When all is said and done, although I have issues with the characterization of Hawkeye, plus the relegation of the New Avengers to spectators in their own team book, and the overall wordiness here, and emphasis more on telling me than showing me, the script isn't all that bad. I would enjoy it far more if this actually were a Dr. Strange book, but that being said, some of the concepts are interesting, in spurts, and I am interested to see how the big challenge goes down, but I hope it's actually worthwhile, and not a rushed fight-sequence ending as many of Bendis' stories do, with great lead-up, only to falter in the execution of the climax. The artwork in this book is phenomenal, I just want Bendis to allow Immonen to do more, to really show off his stuff, so hopefully the fight next issue will allow him to do just that. Read Full Review

New Avengers #5 is not the greatest comic book ever. It stumbles in places just as so many others do, but it is very entertaining. Bendis is trying to work narrative wonder, just tell a gun story and it shows. He writes most of his characters in a surprisingly realistic way while making the absurd goings-on perfectly understandable as well. This issue could have easily convoluted the story to the point of no return, but still remains very accessible. You dont need any knowledge about Dr. Strange or Voodoo to enjoy this issue, but youll have that much more fun if you do. Read Full Review

Overall, if you enjoy Bendis Avengers, this is the kind of solid experience youve been picking up for years. If you dont like Bendis Avengers, this wont change your mind. Read Full Review

New Avengers #5 would be less palatable without an artist as gifted as Stuart Immonen to sell every mood, every glance, every line of dialogue, and every glancing beam of power. This work may not be his best ever (I think I'll let the more expansive Nextwave stay unchallenged on that front), but he's a vital part of a team clearly capable of creating a book thats equal parts fun and violence. Read Full Review

While the A feature, with all its Agamatto-associated intrigue, is of the same caliber of quality you've come to expect from Bendis and Immonen, I was really more taken with the Oral History of the Avengers back-up. It might sound boring to see a prose feature comprised entirely of quotations, but I find the whole thing endlessly diverting. It adds a humanism and verisimilitude to Marvel continuity like few, if any, other features have. Read Full Review

While the writing can be inconsistent at times, artist Stuart Immonen is always at the top of his game. He seems to relish the more mystical subject matter and lets his creativity run wild. His use of character layering and shifting perspectives makes even the more dialogue-heavy scenes look lively, and his final page was a sight to behold. While I've noted my complaints about Bendis's writing this arc, he has still mixed in enough intriguing plot elements to keep me tuned in for the conclusion, especially with Immonen bringing it to life. Read Full Review

In my review of New Avengers #1 back in June, I wrote about how glad I was that the second volume of this book carried on the playful tone of the first. I still feel that way, but I hope that in subsequent months Bendis is better able to disguise some of the creative liberties he has taken. Read Full Review

I guess I should say that the art by Stuart Immonen is still very nice to look at, but I'm not sure if that is even a valid point when all he's drawing the characters doing is standing around. Read Full Review

This arc is just so dragged out and boring and unoriginal. Luckily the art is great and the characters are like able