New Avengers #1
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New Avengers #1

Writer: Jonathan Hickman Artist: Steve Epting Publisher: Marvel Comics Release Date: January 2, 2013 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 28 User Reviews: 25
7.2Critic Rating
8.1User Rating

To prevent the collision of our universe with another, the Illuminati, led by the Black Panther, must assemble NOW! It’s the most powerful and brilliant team in the Marvel Universe--The Black Panther, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Black Bolt, Mister Fantastic, Namor the Sub-Mariner and The Beast--against an infinite legion of parallel realities.

  • 9.6
    Chuck's Comic Of The Day - Chuck Jan 3, 2013

    You really should be buying this comic! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Comic Book Revue - Jay Mattson Jan 2, 2013

    New Avengers #1 is exciting. It's subtle and underscored to juxtapose the grandiose and larger-than-life Avengers. Less is more with Jonathan Hickman. Instead of spreading himself thin by penning three, four, five Avengers titles, he's consolidated down to two series that are already show a whole world of promise Bendis could never achieve. This is how the Avengers should be, and Jonathan Hickman is providing it in spades. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Den Of Geek! - Mike Cecchini Jan 6, 2013

    So, let's review, shall we? The roster of New Avengers consists of the world's most powerful sorcerer, three kings, and two of the most brilliant scientific minds on the planet. I don't think this team is going to be solving all of its problems by hitting them. It's worth noting that Tony Stark shows up in civilian garb, and not his customary suit of high-tech armor. I have absolutely no idea what to expect from New Avengers, and I couldn't be happier about that. Read Full Review

  • 8.7
    Multiversity Comics - Walt Richardson Jan 3, 2013

    “New Avengers” may not explode to life, but it is still an exciting first look at what could be the most ambitious of the Marvel NOW! books. Master manipulator Jonathan Hickman is the ideal choice for Marvel's shadowy bunch of string-pullers, and it will be great to see the synergy he and artist Steve Epting developed in “Fantastic Four” brought to bear right from the get-go. $3.99 is a bit much to throw down on yet another first issue that reads like it is somewhat unfinished, but other than that setback, this issue is pure quality, and a great way for Marvel to start off the new year. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Super Hero Hype - Spencer Perry Jan 2, 2013

    New Avengers is a wicked cool comic. It's got a really solid story, a fantastic cast, and some of the best art we've seen from the Marvel NOW! relaunch. The only fault in it is the selected style of storytelling which no longer feels like a unique perspective to start a 'Super team' story. In short, it's a great addition to the rest of the titles. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    IGN - Joshua Yehl Jan 2, 2013

    One of the hangups on Brian Michael Bendis' New Avengers was that it seemed too similar to his main Avengers title. Hickman solves that problem by making this book distinct in tone, plot, and cast. And unlike Matt Fraction's Fantastic Four and FF books, Hickman's Avengers books seem as though they can be read independently with no consequence. Overall, Hickman kicks New Avengers off right. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Comicosity - Maxwell Majernik Jan 3, 2013

    New Avengers is another success to come from the new number 1"s and talent shuffling of Marvel NOW! Combining this title with its counterpart, it is safe to say The Avengers are now back on the top of the totem pole at Marvel. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Read Comic Books - Cody Mudge Jan 2, 2013

    As with Avengers, and really anything penned by Hickman, this title will require a commitment from the reader for at least the first arc, after which it will be easier to judge the quality of this series. But Hickman is not content to stick with the norm and his complex plots are better assessed as a whole than as a single issue. Nevertheless, with a very strong showing by Epting, incredible characterization of Black Panther, a massive threat, and a cast of characters that will be at odds with each other, New Avengers #1 has a lot to offer. There are definitely some concerns regarding the motive of the villain, her identity, and how everything is happening, but I trust that Hickman will deliver the goods in the next couple of issues. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Vine - Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero Jan 1, 2013

    This will not be like the New Avengers titles in the past and that's a great thing. If we are going to have multiple Avengers titles, it's great to see each having a different taste to them. There are some moments that might make you scratch you head but this is just the beginning. Minor details should not inhibit the enjoyment of what is to come. Based on Hickman's track record, we should prepare ourselves for a bumpy adventure. Even though this is just the formation of another Avengers team, it feels like we're on the verge of a new horizon. This clearly is not just another Avengers title. There's something more going on here. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comics: The Gathering - BradBabendir Jan 4, 2013

    Hickman is the right writer to tackle Avengers/New Avengers. These books should be phenomenal, and though Uncanny Avengers is the purported flagship book, Hickman’s Avenger’s duo could easily earn its spot as the definitive work in the reinvigorated Marvel landscape. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Booked - Matt Watson Jan 2, 2013

    There is some very good stuff going on this issue. Very solid art,tantalisingset-up, and some strong action. Its a steady start for New Avengers, but be aware that if you dislike either Black Panther or cryptic storytelling, then this isnt the issue for you. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Crave Online - Iann Robinson Jan 2, 2013

    Jonathan Hickman’s New Avengers is a darker themed and very exciting new road for the series. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge Dec 23, 2014

    The time spent here is all in Wakanda and that's one of my favorite places, so it works well for me with what it does and how it does it, though I wish there was just a bit more of a hook to it in order to really make me excited for more. But Hickman serves up some good character stuff here and Steve Epting puts together a great looking Wakanda overall while also giving us some old school curiosities in the new enemy that has stepped into the picture. I'm curious and hopeful. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Bastards - Kenneth Bowden Jan 10, 2013

    Now mind you this IS just the first issue so maybe I’m a bit hasty in that statement, but I’m thinking not. Either way though the material presented thus far is pretty damn good. Jonathan Hickman has knocked out enough quality material in his Marvel tenure to warrant plenty of good faith in what is to come. This title will also feature the biggest Avengers line up we’ve seen in a very, very long time if not ever. So keep your eyes on this one it will be something you won’t wanna miss. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Bin - Alexander Jones Jan 2, 2013

