BEST SHOTS EXTRA: AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE ANNUAL #1

[MattBrady]

Best Shots Extra
Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1
From: Marvel
Writers: Dan Slott with Christos Gage
Art: Salvador Larocca, Clayton Henry, Paul Neary, Steve Uy, Tom Feister, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Patrick Scherberger, David Meikis
Review by Troy Brownfield

Here’s a crazy idea for an annual: take the regular writer of a title, give him a writing partner that excels at action stories, give them five strong art teams in order to tell five separate stories, and make it all simultaneously bound by the continuity of the regular series while being accessible (and flashback heavy) enough to be able to both entertain your core readership and potentially hook new fans. Impossible, you say? Not at all.

I’ve enjoyed The Initiative ongoing from day one, largely because of Dan Slott’s remarkable ability to cram so much into an issue. While other books are still swirling in a mid-‘90s morass of pin-up shots and chains of death that supposedly substitute for character development, this title has juggled over a dozen characters, probably as many plots (from shady government conspiracies to youngsters-learing-to-be-heroes tales), and runs the gamut from hilarious to action-paced to frightening (the Slapstick twist) in the space of a single issue. Slott not only knows a thing or ten about pacing and maximum use of twenty-two pages; he has the uncanny ability to nail the distinct voice of nearly every character in the Marvel Universe.

So, to someone who has followed this book diligently, this issue is a real reward. Delving into various origins and backstories, it serves to clear up some lingering questions and drive new elements of the overall story forward. One background character has his role more clearly defined (and that definition involves green suits), two characters have a heretofore unseen connection revealed, and a last page twist confirms that for all the trouble that they’ve been through since their formation, the teams of the 50 State Initiative are in for their biggest challenge yet.

In terms of the assembled artists, they do a great job of capturing the typical look of the series. They aren’t aping any artist’s style, but rather striving for a unity of effect that works well for the larger issue. Also, praise should be heaped on the gathered colorists for using the same muted tones that the regular ongoing often employs. This attention to consistency makes the book seem like an indispensable part of the whole of The Initative.

We also get a look at The Liberteens, Pennsylvania’s representatives in the 50 State program. The membership is a clever update of the Liberty Legion, with each young hero a modern version of a classic Marvel character (2D represents the Thin Man; Revolutionary for Patriot; Whiz Kid for Whizzer; Hope for Blue Diamond; and so on). One also has to wonder if there’s a bit of a nudge and a wink to the current JSA here, a callback of sorts to the days when Squadron Supreme and the Imperial Guard were knowing references to teams from the Distinguished Competition.

Overall, this is a pretty enjoyable issue that answers questions while propelling the story forward. Obviously, the regular series isn’t so far along that a new reader couldn’t catch up, but this issue could still work as a solid intro to the characters if you’ve never picked up an Initiative book before. Much credit is due to Slott, Gage, and the veritable army of artists and colorists for pulling this off.

[Marvel Man]

Wow, Slott & Gage. That is a major league team-up, let the fun ensue...

[Salieri]

So, Gauntlet and Armory have the same Origin, eh? Clever, Dan, very clever.

I'm hoping she gets her glove back soon, she was cute.

[POWRSURG]

Heh, Liberteens.

[Kevin G]

Forget Bendis.

Slott knows how to craft tales that acknowledge continuity and keep the characters' true voices (not giving them voices that are out-of-character just to fit the plot a la BMB and Millar).

All that and he's able to keep humor, cliffhangers, and multiple plotlines running all in the same book.

Di Giandomenico's art in the regular monthly has been superior to a lot of other stuff Marvel is publishing, and Steve Uy has been a very welcome addition as a fill-in (been a fan of his from the get-go, so it's nice to see him on a Marvel book that's a good fit for him).

Can't wait for this!

[Scott Mateo]

Hope we get to see more developments on where Justice stands.

[Marius665]

this is gonna be sweet

since Taskmaster is gonna be an instructor like Gauntlet, they shoud have used the UDON design

I'm dying to see Gravity in the Initiative

when are we going to see a Chicago team, they should make it a Marvel Knights team

or how about giving Nighthawk a team in Washington state with members like Stingray, Hellcat, Constrictor and others like that?!?!

[Big Red]

I really enjoy this book.

Looking forward to the Annual.

[artiepants]

Originally Posted by Marius665

since Taskmaster is gonna be an instructor like Gauntlet, they shoud have used the UDON design

ackkk! no, the original is such a classic and that UDON one is so cliche...

Originally Posted by Marius665

I'm dying to see Gravity in the Initiative

oh, yeah, i'd really love to see Gravity and Eric O'Grady in a really antagonistic team-up: just seems like personality wise they'd be at opposite ends of the spectrum...

[LuisMa316]

since Taskmaster is gonna be an instructor like Gauntlet, they shoud have used the UDON design

I dont know. while i do love it,it does look a bit too anime .

[buhe]

Originally Posted by Salieri

So, Gauntlet and Armory have the same Origin, eh? Clever, Dan, very clever.

I'm hoping she gets her glove back soon, she was cute.

And blameless since it was Pym and the other's fault that MVP was killed because putting Trauma, who had no control over his powers, in the same room with the others was no different then filling the room with a gas that cause hallucinations.

It proves that they don't practice what they preach because Pym and the others were very irresponsible and Pym desperately doesn't want anyone to know since he such a wannabe loser.

If she does come back and Pym gives her a lecture about being responsible as if she was at fault with the MVP incident, then Pym will seem even more pathetic then before and I hope he falls from grace again.

