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Avengers Inc. #1

70
Comicscore Index
Generally favorable ratings

Based on 16 critic ratings.

ACTION! MYSTERY! ADVENTURE!

Her name is Janet Van Dyne. She’s a hero. She’s a celebrity. She’s hunting a killer. His name is Victor Shade. He’s a villain. He’s an enigma. He just got killed. And together, they’re out to solve every mystery in the Marvel Universe… starting with their own.

AL EWING and LEONARD KIRK bring you a whole new style of Avenging – from a whole new style of Avengers…

Publication Date
Publisher
Format
Kindle Edition
Print Lenght
33 pages
Language
English
Price
$4.99
Amazon ASIN
B0C959LCWP

Author
Cover Artist

13%
38%
50%
16 Critic Ratings & Reviews from:
  • 100

    But Why Tho?

    Avengers Inc #1 is something completely different. Ewing brilliantly crafts a book that truly contains two halves. A seemingly endless amount of mysteries are introduced based on Marvel’s long history, but it is possible for a reader with no knowledge of that to enjoy it also. The book is flipped on its head to make it one of the most captivating comics out there, with a volatile plot that can be torn apart in a few panels. The transition in genres from start to finish gives the series an unpredictability that demands further reading.
  • 100

    The Newest Rant

    The debut issue of, "Avengers Inc." has definitely piqued my interest. Between Ewing and Kirk it is a great read and looks gorgeous. I am excited to see where this story goes as the various mysteries that have been raised are explored!
  • 90

    COMICON

    This issue shows us there’s a ton of potential to the concept of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes serving as PI’s. Not only that, it starts to fulfill that potential, and we hope this is just the beginning of a long run.
  • 90

    Comic Watch

    Avengers Inc. #1 is the perfect palate cleansing, noir style detective book that the Avengers line needs. The new status quos for all of these characters work on almost every conceivable level, creating a mystery that is both engaging and full of spectacle.
  • 90

    Major Spoilers

    This issue has quite a bit of heavy lifting to do in order to set up Jan’s new no costumes Avenger detective agency, but Avengers Inc. #1 pulls it off with skill and aplomb, and while I’m not thrilled with the coloring, the attractive art and a really charismatic lead character makes this one a winner. I’m hoping that the mystery of what’s up with Vic Shade gets the time and space it needs to unfold, because an Ewing book is always a treat.
  • 90

    Fortress of Solitude

  • 85

    The Super Powered Fancast

    The Story: Ewing crafts an interesting mystery in this first issue. I like how it is being set up as a launch for a new type of story for Janet and how it ties her together with Whirlwind in a new way. The mystery is good and there are enough twists within it to grab my attention. Also, the final reveal was great and makes me excited to see what happens next. The Art: Kirk delivers some great action in the issue. I love the visual style of the issue and how it looks like a classic detective comic.
  • 85
  • 80

    AIPT

    Avengers Inc #1 continues Al Ewing’s trademark for pairing up with stellar artists and shaking up the Marvel Universe, while Leonard Kirk’s artwork helps things feel actually grounded without being ashamed of the more outlandish elements. It’s a solid opening for an offbeat title, and like any good mystery it ends with more questions than answers. After all, how else will you get readers to pick up the next issue?
  • 80

    ComicBook.com

    If Avengers Inc. is anything, it's a mystery story. Al Ewing and Leonard Kirk are able to weave an interesting "who-done-it" by focusing on a number of deaths taking place in "The Raft," a maximum security prison established for super villains. This series trades in costumes to instead set up an Avengers style detective agency, which is an interesting approach that gives characters like The Wasp, "Victor Shade," Luke Cage, and the Ant-Men some fascinating new roles to explore. As first issues go, Avengers Inc. delivers and sets the stage for stories that think outside of the Avengers' box.
  • 80

    Multiversity Comics

    A unique tone and rock-solid premise make “Avengers Inc.” #1 a clear success
  • 80

    Henchman-4-Hire

    First issue nails the tone and the themes perfectly, kicking off what should be a fun new series.
  • 80

