100th Anniversary: The Avengers #1

Anyway, along with doing the art (pencil and ink) Stokoe handles his own color work and all his own lettering, giving readers the absolute full-package deal. His colors are insane, bright, in-your-face, and his lettering (especially on logos and the title pages) is just stellar. It's original, it's new, it's fresh, and it's something that Marvel needs to take more chances on. This Avengers book is 100% Stokoe in all his glory and if you take the time to really sit down and pour over these pages you're going to be converted to the Holy Order of Stokoe"send $5 in and you'll get your membership card. It's really very simple. After you read this and while you wait for your membership card, go out and pick up at least the two other books mentioned above and tell Marvel, in tweets or emails or by buying 50 copies, that youdemand more work from this talented, talented creator. Read Full Review

It's hard to believe that this comic actually exists, but I'm really glad it does. It's the best Avengers story that I've read in years! Read Full Review

This is by far the my favorite of the 100th Anniversary issues, and it's something that you should experience. If you're not familiar with Stokoe's independent work, this is the perfect entry point into his art with characters that you already are likely to know and enjoy. Stokoe proves that he's a modern legend in the field, and it's exciting to see him back working on Marvel again (he did a story in Strange Tales II in 2010). Stokoe's work isn't plentiful considering the amount of detail that goes into each page, so do yourself a favor and become familiar with his work here. Then seek out his other comics if you like it. You will not regret it. Read Full Review

The 100th Anniversary gambit has been a very ambitious one for Marvel, one that mostly has disappointed readers and critics alike. You would never think that as you read James Stokoe’s Avengers #1. Stokoe handles the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes with am insane confidence that is heightened by the powerful visuals that make up this one-shot. James Stokoe may have been one of those dark horse indie creators that readers never thought would get a shot to handle the A-list characters of Marvel’s premier teams, but 100th Anniversary Special: The Avengers #1 shows that Stokoe has been playing in his own league for years, and he is more than a match for these characters. This one-shot is a stunning display of a creator’s talent and we should count our blessings that we have artists like Stokoe lurking in the wings of comics, ready to swoop in and smash conventions at will. Read Full Review

Not only was this issue an eyeball dazzler but it also delivered a super fun story. Stokoe’s art was the main draw for me but it was the storyline that made me crave a second issue. He took a common superhero concept but managed to put a unique spin on it with quite the unexpected ending. Read Full Review

I also appreciated the fact that, for all this comic's weirdness, Stokoe doesn't remain fixated on the humorous elements. This is not a self-deprecating or cynical comic. Quite the opposite. This clash between good and evil leads to a surprisingly heartfelt conclusion. In some ways, it's more like an Avengers comic of a bygone era than it is a product of some crazy future. Read Full Review

There is a certain amount of absurdity in 100thAnniversary Special Avengers #1 that doesnt entirely work and at times undercuts the dramatic tension. Likewise, the dialog isnt especially good because it either is playing at ironic echoing of heroic patter or Stokoe just isnt adept at writing convincing speech. However, while its not always different in a better way, I like that Marvel is willing to let unconventional writers and artists use their characters, even if it is only in non-continuity specials. This issue wont be for everyone, but I do think its a worthwhile experiment, something that adventurous readers may enjoy. Read Full Review

coby

Jul 26, 2014

Coby's Top 5 Comic of the Week

After reading this Avengers 100th Anniversary Special, James Stokoe is one creator I will definitely be watching out for! Here's for hoping Marvel gets him some more work. This comic totally redeemed the whole "100th Anniversary" concept. Finally, it played with it in all the right ways. It was silly and futuristic and post-apocalyptic and crazy and did just about everything right. Stokoe took full advantage of it being a One-Shot. He didn't make it the last of an 8-part series; he made it feel like it was part of a bigger story while keeping it self-contained. Stokoe keeps the silly going t hroughout with notes from the "Editron 3030", which gives you a couple of fake yet believable references: " X-MEN WEDDING SPECIAL ISSUE #37" and "UNDER-HULK ADVENTURES ISSUE #33". The art is out of this world. It's probably my favorite new art I've seen since I started reading comics again. The attention to detail and vibrancy of every panel of every page makes you not want to even read the words. But you should, cuz the words are great too! I haven't even gotten started on the story itself. Tony Stark's alcoholic brain; Rogue, who's presumably taken Wolverine's healing factor; Beta Ray Bill, whose "spirit will outlive the stars"; and the 17+ time reincarnated spirit of Doctor Strange are dealing with a Badoon biomass in Kuala Lumpur when Mole Man III shows up. The deus ex machina Doctor Strange pulls out of his hat makes me have hope for superhero comics of the future. Hope that they won't all just be punchy smashy world-destroy-ey, that pacifism and problem-solving stands a chance as a future literary device, too. If the Marvel of 2039 looks back here to 2014 for some ideas, I hope they look to James Stokoe's Avengers "100th Anniversary Special". more

xiombarg

Jul 26, 2014

This hasatotally fresh feel to it. It is often funny but its not in your face. It also has a surprising amount of cool ideas that could easily be taken in a more serious direction if they had wanted it to go that way.

jac's picks

Sep 24, 2014

This is the best single issue of the year. Stokoe is one of the best creators working today. It felt like reading a comic from 50 years in the future!

KesheR

Feb 09, 2015

A really futuristic take on the Marvel Universe. I'd love to see a regular series about this.

Ultimate Goblin

Jul 05, 2023

I didn't really like the ideas in this and the art is kinda not my cup of tea too. It's pretty detailed, but too frivolous and the coloring is acid as hell.