YOUNG AVENGERS #2 REVIEW

[Robin Lewis]

Reviewer: Robin Lewis, lucillerobin@aol.com
Story Title: Sidekicks (part two)

Remeber Scott Lang? Remember his daughter?

Writer: Allan Heinberg
Penciler: Jim Cheung
Inks: John Dell with Mark Morales
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Production: James Taveras
Assistant Editors: Stephanie Moore and Molly Lazer
Associate Editors: Andy Schmidt
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

Hands up who thought this would be a total car-crash. Come on, be honest. A cross between The Teen Titans and The Avengers? Ick. And then the first issue came out and hey, what do you know: it's pretty good. Strong storytelling, excellent art, great dialogue and a decent cliffhanger ending. The scathing reviews everybody was probably ready to give were replaced with ones of surprised enjoyment. Also, it has Jessica Jones in it, which is always a good thing. I'm still not entirely sold on the names Hulkling and Iron Lad, though.

For the second issue Heinberg gives us a little background on Iron Lad, apparently a younger, idealistic Kang that wants to stop his future self (though given Kang's propensity for bending time to his will I doubt he's a problem that will ever recieve a definitive answer). We don't get a complete picture of what's happened to this young villain-to-be, but we do get an intriguing link to the aftermath of the Avengers Disassembled storyline in the shape of Iron Lad making some sort of contact with the Vision (who's still half the man he used to be). The rest of the issue mixes up another almost-botched at super-heroing by the rest of the fledgling team and, more interestingly, Cassie Lang meeting up with the girl who saved Patriot last issue. A while back Brian Michael Bendis dropped some hints about how Ant-Man's daughter was, after the death of her father, in a position to become a very interesting character in the Marvel universe. It seems that Allan Heinberg is going to be the one to try and make that happen. Cassie comes across well here, a girl trying to glean something positive from her father's death, while at the same time following in his footsteps (in a half-thought-out kind of way). She's also the focus of the cliffhanger for this issue, though that in itself leads me to ask what has probably run through the minds of many Marvel fans over the years - SPOILER! when someone grows to giant-size, and they don't have on one of Reeds Richards patented unstable-molecule costumes, how come they don't just end up naked? I don't care if Cassie favours those elasticated-waist trousers, no way does she get to be twenty feet tall and still retain her modesty. It's not that I want to see bare flesh, but it sort of bothers me. I know, I know, I can accept that people can fly, shoot lasers out of their eyes and walk around calling themselves things like Boom-Boom, but I get all picky about stuff like this. I recognise the problem and I'm seeking help.

The dialogue between the team keeps the mood of the book fairly light and fun, which is no bad thing. I'm sure there are deep dark secrets waiting to be unfolded about each member, but at the moment they come across as kids trying not to screw up so badly they end up killing someone by accident, which is much more entertaining than a team of tortured teenagers. Jim Cheung's art is likewise impressive, though faces are quite devoid of distinctive characteristics (Tony Stark looks like Kang's twin brother, and the various female faces are distinguishable only by their different haircuts). This aside, Cheung does everything right, from the clean lines to some excellent character designs (Hulkling could stand to drop the earrings, though).

I have to admit, I thought this title was going to suck, too. But after two issues it appears that when Joe Q. said that this team were "not what you think", he wasn't just blowing smoke. I'm genuinely interested to see what happens to Cassie Lang, and the Kang/Iron Lad plot-line will apparently lead to the team going up against the man himself in a few issues time, which should be fun (I have a soft spot for Kang, who's always struck me as a sort of evil Dr. Who). A good, solid second issue. Try it: it's really not what you might think.

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[Alphabet Pet]

Originally Posted by Robin Lewis

She's also the focus of the cliffhanger for this issue, though that in itself leads me to ask what has probably run through the minds of many Marvel fans over the years - SPOILER! when someone grows to giant-size, and they don't have on one of Reeds Richards patented unstable-molecule costumes, how come they don't just end up naked? I don't care if Cassie favours those elasticated-waist trousers, no way does she get to be twenty feet tall and still retain her modesty. It's not that I want to see bare flesh, but it sort of bothers me. I know, I know, I can accept that people can fly, shoot lasers out of their eyes and walk around calling themselves things like Boom-Boom, but I get all picky about stuff like this. I recognise the problem and I'm seeking help.

Let me help you out with your problem. Just assume Reed licences his unstable molecule formula out to all the major clothing manufacturers of the Marvel Universe, thus everyone is wearing unstable molecules. With the rate of mutation amoungst the general population of the Marvel Universe that would be a huge selling feature: "Oh no! I've just grown a third arm and wings! But at least my shirt didn't rip and tear! Good thing mom only buys Unstable Molecule brand clothing! (Available at GAP Mutants)"

[M-Angel]

SPOILER! when someone grows to giant-size, and they don't have on one of Reeds Richards patented unstable-molecule costumes, how come they don't just end up naked? I don't care if Cassie favours those elasticated-waist trousers, no way does she get to be twenty feet tall and still retain her modesty. It's not that I want to see bare flesh, but it sort of bothers me. I know, I know, I can accept that people can fly, shoot lasers out of their eyes and walk around calling themselves things like Boom-Boom, but I get all picky about stuff like this. I recognise the problem and I'm seeking help.

