OFFICIAL New Avengers: The Reunion #1 Thread - NOW ON SALE!

[Jim @ Marvel]

We are 1 week out from release and there will be an onslaught of attention coming it seems over the next 8 days. So, let the official thread begin! Please keep it spoiler free until the issue hits.

First up: a NINE page preview of issue 1 from IGN.com:
http://comics.ign.com/articles/956/956764p1.html

That second scene was one of my favorites to write. And pay attention on the recap page-- I consider it a story page as there are clues and elements in there that will play out over the series.

Enjoy!

Also, a podcast from Marvel.com: http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.7003

[Dr. Hackenbush]

I like the preview. The dialogue was good. The only thing that was weird to me was Clint calling Cap "kid". The guy is technically in his early eighties, after all.:-P If that scene was a taste of how Cap and Clint will interact in New Avengers then there should be some more equally interesting scenes between those two somewhere down the line.

Also, if those two eventually throw down my money is on the guy with the gun and the bionic arm.:)

Funny enough, my only nitpick about the preview is the introductory page (the Samson letter).

It says "See update sent to Captain America. Advising that a close eye be kept on her during this period of adjustment."

Has Samson even met Barnes before? Even if he has, in addition to being a mental health professional, Samson is a registered hero and, at the very least, this communication could be a conflict of interest between his practice and his registration status with the govt. and, worst case scenario, it could be construed by Osborn and HAMMER as a criminal act.

Am I missing something that would explain this?

[Dr. Hackenbush]

I also meant to mention that, being a loyal A:TI reader, I'm a fan of Daniele Rudoni's coloring and am quite glad that same talent is a part of this series.

[Jim @ Marvel]

I like the preview. The dialogue was good. The only thing that was weird to me was Clint calling Cap "kid". The guy is technically in his early eighties, after all.:-P If that scene was a taste of how Cap and Clint will interact in New Avengers then there should be some more equally interesting scenes between those two somewhere down the line.

Also, if those two eventually throw down my money is on the guy with the gun and the bionic arm.:)

Funny enough, my only nitpick about the preview is the introductory page (the Samson letter).

It says "See update sent to Captain America. Advising that a close eye be kept on her during this period of adjustment."

Has Samson even met Barnes before? Even if he has, in addition to being a mental health professional, Samson is a registered hero and, at the very least, this communication could be a conflict of interest between his practice and his registration status with the govt. and, worst case scenario, it could be construed by Osborn and HAMMER as a criminal act.

Am I missing something that would explain this?

Glad you liked it!

In my mind, Clint refers to Bucky as kid because he still looks younger than Clint- one of the many layers that made writing these two together fun.

As for Samson, with Norman in charge & doing, um, THINGS to the Initiative, Samson's first priority is to his patient, not Osborn. In A:TI, Mock is seen in the support group, reporting to Samson as a person abducted. She told him everything that happened to her, including that she is with the "renegade" Avengers now. Since Samson will take his patient's best interest at heart, he would send this to Cap (Bucky). I don't see this as a report he filed with Norman or HAMMER, but rather from his personal files. Does that make sense?

[Jim @ Marvel]

I also meant to mention that, being a loyal A:TI reader, I'm a fan of Daniele Rudoni's coloring and am quite glad that same talent is a part of this series.

He's really great, isn't he? Each scene has its own feel and ambiance that reflects the mood. I'm a fan of the entire creative team!

[Dr. Hackenbush]

Glad you liked it!

In my mind, Clint refers to Bucky as kid because he still looks younger than Clint- one of the many layers that made writing these two together fun.

As for Samson, with Norman in charge & doing, um, THINGS to the Initiative, Samson's first priority is to his patient, not Osborn. In A:TI, Mock is seen in the support group, reporting to Samson as a person abducted. She told him everything that happened to her, including that she is with the "renegade" Avengers now. Since Samson will take his patient's best interest at heart, he would send this to Cap (Bucky). I don't see this as a report he filed with Norman or HAMMER, but rather from his personal files. Does that make sense?

Yeah. I can see what you're driving at. Especially after the events of last month's Thunderbolts (the scenes between Obama, Samson, and Osborn) I can see where Samson wouldn't put too much faith in HAMMER or their protocols anyway.

As far as Clint and Bucky, after reading that scene I'd be interested in a mini with just those two as the focus.

[Howlett]

Great preview. Can't wait to read this :D

[Jim @ Marvel]

Interview with The Quarter Bin on the series: http://thequarterbin.com/?p=4063

6 days & counting...

[Jim @ Marvel]

Advance reviews are coming in. Warning, some minor spoilers are in these:

http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/123608289355866.htm

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=779


http://occasionalsuperheroine.blogspot.com/2009/03/occasional-reviews-new-avengers-reunion.html

24 hours to go! OY!

[Dr. Hackenbush]

Advance reviews are coming in. Warning, some minor spoilers are in these:

http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/123608289355866.htm

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=779


http://occasionalsuperheroine.blogspot.com/2009/03/occasional-reviews-new-avengers-reunion.html

24 hours to go! OY!

Overall, the reviews have been positive so far. But the real positive sign is that the respective reviews are very similar. Usually, when you can get comic book reviewers to come to a consensus it's a very good sign.

[Spidey616]

Add in the guys from the Comic Book Club!

New Avengers: The Reunion, Age of the Sentry, and Bassist Wanted - Comic Book Reviews for 3/3/09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nawLPb5pLFs&feature=subscription)

[Jim @ Marvel]

It's 12:04 am EST. I am heading to bed. When I wake up, comic shops will be open & you guys can talk freely about the issue!

Thank you all SO MUCH for your support & encouragement ever since this has been announced. We are nothing without the fans, I sincerely am thankful for each of you.

I hope you enjoy & I'll see you in the morning)

[Jim @ Marvel]

CRAZY! It's in amNewYork today! http://weblogs.amny.com/entertainment/urbanite/blog/ Click Latest PDF and look at pg 11 (if you are reading this after Wednesday, look for 3/4 PDF. LOL). The reporter was a big fan of WCA and got in touch with me! So strange!

[JimmyF1982]

Jim.

I bought your book. No second thoughts. No arm twisting. Picked it up immediately.

Can't wait to read it.

Will review after i have done so.

[motteditor]

I looked through it in the store, and have to admit I decided to leave it in the store.

I realize you're working with someone else's status quo, but I want to read about Hawkeye, not Ninja!Clint in Echo's Man Suit. IIRC, you earlier echoed Mock's AWC comment about how Clint's not a good hand-to-hand fighter. How did he suddenly become a ninja? And why would Clint ever settle for being the worst hand-to-hand combatant on his own team instead of the world's foremost archer? Just doesn't gibe with anything I saw in years of reading about the character; it would be like having Spider-Man wipe out his marriage by making a deal with the devil. Oh wait a sec...

Now if this ends with Hawkeye actually coming back, I'll probably go back and buy it, but I'm not really holding my breath on that one. As is, I'll just keep waiting to find out when Mockingbird was abducted. (Though I thought I remembered Clint cradling Bobbi's body at the end of AWC 100; when did it turn to dust? And why didn't it revert to a skrull at that time?)

[Jim @ Marvel]

I looked through it in the store, and have to admit I decided to leave it in the store.

I realize you're working with someone else's status quo, but I want to read about Hawkeye, not Ninja!Clint in Echo's Man Suit. IIRC, you earlier echoed Mock's AWC comment about how Clint's not a good hand-to-hand fighter. How did he suddenly become a ninja? And why would Clint ever settle for being the worst hand-to-hand combatant on his own team instead of the world's foremost archer? Just doesn't gibe with anything I saw in years of reading about the character; it would be like having Spider-Man wipe out his marriage by making a deal with the devil. Oh wait a sec...

