AVENGERS # 16 Review

Reviewing AVENGERS # 16 by Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer and Stefano Caselli from Marvel Comics. Available at Comicx Hub and Castle Geek.

Again another smashing good time as INFINITY races towards us. In this issue things are really looking bad for Earth's mightiest heroes. The mystery creature that hatched from AIM Island has finally reached the team in Perth, Australia. 

Well what can I say, I'm a sucker for a good story and great art. And thanks to Msrs. Hickman, Spencer and Casselli I have that this month. And as a bonus treat, more Hulk action and a look at the two New Universe characters we haven't seen for a couple of issues already. 

If you think the last issue had stunning art, then prepared to be floored as Caselli wows us with great battles, explosions and facial expressions on characters. Plus the man draws a pretty damn good 'hulk out' panel. Of course we also have to thank Frank Martin Jr. for his amazing contribution to make this a colorful yet deadly dead. 

It's pretty obvious from the way things are written that Hickman has taken a back seat. The good news is that it's not sorely missed. In fact, it's a breathe of fresh air for readers who have started with this book. Although one thing obviously missing in this issue is the cryptic stuff that Jonathan Hickman has been known for. But the dude is busy with INFINITY so let's just let him be for the meantime.

This is Spencer's show and he shows that he's worthy of the title. He brings the same energy that makes me read the current volume of Secret Avengers (the one with Nick Fury Jr. and Agent Coulson). Rather than focusing the story on secret missions and black ops projects, the energy is diverted to world savingl, grand fights with unknown entities. That works for me by the way.

Another interesting subplot that gets revisited in this issue is the fate of Starbrand and Nightmask; characters we haven't seen for awhile. The exposition on their character gets done mostly through dialogue and we only see a small hint of Starbrand's power. It's like talking about a shotgun's power but never really demonstrating it.

Overall, I love AVENGERS # 16. Get it if you're a fan of the book or if you really want an in-depth feel to Marvel's upcoming INFINITY storyline.

AVENGERS # 16 is still available in all CASTLE GEEK branches and online thru COMICX HUB (Click on the link HERE to order)

New Costume Concept Art for Captain America in 'The Winter Soldier'

I love the fact that Marvel Studios went ahead in incorporating the 'Commander Rogers' design for Captain America's costume for CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER. Check out the photo below to see what I'm talking about. 

Now that we're talking about the WINTER SOLDIER/ Bucky Barnes, here's a close-up shot of Sebastian Stan as the new villain.

A Fairly Revamped Look for Marvel's Valkyrie

Valkyrie has been a lot of things to a lot of people. In another universe she was Thor's girlfriend, in the 616 she was a member of the Secret Avengers, a shieldmaiden for Asgardia and until most recently a member of the Fearless Defenders. But her costume's never changed. Artist Mark Brooks does away with that and gives us a new redesigned costume to go along with her new team.

That or we have another new Mark Brooks statue from Sideshow Collectibles coming very soon. Still can't get over the Scarlet Witch and Psylocke statues he did.

Nick Fury Jr. is a Bastard - Secret Avengers # 1

If there's one thing that I thoroughly hated about Secret Avengers # 1 by Nick Spencer and Luke Ross, it's got to be Nick Fury Jr aka Marcus Johnson. 

Actually everything in this book is nice for me. There's a nice bit of mystery, some unwitting agents who eventually will outgrow their unwillingness. There's also a shadowy government agency that's pulling everybody's strings. There's also some interesting technology here in Secret Avengers # 1 but what really rubs me the wrong way here is Marcus Johnson.

Moon Knight Joins the Fight in "Age of Ultron"

Marvel shares a couple of 'new' images featuring one-time Secret Avenger Moon Knight rendered by Bryan Hitch.

Age of Ultron will be written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Bryan Hitch, Carlos Pacheco and Brandon Peterson.

Secret Avengers 22 Spoilers - Who are the Avengers Up Against?

Here's a quick spoiler for Secret Avengers 22 by Rick Remender and Gabriel Hardman from Marvel Comics.

The new gang square off against a new threat with brand new members and a new leader in the form of Hawkeye.

Secret Avengers # 27 Brings Back Captain Marvel

Is Marvel Comics really planning on bringing back their cosmic heavy hitter Captain Marvel in the pages of Avengers vs X-Men or AvX?

Seems like that's the case. What's really funky about this cover is that its the old costume. Oh and yes, that is the Phoenix Force that he is soaring out of. And the two characters in the cover? Those are his "legacy" characters - Ms. Marvel and the alternate universe Kree champ The Protector. 

Rick Remender Writes Secret Avengers Just Like a Scene from Mission Impossible

Looking at the previews for Secret Avengers # 21.1 you could see that the writer Rick Remender patterned some scenes after the hit movie.

Critically acclaimed writer Rick Remender kicks his explosive run on Secret Avengers in style in Secret Avengers #21.1! Joined by superstar artist Patrick Zircher, Remender sends Captain America’s covert strike force into the belly of the beast as he and Hawkeye uncover a huge threat to the Marvel Universe. The two must break into Red Light Nation, a country run by criminals FOR criminals, to stop an evil plot from breaching the border…headed up by an all-new Masters of Evil?! No fan can miss this perfect jumping on point as Remender and Zircher take the Secret Avengers on action packed thrill ride uncovering the dark underbelly of the Marvel Universe. It all begins next month in Secret Avengers #21.1!

Human Torch and Captain Britain Join Secret Avengers

A new image from Marvel's Secret Avengers features a new group of Secret Avengers which will be led by new team leader Hawkeye and written by new writer Rick Remender.

So here's the rundown of the new team:

• Hawkeye
• Beast
• Valkyrie
• Black Widow
• Ant-Man
• Venom
• Human Torch
• Captain Britain

The new artist for the team is former Hulk artist Gabriel Hardman. To find out more about the new Secret Avengers click HERE.