You know, sometime..realism is out of the question.
Anyway, I do agree with the art, Kang looks like Tony Stark and the female faces look..pretty much the same, but the script is very good and truly starts the gears for a great arc.

[Rory]

I really like Cassie Lang and loved how the issue ended. Get rid of Patriot and bring the two girls in. Really want the Vision to be a mentor

[Patriot]

SPOILER! when someone grows to giant-size, and they don't have on one of Reeds Richards patented unstable-molecule costumes, how come they don't just end up naked? I don't care if Cassie favours those elasticated-waist trousers, no way does she get to be twenty feet tall and still retain her modesty. It's not that I want to see bare flesh, but it sort of bothers me. I know, I know, I can accept that people can fly, shoot lasers out of their eyes and walk around calling themselves things like Boom-Boom, but I get all picky about stuff like this. I recognise the problem and I'm seeking help.

Eh,cuz its a comic?

[James Groves]

Good comic. Definitely surprised by its quality as it just reeked of Marvel doing a "Teen Titans" counterpart for their "Avengers" line. But i've been pleasantly surprised. Lovin' the characters, the storyline's solid and the artworks decent too. Good stuff. Good review.

[ArchangelX]

Originally Posted by Alphabet Pet

Let me help you out with your problem. Just assume Reed licences his unstable molecule formula out to all the major clothing manufacturers of the Marvel Universe, thus everyone is wearing unstable molecules. With the rate of mutation amoungst the general population of the Marvel Universe that would be a huge selling feature: "Oh no! I've just grown a third arm and wings! But at least my shirt didn't rip and tear! Good thing mom only buys Unstable Molecule brand clothing! (Available at GAP Mutants)"

This is the best!!!!

SO that explains why they can gain or lose weight and not need to go out and buy different sizes! YOu should send that to Marvel for a prize!

This issue was great! SPOILER! I knew Ant-Girl would join. I mean, It's like the first Avengers all over again! They said one of them will die in the next few issues. I beleive it's going to be Hulking for two reasons. #1 Just like the original Hulk left the team, so will Hulking here (but not by choice *croak*).
#2 We don't need more Hulk wanna-be's like we got of Spider-Man. MArvel knows better.

[bugalugs1]

Again, I'm one of the pleasantly surprised readers. I agve the first issue a shot because I thought it's not fair to slate a comic if I haven't read it, and found myself really quite interested (and like you, the appearance of Jessica Joones helped) and with this issue and the arrival of Cassie and I-can't_recall-her-name I've added it to my pull list.

Nice to see an Old Avenger might have a role in the title too (even if he takes a similar angle that happened in Young Justice)
Solid art, solid story and teens acting and sounding like teens. Good going..

[TheManWithoutFear]

My favorite parts

The use of MGH. Just a cool concept and it's all over the marvel universe now.

Vision. I can't wait to see if there's any interaction between The Avengers and Vision. It could be a very touching scene and what if he asks about Scarlet Witch? I also wonder if he's going to be a regular in the series acting as the mentor for the YA.

[iceman06]

How old is Cassie Lang supposed to be now? Previously, I had the impression that she was about 12.

[Greg Reeves]

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this. I was never an Avengers reader, but decided to give this a try, and I'm glad I did.

Can't wait for the next issue.

[ScottyM]

I love this book, but I have to admit I am not a fan on Cassie's powers?

[Cyberman]

Originally Posted by Patriot

SPOILER! when someone grows to giant-size, and they don't have on one of Reeds Richards patented unstable-molecule costumes, how come they don't just end up naked? I don't care if Cassie favours those elasticated-waist trousers, no way does she get to be twenty feet tall and still retain her modesty. It's not that I want to see bare flesh, but it sort of bothers me. I know, I know, I can accept that people can fly, shoot lasers out of their eyes and walk around calling themselves things like Boom-Boom, but I get all picky about stuff like this. I recognise the problem and I'm seeking help.

Eh,cuz its a comic?

And because naked 14 year old girls is just asking for a Congressional investigation.

[Kahio]

LOL@above, totally agree...

Wardrobe problems aside, the series is really working for me right now. Despite the fact they are "trying" to be the avengers, they are failing miserably! It's great!

I think a 3 1/2 is low for an issue of this quality, the artwork is great! It's already a book that I can't wait to get my hands on...

[BlackSamurai]

My assumption would be if she is generating Pym particles, they enlarge things by molecular manipulation not traditional growth (although things like that start other questions like how much floor in contact with a pym particle user gets distorted what happens to the air, etc. so we'll leave that there). If she isn't well, it's all about the taste of a teen comic, although there are ways for her to grow tastefully and still bust out of clothing.

