Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inkers: Klaus Janson & Tom Palmer

It’s been a long day since we reviewed some comics.  No more excuses.  Not a dream! Not a hoax!  A Red Hulk joins the Avengers in this issue!  Well, he doesn’t officially join, but he does show up and is featured on the cover.  After the grand battle with the four Horsemen, Ultron, and Kang, the Avengers have a chance to relax and drink some coffee.  Wrong! 

Like most of Bendis’ Avengers books the issue is a quick read and it also a set up to the next story arc.  A mysterious character who I’m assuming is Parker Robbins (The Hood) is going around collecting the Infinity Gems.  Meanwhile Iron Man and Thor confront Wonder Man and ask him why he is being written out of character.  At a celebration party we are introduced to a new star sensation: Annie, who attends N.Y.U!  But hold the celebration candles because here comes Red Hulk smashing through the window with only one word coming out of his breath before he passes out: Onslaught!  No, I’m fucking with you, he says Infinity, because when you are knocked out by the power gem, it enlightens your brain so much that it tells you are being knocked the fuck out by an Infinity gem.

If you’ve heard the podcast you know how I feel about Bendis writing this book.  You could swap his name with Chuck Austen and I couldn’t tell the difference.  I mean why keep destroying The Hood character, does Bendis just not take a hint that when he takes someone’s creation and tries his best to make them shine, and it just turns to shit like The Sentry.  Wonder Man makes absolutely no sense.  Why is he bitching to the Avengers about not helping people and making things worse?  Wasn’t he there during the Kang Dynasty or the Ultron Imperative?  It makes little sense for this guy to be flipping out, unless Bendis actually read some Avengers back issues and is bringing up the whole Vision/Wonder Man thing.  Red Hulk….that’s exactly what this book needed a big powerful guy, because having a fucking Thunder God on your team doesn’t already even out the odds. 

Even John Romita Jr’s art, who‘s hit and miss with me, didn’t help this issue.  It seemed really erratic and rushed, but that could be because of two different inkers.  I think the thing that stands out the most is that big ass cabbage sandwich that Thor is about to munch down on before being cock-blocked by Rulk.  I do agree with Iron Man and Thor in this issue; I miss Janet as well and while we are missing people; I also miss a good writer that could make the Avengers and enjoyable book.  Who knows? Maybe this arc will shape up and be better than the last. D+