Avengers: Earth Mightiest Heroes - Part 1

[Webhead2006]

Yup it should be a good episode.

 

[Webhead2006]

Avengers episode today was also good. I liked the reintro for carol, and her being ms marvel and joining the team. They handled those stuff well. Along with the kree empire attack. I felt bad for captain marvel with them not understanding how he wanted to help. I can't wait to see the outcome once we see skrulls and kree fighting.

 

[Anubis]

Good to see SWORD.

 

[Panthro]

Nice to see Ms. Marvel getting in on the action.

 

[E-Man]

I'm so ready for the Kree/Skrull war. It's going to be insane!

 

[scatterax]

show's about to get epic

 

[DrDoom]

JUST MAKES ME THE MORE ANGRY LOEB IS GONNA DESTROY THE SHOW

-DOOM

 

[brainchild81]

Another great episode

 

[DrDoom]

LOVE YOUR SIG

-DOOM

 

[ace69]

Why does it take so long for episodes of this show to leak?

 

[Artistsean]

Any screen caps from the show?

 

[Webhead2006]

doom like I pointed out we have no clue what if any changes loeb will bring to the show. For all we know nothing could change. And really just cause most fans don't like approach he took for usm. Doesn't mean he will do that to this show for the time he was on it, or a future show. Every show would probably be treated as a separate thing. So tone/style of one probably won't factor how another is done.

 

[Havok83]

How awesome was Ms. Marvel. Im so glad she is FINALLY on the team. This was well worth the wait. So glad she accepted Tony's offer and that she got to save the day

 

[spideyboy_1111]

it's amazing at how awesome this show is... and how the feel is perfect. Yet Ultimate spider-man is ADD incarnate... and more like "team deadpool" then anything spider-man really.

 

[Panthro]

How awesome was Ms. Marvel. Im so glad she is FINALLY on the team. This was well worth the wait. So glad she accepted Tony's offer and that she got to save the day

Ms. Marvel was all that and a bag of chips. Seems a shame she probably won't be in whatever new Avenger show replaces this one.

 

[Webhead2006]

Who's to say that isn't possible. We have no clue who/what characters, and stories will be used in future shows.

 

[Dread]

The theme for "AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES" second season seems to be picking up the pieces of subplots from the previous season and using their development to propel the second season onward. Naturally, this is the highlight of serialized fiction; amazingly, it is still a bit of an innovative thing in Western TV animation. While previous Marvel shows in history have employed serial storytelling - "X-MEN" and especially "SPIDER-MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES" in the 90's are easy examples - this show utilizes it with refined gusto as well as a lot of action and a decent animation budget. This week's episode, "WELCOME TO THE KREE EMPIRE", is very much a sequel to episodes such as "459" and "KANG DYNASTY" from the previous season. In this regard I find the recaps before the episodes functionally useful - they remind viewers who may not have seen those episodes in a year about the critical bits being referenced in the latest episode. It aids the casual viewer as well as refreshes the long term one - I actually wish comic book recap pages were handled as well.

