date: May 1965
writer: Stan Lee
artists: Jack Kirby, Dick Ayers
rating: 4 out of 5
I first read about Cap's kooky quartet in an issue of Marvel Saga. The big guns left the team and were replaced by Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch. As a kid, I thought this was a tremendous step back. More on that in a moment.
Fresh from a battle with the Masters of Evil, Giant-Man, Wasp, Thor, and Iron Man leave the team, leaving Captain America to pick up the pieces. He replaces them with Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver, all former villains.
Now, as a kid, I thought this was a mistake. With the wisdom of age, however, I see it as a good move for future storylines. The original Avengers lineup was hugely over powered, so much so that Captain America seemed kind of useless. What's the use of being in great physical shape when your teammates are a god, a flying piece of artillery, and two people that can change size?
With the new lineup, lots more possibilities are available. Cap has to whip them into shape and they'll be the under dogs pretty much all the time.
While it's a transitional issue, it's also a milestone in early Marvel history. Four out of five stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment