Iron Man and War Machine have put together a new team of Avengers – one that includes villains seeking a path to redemption. Their case study? Ultron – who, against all odds, seems to be walking the straight and narrow… for now. But does the success of one guarantee the success of all? Spider-Woman and Firestar have their doubts. And can any amount of heroics really absolve Ultron of his past? West Coast Avengers #1 is a fantastic debut with a new idea, solid action, great humor, and actual surprises.

West Coast Avengers was never a team I cared about. As a whole, Avengers is a comic I’d skip growing up. But, this new team, and it’s new direction, felt like one to check out.

Written by Gerry Duggan, the new West Coast Avengers are the classic Avengers meet the Thunderbolts. Headed up by Iron Man and War Machine, the team features traditional heroes but also villains looking to reform. First up are Blue Bolt and… Ultron!? Yes, the homicidal and genocidal killer robot is now an Avenger!

Duggan teases how this came to be but doesn’t deliver a straight answer. The first issue emphasizes that the team is kind of a mess and that there’s a lot of trust issues. West Coast Avengers #1‘s focus is that team dynamic. Iron Man/Tony Stark isn’t quite the strong man of the past. Spider-Woman thinks it’s all off the rails. War Machine is the most focused of the team. Ultron is timid and just… odd. And Blue Bolt, is the ass of the team. Next joining is Firestar, who we find out is at the bottom of the bottle after her recent undercover work.

The art by Danny Kim is good. The comic has some good action sequences and features some iconic Los Angeles locations but it’s the body language and small details that really stand out. With Arthur Hesli on color and Joe Caramagna coloring, the visuals really much the comedic undertones of the comic with a light, almost goofy sense about it all.

West Coast Avengers #1 is solid in the team dynamic with some action to show off their dynamic and really nail down that this is a shitshow of a team. With some great humor and just unexpected moments (that ending!), it’s a great debut that leaves us wanting more.

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Danny Kim
Color: Arthur Hesli Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle