Duck Fox

Cause and effect. This basic principle dictates literally everything in our lives. If we take an action, then we can be certain that it will have some sort of consequence. So it's fitting that the epic actions the Avengers took in Jonathan Hickman's space operatic limited series Infiinity have come back to bite them in the ass. Though what's also fitting is that Avengers World, written by Nick Spencer with assistance from Jonathan Hickman himself, is definitely not the appropriate starting point for newbies looking to figure out what all the fuss with Avengers is about. Taking the place of the second Avengers monthly issue, Avengers World picks up some of the threads spun by that book and New Avengers.

The book opens with Captain America and Bruce Banner approaching new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Maria Hill, hoping to get into the nitty gritty of more closely incorporating S.H.I.E.L.D. operations with the operations of the Avengers. When the conversation actually starts, it ends up being about the mayhem happening all around the globe. There's crazy seismic and meteorological activity all up and down the Eastern coast of the US. Thor and Hyperion are on the job there, but Bruce still volunteers to figure out the origin of the problem. Meanwhile in Madripoor, people are rioting inexplicably, forcing Black Widow, Wolverine and Falcon to step in. At the same time in Velletai, Italy, Starbrand, Nightmask, Hawkeye and Spider-Woman encounter a mysterious object. Starbrand, being new to the whole "superhero" thing, touches it and activates it somehow, knocking electronics offline. But that's hardly the biggest problem-- Shang-Chi gets to have a nice conversation with a Hand ninja who reveals that Madripoor has secretly been built on the home of a giant tortoise.... But it gets crazier! In Italy, the object Kevin sets off apparently relates to deceased people somehow, because it starts screaming at him (though only he can hear it), warning him of some type of trouble down the pipeline.

We close with Smasher, Sunspot and Cannonball flying over A.I.M. Island and confronting a souped up beekeeper (as in, member of A.I.M. in standard A.I.M attire). Except, as Smasher takes a blast from the scientist's armaments, the island changes to Barbuda.

If you had doubts that this book would require frantic rereading, then they should now be alleviated. But even if you don't quite understand what's going on, you can rest assured that Avengers World is an excellent starting point. The action sequences are stunningly drawn by Stefano Caselli, and though the exposition is a little heavy at times, this is clearly a book that excels at setting up things. It's not quite a must buy just yet, but it's more than worth the price of admission if you're a fan of Hickman's other work.

8.0/10

• Fan of Jonathan Hickman's Avengers and/or New Avengers
• Want the full piece of the puzzle regarding the aforementioned series
• Need more cool, earthshattering action setpieces in your life

• Hard to follow for newbies
• Don't need to think with your action
• Can wait for the trade