Spoiler

In the last season, the Avengers met tough soldier Carol Danvers, who worked alongside a scientist who turned out to be the Kree operative Mar-Vell. His caring for Danvers led him to help her and the Avengers defeat the Kree robotic Sentry - an act which stalled the threat for the moment but kicked the can down the curb for another day. This episode IS "another day" as now an invasion force of Kree, including Yon-Rogg, a reluctant Mar-Vell and one of the highest officials in the Kree empire behind the Supreme Intelligence itself - Ronan the Accuser. In the time since "459", when Danvers and the Avengers literally saved the earth from an alien robot, the U.S. has created a new agency called SWORD which is designed to specifically counter alien threats. To this end, Danvers - who was given super powers during the battle with the Sentry robot - is teamed with Abigail Brand in leading the agency and attempting to co-opt Kang's 40th century aircraft, Damocles, for their own ends. Unfortunately, the agency is still in set-up mode and has yet to actually apprehend a single alien and the insufferable Henry Gyrich - better known from the X-Men franchise, although he has a long history making the Avengers' lives miserable as well. The irony is that an invasion by Skrulls has begun, although it is under the radar and probably being kept a secret by SHIELD to avoid a panic. The Kree fleet announces that they are here to judge earth, as the planet exists in their galactic empire; the earthlings will either be judged as worthy to become the Kree's slaves (or colony worlds at best), or be destroyed as threats or nuisances. This leads to Danvers' debut as Ms. Marvel, a superhero name taken in honor of Mar-Vell, in her attempt to stop the Kree invasion and save the planet. To this end she is backed up by her old allies the Avengers - who are short handed as usual and thus only Iron Man, Hulk and "Capt. America" being available. I do like the continued trend of acknowledging when certain members are gone and some idea as to why, instead of simply shrugging like "JUSTICE LEAGUE" often did. In a way the Avengers themselves mostly play second fiddle to Ms. Marvel here, who gets the focus of the episode; considering that Ms. Marvel is set to join the team properly afterward, this more than forgivable and actually matches the roster-joining episodes of Black Panther ("PANTHER'S QUEST") and Captain America ("LIVING LEGEND").

Jennifer Hale reprises her role as Ms. Marvel/Carol Danvers here, and as usual does a bang-up job. She's a veteran voice actress period, but has had a long history of roles in Marvel cartoons; off the top of my head, she was Felicia Hardy/Black Cat in "SPIDER-MAN: TAS", Jean Grey in "WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN", and MJ/Lady Vermin in "SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED". As usual she is capable of portraying a heroine as both tough and occasionally vulnerable or awkward without any of it not being in synch. Danvers was hesitant to debut as a superhero and is genuinely awe-stricken by Avengers such as Iron Man, but when the time comes to stand for what she believes in, she does so without hesitation. More so than her flight and physical strength, her energy absorbing powers play a critical role here, as not even the Hulk is ultimately able to stand up to Ronan for long. Probably the best part of the episode is the difference in opinion between Danvers and Mar-Vell. Danvers naturally sees Mar-Vell as a traitor because he has brought an invasion fleet to earth with the full intent to enslave the human race. To Mar-Vell's perspective, he sees it as the best of two bad options as he is aware of the vastness of the Kree Empire and believes the earth would be destroyed in a war with it. While Ronan dismisses the human spirit as "arrogance", many aliens in sci-fi fiction naturally see the preference to die on one's feet rather than live on their knees as distinctively unique to Earthlings. Naturally, through sheer determination Ms. Marvel proves able to withstand even Ronan's "universal weapon" to save the day. This is very important as while Wasp has been the sole founding heroine on the team - and Black Widow a reoccurring guest role - Ms. Marvel is easily the most powerful heroine the show has yet seen. Hulk fans may be irritated that the Green Goliath got jolly-stomped by Ronan, but I still don't mind a Hulk who isn't simply invincible and unbeatable. Mar-Vell was trying to do what he thought was best for Danvers and earth, although his error was being an outsider who had no idea what it meant to be human, because he isn't. He just played one on TV (roughly). Ms. Marvel's depiction overall was great - and I am quickly becoming a fan of that original costume.

Meanwhile, Agent Brand and Gyrich are forced to survive an invasion of Damocles by the Kree invaders, in which Brand showcases her blunt manner and the fact that she's more than human. Comic fans know that she's a human/alien hybrid, but TV watchers may have to suffice with simply knowing she can shoot energy beams. Sydren, a member of her SWORD crew from the comics (and another Joss Whedon creation), is also introduced as a Kree slave who Brand liberates who is able to utilize "inhuman" hacking skills to get the artificial intelligence of Damocles to work WITH the agents than against them. His character model seemed to frustrate the animation team as it kept shifting. I've never been a fan of Brand in the comics - I feel she's essentially the same sort of stereotype as Maria Hill often is, but she's portrayed fairly well here. Her dry sense of dark humor is on display more, which contrasts her with Hill to a degree. Gyrich naturally is his sniveling and irritating self. Purists may bemoan the fact that the Kree sport their "Ultimate" designs here rather than their traditional ones, but I think it works out very well to make them seem truly alien instead of humans with face-paint.

