This issue really provides the set up for what is to come, and it's great. Even though we have all these huge concepts, Hickman still manages to organize them in a way that is easy for the reader to understand without completely dumbing everything down. What we get is a beautiful issue that is really well written. The issue also features several pages of what appears to be a foreshadowing, so it will be interesting to see what happens there. This is also a great jumping on point, so if you didn't pick up issue #1, you can definitely start here. Read Full Review

It's obvious what Jonathan Hickman was referring to when he said he left Ultimates for “a job offer he couldn't refuse.” Writing the “Avengers” books is an opportunity that Hickman couldn't afford to turn down. But with his creativity firing on all cylinders, it's really Hickman's talent that Marvel couldn't afford to miss out on for Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Read Full Review

Hickman sets up Steve Rogers to be at odds with Tony Stark (no surprise there). By the end of "New Avengers" #2, however, I got the distinct impression that Cap's moral high ground could be more than just a point of contention, it could be a liability. The others are, if not mentally preparing for then at least discussing the possibility of the worst case scenario " the destruction of another world (universe) by their hand. But since it was Steve himself (!!) who suggests the use of the gems, the failure of the team's initial plan will cost him the most. Read Full Review

If you want an Avengers book that brings together a good cast of characters with a great story and fantastic art, this is definitely a book you should check out. Read Full Review

This is everything the first issue should have been. Tense, important and dramatic storytelling combined with dark, yet wonderful art. The true potential of this series has been shown now and I cannot wait for the next issue and to see how this title will connect with Avengers. Read Full Review

Essentially it's this guilty pleasure of seeing a bunch of my favourite characters together (especially since they're throwing Beast into the mix!) and watching them control the world with an ambiguous morality (with the exception of Cap). It's dark, it's serious, it's smart, and leaves you with this sense of intrepidness. Read Full Review

Overlooking the flaw that there are no real New Avengers in this starting story, Jonathan Hickman has pushed this title into a whole new arena. Read Full Review

Each member of the cabal possesses an Infinity Gem, and the idea is suggested to use the gems to stop the approaching Earth. Any longtime Marvel fan doesn't have to think too hard about what happens when the gems are united. The team splits, half to prepare for the Earth's arrival, the other half to seek out the lost Mind Gem of the fallen Professor X. It was shocking that Captain America suggested the Gems be combined. He is the only member present that is certain they will not be corrupted by the Gems' power, because he is incorruptible. Hickman never loses Cap's sense of humanity or duty. The issue could have been lost in a morass of metaphysical exposition, but instead was a character study of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe. With all the Avengers titles out there, this character driven approach to cosmic storytelling truly stands out. Read Full Review

New Avengers is off to a strong start with this issue, and knowing Hickman, this title won't fail to deliver a a deep impact (no, not like the film with Morgan Freeman and Elijah Wood)! Read Full Review

As one of Marvel's rising stars, and the writer of what is arguably the company's flagship title, Jonathan Hickman has a lot of room to stretch out his inter-dimensional ideas, and the characters and canvas to convey them properly. If you're a fan of Hickman's previous Marvel work, especially his run on Fantastic Four, then you'll want to read this issue. There are clear threads that he's been building for some time coming to fruition here, and if Fantastic Four was proof of concept of the way this title will evolve, things are only going to get bigger, and more serious. And really, if the last, chilling panel doesn't hook you, nothing will. Read Full Review

It's going to be interesting to follow along. Read Full Review

I was determined to be very tough on this book, but I can find virtually nothing to criticize. The lack of action is easily explainable and overlooked, the characters all jump off of the page, the visuals are gorgeous, the motivations seems right, there is enormous creativity in the plot as we haven't seen anything like this before, the emotional and intellectual moments all seem to hit a perfect spot and balance. I'm blown away by what Hickman has accomplished here, making something so original with the pieces he has been given, and there is some serious cause for hope that this series will be a hit. One great issue doesn't quantify a hit, but this is certainly heading in the right direction and makes virtually every other Big 2 team book pale in comparison (including Hickman's Avengers proper). Keep your eyes on this series as it continues because it is streaking out of the gate. Read Full Review