    The Black Panther goes through a character arc in these mere 24 pages. He starts a man skeptical to the ways of Steve Rogers and the rest of these New Avengers but leaves with a sense of purpose. A new villain shows up and threatens the nation of Wakanda while leaving the Panther nothing short of desperate. The Panther fails to even pursue the evil pair of unnamed super villains that threatened his home. Hickman impresses further by giving the book a touch of graphic design which makes his comic feel cinematic. Pages like the reveal of the name of his first New Avengers arc not only are a well placed breath from the story but also serve as a stunning sight to behold. Many Marvel books could take away some of these new sensibilities from Hickman. Overall New Avengers #1 is a stunning book to behold and a Marvel Now! book to watch in the future. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Marvel Disassembled - Magen Cubed Jan 2, 2013

    Theres a lot to like about this book: Hickman sets up a big, fairly cerebral story with some interesting villains at the center. I really enjoy TChallas narration and the gravity of the writing, getting some good dramatic use out of the concept of these brilliant, powerful, and arrogant men coming together to do battle. Eptings pencils are spot-on throughout, with some lovely design work and very cinematic pacing. On the downside, the book moves a bit slowly, and the front-end is loaded with dialogue and disposable characters. This window-dressing bogs things down a bit, but as an introduction, its still solid and engaging. As the spotlight moves from TChalla to the rest of the team, Im hopeful to see the pace pick up. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Modern Age Comics - Alexander Moser Jan 2, 2013

    New Avengers isn't a complete failure. It is solid book that justfeels a little slow and oddly paced. Yet despite the $3.99 price tagand the slow speed, I am committed to the next issue because ofHickman's characterization of Black Panther and his great reputationto build towards a culminating story. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Unleash The Fanboy - Marcell Jan 3, 2013

    While not as grandiose or epic feeling as Avengers, New Avengers still has enough good moments to deem it a worthy read. Jonathan Hickman obviously has a certain agenda with this comic and the 1st issue does a decent job of setting up the threat posed in it, and the cast of characters is diverse enough to form some interesting team dynamics. There is a good story bubbling to the surface, it will just take an issue or two for it to really shine through. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Jan 3, 2013

    Jonathan Hickman is able to get this latest Avengers series off to the right start. New Avengers #1 is able to set the tone for the series to have a grand scale, making you want to come back for more. The choice to center this first issue was risky but it paid off and was able to establish Black Panther as a powerful character that should be standing next to all the other members of the Illuminati. Though there are a few missteps in this issue it is going to be fun to see how the rest of the Illuminati react to this incoming. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Imagination Centre - John McCubbin Jul 17, 2013

    A decent start, but very disappointing. The only positive this comic is that it shows ton's of potential, and I hope it delivers. I wouldn't recommend getting this issue, straight away, but if the series picks-up in quality I'd recommend getting it to fill the gap, cause if the series turns out to be poor it would be a waste of money. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comics Crux - Wesley Messer Feb 1, 2013

    I can recommend trying out the first issue, give this a look at least. See if New Avengers #1 is up your alley, its not as awe inspiring as HIckmans Avengers, there is potential here though. #2 could be where New Avengers kicks into high gear, so Ill check it out to see where Hickman takes this. While its not the instant smash Avengers was, there is potential within Hickmans New Avengers. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Jan 5, 2013

    Also, it's god damned hypocritical that Cyclops is treated like a radioactive devil for his role in Avengers vs. X-Men, but nobody seems bothered by Prince Namor, who used his power to murder hundreds and try and wipe Wakanda off the map. Black Panther seems mad at him, but he still invites the guy to come hang out. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Weekly Comic Book Review - Hugo Robberts Lariviere Jan 3, 2013

    The A kind of confusing read which is mostly setup and teasing with some dark and somber art. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Comics Are Not Dead - Comics Are Not Dead Jan 4, 2013

    New Avengers #1 is an underwhelming new series debut, that I'm not too enthusiastic about. If the series remains this quality, it'll be as lame as Bendis's New Avengers. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Comics Bulletin - Danny Djeljosevic Jan 14, 2013

    And that's biggest problem with this debut: a lack of clarity. Despite some promising bookend material, this feels like one of those "cold open" first issues where I don't know what the book's about yet. That said, I like the focus on the Black Panther, which makes me wish Jonathan Hickman was just working on some crazy sci-fi Black Panther solo series instead. Seems like it'd be right up his alley. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Comic Book Resources - Ryan K. Lindsay Jan 2, 2013

    "New Avengers" #1 isn't necessarily a bad comic, it's just not good at doing what it really needs to do. For an introductory issue, the core cast is not really established beyond what an editorial caption would cover, the complication is present but not engaging and the course moving forward is a good enough hook but only comes after a full issue of treading water. I am certain this title will improve in the next issue but all I see is a bit of a mess when looking at the debut on its own. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Newsarama - David Pepose Dec 31, 2012

    I get the necessary evil behind this first issue " why would Black Panther join a team he was so vehemently opposed to just a few years ago? " but the big problem New Avengers suffers is that there are plenty of big ideas that wind up getting in the way of just getting the job done. This book isn't supposed to be just a Black Panther spotlight, but a team book " without the actual payoff of seeing the team in action, I can't help but feel seriously disappointed in this missed opportunity to make good on a fantastic premise. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Major Spoilers - George Chimples Jan 7, 2013

    The central conflict is poorly spelled out, and that spells doom for this issue. There's no reason not to expect that Hickman cannot recover from this early stumble" but it is odd to see him stumble in the first place. Read Full Review

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