AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #1: Not to be confused with the Bendis-penned one shot, THE INITITATIVE, Dan Slott's new ongoing that has been anticipated for almost a year finally comes out, with art by Caselli (YA/RUNAWAYS). The expectations for this book from both fans and Marvel were high and I believe both were met. My shop had loads of copies (I bought the cover that had Justice and the newer characters). And the story has Slott using all the tools of his arsenal. I know when some people heard "serious" from him, they got concerned, but I never did. Because even in his works where the theme is usually some kind of "good natured/dark humor", like GLA and SPIDER-MAN/HUMAN TORCH, there is plenty of suspence, mood, and sometimes darkness there. Mr. Immortal's plight was in no way funny. The heart shown between the Richard and Parker families and between the two young heroes was not merely for laughs. Just some people, by nature of our dark medium, are quick to sandbox Slott as being a "comedy" guy simply because he can be light and funny at times. Hopefully this title proves how well rounded he is. This issue does have light moments, and some jokes in it. No question. But that is because Slott stories vary in mood, vs. just keeping one throughout. We are first introduced to the drill sarge, The Gauntlet, who was plucked off of combat duty in Iraq (fighting HYDRA) to teach the recruits at their Stamford base by Gyrich, a task he at first scoffs at but is convinced because, apparently, M-Day erasing 90% of mutants left the U.S. at the top of the "super powers" race, so they only want the best for their investments. Nevermind the fact that we rarely saw even mutants outside the U.S. in the same dramatic numbers, and it works. The three main instructors, War Machine, Justice, and Yellowjacket, bring in some new recruits. Cloud 9, the self-doubting, anxious heroine, is easily going to become the fan fave so far. MVP, grandson of the creator of Cap's super-soldier serum, is a athletic prodigy that does seem familier to Patriot. Throw in Arsenal, Hardball, Trauma, and Komodo, and we have ourselves some rookies. Also having speaking lines/appreances are Thor Girl, Rage, Slapstick, Ulra-Girl, Stingray, and Bengal, amung others for the keen eye. It may seem odd that Justice is with The Inititative, but Slott doesn't gloss over his NW history. When MVP's parents bring it up, he counters it. And when Gauntlet uses the NW's name as an example for "failing heroes", Vance takes issue with it. No, he doesn't throw a power-mad temper tantrum that some fans would have expected, but it's there. He's not as gung-ho for trashing the Warriors like the others are, and that perspective is why he is key for the faculty. Plus, much like Pym and Stark, one could say he is a hero who "made a mistake and knows that heroes should be accountable", as he accidentally killed his abusive father, went to trail and served jailtime in the Vault for it. This is his best chance in years for some top billing and who better than Slott. I don't care for Rage's retro look again, though, and he seems to be going through the training simply because with Cap's surrender, it is the only option. But the core focus is on Slott's new creations, which is what you'd expect. Komodo is a girl who gained powers by swiping Dr. Conner's "lizard" formula, an idea I am surprised we haven't seen more often. Trauma (or "emo boy" as Gauntlet calls him) can literally become whatever the person nearest him fears, which is a unique power. Haven't seen much of Hardball and he kind of looks like a generic energy-blaster type. Arsenal is sort of like Witchblade in that she has a weapon on her arm that morphs into whatever she needs to blast someone. They do the tryouts and that is when things get dark. Arsenal wigs out when Trauma turns into a massive spider to demonstrate, and she madly blasts about. MVP dives to save a frozen Cloud 9, and takes a shot in the head, seemingly dying. Yeah, Slott did this once before, with Grasshopper in GLA. But this time it was more serious and it still worked and made the point about how dangerous this gig is. Plus, it was an original character made for that issue, so not as much whining. One young hero has her powers stripped from her (Arsenal) and one is killed (MVP), heckuva way to start issue #1. But what about this "discovery" that the doc doing MVP's autopsy found? And will a base that sets up a training facility for teenage heroes in which they can be traumatized or even slain come under legal fire (I could SO see MVP's parents staging a lawsuit)? The concept of the government using veteran heroes to train new teams of them in an official manner is a good idea and in a way I am glad to see it, even if the cost was CW. Slott is definately the right man for the job of having this series introduce new faces and showcase the wide range of the MU. Despite the flaws of CW, the fresh soil from under the scorched earth is starting to grow some pretty flowers, and this title looks to be one of them. The art, as expected, rocks, and I didn't have any issue with the colors (even if I have seen better). Can't wait for issue #2, as it should be. And hey! It was a complete story while obviously having subplots for the next, instead of simply relying on a cliffhanger. Go Slott Go!
