DC comics book review: Avengers Academy #15 Review

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If there’s one thing we all know about war it’s that, often, it is fought by the young. As Fear Itself rambles on through the Marvel Universe, it’s time for the kids of Avengers Academy to learn that fact so many have already known for centuries.

Avengers Academy #15

Commander Rogers informs Hank Pym of the escalading hostilities that’s taking place all over the world. Rogers asks a simple question… Will Hank’s students be ready if, and when, they are needed? Pym, Quicksilver, and Justice are dispatched to Long Island to deal with the escapees from the Raft. Tigra is left behind to prepare the students for their eventual deployment. It isn’t long before they’re needed in Washington, DC. Their task is simple, only fight the insurgents if their life or the life of a civilian is in danger. Otherwise, they are only there to help evacuate the capital. The students do well, but not without a couple setbacks. Striker’s own memories of dying in his older body at the hands of Korvac is still proving to be a major issue when faced with a situation like this. When Mettle kills one of the bad guys, his remorse nearly paralyzes him until Tigra can tell him that it was an unfortunate necessity, but one he may have to do again. Meanwhile, the faculty cleans up the mess on Long Island and are immediately sent to Dubai to handle a transformed Absorbing Man and Titania. Despite his issues with being sent there instead of relieving the kids in DC, he plans to deal with the two baddies quickly. That is until he sees Absorbing Man and what he’s become.

Christos Gage, again, takes these characters and makes them believable and just damn interesting. Whether it’s Hank Pym’s overprotective need to keep the kids out of harm’s way, or Tigra’s fierce personality, or Mettle’s heart of gold inside a monster’s body, Gage makes sure the readers know how his characters feel. Some might say this method is about as subtle as a hammer to the groin, but I actually think that while each issue puts the characters’ thoughts and feelings at the forefront of everything they say, or how the artist draws their expressions, the series as a whole has developed these characters in a natural and subtle way. We’re literally seeing characters adapt and mature. A lot of that comes from Christos Gage being the only writer for 15 issues, but it also reveals how confident Marvel is in him as a creator. And Marvel should feel very lucky they have a guy like him working on a new generation of heroes.

On top of all that, Gage has also had the luxury of being matched with good, solid artists that can add to the story. Mike McKone, Tom Raney, and Sean Chen have the perfect styles to give the students a fresh, young look, while making the faculty look more experienced and a little older. Hell, each of these guys have, in their own way, made Tigra look spectacular. That’s part of her character to have an animal magnetism to her that keeps eyes stuck on her.

In all, Avengers Academy is a book most people should read. It’s full of great characters, excellent writing, and about the most consistent art you’ll find from any series that’s had a few artist changes over the course of the run.

A COMIC BOOK BLOG RATINGProsConsGreat characterization and solid art. The Gage/Raney combo is just as good as the Gage/McKone and Gage/Chen combos and that's hard to do in today's comics.Only one, minor thing... The issue jumps right into the tie-in for Fear Itself. It's hard for brand new readers to know what's going on at Avengers Academy, but I know that's not really the fault of anyone. Rating95%

All Fear Itself reviews:

Fear Itself: #1 | #2 | #3 |

Fear Itself: The Home Front: #1 | #2 | #3

Fear Itself: Spider-Man: #1 | #2 |

Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt: #1 | #2 |

Journey Into Mystery: #622 | #623 | #624 |

Invincible Iron Man: #503 | #504 | #505 |

Avengers: #13 | #14 |

Secret Avengers: #13 | #14 |

Avengers Academy: #15 |

For more visit our Fear Itself tag @ acomicbookblog.com/tag/fear-itself

Tags: Avengers Avengers Academy Avengers Reviews Christos Gage Fear Itself

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