Dark Avengers #175 Review. Thunderbolts 1st Issue of a New Era

Dark Avengers #175 Review

“Thunderbolts. 1st Issue of a New Era”

Here’s the “first issue of a new era” for the Dark Avengers and unfortunately I’m unable to really tell you how different it is from the past issues of Dark Avengers or Thunderbolts. I haven’t kept up with Thunderbolts since their infamous first issue and I don’t know a darn thing about the Dark Avengers. So what do you get from me, and unbiased opinion about a book that’s trying to reestablish itself as a dominant player in the comic book industry. How does it fair? Not so well.

In Dark Avengers #175 the Dark Avengers have been disbanded by F.A.C.T while Luke Cage is in search of the lost Thunderbolts. Who are F.A.C.T.? I have no clue, and apparently Wikipedia doesn’t know either. After disbanding the existing team F.A.C.T. put together a new Dark Avengers team comprised of copycat clones of existing Avengers. Ragnarok the cyborg doppleganger of Thor, Trick Shot (fake Hawkeye), Toxie Doxie a genetic manipulater dressed exactly like Scarlet Witch, and Dark Spider-Man who really is part spider. Luke Cage and other Thunderbolts have a few scuffles with this team as their trying to find someone they’ve lost somewhere in time. Does it sound confusing? Because it is. All I know *SPOILER* at the end Luke Cage ends up in charge of the new “Thunderbolts” even though he wasn’t supposed to be, and employs the savage son of Hulk, Skaar.

So they’re the new “Thunderbolts” in a new Dark Avengers titles book? More confusion please. Portals, time shifts, past to present without warning, characters with no names, and plenty of unexplainable happenings make this book a tough pill to swallow. There’s certain things I look for in comic books, competent writing with a strong story and support from an artist who compliments said writing. Dark Avengers #175 confused me so much that I completely lost interest. Combine the weak story (in my opinion) from Jeff Parker with horrendous art and the “new era” isn’t starting off so hot. I just felt like Declan Shalvey didn’t care that the Dark Avengers looked like rough sketches the entire book. I’ve seen his work in 28 Days Later so I know he has some talent in raw and visceral art.

Are there still fans of either the Dark Avengers or Thunderbolts out there? I’ve read plenty of other reviews on Dark Avengers #175 and was surprised to see that some liked the story and others felt Declan Shalvey’s art was good even during battles. I on the other hand thought the book was sloppy and uninspired. Gather your own opinion and sneak a peek when you’re down at Cosmic Comics! this week. You’ll #getyourfix either way.

Burke from nerdfarmblog.com