Avengers Inc.: Action, Mystery, Adventure

Avengers Inc. (2023-2024) #1-5

by Al Ewing

The Wasp assembles a whole new style of Avengers!

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

Avengers Inc. (2023) 1-5

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Superheroes, Mystery, Comic Book, Science Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2024

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite comic of the year so far and the best Avengers story for ages so, obviously, Marvel have cancelled it after five issues. FFS…

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very different Avengers story. Interesting read. Recommended

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun with this miniseries! A superhero murder mystery? I was sat from issue one. Not only that but its lasting implications for the comics is kind of big. Love the final issue team up, love seeing the mystery slowly unravel. Truly was not expecting to take a trip to Valhalla during all of this but here we are. Most definitely worth a read. But it does bring in aspects of the “Antman” and the “Wasp” 60th Anniversary mini series that ran last year. While also building on Valkyrie and Moon Knight lore, and operating in the current New York City where vigilantism is still illegal. Lots of stories coming together to make this comic work but it really works.

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadly "AVENGERS INC.: ACTION, MYSTERY, ADVENTURE" is essentially a one-shot since Marvel cancelled this smart, quirky and promising series after only five issues. Fans of The Avengers and, especially, Janet Van Dyne could do far worse than to pick up this book. This slim volume contains a compelling mystery, a perfectly mis-matched team of detectives , witty dialogue, lots of compelling action and a good deal of suspense.

[ShamNoop · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a ton of potential, and it was fun, but the cancellation caused the last issue to be a rushed mess, and I personally don’t think the mysteries in the first four issues were executed very well. Still, decent series that could serve as a great setup for a new team. Looking forward to seeing where Janet goes next.

[Alex Sarll]

Well, personally I thought 'What if the Avengers were the Avengers?' was a great pitch*, but the marketplace disagreed, so despite Al being one of Marvel's best writers this was pretty much DOA. To be fair, you can see how it's hard for Marvel to let initially underperforming series have a chance to build a following - I mean, it's not as if they're doubling as an R&D department for a massive multimedia empire with essentially limitless funds, is it? Still, in the meantime we at least have these five issues, the original Wasp and the mysterious Vic Shade dressing in sharp suits rather than Spandex as they investigate peculiar Marvel Universe crimes, from a murder in Valhalla to someone bumping off Z-list juggling-themed villains, all while bouncing off assorted guest stars and also trying to work out who exactly Vic is. The frustrating thing is knowing how much better the resolution would have landed after the ten issues originally planned, or partway through the 30-50 it would have got in any timeline that could bear to look at itself in the mirror. But even here, we get this, which is more than nothing. And Al writing Moon Knight is joyful, for a stabby definition of the word.

*And indeed, that Inc suggests the alternate, also brilliant pitch 'What if the Avengers were the Avenger?'

[Justin Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m bias to that Hank and Jan and all the extended Ant-Family is my favorite corner of Marvel. Glad after 10 years they brought back Hank and worked towards some kind of twisted redemption after being taken over by Ultron in “Rage of Ultron”.

That all a nice cherry on top of Jan getting a staring role in a book that was a cool role to give her for what could have been semi long term (I knew when the book was announced I would be LUCKY to get 12 issues).

Although it was getting good reviews coming out I was not surprised when issue 5 was announced to be the end. I assume issue 5 was changed to make for some kind of conclusion but it also felt like it would setting up some kind of spiritual successor (a new West Coast Avengers?) but here we are months later with nothing on the horizon.

I hope some kind of revisit of what Hank is doing as well as Jan and the last issue revel of who the new Vic Shade is.

If you have not I advise getting the Al Ewing Ant-Man mini and the Wasp mini as it all make a larger story as one unit. I patiently wait for my couple of Ant-Family minis of 2024.

[Eva B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Just come in from the cold." I'm gonna kms

Anyways the monkey's paw curled for me and Hank is back! And maybe gone again! And they made him an old man and now I can't even use the "no you guys he's hot in the comics" excuse with my friends and will perennially be bullied for this-- please if you bring him back again don't make him old lmao

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really drawn in by the premise and the cover. A murder mystery with the Avengers as the detectives? Count me in. Unfortunately I was a bit let-down. It's an attempt at noir, but I feel like it doesn't completely hit the mark. I'm not sure why the Wasp was chosen as the main character. About halfway through, I was wondering if there were any other Marvel characters who are detectives. I thought Moon Knight might have a personality that does. Well, he shows up and helps at the end. I wonder if it would have helped to know some of the recent goings-on in the Marvel universe leading up to this story. The conclusion was adequate and saved this book for me, but I felt like some of the middle issues didn't add much.
If you're looking for a murder mystery with superheroes, I'd recommend The Human Target, Volume 1.

[Sarospice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather pissed because I've got an Avengers story with Janet as a lead. It's not this mess. Call me, Marvel if you want a better Avengers title. Nice to see Mark 12 but otherwise forgettable.