While Iron Man and Hulk play to type, "Cap" gets his biggest role of the season here. "Cap" seems ever eager to battle the Kree with a zeal the Avenger hasn't had before, and is ever wary of the threat they represent. Naturally, this is because he is a Skrull mole and genetic enemy of the Kree. Both both the Skrulls and the Kree are adversarial in Marvel's comic history, it is worth noting that in terms of the comics, it was the Kree who sparked the original centuries spanning intergalactic war. In ancient times, the Skrulls were more peaceful and trusting, and offered to share their technology with one of two members of a planet they visited - provided they engage in a fair contest of innovation to prove their worth. The humanoid Kree built a city while the sentient plants Cotati made a garden. Based on a sheer rumor that the Cotati were going to win, the Kree destroyed their garden, slaughtered the Skrull visitors and outright stole their technology - which they reverse engineered for their empire of conquest since. The Skrulls became less trusting and more vengeful since; if this show played things out in that way, it could make the upcoming struggle very interesting. "Cap" naturally makes contact with the mothership, noting that the arrival of the Kree elevates their own plans. And what might Kang have to do with all this? He warned that Cap would be key in the destruction of time; was it because this "Cap" is a Skrull, or because Rogers brought Bucky back from time unconsciously last season with the Cosmic Cube, thus leading to the break-down of time?

The animation for the episode was standard; some of the character models shifted and the storyboards were simple, but still engaging. It was the plot which mattered more, and this episode offered it in spades. This is a show which is building towards over the top things like Surtur invading Asgard and the earth being in the middle of a space war at the same time, and none of it feels forced. Sure, the dialogue isn't as nuanced as often is in a Greg Weisman production, but the story is very densely connected and suspenseful, without being too highbrow or confusing. "A:EMH" truly is the best Marvel team show of the 21st century, and could actually be seen as greater than "X-MEN" one day...at least for another 9 episodes. Embrace it while you can.

 

[DrDoom]

it's amazing at how awesome this show is... and how the feel is perfect. Yet Ultimate spider-man is ADD incarnate... and more like "team deadpool" then anything spider-man really.

I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT LOL.

IF THEY KEPT THE SHOW EXACTLY THE SAME BUT SWITCHED OUT SPIDEY WITH DEADPOOL I WOULD PROBABLY LOVE IT, OR AT LEAST NOT HATE IT. USM'S VIBE IS ALMOST PERFECT FOR DEADPOOL, JUST NOT SPIDEY

-DOOM

 

[ace69]

Didn't Loeb say the second half of the season will be more standalones?

 

[Wyrminarrd]

Ms. Marvel was really powerful in this episode, anyone want to bet that she won't be as powerful in episodes that aren't focused on her?

Good episode, this series really is going strong and should get another season.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT LOL.

IF THEY KEPT THE SHOW EXACTLY THE SAME BUT SWITCHED OUT SPIDEY WITH DEADPOOL I WOULD PROBABLY LOVE IT, OR AT LEAST NOT HATE IT. USM'S VIBE IS ALMOSt PERFECT FOR DEADPOOL, JUST NOT SPIDEY

-DOOM

I concur

 

[Havok83]

Ms. Marvel was really powerful in this episode, anyone want to bet that she won't be as powerful in episodes that aren't focused on her?

Good episode, this series really is going strong and should get another season.

I dont doubt that. I was really hoping she'd get to punch Ronan but they really focused on her energy powers here. Overall great debut for her though. I hope she becomes a significant member of the team with some more key moments further down the season

 

[spideyboy_1111]

so i need caught up a bit. Why are people acting like the show is ending?

 

[Grommers]

Great episode, I quite liked it, and great writing all around. Didn't feel typical, and felt like it was actually building up to something.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Couldn't care less about Ms. Marvel. The highlights of this episode for me were SWORD and Abigail Brand. Nice to see Gyrich, too. A cameo by Beast as some kind of science liaison for SWORD would've been amazing, but alas... Oh, and I like the idea of Damocles Base as SWORD's HQ. The Peak's cool, but Damocles definitely fits the metaphor better.