The interesting thing about the “linked” Avengers Siege titles (New Avengers, Dark Avengers, Mighty Avengers, etc.) is that instead of telling stories between the pages or issues of the main Siege mini-series as typical of the previous cross-overs, we are being shown what happened in the few hours right before Osbourne and H.A.M.M.E.R. attacked Asgard.
This issue picks up right where #61 left off. Spider-woman and Spider-man are in the middle of a battle with the Madrill and the Griffin (?). Spider-woman is in the Griffin’s thrall and trying to ace poor Peter Parker.
Meanwhile, at the now destroyed Avenger’s Hideout, Bucky Cap and Steve Rodgers Cap are fighting the Living Laser. Steve Rodgers Cap is using Cap’s old energy shield that S.H.I.E.L.D. had made for Steve Rogers when the orginal was lost on the bottom of the sea. Two HAMMER soldiers get the bright idea that they are going to get glory and fame by arresting Bucky Cap and Steve Rodgers Cap, which of course doesn’t go as planned.
This issue is a stepping stone to the main story in the Seige mini-series and adds background flavor to the return of Steve Rogers Cap going into battle beside our embattled heroes. It’s not essential to the main story but it helps us know how all the chess pieces got onto the board when they show up in Seige.
Beyond the story, which if you can’t tell I am really into, I’m really liking Stuart Immonen’s art on this book. I hope he gets another big time series after all the dust settles in Seige‘s wake. He has been one of my fave artists since he took over for Giffen on the Five-Year Gap Legion book.
Digital_Matrix_with_Nate