THE AVENGERS (2026) #1 / Script by CHIP ZDARSKY / Art by MARCO CHECCHETTO / Colors by MATTHEW WILSON / Letters by VC’s CORY PETIT / Published by MARVEL COMICS
It’s Election Day in New York City and tensions are on the rise. Mayor Luke Cage is fighting for his political life against an opponent running on an anti-superhuman platform. Unfortunately, this is a smart move given the United Nations is outlawing “enhanced abilities” in the wake of the Red Hulk killing thousands as part of a campaign to “bring democracy to the world.” The only reason the United States isn’t signing on is because they think the new resolution is impossible to enforce. Still, the resulting scandal has led to the Avengers disasseembling.
However, there’s still a need for heroes in this world. Perhaps now more than ever. And Peter Parker’s Spider-Sense is warning him that something big is coming. Something that, unbeknownst to him, will hit him very close to home. Something involving an invasion of angels. And something that will find him leading a team of more grounded heroes (plus one confused demi-god) into battle…
The Avengers #1 brings a lot of baggage with its first issue. This is unsurprising given the plot is based on two other comics written by Chip Zdarsky, the current Amazing Spider-Man and Uncanny X-Men runs, and the most recent Avengers event. Yet somehow, between the exposition in the text and the summary on the title page, this is all easily assembled for a new reader to understand.
In truth, however, the actual plot and setup are incidental to the true focus of this issue and that is on the characters. Zdarsky’s greatest strength as a writer has always been how he emphasizes the “human” part of “superhuman.” So while the plot is the classic Marvel tale of street-level heroes dealing with cosmic problems way above their paygrade, the best bits are outside of the action.
Luke Cage may not be relatable as a man with unbreakable skin or a job in politics. But as a man trying to get five minutes away from work to talk to his wife on a busy day, he feels like like you or me or someone we know. The relationship between the new Miracleman and Logan hits hard, for who knows better than Wolverine what it is to be transformed into something both more and less than human? And then there’s the magical scenes between Captain Marvel and Daredevil – two thrill-seeking heroes who have battled addiction – and the hint that Carol and Matt might be finding romance.
However, don’t think for a moment there isn’t any action in this issue! There is a lot! And I can’t think of a better artist to illustrate it than Marco Checchetto. It’s good to see that he’s bounced to another A-List series after the success of the new Ultimate Spider-Man, as his unique style deserves its own art book.
The cliche of a picture being worth a thousand words is apt, but I think Checchetto might be short-changed if I tried to spend twice that many words describing his art. So I won’t bother. I’ll just give you another sample of his work, as I also praise colorist Matthew Wilson and letterer Cory Petit for providing the perfect finishes to one fantastic looking book.
There’s a lot to like in The Avengers #1 and it promises to be the start of something big. This is a Marvel comic of the old school, equal parts intense action and personal drama.
