The thing I like about Dark Avengers vs Thunderbolts is that there is a bit more moral complexity; that arc on Thunderbolts always made me queasy because it just seemed like bad people doing progressively more terrible things (which, to Ellis’s credit, was probably the point).

The Sentry stuff I think is pretty cool, if indeed Bendis is playing by how I think he is. Bendis’ strength tends to be the long-form storytelling, teasing certain things that’ll be later become a plot point, subverting the whole “done in one” method. The Sentry has been “killed” in going on 3, 4 issues now, only to just show up later 100% fine, freaking everyone out? This Kenny McCormick act has to be intentional and even if he’s not having a character go “hey, didn’t he JUST DIE?” it doesn’t feel to me like he’s just dropped it. There’s a ton of threads he’s trying to weave together, and i’m curious which turn into things and which don’t.

The only thing which I don’t care for and am unsure of it having a long-term purpose is making Moonstone so sexually aggressive (some might say compulsive). Ellis made a point of bringing this up in his arc (saying how Moonstone didn’t want to get a bruise before “meeting up with a co-worker for sex”), but this was at least tempered by having moments of her as team-leader and generally being well-rounder. Now Bendis basically has Moony fucking her way through the Dark Avengers ranks. I wouldn’t have an issue with this (female sexuality and power isn’t the issue here) except that it’s pretty much the ONLY thing she’s done in 10 issues (than again, you could argue the same thing about Venom and eating people). I’m not usually one to cry misogyny, but it feels like a simplification of her character and a bit of horny fanboy reductionism on BB’s part. Then again, maybe it’s the set-up for something I’m not expecting and it’ll all make sense. I’m skeptical, but i’ll play along for now.

Overall, I dig the book in the way I dig most of Bendis’ non-Ultimate Spiderman books (which I think has been one of the strongest superhero books for YEARS): an interesting change of pace from the usual smash-em-up of other capes and cowls books, trying to do something a bit different if not always succeeding in quality.

Let ANY writer direct the general forward continuity of the main marvel universe in his or her books, and then compare its numbers to Bendis’ books. I’d bet anything in the world that the numbers would match.

I mean, to use an even more obvious example, look at JLA under McDuffie’s run. It was universally agreed amongs anyone who could articulate themselves in a critical way, that McDuffie’s JLA was garbage. And yet it still sold way, because of its position as THE JLA book.

Numbers don’t equal quality, just look at Hulk and Ultimates 3. I don’t think anyone should worry either way, if you don’t like it, don’t buy it, and if you do like it, don’t let others get to you, I mean is your opinion that vulnerable?

How can you have all those resources and still suck so bad? Oh wait, Brian Bendis..just look at the New Avengers.

of course “whiners” like me aren’t the majority. The first thing I said was that Dark Avengers(and the rest of Bendis comics) is one of the top selling books every month.So what’s your point?

The “it’s Bendis,what are people expecting” comment that I made, however, makes perfect sense.
If you buy a Bendis book you know exactly wat you’re going to get: lots and lots of dialogue and decompressed storytelling.

If you like it, fine. It’s your money, you do whatever you want with it. I simply choose not to buy it.

It’s Bendis, what are people expecting?

All his characters do is sit around and talk. Then people pay 3.99$ for that crap, it becomes one of the top selling books of the month, rinse and repeat.

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People pay $3.99 for “that crap” because they like reading it. Some whiners on a forum are not the majority.

Please don’t pull the “it’s Bendis, what are people expecting” crap. Most of his stuff is great.

Sure, there was a lack of action and BMB can lull you to sleep sometimes with his characterizations. Believe me when I tell you though, this is the end of the “lull” in this series. From here on out, we’ll be knee deep in Osborn’s Dark Reign of Terror and before they knew what hit them, the Siege on Asgard begins (if the solicitations can be believed).

Hopefully we’ll see some of the group reform when all the events have died down and watch them all go insane without Uncle Norman’s guidance! (Then we can be rewarded with a big payoff before the series goes into limbo or gets cancelled. How many Thunderbolts-type series does Marvel need to publish when it’s all over?)

Dark Avengers is a consistently entertaining read.

This issue I would says is a “break” of sorts from the usual scheming that is Norman Osborn‘s Dark Reign – writer Brian Michael Bendis even incorporates that into the story very nicely.

I thought the opening was terrific, full of mystery, drama and anticipation. From there, Bendis takes us to the Dark Avengers where the god of War literally cuts another target off of Norman’s list. While surely, the thing is not dead, what is interesting is what the creature protects, why Norman chose it and if there will be further consequences down the road.

Excellent dialogue between all the Dark Avengers ensues as they are told their next mission, and one they could care less about – including Norman. This relates to the “mysterious” events in beginning of the book and if you happen not to be a Sentry fan, you make want to check out what happens!

Next, the Dark Avengers led by Osborne along with what looks like everything H.A.M.M.E.R has, take off into action! Once again, things do not go according to Norman’s plans leaving him in a panic! – - And also leaving the Director face to face with [the smallest unit of matter that retains the characteristics of a compound], in addition to an assemblage of super villains!

Dark Avengers #10 is one of those comic books where you go back and read it a second and third time and just continue to enjoy it. This book has it all. Right from the start you hear that “click-clack,” from there you are slowly taken uphill and finally toward the end you get that glimpse of what is to come.

It’s an uphill fun ride!

All his characters do is sit around and talk. Then people pay 3.99$ for that crap, it becomes one of the top selling books of the month, rinse and repeat.