Young Avengers #4 Review
Written by Kieron Gillen
Drawn by Jamie McKelvie w/ Mike Norton
Colored by Matthew Wilson
Review by Joey Braccino
Let me set the scene for you:
Three issues ago, young Billy “Wiccan” Caplan cast a spell to bring the mother of his boyfriend, Teddy, back to life.
Two issues ago, it’s revealed that the spell didn’t exactly go as planned and, suddenly, THINGS GET WEIRD.
One issue ago, Billy, Teddy, and Kid Loki are joined by Miss America Chavez as they battle their “resurrected” parentals and, on their downtime, go clubbing.
This issue, Kate “Hawkeye” Bishop and Noh “Not Marvel Boy Anymore” Var join the action.
Now that that’s out of the way, here are five reasons why Young Avengers #4 is one of the best comics on the stands today:
1) The opening sequence features one of the most innovative lay-outs for an action scene I have ever seen in four-colors. I’d describe it here, but you absolutely, positively need to see it for yourself.
2) Noh-Var’s Kree-ness extends past his prime physique and deft CQC and into his delightfully off-worldly narration.
3) The title of this issue is “Deus Ex Machine Gunner.” #AwesomeNameAndSweetIndieRockBand
4) Kid Loki undercuts our understanding of reality.
5) Have I mentioned Billy Caplan’s hair before? Because it’s glorious.
6) Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Mike Norton, and Matthew Wilson work together in perfect synergy to tell a comics story that is both post-modernly crafted and emotionally resonant. These teens are fighting their supposed-to-be-dead parents. It doesn’t get more #realtalk than that.
Verdict
Buy it. There are multiple reasons why this book might be just what you’re looking for. Want to see strapping young men in tights leaping about shooting lasers? Got it. Want to see strapping young ladies be bad@$$? Got that, too. Want to see a comic created by people that relish the opportunity to use and experiment with the medium itself to tell the most creative story possible? Now that’s winner for me. Kieron Gillen’s Young Avengers is my cup of tea, and if you’re not down with that, then I’ve got two words for you: Totally. Loco.
