Review by Win Wiacek

In the Marvel universe the Federal government rushed through a scheme to licence, train and regulate all metahumans. The plan split the superhero community, and a terrified and indignant merely mortal populace quivered as a significant faction of their former defenders, led by the ultimate icon of Liberty, Captain America, refused to surrender their autonomy and anonymity to the bureaucratic vicissitudes of the Superhuman Registration Act. The Avengers and Fantastic Four, bedrock teams of the Marvel Universe, fragmented in scenes reminiscent of America’s War Between the States, with “brother pitted against brother”. As the conflict escalated it became clear to all involved that the increasingly bitter fighting was for souls as much as lives.

Both sides battled for love of Country and Constitution and both sides knew they were right…

Amid the division, staunch advocate of the SRA Tony Stark constituted a new Government-approved, S.H.I.E.L.D.-backed team of Avengers to take care of business, and they feature in The Mighty Avengers. At least to begin with. The initial and so-sophisticated story-arc begins as Stark recalls recruiting Black Widow, Ms. Marvel, Sentry, the Wasp, Wonder Man and first-timer Ares, God of War just in time to tackle an invasion of monsters led by the Mole Man.

Brian Michael Bendis shepherded this team of Avengers from Civil War to Secret Invasion, along the way dealing with New York as a seething mass of rampaging, shapeshifting monsters, leaving to concentrate on the Dark Avengers during Dark Reign.

Frank Cho stylishly draws the first arc (sample art left) featuring the return of Ultron, while Mark Bagley (sample art right) concentrates on solid storytelling when the Venom Bomb hits. Thereafter it’s a succession of artists on individual, but connecting stories, all of them offering slick and stylish slices of breathtaking all-action entertainment.

Bendis’ Mighty Avengers is a gloriously wry and raunchy rollercoaster ride blending blockbuster action with cocky optimism and often outrageous humour. This was previously available as four slimmer Mighty Avengers volumes titled The Ultron Initiative, Venom Bomb, Secret Invasion Book One and Secret Invasion Book Two.