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Too many teams? "New Avengers" points to issues
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Still worth your hard-earned cash?
Whether fair or not, some of the reviews for the latest issue of one-time comic-book darling title "New Avengers" have been a little tepid. As Comic Book Resources recently noted, "“New Avengers” simply feels like an overlooked stepchild," since its creator, Brian Michael Bendis, is also busily working on Marvel Comics' new favorite: Dark Avengers.
Now I will confess that I wasn't necessarily bowled over by the most recent issue of NA, but does that mean the comic has jumped the shark? Of course not. But it does bring up the question of whether or not Marvel can operate three different titles featuring three different teams of Avengers while still ensuring good work across the different concepts.
Comics have always ebbed and flowed in terms of quality. Why should make any difference if this month's "New Avengers" isn't as good as usual. The answer: Price. With some popular comics getting their cover price jacked up to as much as $3.99, comic fans are thinking with their wallets just as much as they are their hearts and minds.
As CBR's James Hunt notes: "The inescapable truth is that no matter how clever the occasional conversation, or how improved the artwork, “New Avengers” has once again failed to live up to the increased expectations that come with the increased cover price. Readers were promised, when the price hike was announced, that every issue would be a must-read, and every storyline an event in itself..."
Add Marvel's multiple X-Men titles to the pile, along with DC's recent decision to split "Justice Society of America" into two books and run a sideline miniseries called "Cry for Justice" that's simply a must-have for anyone who reads "Justice League of America." That's a lot of titles that fans of the super-teams will have to keep up with. Higher prices demand more attention to quality. And when DC puts out a preview of "Cry for Justice #2" that features Green Arrow and Green Lantern sounding like Paul Rudd and Jonah Hill might in a Judd Apatow movie, fans have a right to be concerned.
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