    Marvel Heroes Library

  • 65

    Geek'd Out

    Avengers Inc. #1 is a very dense issue that throws a lot of information at you without much explanation –such as Luke Cage’s recent election as mayor of New York City, which happens in Devil’s Reign— but if you’re onboard with the concept here, you probably already expect that from Ewing. Leonard Kirk’s art also reflects the muted vibe of the action by not calling too much attention to itself, if slightly less interesting than it could have been. Perhaps future issues will deliver on the strong premise here a bit more, but Avengers Inc. #1 has potential all the same.
  • 60

    Comic Book Revolution

    If you’re a fan of Janet Van Dyne and Hank Pym then Avengers Inc. #1 is a comic book you’ll want to check out. Al Ewing is on a mission to bring both characters back into the spotlight. That does mean this isn’t a new reader friendly first issue. But if you can just accept, you’ll be learning as you follow the series Avengers Inc. is set up to do some big things.
  • 60

    Derby Comics DC

    The pacing can be slow, there isn’t a lot of excitement even with some action, and the issue asks more questions than it answers. I’m not going to doubt Ewing’s ability to craft a compelling story when all is said and done though I wouldn’t say this was my favorite debut. I hope he leans more into the noir genre as the story progresses as that’s something I haven’t seen him do. If you’re a fan of Ewing’s previous Wasp series or Ewing’s other Marvel work, I’d recommend giving the series a shot but I can’t totally see this type of story being for everyone.

More From Avengers Inc. (2023)

About the Author: Al Ewing

Al Ewing (/ˈjuːɪŋ/) is a British comics writer who has mainly worked in the small press and for 2000 AD and Marvel Comics.

Career

Al Ewing began his career writing stories in the four-page Future Shocks format for 2000 AD and moved on to regular stints on Judge Dredd (2008–2015), for which his 2010 story “Doctor What?” marked Brendan McCarthy’s return to 2000 AD. They later worked together on a new series entitled The Zaucer of Zilk. Ewing worked on Damnation Station and Zombo, the latter illustrated by Henry Flint, which was collected in trade paperback in 2010.

Ewing has also contributed to Solar Wind, FutureQuake, and The End Is Nigh. He is responsible for the mobile comic Murderdrome, created with P. J. Holden.

In May 2007, Ewing created the comedy blog “The Diary of Ralph Dibney”, writing as the titular DC Comics superhero (also known as Elongated Man), Dibney’s therapist, or as the even more obscure DC Hero Richard Dragon, as they react to the events of each week’s issue of the comic book 52.

Breaking into American comic books, Ewing was also picked by Garth Ennis to provide a six-issue arc on Jennifer Blood, published by Dynamite Entertainment, and a spin-off series The Ninjettes.

His debut prose novel Pax Britannia: El Sombra, published by Abaddon Books in 2007, features a mysterious Mexican hero fighting back against the menace of steam-powered Nazis. It is set in the same Steampunk alternate history as the other novels from the Pax Britannia series. Three other novels have been published since, with a fifth on the way.

Ewing wrote Mighty Avengers and Loki: Agent of Asgard for Marvel Comics and co-wrote the first year of the Eleventh Doctor Doctor Who title with Rob Williams for Titan Comics.

Ewing has since written New Avengers, U.S.Avengers, Ultimates, Rocket, Royals, and The Immortal Hulk, all for Marvel. The Immortal Hulk was a nominee for the 2019 Eisner Award in the “Best Continuing Series” category, and had earned publisher Marvel Comics a Diamond Gem Award the previous year as “Best New Comic Book Series.”

In 2021, Ewing won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book at the 32nd GLAAD Media Awards for his work on Empyre and received an additional nomination in 2021 and one in 2022 for Guardians of the Galaxy. In June 2021, it was announced that Ewing would serve as co-writer of Venom alongside Ram V, with Bryan Hitch serving as artist.

Personal life

At the end of Pride Month 2021, Ewing came out as bisexual.

[Latest Update: July 23, 2022]