Now if this ends with Hawkeye actually coming back, I'll probably go back and buy it, but I'm not really holding my breath on that one. As is, I'll just keep waiting to find out when Mockingbird was abducted. (Though I thought I remembered Clint cradling Bobbi's body at the end of AWC 100; when did it turn to dust? And why didn't it revert to a skrull at that time?)


Hey Mott,

Sorry you feel that way, but I believe that Marvel is about the *people* not the costumes. He's not Hawkeye- he's Clint Barton. That's why he's not wearing the mask the entire issue. But I know your posts from around the net and I know that nothing I say will change your mind on that. Some see the costume, I see the person under the mask.

As for people's questions on timing, etc, this is only the first issue. If I blew the wad and answered every detail or historical reference in the first one, it would be a glorified handbook entry, not a story.

Thanks to everyone who bought the issue and read it!

[motteditor]

Hey Mott,
Sorry you feel that way, but I believe that Marvel is about the *people* not the costumes. He's not Hawkeye- he's Clint Barton. That's why he's not wearing the mask the entire issue. But I know your posts from around the net and I know that nothing I say will change your mind on that. Some see the costume, I see the person under the mask.

I see the person under the mask too. But you (general, not you specific, Jim) can't just suddenly say someone's a ninja when the comics have *explicitly* said before that he's not a great hand-to-hand combatant. (I also think, as mentioned, the idea that Clint would ever settle for being seventh best on his team doesn't gibe at all with the character.)

As for the other stuff, I definitely didn't mean you should have revealed it all. I was more just acknowledging that I am still interested to learn that info.

[Barney's Brother]

Well I for one really liked it. I was skeptical going in, I'll admit, but enjoyed the great story flow and dialogue. Being an old time reader I was impressed with the handling of both characters, so kudos for that. And I'm with you on the whole 'man beneath the mask' thing. People are more interesting than their costumes and accessories...at least we hope.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the story. It seems like a lot of Clint and Bobbi's interaction is full of awkwardness created by years apart and lots of trauma in between. Bobbi is reluctant to share her feelings and Clint is reluctant to admit he has any. Nothing like a crisis to help them get over it.

Is Hawkeye really calling the New Avengers in? Somehow I doubt it. But we'll see, we'll see. I like surprises.

[Lord Jermaine Retail]

I thought the issue was really good. It surprised me actually in how accessible it really was (don't have to read Secret Invasion to follow it) and how much it got done in a single issue. The hook of what Mockingbird's mission is looks to be very solid and in theory could be something that extends beyond just this mini series. Very good incentive for folks to come back for issue #2.

And most importantly the issue has made me want to learn more about a character that I always took for granted. I have comics with Mockingbird in them, but I never really took the time to learn who she was and how she works. Which is something I plan on doing now.

And I'm not just saying this because Jim is coming to visit my store this weekend. I shared these same thoughts with him already, but I wanted to publicly say that I enjoyed the book as well. Very solid comic with good art, good story, good cover, and a good reason to come back for issue #2. That's how its supposed to be!

[Dermie]

Great first issue--I have been eagerly waiting for this and I was not disappointed.

As for the whole Hawkeye/Ronin thing--I would love to see Clint back in the Hawkeye outfit and identity too, but I agree that the character is the important thing (I made the same arguments during Fabian Niceiza's sadly short-lived HAWKEYE solo book when Clint was running around in civilian clothes for the majority of the first arc). As for Clint's hand-to-hand skills, I'd suggest that perhaps Clint has made efforts to improve that shortcoming of his since Bobbi pointed it out way back when--and him having skills with a sword doesn't exactly come out of nowhere, given that Swordsman was one of his original teachers.
On the subject of costumes, I love the new Mockingbird costume! I think it updates the look nicely, while still keeping the key elements of her classic costume. My only one minor complaint is that I miss the mask--her goggles are cool, but there's something about the shape of her old mask that just screams "mockingbird" to me. Ah well--the new costume still looks great!

The Clint/Bucky scene was a lot of fun too, and a nice twist on the old Clint/Cap dynamic. On a side note, at some point I'd like to see Bucky find out that both of them have been lovers of Black Widow, and see how that tidbit factors in to their relationship.