Steve Epting's art isn't given as much room to shine in this issue. The problem is that a significant chunk of the book is devoted to talking heads against black backgrounds. In those scenes, it's Hickman's trademark charts and graphs that catch the eye. Still, there are a few more bold scenes that really allow Epting to work his storytelling magic. And in general, the shadowy approach to framing the story highlights the grim tone well. My hope is that the slower shipping schedule on this series will allow for a much greater degree of visual consistency. Clearly, Hickman and Epting are on to something grand here. Read Full Review

New Avengers #2 effectively establishes the grand scope that makes it standout from other Avengers titles. Along with setting up the scope for the series Jonathan Hickman is able to create some sub-plots within the group that will make the dynamic of this Avengers team standout. With Steve Epting presenting a grim future for this group of Avengers it'll be interesting to see how things unfold. Read Full Review

Playing up Marvel Now! continuity and referencing the death of Charles Xavier is nothing short of genius. I look forward to this current band of New Avengers going to the ends of the universe to find the hiding spot of the last infinity gem and assembling the one and only infinity gauntlet. Luckily we have Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting taking us along on their ride through the impossible. Read Full Review

It's heavy-handed at times, but wholly appropriate overall with where it wants to go while still being rather personal and intriguing with how the various subplots as they evolve can play out. It's definitely a solid book that makes it very easy to invest in the concept and the larger goals with it all being laid out like this " and not in the heat of battle. Read Full Review

Though I must point out, nobody seems to care all that much about Namor's recent attack on Wakanda as a member of the PhoeniX-Men. Cyclops, Emma and Magik are now pariahs, with their old friends ready and eager to just straight up kill them, but nobody (except Black Panther) gives two craps about what Namor did. I guess killing Charles Xavier is just much, much worse than killing dozens, if not hundreds, of innocent Wakandan citizens. They couldn't even be bothered to move this meeting to somewhere other than Wakanda. Bad form, Illuminati. Read Full Review

In general, this title is enjoyable so far. It's definitely really dark, in both content and art style, but in a good way. I'm enjoying unraveling the layers of 'New Avengers' and hope that Hickman keeps delivering such excellent stories for all the Avengers teams that he's writing. Read Full Review

Like I said Jonathan Hickman is doing big things here without apology. With Steve Epting’s unmistakable art knocking out awesome imagery to accompany this killer writing this issue continues what is one of the best things to happen to the Avengers books in quite some time. In fact one the best things about what we got going on here is we FINALLY have a truly Avengers level threat actually happening and contained in one book. In all reality this is easily the biggest threat they’ve faced in recent memory and there’s not a zillion loosely connected tie-ins or a crap load of bs pumping up an event that does deliver… I’m looking at you Fear Itself and AvX. If more mainstream comics went back to this like they did in the old days I’m pretty sure comics in general would be in a much better state than they currently are. All in all I’m loving every moment and I can’t wait to see what comes next. Read Full Review

Things are starting to roll forward in this book, and the scale keeps getting bigger; which is a stark contrast to Hickman's Avengers story which was big from the jump. New Avengers is a slow build with an incline similar to a roller coaster; slowly climbing to the top with the big “drop” coming soon. It is a different feel compared to Bendis' run, but it is still an enjoyable read. Read Full Review

This is a typical Hickman book: unconventional, smart and clearly just a smidgeon of what waits for this title. It falls well short of brilliant, managing to be really good, but in choosing to be a really good story about the Illuminati, it loses the identity of being a story about new Avengers. Hickman does a good job of delivering the "whys" and "whats" behind Black Panther summoning a group he once scoffed at, now it's time for "New Avengers" to dial up the action. Read Full Review

I don't really have much else to say about this book, it was A LOT of text though so if you are going to pick it up be ready for a very explanatory book with lots of text. Read Full Review

9.8 grade. This is one of the best comic books I've ever read. If you don't feel the same way, then I'm sorry to say that you just don't belong in the comic world. This is why I read comic books.

Already, things are picking up. The incursions and the end of everything is explained, and the debate between the Illuminati is very interesting. And the ending is extremely grim.

I struggle to compare if I enjoyed this more or less than the first issue, but it's rather pointless anyway as I enjoyed them both a great deal. I'm coming in at a weird angle having just wrapped all of the "Ultimate" line with Ultimate Spider-Man #12, and it's cool to see that incursion happening years after what we just saw in New Avenger's #1. Anyway, enough rambling--Hickman still delivers the goods.