Avengers: First to Last Premiere Hardcover Review

Avengers: First to Last
Marvel Comics
Hardcover
248 pages
$34.99
ISBN 97807485136521

Contributors: Peter David, Ariel Olivetti, Art Adams, Dwayne McDuffie, Michael Avon Oeming, Macon Blair, Jorge Lucas, Sergio Aragones, Kevin Maguire, and Juan Doe (seriously?)

Reprints: The Last Avengers Story #1-2 (of 2) and original back-up stories from Avengers Classic #1-12 (of 12)

Synopsis: Thor, Hulk, Ant Man, Wasp, and Iron Man founded The Avengers to face threats no single hero could handle alone.  Presented here are untold tales of the Avengers' early days.

Fast forward several decades and the original members of The Avengers have all died or retired.  The team lives on as a massive superheroes clubhouse with only a hint of their former glory.  Learn the fates of the original members and witness the devastating resurgence of several original enemies.  The current roster of heroes easily falls in a devastating first move by Ultron and Kang.  Only Hank Pym and the Wasp can organize a team of old timers to save the day.  How can they possibly prevail when the time-traveling Kang knows for certain this is the last Avengers story.

Pros: Beautiful hardcover, Olivetti shows a unique vision and David's Last is brutal, Oeming's watercolor art is surprisingly good and he's a real talent, Adams' covers are solid, Aragones!

Cons: First Marvel work by Olivetti and it's rough, painted art in Last is dark/hard to read with canvas lines, alternative covers (see second image) for Marvel Premiere editions suck (just like alts for Marvel Masterworks line)

Mike Tells It Straight: Hefty price tag considering the material reprinted and an odd pairing.  While the Classic back-up stories were overall enjoyable they're utterly forgettable.  Skip this edition and just stick with the original two issues of Last.

TO BUY and Recommendations: