The Virgin Read: She Either Doesn't Know, Or Doesn't Care, That Ant-Man Beat His Wife

Editors Note: Cover art for this comic currently unavailable, which is too bad, because it is cute.

The Mighty Avengers # 17
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Khoi Pham, Danny Miki, Andy Lanning & Dean White
Published by Marvel Comics

So, once again I chose something out of Marvel’s big ole Secret Invasion.  I picked this specific comic because I’ve yet to read any comic involving the Mighty Avengers.  Well – no time like the present! 

I'm, unsurprisingly, having the same problem that I’ve had with some other issues of Secret Invasion and Final Crisis.  I’m walking right into the middle of this large story.  I can’t really give a full, appropriate response.   There are three ways I could go about this.  I could A.) complain about how its not particularly new-reader-friendly, B.) compare it and contrast the structure of this issue to the structure of the issue of Final Crisis that I read half of, or C.) just talk about my immediate experience of this comic book with the vaguest of comments about how I don’t really know what’s going on. 

So, I’m not going to go with A.  Last time I did that I was called “a bitch” and various other names by people who seemed to take my misunderstanding of the comic books, um, personally.  Frankly, I don’t care enough to fight them.  But I do care to comment that taking the time to read and respond so rudely to a novice’s overt and obvious “virgin” foray into comics does more to damage the reputation of the comic book world and its readers then it does to help in increasing their appeal. 

I’m not going to go with B either, because, well that’d be totally boring.  Although there would be some great points to make as to why Secret Invasion Black Panther totally worked for me, while 18 pages of Final Crisis did not, the whole discussion will take me into the realm of unwittingly commenting on the writing talent of people whose reputations are well known to all of you, but not to me.  And once again, I’ll get a sharp talking to.  Which, as you can tell, I’M ENJOYING TREMENDOUSLY.  I’m doing this for fun, kids.  Stop being such cockplants. 

So, I’m left with C.  "Speaking to my immediate experience."  Here goes. 

The cover kind of cracks me up.  Seems to have little to do with this particular issue.  But is certainly paying homage to some old-school something or other. 

I totally appreciated the recap.  Always do, virgin that I am.  

This issue reminded me here and there of particular TV shows.  Like, the beginning felt really X-Files-ish.  The diner seemed like one of those places Scully and Mulder would end up at on one of those roadtrips to investigate the supposed swamp monster in some kooky little town.  One of those quirky, fun, non-mythology episodes.  It gave us the coffee shop owner to identify with, and use his perspective as our own.  That was kind of fun. 

And although (here it comes – I’ll only mention it one other time) I didn’t really know exactly who these people were, I knew from the recap that we had some weird identity stuff going on.  The part where “Dugan” is telling “Pym”  (I’m assuming that these two are “Avengers.”  If they are not…than who ARE the Mighty Avengers?  And why aren’t they in their own comic book?) that he’s sharing a brain with a smart man, etc. was kind of fun and fascinating to try and sleuth out.  

Then all hell breaks loose.  And again, I’m putting pieces together.  The most interesting thing was to learn that this Pym guy can shrink and grow larger – making for hilariously well drawn fight situations.  I mean, stomping on a guys eyeballs?  Can you say awesome?  And who’s the super stretchy guy?  I mean, this was entertaining.  I mean we have Skrulls disguised as Avengers, who it seems are sort of “double-agent-ing” for lack of a better term.  And then all this wacky physicality in the violence?  Well, one can’t say this is boring.  

On the last page I was thinking, “what does this remind me of?  What does this remind me of?”  No, besides Battlestar Galactica.  I don’t know that I’ve completely figured it out.  But there are aspects of this that are reminding me of Quantum Leap.  Especially that last page.  Guy shows up in a new body, is just getting his bearings, and then turns around for the, “uh-oh.”  But, you have to stay tuned until next week to find out what happens. 

Honestly, I’ll have to give Mighty Avengers another try.  I’m sure this isn’t quite the usual.  Because, well, it IS Secret Invasion.  I could see how a kid with much more time on their hands than I might actually get into keeping up with every storyline of Secret Invasion.  I mean, I’m still marathoning Buffy.  And then I plan to watch all of Angel.  (And even turned into Bones simply because it was David Boreanaz.  Although I don’t think I’ll ever watch it again.)  Hey--I'm no stranger to “being hooked.”  

So, if these are actually working for Marvel – big series, lots of storylines, selling lots and lots of comics – than great.  And if its not working, well, sorry.  But I won’t be able to help you.  I’m opting from this point forward to stay away from both Secret Invasion and Final Crisis.  Its all just a bit too much for me.  

-Nina Stone, 2008

Comments

[Matthew J. Brady]

Aw, crap, I hope you didn't take me seriously when I insulted you about Final Crisis. I was trying to be all ironical and shit. Damn, now I feel bad.

[nina]

Oh, Matthew! No! I got you -- totally. Anything you say is gold, as far as I'm concerned.
No, there were some other comments on the site...they didn't all land in the comment section of MY review...but they were clearly intended for me. But hey...whatareyougonnado?

[Sharif]

Nina, there is never a legitimate reason for watching Bones. Not even Boreanaz.

[Tucker Stone]

I wholeheartedly agree. Thank god we have separate bedrooms.