General Information
Title: Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1
Authors: Dan Slott and Christos N. Gage
Illustrators: Penciles by Patrick Scherberger, Clayton Henry, Carmine Digiandomenico, Tom Feister, Steve Uy, and Salvador Larroca. Inks by Dave Meikis, Paul Neary, Carmine Digiandomenico, Tom Feister, Steve Uy, and Salvador Larroca. Colors by Wil Quintana, Jose Villarrubia, Daniele Rudoni and Stephane Peru.
Cover Date: January 2008
Cover Price: $3.99
Detailed coverage of all applicable issues of all Secret Invasion related titles can be found at this address. This will eventually get updated more completely. In the meantime, I've added a checklist to the bottom of this and all future reviews linked the relevant content. (It was while making this checklist that I realized this particular review had been written and typed up, but not yet posted. Oops.)
Premise
Background for the various recruits is provided and revealed, as well as infiltration efforts by some of the Skrulls involved.
High Point
The "Armory" story.
Low Point
The cheap humour with the Nazi scientist. Those jokes came too easily.
The Scores
These are not your typical superhero origins by any stretch of the imagination. It was also the first hint at the overall plan for the Skrull invaders. I give the originality 5 out of 6.
The artwork is a bit inconsistent, given the number of rotating art teams. The MVP story was the weakest, with inks that are far too heavy. I give it 4 out of 6.
The story was well done, giving several origins that break all the molds. I give it 5 out of 6.
The characterization was good all around, with many interesting reveals. I give it 5 out of 6.
The emotional response was great. It's a very interesting story all around. The Secret Invasion link is a long time coming in the issue, but this would be worth reading with or without the event tie-in. I give it 5 out of 6.
The flow is smooth within each story, given that the issue is an anthology style collection, with thematic links. I give it 4 out of 6.
Overall, I give this a solid 5 out of 6. "Avengers: The Initiative" has, in my opinion, probably been the best Avengers title Marvel's put out since "Disassembled."
In total, Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1 receives 33 out of 42.
Secret Invasion Review Checklists
Background reviews:
Infiltration reviews:
Main Event reviews:
- Secret Invasion #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, full series
- Avengers: The Intiaitive #14-19
- Black Panther #39-41
- Captain Britain and MI 13 #1, #2, #3, and #4.
- Deadpool #1-3
- Guardians of the Galaxy #4-6
- Incredible Hercules #117, #118-120
- Iron Man: Diretor of S.H.I.E.L.D. #33-35
- Secret Invasion: Amazing Spider-Man #1-3
- Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1, #2, and #3.
- Secret Invasion: Frontline #1-5
- Secret Invasion: Home Invasion (online only)
- Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1-4
- Secret Invasion: Runaways / Young Avengers #1-3
- Secret Invasion: Thor #1-3
- Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?
- Secret Invasion: X-Men #1-4
- Mighty Avengers #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, 17-20
- Ms. Marvel #28-30
- New Avengers #40, #41, #42-47
- New Warriors #14-15
- Nova #16-18
- Punisher: War Journal #24-25
- Thunderbolts #122-125
- X-Factor #33-34, She-Hulk #31-33
Aftermath (Dark Reign) reviews:
- Avengers: The Iniative #20-?
- Dark Reign: New Nation
- Invincible Iron Man #8-?
- Ms. Marvel #34-?
- New Avengers #48-?
- Secret Invasion: Dark Reign
- Secret Invasion: Requiem #1
- War Machine #1-?
- several unannounced titles, I'm sure
