REVIEW: ‘Avengers Inc,’ Issue #1

Avengers Inc #1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Al Ewing, art by Leonard Kirk, colors by Alex Sinclair, and letters by Cory Petit. After several villains are found dead inside their cells, Wasp is tasked with investigating the cause.

This opening issue introduces the genre brilliantly. It is set up as a murder mystery and detective story mixed in with superpowers and current Marvel stories. The opening display of bodies is pretty shocking, drawing us in with 6 deaths straight away. The villains chosen aren’t exactly A-listers, but they are well known within the universe that it’s surprising to see them on an examination table in the morgue. The structure jumps between moments at the start of the issue, helping gather all the pieces involved while allowing the most startling images to appear first. Ewing ingeniously sets up a story with a clearly visible direction, then completely shatters that vision with a twist that was impossible to see coming. It changes the face of the series so far, instead bringing more unknown quantities into the book. The mysteries are rapid, and the action erupts, installing multiple plot threads that weren’t even on the cards in the first half of the comic.

Avengers Inc #1 could not have a better lead, as it features the woman who created the name of the team in the first place. Wasp has unfortunately been out of the limelight within Marvel for a while, but this series gives her a way back in and a sense of place. Her intelligence and attitude are clear to see. She has a distinct sense of justice, as well as what the right thing to do is. Even though the deceased are criminals, there is still a duty to find out who killed them. She has the true mindset of an Avenger and an acute understanding of what being a member means. The book features a lot of history and references, with the dialogue displaying connections built over the years. Luke Cage is the one who gives Janet the mission, and the moral compass of the issue is cemented early. It is also great to see Jarvis return as one of the most wholesome characters in comics, and the respect that seemingly everyone has for him is permanently lovely to see.

The art is fantastic. The book could be considered stationary for a while, yet Kirk manages to keep it interesting. This is largely due to the mystery of the bodies, often shot with holes in their heads. There is a great variety of inclusions in the corpses, increasing the speculation of the cause of death and the culprit. But the comic steps into gear halfway through with an amazing fight scene that stretches over several pages. It uses a small, enclosed space to place the conflict, penning Wasp. But she has access to freedom due to her powers, and the sense of scale of her shrinking and battling through that method is illustrated spectacularly. What would be nice to see as the series extends is further experimentation with Janet’s fashion, as it is an integral facet of her personality. 

The colors are understated. Sinclair uses similar shades on the same page, generating the tone and temperature of the acne. The various shades of blue within the morgue make the room seem cold and unfriendly. When there are contrasting colors included in a panel, it is there to draw attention instantly. The lettering has a lot of dialogue to contend with but remains easy to read throughout the issue.

Avengers Inc #1 is something completely different. Ewing brilliantly crafts a book that truly contains two halves. A seemingly endless amount of mysteries are introduced based on Marvel’s long history, but it is possible for a reader with no knowledge of that to enjoy it also. The book is flipped on its head to make it one of the most captivating comics out there, with a volatile plot that can be torn apart in a few panels. The transition in genres from start to finish gives the series an unpredictability that demands further reading.

Avengers Inc #1 is available now wherever comics are sold.