Avengers Disassembled

This collection brings a temporary end to one of Marvel's longest-running superteams, the Avengers, whose ranks here include Captain America and Iron Man. In one day, the team is attacked by two of its own members and by invading aliens, and the behavior of several Avengers becomes wildly irrational. When all is done, three Avengers are dead, their headquarters is destroyed, and their political backing has evaporated. But the lowest point comes when the team discovers who has masterminded such chaos: apparently, one of their own senior members. This is not the best work of well-liked writer Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man; Daredevil); there's a faint air of contrivance, and the story is top-heavy with scorched earth, though an elegiac final episode adds some much-needed heart. Primary artist Finch does a remarkable job with scenes of destruction and violence, as well as with the story's few quiet moments, in a style reminiscent of Marvel's Ultimate line. While not a great story, it is a key one for the series, which makes it essential reading for teen and adult Marvel fans. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.