[Geo Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the plot and writing but some of the 12 panel 2 page spreads were confusing and more visual direction would have been helpful

[Jaq Greenspon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. Yes, the ending got a bit much, but overall, I really dug the detective vibe here.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I like the idea more than the execution. A full on detective series in the Marvel universe is a fun idea. Putting Jan in the lead feels like an odd choice to me. There's an obvious reason for it, because the overarching mystery is deeply connected to her personally. That's part of the problem, I think: Ewing sets up a singular mystery, then just walks away from it entirely for a few issues. Sure, this was initially intended to be an ongoing series, but there was no reason to avoid settling the first mystery before continuing on. The one off mysteries would be better if it there were enough clues for most readers to solve them. Love the idea, but it needed different characters and more commitment to the concept of solving individual mysteries.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun series that acts both as a conclusion to the AntMan and Wasp series Ewing did, and is a set of standalone mysteries in its own right. Would've liked to see it spread out over more pages/issues but it is what it is

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute travesty that this series was cancelled
Marvel don’t know when they have quality on their hands

Destined to be a cult classic

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al Ewing and Leonard Kirk assemble a new iteration of heroes with their limited series Avengers Inc. A locked-room murder mystery of incarcerated supervillains results in Janet Van Dyne being called in to work the case. When they all revive in the morgue, Jan is toast - until one of them switches sides. Her old foe Whirlwind seems to have been reborn with a new personality and new ways of using his powers, renaming himself Victor Shade. Intrigued by both the murders and the riddle surrounding Shade's existence, Jan brings him along as a partner in her new detective agency venture. Together they head to Valhalla to find Skurge, team with Moon Knight to track down Oddball, and finally pull back the curtain on the conspiracy of eliminating minor villains. Ewing crafts an engaging whodunit peppered with Easter eggs from Avengers history, made all the more impressive after knowing the Marvel brass actually cut the series shorter than the intended run. His dialogue is snappy without being tiresome, and his one-off issue plots seed a frenetic and fun finale. Kirk provides simple lines that capture effective character moments. His framing and panel usage drives the tale, sketching life into the killer plot. Avengers Inc provided a fresh twist on the classic powerhouse franchise, but was unjustly cut short by the powers that be.

[Nerdmaling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Den här serien kombinerar superhjälteaction med noir-inspirerade detektivelement och följer Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) när hon utreder mysterier inom superhjältevärlden.
Den är skriven av Al Ewing med illustrationer av Leonard Kirk.

Serien har fått positiva recensioner för sin unika blandning av genrer och karaktärsutveckling men själv var jag inte så imponerad.

Jag kan se vad andra skulle kunna tycka är bra. Det är en ny twist på en klassisk Marvel-titel (liknade det Al Ewing gjorde med Hulken) den har fokus på Wasp som ger serien en koppling till det gamla samtidigt som man paketerar det lite vuxet.

Leonard Kirks illustrationer har också fått beröm för att de kompletterar den noir-inspirerade tonen i berättelsen.

Jag har bara svårt för premissen att koppla samman who dunnit med superhjälteserier. Det blir lite dom att gissa vad som gått snett i Star-trek. Jaha, det var trillobitkrystal stabilisatorn som behövde få sina magnetpoler polariserade, det borde jag förstått.

Serien är lite småtråkig och jag kan se de artistiska fördelarna med Leonard Kirks illustrationer men jag längtar bara mer efter färggranna kostymer.

Jag kanske är för barnslig för den här serien?

[Matthew McCarthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the premise, especially with Janet in the lead (being my favourite Avenger), but the execution falls flat hard.

The mysteries are interesting, yet lack clues for the reader to draw to a conclusion. Culprits are never brought up until they are figured out, and while I love Janet, she never feels as though she struggles with the mysteries. The murder mystery aspect is just not good and desperately needed to be lengthened to multiple chapters, not just one chapter each.

The main story also gets ignored until the final two chapters, so that mystery just lingers ignored for a good portion of the comic. Unfortunately, due to being cancelled, the climax feels rushed.

There are genuinely good aspects though. Janet is fun and some of the heroes we see throughout are really neat (especially Moon Knight). The art is really nice too.

Overall, I hope something like this is done again in the future, but with the pacing it needs to really shine.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know what I'm going to say, right? Al Ewing, so instant win.

But the fact that this murder mystery story was cut short at only five issues is a travesty. This book's a lot of fun in the short time it has, and each issue feels slightly different, a different caper in the grander scheme. At least the book manages to go out on its own terms by resolving most of the story that Ewing set out to tell, but it's definitely a shame that it had to rush the ending.

That said, Ewing is reknowned for making sure his plot lines get to play out eventually, even if they're not in the books you'd expect them to be, so I'm sure this won't be the last we see of these guys.

Artwise, I'm not Leonard Kirk's biggest fan, but he works well with this book, even when things get super crowded at the end.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was entertaining but had potential to be more. It either need to be shorter, cutting out most of the second and third sections, making it leaner or else expand it out and have Janet and Vic solve more problems ala the other Avengers (the Steed/Peel ones). I would have preferred the later and wished that they had really leaned into the style because it is really cool.

