For as long as I have been reading comic books, it seems I have been reading an Avengers title. One of the first comics I remember buying was Avengers #219 and ever since, whether Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Dark Avengers or Avengers: The Initiative, I’ve been buying a book with Avengers in the title. Right now my current favorite is New Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato, which has everything I love about the concept between its two covers.

First, unlike Bendis’s other Avengers book, this one is way more fun. The interaction and dialogue between the large cast, which includes Dr. Strange, Luke Cage, Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man, is one of the best parts of this series. Bendis has one of the best ears for banter ever and makes the most of it here. The exchange between Squirrel Girl and Daredevil is priceless and the interaction between the other heroes is lighthearted and entertaining.

And second, he can write some great villains. As the machinations of Norman Osborn and his new team of Dark Avengers begin to become clearer, they really come across as sinister and dangerous. It seems Bendis is beginning to move into the next phase of his Dark Avengers storyline and I, for one, am very thankful. I don’t really have a problem with Bendis and his decompressed style of writing, but this was getting a bit ridiculous.

As for the art, Deodato has been doing a great job. His work here reminds me more of his run on Wonder Woman than his more recent work on Spider-Man and the original Dark Avengers title. Rain Beredo is using a much brighter color pallet and as a result Deodato’s art looks richer and has a more finished look.

Other than a fairly deceptive cover image (which is something most Marvel titles have been guilty of lately) this is an terrific Avengers comic. With the movie on the way and next years Avengers vs. X-men event on the horizon, you would be well advised to jump in now and not be left behind when the Avengers bandwagon begins to roll.