General Information
Title: New Avengers #41
Author: Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrator(s): Billy Tan (artist) and Justin Ponsor (color art)
Cover Date: July 2008
Cover Price: $2.99 US / $3.05 Can
Detailed coverage of all applicable issues of all Secret Invasion related titles can be found at this address.
Premise
Spider-Man is knocked away from the battle in Secret Invasion. He lands by individuals claiming to be Ka-Zar and Shanna, and is told what they've been up to during and since the first story arc in New Avengers.
High Point
"I didn't mean to hit it that hard." "We talked about your temper."
Low Point
Amusing dialogue aside, that individual was pretty easy to kill. It makes me wonder how elaborate the infiltration is getting.
The Scores
Again, the originality suffers because we've had so many issues devoted to back story. With so much time between the reveal of the event and the event itself, it's hard not to see stories like this one coming. I give it 3 out of 6.
The artwork by Tan is highly enjoyable. We've got very good art to keep this story moving. The decisions to use backgrounds and gutters are interesting, particularly with the way backgroundless panels "leak out" into nearby panels. (For example, turn one page past the staple, and check out the art on the left centre panel.) I give it 5 out of 6.
The story is well done. We could have predicted this right from the Elektra reveal, given what we'd already seen in that first arc, but that doesn't mean it's not well told now. I give it 5 out of 6.
The characterization depends on little on whether any of these characters are actually Skrulls. The behaviour of one in particular is highly suspect at times, but the reaction the Skrulls had to that individual indicate the person really is human, or this is one heck of an elaborate ruse. I give it 4 out of 6.
The emotional response is good. It's predictable, but still entertaining. I give it 5 out of 6.
The flow is smooth, bridging scenes from the main event with those revealed earlier in this title. I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, it's a nice crossover issue, putting together some of the mysteries that have been running in New Avengers for some time. I give it 5 out of 6.
In total, New Avengers #41 receives 32 out of 42.
