by Don MacPherson

AVENGERS FINALE #1 Marvel Comics Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artists: Dave Finch & Danny Miki, Alex Maleev, Steve Epting, Lee Weeks, Michael Gaydos, Eric Powell, Darick Robertson, Mike Mahew, David Mack, Gary Frank, Mike Avon Oeming, Jim Cheung & Mark Morales, Steve McNiven & Mark Morales, George Perez & Mike Perkins Colors: Frank D'Armata, Brian Reber, Eric Powell, Morry Hollowell, Avalon Studios, David Mack, Pete Pantazis & Justin Ponsor Letters: Comicraft Editor: Tom Brevoort Price: $3.50 US/$5.00 CAN Members of the team reflect back on the moments that stand out as the greatest triumphs and celebrations the team has seen over the course of its history... and by members of the team, I mean members of the creative team on this book. This is an interesting look back at the history of the Avengers, and it wraps up a couple of loose ends. I love the incorporation of different styles to bring different moments in the team's history to life, but the dialogue seemed a bit clunky at times, and even the characters acknowledge the lapses in logic in the script. Still, the diverse array of artistic contributions here make for a good reading experience. A number of Avengers -- recent members and those from lineups from past incarnations of the team -- gather in the charred ruins of Avengers Mansion, where Tony Stark, founding member and financial backer of the team, delivers some unfortunate news. With the future of the team uncertain, the heroes reflect back on the past, and each shares what he or she sees as a defining moment for the Avengers. The first thing I noticed about this book is that the perspective in Neal Adams's cover image is all out of whack. With three size-changing heroes using their powers here, it's difficult to get a bead on what's happening where in the image. Still, it is nice to see Adams return to the Avengers. Perez's work on the last few pages was great. Mike Perkins's inks bring a darker look to Perez's pencils, but given the solemn tone of the scene, it works. Given that Perez was the first artist on the last relaunch of the title, it's fitting that he brings it to a close as well. I was surprised to see such artists as Eric (The Goon) Powell and David (Kabuki) Mack contribute two-page spreads here, as they don't have any previous association with the property. It was fun to see these new visions of old favorites. Bendis offers up an accessible script here. One needn't have delved into the unfortunate "Chaos" story arc that brought the series to a close in order to follow along here. I like that Bendis gives new beginnings and chances at normal lives for those characters he won't be using in the upcoming New Avengers series. Hank and Janet's new start in England strikes me as having the ring of truth, emphasizing the former's standing in academia and the latter's proclivity for a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Captain Britain is quietly shuffled off to the side, though Bendis ignores the rules set out for the character by Chuck Austen in the story arc that introduced her not so long ago. Though he tries to explain their choices, Bendis has a number of heroes select favorite moments in Avengers history that didn't involve that whatsoever. I just don't buy into the notion that events they never witnessed would resonate more powerfully with them than those they experienced firsthand. Some of those problems could have been easily addressed by reattributing key moments to a more appropriate Avenger. Maybe there was some sort of dialogue flow Bendis was aiming for that precluded it, but the choices just struck me as odd and took me out of the story. 6/10 Email Don MacPherson with your comments about this review.