The new Avengers

If the Avengers are the flagship team, and Secret Avengers are the black-ops branch, then the New Avengers are the punchy, enjoyably dysfunctional family of Marvel's three-part Avengers re-launch. Featuring some old-time favorites like Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Ms. Marvel, and some hot properties like need it even be said? Wolverine and Spider-Man, the team pitches in to help Doctor Strange fight a mystic war against an other-dimensional invader from his own past. While it can feel forced in large doses, the quirky, fast-paced patter that Bendis puts in the characters' mouths helps define the heroes, and he not only laces touches of ambiguity into the relationships and denouement, but also subtly experiments with classic superhero tropes, as with an especially clever addition to the depiction of spell casting in the Marvel Universe. Immonen's art keeps distinctive characterizations and dynamic movement on full display amidst all the mystical fireworks, and as a finishing touch, the climactic battle takes the very meaning of teamwork to its natural extreme.--Karp, Jess. Copyright 2010 Booklist