Avengers By Jonathan Hickman: The Complete Collection Vol. 1

Came on time. I love the book.

GReat Customer Service. Everything arrived as described and was shipped out immediately! Very happy w my order as well!

Such a cute cover

This Complete Collection continues Marvel's tradition of condensing legendary runs in easy-to-consume packages at great prices. This is the story/run that made Hickman a household name to us comic book geeks and from the very first issue, you can tell why. His trademark story-telling is on full display. Hickman is known to tell grand and compelling stories known for their awe-inspiring scope. This book is no different: Its the Avengers/Illuminati vs the end of everything. Hickman detractors will be quick to point out how the story moves at a snails pace but those of us who love Hickman appreciate his slow-burn and tension building. The only gripe of this Complete Collection is the fact that there's are 6 issues of filler after a VERY big cliff-hanger ending. I usually am ok with fillers in Complete Collection but 6 issues of a comedic story to off-set the very serious tone of the first half of the book seems like I was ripped off by Marvel. Still, this is a must read w/ a very attracting packaging and spine. This will look great on the shelf/collection.

Great packaging-quick turnaround. Would buy from again!

World Builder. These two words sum up Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers debut in 2012. It may seem a bit odd to review his inception as writer of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes after all this time, however this is the moment when a new defining Avengers’ run was birthed. In the aftermath of Infinity, it seemed only proper to talk a reflective look back where Hickman began his tale.Hickman cemented his place as a master storyteller with this effort, introducing his Avengers World in this initial six-issue arc. Hickman also throws in a nice foreshadowing moment for Cap in the premiere, an issue that still has yet to resolve itself, but you know it’s coming.Hickman’s story. AVENGERS WORLD VOLUME ONE launches with Tony and Steve deciding the team needs to get bigger in the wake of so many global issues (Siege, Age of Ultron, Planet Hulk, etc.). Cue foreshadowing moment as Stark has awakened Cap from a nightmare, one Hickman gives readers a glimpse of as the Illuminati are standing over Rogers.However, this was not the only seed Hickman plants (pardon the pun), as the team is forced to face the Builders, who are trying to improve life on Earth, even though we did not ask. The Avengers are thoroughly beaten down, but Ex Nihlo sends Cap back to Earth as a signal of the fall to come. Cue the new Avengers. Hickman’s Avengers’ squad is no longer limited by a self or government-imposed active membership as Hyperion, Sunspot, Cannonball, Smasher, Eden, Shang-Chi and Captain Universe all join the squad.Hickman cleverly introduces these characters as part of the team first before explaining some of their origins. There is a terrific moment when Tony and Steve are recruiting new members that reminds me of Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men First Class when Xavier and Magneto are looking for mutants. However, where the movie fails, Hickman excels as Jessica Drew and Carol Danvers are waiting for the pitch, with Cap not disappointing. It seems as if Hickman was born to write the Avengers.The final issues of the opening arc introduce readers to Hyperion, Smasher and Captain Universe’s back stories, as these characters might not be all that familiar. These tales however are peppered alongside the current aftermath of the Builders attempt to remake Earth, making for an interesting and compelling yarn.

A dark, well written comic story. I love how Hickman takes well known characters, accentuates their personalities and makes them interesting. As an example, Namor is still Namor, but his existential ruthlessness, practicality and cynicism in this characterization is on full display. They are all heroes, but flawed individuals in their own way. Hickman is one of those writers who "gets it". People still love their childhood comic heroes, but want to see them in more adult situations (are you listening Disney?).

I gave this book a 5 star rating due to the creativity of the writer.The story lines for each chapter was well written. Good read!