Great start to the mini, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Zack_Hunter]

I get the feeling this sold out, or at least I really hope it did. :scared:

Seriously though, here's hoping a second printing shows serious interest in this. Jim you already know how much I loved the issue.

[Howlett]

I actually managed to get my buddy to let me read this a day early in his store since he knew I was flying out today (comics sell on Thursdays in Ireland), and I have to say, great work Jim.

I don't have a huge knowledge of Clint and Bobbi's past, though I loved what I'd read, and even having not read about her for years, this issue felt really natural. Everything about her character felt spot on.

I do have to admit, first time I read that scene between Bucky and Clint, I cringed. It felt kinda forced to me. It did. And then I took some time to think about it between the preview pages and the issue itself, and now it makes perfect sense. Because above all other things, Clint is one thing. He is a total and utter prick. Loveable, but a complete prick. So reading it again, I actually got a laugh out of the scene.

Can't wait to read the rest of the run. 8 out of 10 :D

[Lazlo's Reign]

Really enjoyed the issue and it was fun to see them work together. Can not wait for issue 2, if the series is anything like the first issue I am hoping Mock kicks more butt. Welcome back Mockingbird.

[JimmyF1982]

I enjoyed the issue a good deal. I don't know a whole lot about Mockingbird so i don't know if this was out of character for her or not. I enjoyed the fact that you wrote Clint butting heads with Bucky. I feel that is completely in character whereas he doesn't do it so much (that i can remember) in New Avengers. Not sure why he kinda betrayed her at the end but i know all will be explained. looking forward to issue 2. bravo sir.

[Jim @ Marvel]

Check out STAVES & ARROWS, a post-release commentary and interview with Comic Related, conducted by BenBo's own Zack Hunter!
http://www.comicrelated.com/display.php?item=879

[Jim @ Marvel]

Thanks everyone so much!! I'm glad you enjoyed the character interplay & hope you like the rest of the story! It's got a lot of twists & turns coming, so strap in!

And Howlett, so glad you could read the issue before leaving! Have a great holiday!

[Howlett]

Thanks everyone so much!! I'm glad you enjoyed the character interplay & hope you like the rest of the story! It's got a lot of twists & turns coming, so strap in!

And Howlett, so glad you could read the issue before leaving! Have a great holiday!

Believe me, I was too :lol:

And thanks, I am. Going to try pick up the alternate cover while I'm here and everything :cool:

[Dr. Chaos]

Ah, now this was interesting.

Looks like they're going to have rediscover what made them click in the first place before they can really be together again. Still don't believe theres a chance they won't reunite by the end though.

The new costume doesn't really wow me but at the same time, it's completely fine.

Good looking out, Jim. You got me onboard for the rest of the mini.

[Jim @ Marvel]

Issue 1 has sold out & is getting a new printing!!!! THANK you everyone who have supported this! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!

http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.7184


(I can't seem to figure out how to post the new cover, sorry!)

[SpecialK]

(I can't seem to figure out how to post the new cover, sorry!)

You do it in a similar way to this:
http://www.marvel.com/i/content/st/7184new_storyimage6798986_full.jpg

[Spidey616]

Congrats Jim!

Looks like it's one more step closer to getting its own ongoing series ;)

[Jim @ Marvel]

You do it in a similar way to this:
http://www.marvel.com/i/content/st/7184new_storyimage6798986_full.jpg

Thank you! For some reason when I did that link it didn't show up. You rock!

[Dr. Chaos]

Congrats Jim!

Looks like it's one more step closer to getting its own ongoing series ;)
I look forward to the intercompany crossover where Mockingbird makes Black Canary her bitch and Jim wrassles with Judd Winnick. :)

Incredible Hercules has done pretty well, I think another buddy/duo book could work out pretty good.

I guess we'll have to see how the rest of the series sells, though if it does well, I hope Jim really wears them down about it until they give it a shot.