And there came a day, unlike any other, when Doctor Doom ruled the world…and he needed an Avengers team all of his own! Kristoff Vernard, son of Victor Von Doom, has been tasked with building the newest iteration of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! But who are these would-be heroes? And how did they come to be the Superior Avengers? Superior Avengers #1 is an interesting addition to the “One World Under Doom” status quo that adds a new wrinkle with a lot of potential.
“One World Under Doom” has been an excellent shift in Marvel’s status quo. Dr. Doom has taken over the world as Sorcerer Supreme and has brought… peace and prosperity!? Governments have fallen into line and the people seem to be rather accepting of his rule. It’s an intriguing concept that asks readers to think about what they’d accept for a better life. Would you live under a dictator if they brought with them better healthcare, education, and wages? Would you give up liberty for the perception of it if it brought stability? This won’t last forever, we know that, but where this goes, and how it topples will be intriguing. A piece of that puzzle seems to be in Superior Avengers #1.
Written by Steve Foxe Superior Avengers #1 is Doom’s team of heroes. Instead of recruiting villains or heroes from our time, he and his son have plucked them from future timelines where Doom’s rule has supposedly brought prosperity. But has it? With a team made up of Malekith, Onslaught, Abomination, Doctor Octopus, Ghost, and Killmonger, it’s one with slight twists on characters we know. It also delivers hints at futures that might come and that the current peace doesn’t last.
The art by Luca Maresca and Kyle Hotz with color by Mattia Iacono and lettering by Cory Petit is solid. The characters look both familiar but twisted in a way and the action is entertaining with a nice flow to it. While the visuals aren’t flashy, they do have a nice aspect that has been seen on a lot of tie-in comics in that it’s both insidious as well as cheery in a way. The visuals are bright but the characters have an ominous feel. It’s an interesting balance and enhances and emphasizes the feel of Doom’s rule and reach.
Superior Avengers #1 is a good issue. It explains everything going on and generally who these characters are but doesn’t bog things down in details. It teases some twists and the direction to come showing a crack in Doom’s near perfect world. It’s far more than a new take on the Thunderbolts or other instances of villains pretending to good. As a whole, it’s a nice addition to the ongoing meta narrative that currently is the focus of the Marvel Universe.
Story: Steve Foxe Art: Luca Maresca, Kyle Hotz
Color: Mattia Iacono Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
