Avengers: The Initiative

Discuss. Review. Etc.

i really loved the KIA arc the best so far, i miss Caselli and wish he was back on. I don't mind the current guy but the colorist made Hardball's hair brunette instead of blonde and that ticked me abit. I kinda want Slott back on with Gage or something because i want some more done in one stories and abit more of Slott's 70's style writing.

#30 was decent. It's nice to see that Diamondback is still somewhat on the side of angels.

I liked this issue, but I was hoping that the battle with Nightmare would last more than one issue.

rwe1138 wrote:#30 was decent. It's nice to see that Diamondback is still somewhat on the side of angels.

i hve to agree this ended real fast and i would like to see penence go back to being speedball eventually.

shiky800 wrote:

rwe1138 wrote:#30 was decent. It's nice to see that Diamondback is still somewhat on the side of angels.

i hve to agree this ended real fast and i would like to see penence go back to being speedball eventually.

Imagine him using his old bouncing powers while still wearing some of the armor. Flying pincushion!

Avengers: The Initiative #30

This book continues to be solid, and a good place to catch all those good Marvel characters that tend to fall through the cracks, not to mention a ton of great new characters like Trauma. He's really got some potential to be a major player in the MU in books like Doctor Voodoo or some other supernatural/paranormal book in the future. I liked that we learned his origin finally, makes sense that his dad is Nightmare. Plus I really enjoyed the fact that Penance/Speedball is finally starting to take control of his life. Once he figures things out, I'd love to see him have a reunion with his former teammates like Justice.

Overall, very good conclusion to this arc, especially the end with Diamondback. I hope Taskmaster and the others stick around in this (at least until the shakeup after Siege) cuz Tasky just works perfectly running the Initiative.

I highly enjoyed #31. Taskmaster rocks.

Avengers: The Initiative #31

I've never thought I'd review an Avengers: Initiative book, as I've alwayd been turned off by characters that make even the current group of Thunderbolts look A-list. I know it's all about the writing, per se, but I can't help it. There are so many titles out there, I could never get myself to buy a book with all these nameless faces. Well, props to Marvel for getting me interested. Perhaps I should be angry instead, because now I'm forced into buying yet ANOTHER book because of Seige. The only Seige-related title I didn't fill in during my punchlist was Initiative. With this issue, that all changes.

Why? Taskmaster. You know him as the aloof, Dr. Doom-meets-Skeletor hired-assassin often seen against/alongside Deadpool. He's been b-list at best. What Cristos Gage does here is depict Taskmaster as someone not wanting ultimate power to be his downfall, despite a higher opportunity. But his "what if" attitude completely moralizes and humanizes himself into cult status. For those not up on this title--me!--seeing Tigra's angst towards The Hood, the complications between Constrictor and Diamondback's trusting relationship, and the intrigue that is former Speedball's Penance, is enough to get me interested to see how Task's recruits all fair during Seige.

4/5 - Excellent

#32 was great. Taskmaster continues to rock.

rwe1138 wrote:#32 was great. Taskmaster continues to rock.

Agreed. This was a great issue that focused on the "other" side of the conflict. I've love what this book has done with not only Taskmaster, but also Constrictor and Diamondback too. Christos Gage gave us the perfect motivations for why all these characters are taking part in this, and what they think it will accomplish. Plus, we got to see the Initiative resistance start to make their move. They figured out Norman orchestrated the whole damn thing and are ready to expose him. They even made the connection to Stamford where a lot of their New Warriors friends died. Initiative and Embedded seem like ground zero for where Norman's ultimate downfall takes place. Should be fun.

Bigtymin you're right on the money again. I'm glad you're writing most of the reviews this week--with a lot of my thoughts in mind--because I got studying to do. So thank you for that. Haha

Avengers: The Initiative #32

Just another wonderful continuation of #31, so we get more characterization with Taskmaster and gang. It's the first time I actually liked Constrictor and Diamondback hasn't been this appealing since her time with Captain America (which is even referred to in this ish). As far as Seige goes, this makes up for much of the vagueness that was in the event book. It expands on the incident between Thor and Sentry, among other issues, from another perspective. Taskmaster might just end up stealing the whole show.

Who woulda thought the tie-ins could actually be better than the main dish?

4/5 Bags&Boards - Never cared for the Initiative book before Siege, now this series has me wanting to backtrack and check out the trades. Are they worth it?

LOOSECANNON wrote:
Who woulda thought the tie-ins could actually be better than the main dish?

*raises hand*

LOOSECANNON wrote:
Are they worth it?

Helldamnyes.

I didn't buy this, but I skimmed through it and I think they should have extended Siege #1 into this issue, we shouldn't have to buy extra books like this to get a more in depth look at whatever event they're pushing.

This issue really filled in the cracks that were left in Seige #1.

Absolutely.

I read this and it was good. Now, since this book is ending and Feb 3rd will be the smallest comic day in MONTHS for me, I will buy this and the last issue and will probably get the ties from this specific title until Siege ends. Since that Taskmaster vs Cap cover had me interested anyway, I might as well.

Remember the book isn't disapearing, we will get Avengers Acadamy or something like that to take its place, but the last issue was just awesome. I like Taskmaster taking a bit of initiative himself. i really like his explinations behind his change of heart about what is important. He wants to be remembered...he will but will it be after he is gone?

#33 was good. Looking forward to all the plots slamming together.

my comic shop sold out of 33 within an hour of opening. they will have it for me next week

I bought 3 copies of this and I don't even buy this book monthly.

2 DP covers and 1 regular.

One to keep and one to ebay

#33 was great. This book has been hitting the perfect beats for a tie-in to Siege. We're getting to see some of the events in Siege #1 and #2 from a totally different perspective. Its awesome to see Taskmaster's point of view again, Diamondback and Constrictor too. It'll be interesting what all three do to effect how Siege plays out.

Avengers: The Initiative #33

At first glance, this was the one title I was going to avoid heading into Siege. Now, I don't think I could enjoy the event without it. Without the major reveals saved for the main feature, Avengers: Initiative contains all the elements in a comic book that make one enjoyable. The colorfully clean, lively art from Jorge Molina might be standard fair, but that's all you need. Christos Gage is clearly the star of this show, as he takes revamped New Warriors and a b-team of "Dark Avengers" and makes them most interesting.

It could also be argued that Taskmaster and pals have made more of an impact thus far than the Dark Avengers themselves--barring Sentry, of course. When I say impact, I don't mean direct influence in the way Siege plays out. Rather, I'm more referring to Diamondback and Constrictor's ever-evolving/crumbling relationship during the battles; Night Thrasher's inner-struggles with The Hood's influence; and Taskmaster's fight to become a player. We don't see too much of these personal marks with Bullseye, Moonstone, Venom, etc.

If you're enjoying Siege, make sure you buy this right along with it. It's that simple.

3.5/5 Bags&Boards - Siege's surprise tie-in comes through again

Well this is why I need to read the books before you post, that way I can say something. But I conquer with everything LooseCannon said. This is a good book and I am also excited to see how this plays out... just as excited as I am to see Osborne get taken down.

Yeah, this book really does throw the personal impacts that Siege is having on individuals where the main book doesn't have time for it.

Gage really has taken a motley crew of C and D listers and made them some of the more interesting parts of this event.

I really don't have much interest in the Avengers Resistance stuff that's happening, I'd be a happier reader if the whole book was devoted to the Task Master and the Constrictor/Diamondback parts of the story, but this is covering the Hood's involvement in Siege which will likely have a fairly large impact in the post Siege MU.

Anyway, I'll agree, 3.5 sounds about right, it's a fun book that explores the personal side of Siege and if you're looking for something outside of the Micheal Bay type event that Siege has been thus far I highly recommend this book.