Roundhouse Chat #1: Secret Avengers!

In an effort to add some more content to the site, Murs and I decided to have a quick chat about a new book this week. We chose to discuss Secret Avengers #1 written by Ed Brubaker and published by Marvel. Won’t you join us as one of us sanely talks about the issue while the other babbles on at random? I’ll let you guess which of us plays what role.

Prev: This week introduces us to a new team of Avengers led by Steve and written by Ed Brubaker. The last time I recall him writing a team book, it happened to be Uncanny X-men and I think my feelings were more than clear on that. Am I right, Murs?

Murs: Yep… something about life altering story telling and the founding of a new purpose in life. I’m glad that book changed your life, Prev. Did I say “life” enough? No? One more time then. Life.

Prev: Let’s not be ridiculous, Murs. I thought his run was mediocre at best… and drawn out at worst, but that’s neither here nor there. We’re here to discuss the Avengers! And I suppose we should start out with the opening pages.

Murs: So who’s this guy with the two chicks? A cross between Wilson Fisk and Ron Jeremy? Anyways….I wish I was him for these few panels.

Prev: You’re in love with Valkryie and Black Widow and wanted to be beaten up?

Murs: I don’t know who that is…yet! Explain her for me, ya?

Prev: The simple story is that she’s a woman filled with the spirit of a fallen Asgardian, and she’s been on teams such as the Defenders and She-hulk’s version of the Lady Liberators. She’s very strong willed and is pretty much a female brute with a sword and magical horse.

As for the guy, he was just a generic Roxxon VP, I assume. Roxxon actually seems to be becoming more of a big force in the MU.

Murs: Marvel’s attempt at social responsibility by painting all mega corporation CEO’s as monsters because kids are too lazy to find out on their own accord? C’mon Marvel, let’s not paint such a grim picture of our world rulers.

Prev: Anyway… when I saw the lineup for this team, it worried me, however seeing it all in action, it fit, imo, to a degree. I’m still a little shaky on some members, but I think this could work out for the better, and Beast, a character that has been dragged through the mud, might get a chance to redeem himself. How did it work for you?

Murs: It felt weird, honestly. It worked… but it was still odd. Nova, Moon Knight, Beast, and Valkyrie are not typical Avengers. Yeah, they have long histories and strong ties with the group, but it just didn’t feel right.

Prev: I think it was a brave approach, but then again, Brubaker isn’t writing a classic team. I did find it odd that this is an espionage book with a member decked out in full white. How does he not stand out? Outside of that, I could see how most of the members fit into their niches except for War Machine (who didn’t do anything of much worth).

Murs: I remember Moon Knight explaining why he wore white in Charlie Huston’s run: so the bad guys can see who’s about to @%#$ them up and not do anything about it. That first arc was awesome. Marvel then forced Huston to tie it into Civil War and ruined it.

“Hello cancellation.” – Moon Knight v4.

Anyways, even though Moon Knight is looking for redemption, I hope he’s a loose cannon that can’t control his blood lust. It’ll add some tension with Stevie boy and that worked pretty well with Hawkeye.

Prev: There does seem to be a lack of tension between the team dynamic as of the moment, but I figure that’ll change down the line, especially with characters like Antman III and Beast around (the moral center). I know Antman was one of your faves, so how did you feel about his portrayal?

Murs: He seemed more like an annoying frat boy rather than the horny scumbag from his solo series. I see Valkyrie hating him because I already do.

Prev: *awkward transition* With the characters out of the way, the plot is probably where we should focus our attention. Unlike Avengers, this book didn’t simply have the stars standing around discussing what they should or shouldn’t be doing. I did wonder while reading, however, if this plot wasn’t simply linked to the oil spills to a small degree.

Murs: I don’t know about that; his script has to be older than the spill.

Prev: Well, I’m not saying it’s based on the latest oil spill exactly, but more so the sentiments of drilling everywhere. “Drill, baby, drill!” Excavating on another planet could really fit into that to a point, no?

Murs: Very true. Our species loves to drill. I mean, we sell them in all shapes and sizes… automatic and manual. Men love to drill women. Wow… we’re like over sized moles.

Prev:  Maaaaybe. So we go through this story of Steve and his Avengers trying to gather intel on Roxxon so they can collect the serpent crown, and this eventually leads them to Mars where Nova is under attack. I think the thing I liked best about the book was that every character at least got to do something while mostly progressing the plot (again, I more or less leave out War Machine, who just helped to deliver information).

Murs: At least he put on his helmet. Wait…did he?

Prev: No, War Machine was helmet-less his whole appearance. I’m not sure why he was even armored up in his scenes with Beast and Steve. It looked… out of place.

Murs: So the minority did nothing? I hope Al Sharpton doesn’t read comics or Marvel’s gonna have a serious PR battle on their hands.

Prev: No more than DC. I’m sure you’ve seen the article by now. *cue AA*

Murs: Speaking of the Serpent Crown, it looks like something that would fit into HYDRA’s mythos. The ending solidified my feelings on my thesis. Although, what the hell was Fury wearing? Is he part of HYDRA now. Should I have read Secret Warriors before reading Secret Avengers? If so I’m pissed!.

Prev: I don’t think Secret Warriors and Secret Avengers are in sync right now. This seems like a new development. A legitimate. “SURPRISE” moment that was meant to catch us off-guard.

Murs: Well mission accomplished. Because I said “WTF” out loud.

Prev: That final page actually brings me to one complaint I had. The art during that scene (or maybe it was the colors) made it hard to really decipher what Nick was wearing. Most of his costume… or uniform… or whatever manly word he’d apply to his gear seemed to disappear into the shadows. That may have been the darkest green I’ve seen in awhile..

Murs: I take it you’ve never seen the Hulk go number 2?

Prev: Don’t be crude. Who even thinks like that? No… don’t answer.

Murs: So, final thoughts? Will you be picking up the next issue? Was issue one good enough to give the first six issues a try?

Prev: Well… I was intrigued enough to give issue 2 a try; I don’t know about the full arc. We’ll see. With prices raising to the 4 dollar mark all over (Marvel and DC), I will def have to make a choice on which Avenger book (or books) I will be following. It’s in the lead right now.

Murs: I guess that’s an answer. Well, it was good enough for me to pick up issue 2. This is mostly due to my intrigue with Moon Knight. He seemed to get the highest percentage of lime light in the issue…after steve. The cliffhanger was shocking but I found myself not caring after a few minutes.

*awkward ending*

Murs: End?

Prev: Yes, this is the end. The end of our lives…. or something. The next time we do this, if that is to happen… we’ll need to add a 3rd voice or something. Let’s make a sign up list!

Murs: Good idea.