The Avengers #2.1

   This series has been a lot of fun as it mines the fertile fields of early Silver Age Marvel.

   Written by Mark Waid (who must find it difficult to type while laughing and clapping his hands in glee at the same time), it focuses on the beginning of the "Cap's Kooky Quartet" period of The Avengers.

   Just over a year into the original run of the series, the team's Founding Fathers (and Mother) - Thor, Iron Man, Giant-Man and the Wasp - all quit the team (or took a vacation), leaving Captain America to lead Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch against some heavy hitters.

   It all happened suddenly, and in the pages of The Avengers, the four were immediately acting as a well-oiled machine.

   This series shows us how the team became a trained unit - and a family.

   They've faced some heavy hitters here, taking it on the chin from the Frightful Four in the first issue, and facing the cosmic power of The Stranger in this issue.

   Barry Kitson and Mark Farmer provide some terrific art, capturing the clean look of a Silver Age adventure without outright imitating the Jack Kirby / Don Heck art from the '60s.

   Even the letters page joins in the fun, evoking the style of the '60s (in fact, these may be actual letters from that time - without digging out those original comics, it's difficult to say).

   So, a fun comic for long-time fans - and a clever story (with a mystery or two loaded in) to keep new readers involved.

   It's a win-win!

Grade: A-

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