MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: All-Out Avengers (2022) #1 REVIEW

Sometimes, you just find yourself in the mood to enjoy some semi-brainless action, whether it be on the big screen, on your TV or laptop, or even in the pages of your favorite book or comic. And this is the exact expectation that I had going into this all-new Avengers ongoing series, which promised to start in the middle of the action, with very little to no explanation behind what was happening… for the readers and even for the characters themselves. This already sounded like a blast when the trailer was first released. And using “all-out” in the title definitely raises the bar high in terms of having to deliver the consistent brand of high-octane action, thrills, and vibrancy that a classic Avengers tale should offer if it wants to consider itself as an epic. With these standards being upheld, certainly this creative team cannot hold back on anything right now if they want to make a good first impression. I just have to say that it was a mighty good decision to include Spider-Man AND Spider-Woman in the line-up, because otherwise, I may have had to skip this one. It’s just so fun seeing Spider-Man in action as an Avenger, and any additional screentime that can be given to him is much appreciated.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Published:

September 07, 2022

Writer:

Derek Landy

Penciler:

Greg Land

Cover Artist:

Greg Land

Introducing: the all-new Avengers series that starts in the middle of the explosive action and races to a shocking climax! An alien attack. A missing piece of wormhole tech. A city warped, its citizens transformed into hideous creatures loyal to an Empress from the far side of the universe. And a certain Captain Marvel, looking to her fellow Avengers with murderous intent…Plunge into the action and take a deep breath because you will not be allowed up for air as a thrilling new series kicks off in the strongest, strangest way possible.

I AM ALL-IN!

PROS:

• Well, for a first issue, the creative team definitely delivered on their promise. And that is already a win in my book. In fact, Marvel was so bold to say that we, as readers, should beware experiencing “whiplash” as we discover more and more with the flip of each explosive page. And for the most part, the plot, storyline, characterizations and visuals do, indeed, bring all the Hollywood glitz and glamour. The first All-Out Avengers line-up that we meet in this series comes together and assembles to combat an alien attack from Empress Queen Arrok, who basically transforms an entire city population into terrible creatures loyal only to her. She is despicable, really. There is, of course, also the matter of a piece of wormhole tech that is also missing, and to make everything that much worse, a dark and scary Captain Marvel seems very much determined and hellbent on murdering her fellow Avengers. It is a frightening thought imagining her targeting and trying to eliminate essentially her best friends for the past years. The dynamics of the relationships creates a different kind of tension than what we are usually used to in other black-and-white, save-the-world arcs.
• What gives this comic book series so much great and awesome potential is that the theme and vibe of this title opens the doors for anybody who has been an Avenger to become a current member of this line-up. Spider-Man and Spider-Woman joining the team this time around is a huge plus for me, and a major win for many of his passionate fans around the world.

CONS:

• Currently, the only minor setback of having this new series is that it will already have to somewhat compete immediately with its three other big-time siblings, as there are already many Avengers titles being offered in the market that many fans are probably already following, or may just be more interested in, depending on what they perceive as “essential” reading. But for Spider-Man fans, it’s a triumphant “Yes.” This is a solid gateway for fans of specific characters who end up joining the crew.

FINAL GRADE: A

This is already a glorious start to a new ongoing series that may just get me interested once again in Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Admittedly, there are times that I jump off the Avengers bandwagon, but if a creative team is willing to give some spotlight to Spider-Man and Spider-Woman, then I come running. It’s really as simple as that, sometimes. But this first chapter is a promising opening, and a doorway for more bombastic and wild adventures for the flagship team of the Marvel family.