Writer: Mark Waid

Artist: Andy Kubert (main story)/Mahmud Asrar (backup)

I think this is my third time reviewing this book even though All-New All-Different Avengers #1 is only out as of this week. Marvel has telegraphed this book twice now in the last six months, once in a sampler book on Free Comic Book Day, and last month as a short in Avengers #0. The former was a decent read which revealed the post-Secret Wars Avengers lineup and actually told a pretty good story about how the six members would be interacting. The latter…not so much, as it focused just on the Vision and seemed unrelated to this title. Anyway, here we are–so how does the first issue of a book we’ve been awaiting for months actually come off?

Well, it’s…ok. Despite being an oversized issue, the Avengers story really is very much an introductory tale that ends on a “to be continued” which prevents this from being a “done in one” story. The status quo as of this issue is that there’s no Stark-run Avengers team in operation at the moment (though reference is made to Steve Rogers’ activities in Uncanny Avengers). Iron Man is barely keeping his finances together, the Falcon is trying to figure out the celebrity aspect of being Captain America, and for still unknown reasons, the Miles Morales Spider-Man is running around New York. Meanwhile, some mystery man is moving into the former Avengers Tower and making deals with a rampaging alien who wants to smash the Earth for pretty one-dimensional reasons. And once these groups get fighting…well, that’s pretty much where the issue stops.

As far as setup issues go, I suppose it’s fine. I wouldn’t expect to get all the answers at once, like why Miles is here (I’m sure that will be settled in Secret Wars) or who the mystery man is (although we don’t get so much as his name, unless I missed it). I just hope that future issues go a little faster than this one. The cover shows us a lineup of six Avengers; only half of them are present in the lead story. I’m sure the other characters will be worked into the story, but readers expecting a spiritual follow-on to the Free Comic Book Day issue aren’t going to get it.

The other disappointing feature is that Marvel went with Adam Kubert as the book’s lead artist. That’s fine and ultimately their choice, but I find his tone a bit grim given the “fun” spirit that the FCBD issue hinted at. Indeed, Mark Waid has a talent for writing fun-yet-serious comics and team books, and it’s not like this issue wasn’t fun; it’s just that Kubert doesn’t feel like the best fit for what this book should be about.

That spirit is probably better conveyed by artist Mahmud Asrar, who did both the FCBD story and the backup story. The backup concerns the first meeting between upcoming Avengers Ms. Marvel (Kamela Khan) and Nova (Sam Alexander). It’s a cute story about two teenage superheroes having a very awkward first encounter as they have no idea how to handle each other and their personalities clash badly. The Avengers has often been about teammates who don’t get along–this story magnifies through the fact that these two characters are kids.

All-New, All-Different Avengers #1 was acceptable, but not phenomenal. As the apparent “lead” Avengers title, I expected a little better from it. It has promise, but cautious readers may want to trade wait the first volume and resume with the monthly when the team is finally established.

Rating: Three out of five stars.