Avengers Assemble #12 and Avengers #5
Avengers Assemble #12 - B -[Spoiler (click to open)]Continues to be my favorite Avengers book out right now, and I think DeConnick handled Natasha well. The entire plot of this one is about the things she's done, and the things she's done to atone for the things she's done. It's still quippy and fun in a way that mirrors Joss Whedon, and the characters are internally consistent. The only reason I'm giving this one a B rating is because there is tension between Jessica and Natasha over Clint...but honestly? It does make sense with Jessica's backstory...and with Clint's Bad Choices Index. It helps that Natasha clearly gives zero fucks. I'm hoping by the end of this arc that it straightens out.
All that aside, I like DeConnick's take on Natasha. Natasha is AMAZING in this issue. SHE KILLS THINGS WITH PARTS OF OTHER THINGS.
Avengers #5 - Nice, solid A -[Spoiler (click to open)]WOW. This one was really fucking good. I still don't like that the series is a collection of backstory-heavy one-shots, but #5 is just a beautifully structured issue from a storytelling standpoint. I learned about a character I never knew existed, and she's kind of amazing. The story is still very big, but Hickman managed it more effectively in this issue than he has in the past. Honestly, it stands alone nicely as its own story, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it on its own.
All that aside, I like DeConnick's take on Natasha. Natasha is AMAZING in this issue. SHE KILLS THINGS WITH PARTS OF OTHER THINGS.
Avengers #5 - Nice, solid A -[Spoiler (click to open)]WOW. This one was really fucking good. I still don't like that the series is a collection of backstory-heavy one-shots, but #5 is just a beautifully structured issue from a storytelling standpoint. I learned about a character I never knew existed, and she's kind of amazing. The story is still very big, but Hickman managed it more effectively in this issue than he has in the past. Honestly, it stands alone nicely as its own story, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it on its own.