-out after Dark Reign and Siege and he is going to return it should be in a Spider Man book. I’m still invested in most of the characters on the team and Superia is still an intriguing villain
Cover-****
Writing-****
Art-***
Story-***