The New Avengers #41 *Secret Invasion Tie-in*

Interesting Tidbit Volume 2 #2: Ka-Zar is actually one character that has had two different incarnations. The first appeared in some pulp magazines in the 1930s but later evolved to the character that would appear in Timely Comics, the 30s/40s precursor of Marvel Comics. The second is the well-known, loincloth-clad, Savage Land resident from Marvel Comics. In the early 1980s, KA-ZAR, along with MOON KNIGHT, and THE MICRONAUTS, were the only three books available via a subscription or from some specialty comic stores. Luckily for Ka-Zar, his third cousin twice removed, Tarzan, has lent him some of his faux-fur loincloths. Zabu would not approve of real pelts!

Welcome to the Savage Land! Home to Skrulls, dinosaurs, half-naked, savage people, and…did I mention Skrulls? Please keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. Luckily for us, Spider-man is on the job! If only he could get Shanna’s name right…or was that Sheena?

THE NEW AVENGERS #41

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis

ARTIST: Billy Tan

COLOR: Justin Ponsor

PLOT:

This issue actually takes place directly after the T-Rex attacks in SECRET INVASION #2. Nice segue! Spidey is quickly thrown from the T-Rex and finds himself in the presence of Shanna, Ka-Zar, Zabu, and a whole slew of Savage Land peeps. Spidey believes that they are all Skrulls and tries, unsuccessfully, to catch Shanna in a trap with her own name. Shanna and Ka-Zar then relate the happenings of a few months prior. It seems that S.H.I.E.L.D. was mining Vibranium and using Savage Land people as slaves for labor. Shanna and Ka-Zar captured one of the agents only to find out that she was a Skrull. Shanna then went undercover dressed in the “agent’s” uniform. Unfortunately for Shanna, she was easily detected by a woman with skunk-hair (say what?), and a fight ensued. Ka-Zar and Zabu to the rescue! After taking out a few of the “agents,” the trio outran and outsmarted the rest. Later, we see a small force of Savage Land people led by our quasi-triumvirate, planning to attack the “S.H.I.E.L.D. agents” and rescue the rest of their people. They then witnessed a fight between the New Avengers and the “agents.” Back in the present, Spider-man and Ka-Zar (with an hesitant Shanna) briefly try to figure out why the Skrulls were mining Vibranium when Captain America, or Skrull-aptain America, attacks.

REVIEW:

Wow! I really liked this issue, and it was definitely a vast improvement over the last issue. I actually cannot think of too many qualms I have with this issue. I suppose the biggest problem I had was the capability, or knowledge, that Shanna and Ka-Zar seemed to have of technology. I do not expect them to be ignorant BLUE LAGOON-esque characters, but would they know what the internet is, or how to shoot a gun when they normally hunt with their hands and hand-made tools, or even what Skrulls are when they basically are secluded from the rest of the MU? On the other side of the argument, however, both of these characters were not born in the Savage Land so they would have had some base-knowledge of basic tech-not necessarily the internet-and also, the fact that Shanna says “Next time I’ll call,” or Ka-Zar “We should get internet up here” is cute and smart. I suppose one of the problems I have with this issue is also a reason why I like it. The other issue I have is more personal: Shanna’s clothes do not lend any support, and I just do not know how she does it! Seriously boys, it needs to be practical!

There is so much that I like about this issue that it is hard to point them all out. Once again, Spider-man is written better in a book that he co-stars in than his own book. What’s with that? It was a quick read in the way that it was enjoying and it was not as convoluted as the previous issue. The only reason it took me so long to read was because I kept flipping back and forth between pages. The art was much better and clearer to me, and boy did Tan capture that foliage! The interactions between Shanna and Ka-Zar were classic and made me want to learn more about these characters.

This issue leaves off on a good/suspenseful note, leaving us to wonder whether this Cap is real or a Skrull. But of course, it has been said that even the Skrulls may not know that they are Skrulls. We also learn that Skrulls will revert back to their normal forms if injured as well and that it takes a lot of will-power to control their transformations (see skunk-woman). Maybe they just need a green power ring!

RATING:

4.5 Webheads out of 5. Yeah, it is really high, but I think it’s well deserved. Maybe I’m jaded since this is the second issue I have read of the series, but it seems to be doing a good job. It completely ties in to SI and past Avenger issues, again takes a different perspective to the story, which I appreciate, good writing, good art, and it was humorous. I just hope that the series keeps it up…at least while I’m reviewing the book!

Reviewed by Your Friendly Neighborhood, Spider-Girl!