This brings together Ewing's other mini's Ant-Man: Ant-Iversary and Wasp: Small Worlds. Helps to know these character's background.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Avengers murder mystery with The Wasp as one of the leads? Yes, please...

This was a great idea and got cancelled WAY too soon. If this had been given time, it would have probably been rated higher yet. I'm also glad to see that they untangled the mess that was the Pym/Ultron hybrid person. That thing was such a mess that it's taken multiple series across the last few years to untangle all the affected characters.

(personal request: Can someone please write off Black Ant? Bad as a flesh and blood, worse as an AI)

Bonus: Hank Pym lives!
Bonus: Mark Twelve could bring great things to the MU

[Peter Baran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given the high concept here - The Avengers as noir private investigators - the fact that it arrived DOA holds some bitter irony. And perhaps a sole superhero book where they take the leads out of the spandex and put them in natty three piece suits demonstrates people are just here for the costumes but this is Janet Van Dyne ferchrissakes, you let her wear whatever she wants. The first three part are snappy and tight and make good on the central premise, and then Ewing has to wrap it all up with his big twist which doesn't feel like so much of a twist when the whole thing end. But that's the comics industry I guess. Stylish fun while it lasted.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during a messy time in Avengers and Marvel history, the Wasp puts together a sort of 'Heroes for Hire' loose knit consulting team.
Working with the mysterious Victor, faithful butler Jarvis and a rotating cast, they solve mysteries, tie up loose ends and help where they can.

Ewing does a great job reminding us that Jan is a great character and hero, while dealing with all sorts of odds and ends of marvel history.

The grand finale contains two big twists, one irritated me, one was really well done.
Get that this was planned as a mini, but wish it had kept going, as it was the best Avengers title of recent history.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty fun Marvel detective story, with Wasp and Vic Shade playing detective to goofy Marvel murder mysteries. A murder in Valhalla? Curious! A murder among a bunch of semi-reformed juggling-based villains? Um yeah, I guess, okay!

Moves fast and is often clever, but Avengers, Inc does tend towards overly wordy (many noir-ish voiceovers) and often relies on knowledge of Al Ewing's previous Wasp and Ant-Man miniseries (neither of which I really liked that much). Inconsequential ultimately - I can see why it only received this one volume. Though "Marvel detectives" will no doubt be attempted again in the future.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canceling this series might just be the biggest mistake Marvel has made in years. Even with it being cut short, Ewing delivers a perfect conclusion to the run and kept me wanting even more. As much as it hurts that we'll never get to see the run the way it was intended to or the West Coast Avengers spinoff we deserved, this is forever going to be one of my favorite miniseries. I love the murder mystery aspects of it, and if we got to see it all play out in the slow-burn it was intended to, it could've been a career defining run

Also #5 isn't on here so I'm just using this to log that

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The core concept is good, and continues to move Janet Van Dyne (ne Pym) further away from the stereotype she was originally created as.

Janet has decided to start a detective agency. One that solves the superhuman crimes that no wants to take on.

Such as who killed the villain (and stalker of Janet arguably) Whirlwind, and then who took over his body.

It appears the series was cancelled early on so there is a bit of a rush to the resolution of the above mystery. The other chapters include what are essentially one and done crimes that somehow just didn't feel fully satisfying.

[Rahul Nadella · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a satisfying wrap up to the trilogy of Ant-Man/Wasp/Avengers Inc. I loved seeing Janet headlining a comic book with top billing and even more with a writer who enjoyed writing her. A twist too many imo, crossing the line from “oh!” to “oh brother.” There’s a certain vibe in this series that didn’t do it for me but it seemed like Ewing wanted this to be Emma Peel’s adventures rather than Janet Van Dyne’s. Though this is definitely a must read for Marvel fans. It's different but I had fun with it.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out as a such a fun change of pace from typical Avengers books but the devolved into what you expect from a Wasp-helmed book. I really liked Janet and her mystery of the week in the first two/thirds of the book and the overall mystery turned out to be the thing I didn't love. I thought the original premise could have been continued much longer as it was so enjoyable. The Leonard Kirk artwork was decent but he has been better. Overall, a decent read but it felt like oh, what could have been.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, a disappointing volume from Ewing, and I don't think it's even that it got cut off too soon. The problem is that the main thrust of the comic, which was mystery solving, just wasn't that interesting. Jan and the mysterious Victor Shade don't really come alive, and the mysteries aren't that enthralling. The main plot of Pym & Ultron is better, but it feels annoyingly inconclusive, which is pretty much modern Marvel.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murder mystery in the Marvel universe, with Janet Van Dyne and Vic Shade as the detectives. It's promising, but doesn't fully deliver (I guess the planned series was cut short) on said promise. Also, Janet's no Jessica Jones, so a lot of the mystery-solving is just waiting around until solutions fall in your lap. Still, this wasn't bad and I'd have to say I did enjoy it. The art's not bad, either.