I must say, loathe as I was that there was another teen tony in the runnings, it is very interesting to see this young Kang twist. The same issues with Hulk menthoring Hulkling is totally captured already by Iron Lad already. Although Immortus changed the Kang ways, I am pretty sure that'd be the most unnerving thing for the (older) Avengers to be running around with a young Kang (further more letting him out of their sight) I just hope this book doesn't get too heavy into time distortion outside of the Kang storyline. And sad to say, if a member will be dying it looks like it'd be Hulkling (Asgardian in a stretch, but with all the actual Asgardians pushing daisies right now, that'd be extra mean), Patriot croaking would be a big kick in the nuts to Cap, and Kang Jr being killed sorta screws up Kang's future pretty badly doesn't it? (yeah yeah, divergent timelines, alternate realities and the like can always make this a non factor), but so much repetition of the orignal Avengers by getting rid of Hulkling is just gonna suck for him.

Y'know if Vision does become their mentor of sorts, this will bring the Teen Titans parallel to another level. Chip on shoulder Patriot (Robin), Vision (Cyborg), every other hero mirroring an original Avenger's powers (the rest of the Titans), a death disrupting the team dynamics (Wondergirl gets heat vision beam thru chest). It would be nice to see the team not get too large, cassie would make a nice substitute for both Hank and Wasp by doing both growing and shrinking, but if a young archer, a speedster and a witch roll in, we got a second generation of the Avenger's incarnations right there. If the young archer happens to be from Wakanda and using vibranium arrows and other stuff they ring true to Black Panther being early in the intro to Avengers), New X-Men M.A. may have a young female speedster to lend to emulate Quicksiver, and Spellbinders may just get mainstream by contributing the Scarlet quota.

Emulation aside, I am interested and glad to see it is a comic with great premise storywise, and interesting motivated characters amongst the line-up.

[Vyns]

Loved this issue, I do agree that the some of the faces do kind of look similar and it can get confusing at times. But as I always, it's better then if it were a bunch of ugly faces that look the same.

Here's a bone to chew on, what if Hulkling and Asguardian were brothers? Kind of a common thing to watch out for your brother. But it's probably not the case.

[jedimaster]

I decided to pick up the first two issues of this series just to try it out. Now, I am more of an X-Men fan than an Avengers fan, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the series so far. I am definately going to be picking up future issues to see where things go.

[Captain America]

So, Iron Lad is a young Kang, who happens to be a younger version of Immortus... *scratch* So this Iron Lad comes back from a time when is he younger than the first conflict with the Avengers occurs? So when he's older, he'll fight an Avengers team circa the 1960's, right?

[Jon Hancock]

I'd say the parrallel was with Young Justice. Vision just seems to be a Red Tornado knock off.

[ursabearX]

I really am enjoying this series, I like the prospects of Cassie Long (Ant-Girl, Giant-Girl) I wonder what the other girl that wants to be part of the team abilities are.

[Rashenal]

How old is Cassie Lang supposed to be now? Previously, I had the impression that she was about 12.

I thought she was around 13-14, but isn't this happening about a year or so after the Scarlet Witch incident? I mean, the New Avengers happened about that long after, if I am thinking correctly. And I think the Avengers: Disassembled Epilogue was about 6 months after it as well. I can't remember for sure, but yeah...she's about the right age she should be I think.

[ArchangelX]

[QUOTE=BlackSamurai]Y'know if Vision does become their mentor of sorts, this will bring the Teen Titans parallel to another level. Chip on shoulder Patriot (Robin), Vision (Cyborg), every other hero mirroring an original Avenger's powers (the rest of the Titans), a death disrupting the team dynamics (Wondergirl gets heat vision beam thru chest). It would be nice to see the team not get too large, cassie would make a nice substitute for both Hank and Wasp by doing both growing and shrinking, but if a young archer, a speedster and a witch roll in, we got a second generation of the Avenger's incarnations right there. If the young archer happens to be from Wakanda and using vibranium arrows and other stuff they ring true to Black Panther being early in the intro to Avengers), New X-Men M.A. may have a young female speedster to lend to emulate Quicksiver, and Spellbinders may just get mainstream by contributing the Scarlet quota.[QUOTE]

This would be great! Hawkeye has been the only archer in Marvel right? Time for a new one! Although Spellbinder is used in another book, this would be a great place for her to make an appearance with a new magician friend who could join the team. A speedster, huh? That's a tough one. Looks like Marvel would need to introduce a lot of newbies to pull it off.

[gideonpryde]

What a great series so far. Ever since the relaunch of Avengers and Thunderbolts, this triangle of comics has been great.

Now if Vision would join the team it would be grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat.

[springwolf84]

So...Vision isn't dead? (I haven't read either issue of Young Avengers, just Avengers: Disassembled)

Springy

[BlackSamurai]

Originally Posted by Jon Hancock

I'd say the parrallel was with Young Justice. Vision just seems to be a Red Tornado knock off.

It was Young Justice before it was disbanded when Nightwing couldn't cope with Troia's death and wanted both the Titans and YJ to disband. Vic Stone (Cyborg) then reopened it as Teen Titans as a training and hangout place for the former Young Justice (then Firestar and Beastboy came in to support - Jewel could be playing a Starfire role). The speedster I am thinking of is Noriko (who in New X-Men: MA uses an energy for either externalized offensive charges or internalized generated speed).