[KWillyVox]

Originally Posted by Kevin G

Forget Bendis.

Slott knows how to craft tales that acknowledge continuity and keep the characters' true voices (not giving them voices that are out-of-character just to fit the plot a la BMB and Millar).

All that and he's able to keep humor, cliffhangers, and multiple plotlines running all in the same book.

Di Giandomenico's art in the regular monthly has been superior to a lot of other stuff Marvel is publishing, and Steve Uy has been a very welcome addition as a fill-in (been a fan of his from the get-go, so it's nice to see him on a Marvel book that's a good fit for him).

Can't wait for this!

FORGET BENDIS!?! WELL...THAT'S LIKE, YOUR OPINION...MAN

[ThorEl3]

Liberteens? Golden Age connection? Assigned to my home state!? WIN!!

Out-frigging-standing. I love the JSA, and Infinity Inc was a blast as well. The more Marvel uses characters and inspirations from its Golden Age history, the better.

Though, since I live a good 5 hours west of Philly (and two hours east of Pittsburgh), I doubt they'll ever come out my way.

Still, woot!!

[Marius665]

Originally Posted by KWillyVox

FORGET BENDIS!?! WELL...THAT'S LIKE, YOUR OPINION...MAN

agree, love me sum Bendis

Originally Posted by LuisMa316

I dont know. while i do love it,it does look a bit too anime .

you act as if Stefano Caselli's art isn't anime inspired, it would look great if he drew it

[christosgage]

Originally Posted by Marvel Man

Wow, Slott & Gage. That is a major league team-up, let the fun ensue...

First we fought, due to a misunderstanding. Only then did we work things out and team up.

Oh, and I totally won.

[Marius665]

isn't Moon Knight from Chicago, IL?

he could be a team leader, and you could team him up with Sentry since everyone hates him being on Mighty Avengers, and plus both of them are literally crazy!

[stentremix]

Originally Posted by christosgage

First we fought, due to a misunderstanding. Only then did we work things out and team up.

and this is why I love this guy.

[Merai]

It's funny, I was actually very, VERY excited about A: TI before it started and Dan Slott has killed it. I honestly think I like his work less and less with each issue, and can't understand the praise it gets, even though I had no real problem with him before this title. He writes with NO subtlety, especially in his generally poor dialogue. Things are crammed and poorly done There is no depth behind any of his characters- especially the A: TI ones. He absolutely cannot write shades of grey, only black and white, which is particularly appaling in this title. He loves to use continuity, sure, unless he disagrees with it in which case it's either totally ignored or else twisted entirely. And let's not even go into how much he's willing to twist characterization to tell the tale he wants to tell, because I have no idea who the hell are walking around claiming they're Hank Pym and Jim Rhodes. I don't hate the book, for all that, it has entertaining overall ideas, but the execution is very poor and my enthusiasm has all been killed.

Christos Gage, on the other hand, is awesome. It'll be funny to see how this turns out.

[Troy Brownfield]

Originally Posted by Merai

And let's not even go into how much he's willing to twist characterization to tell the tale he wants to tell, because I have no idea who the hell are walking around claiming they're Hank Pym and Jim Rhodes.

Outrageous! Who could possibly be walking around in the Marvel Universe claiming to be someone that they aren't?

Oh, wait . . .

[bigdaddyhub]

Originally Posted by Merai

It's funny, I was actually very, VERY excited about A: TI before it started and Dan Slott has killed it. I honestly think I like his work less and less with each issue, and can't understand the praise it gets, even though I had no real problem with him before this title. He writes with NO subtlety, especially in his generally poor dialogue. Things are crammed and poorly done There is no depth behind any of his characters- especially the A: TI ones. He absolutely cannot write shades of grey, only black and white, which is particularly appaling in this title. He loves to use continuity, sure, unless he disagrees with it in which case it's either totally ignored or else twisted entirely. And let's not even go into how much he's willing to twist characterization to tell the tale he wants to tell, because I have no idea who the hell are walking around claiming they're Hank Pym and Jim Rhodes. I don't hate the book, for all that, it has entertaining overall ideas, but the execution is very poor and my enthusiasm has all been killed.

Christos Gage, on the other hand, is awesome. It'll be funny to see how this turns out.

Wow. I can't believe I disagreed with literally every thing you just wrote. Amazing.

[Marius665]

Originally Posted by bigdaddyhub

Wow. I can't believe I disagreed with literally every thing you just wrote. Amazing.

a look of astonishment came over my face, I have to completly agree with you man

[Salieri]

Someone seems to be reading Slott wrong. I think this guy is bluffing that he's read A: TI, it sounds more like a response to Swing Shift, the only bad thing I've ever read of Slott's.

but no, apart from T-Bolts, ATI is perhaps the best political book Marvel has, because it displays both Conservative and Liberal views for older readers, and big hero fights for the Kidsm - like that Ben Grimm cameo!

[Nas-Vell]

Loving this book. I've enjoyed every issue so far and constantly make the effort to sell it at work to whoever I can. It's good, fun, and the characters are awesome. Slott's writing is easy to follow and yet makes use of continuity (even obscure stuff like events from Slapstick #1).

And Christos Gage, you say? What's not to like about Christos Gage? He's friggin' awesome!

[VocalMan81]

Originally Posted by christosgage

First we fought, due to a misunderstanding. Only then did we work things out and team up.

Such is the way of all things.

[Nas-Vell]

Originally Posted by bigdaddyhub

Wow. I can't believe I disagreed with literally every thing you just wrote. Amazing.

Like, ditto.