SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! The U.S.Avengers have been broken – but now it’s time to fight back!  In exile…believed dead…surrounded by HYDRA forces… Squirrel Girl and Enigma get a much-needed assist…from Guillotine and the Champions of Europe!

I have to admit, I found it difficult to come up with a review that could really get my feelings across about this issue.  That’s not to say that I hated it, because I didn’t.  But I’m not going to say this was the most fantastic issue of a comic I’ve ever read either. I think the best word to describe this issue, to me anyways, is mediocre. Al Ewing doesn’t really give use much in this issue, which feels like nothing more then a filler story. There’s some good action and we see that Hydra’s reach is global (I’m still amazed how fast that happened, Marvel) but really that’s all. There is some questionable dialogue and some long, very dry banter about the mechanics of someone’s powers that just added to a really flat story.

Thankfully, the art by Paco Medina, Juan Vlasco and Jesus Aburtov at least make this flat story nice to look at. As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before in past reviews, I love the depiction of the characters; the action scenes and the bold colors; it all just feels like it’s wasted in this issue with this dull filler story.

Overall, not a great showing story wise for the U.S.Avengers.  I do understand this is a tie in series, and not every issue is going to be explosive, but I am a little disappointed in Ewing’s efforts here. I’ve really been enjoying his work lately, but this stumble really surprised me. I did enjoy seeing the Champions of Europe, as I was wondering what happened to these characters after Contest of Champions, but it was the only bright spot for me. As I said, I didn’t totally hate this issue but I wasn’t overjoyed by it either. Great art to look at it, but the story unfortunately felt a little weak.

Story: Al Ewing Art: Paco Medina Ink: Juan Vlasco Color: Jesus Aburtov
Story: 4.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 6.5 Recommendation: Read (if you want the tie in) 

Marvel Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE issue for review