- Title: West Coast Avengers #1
- Comic Vine: link
- Writer: Kelly Thompson
- Artist: Stefano Caselli
Although past members have included Iron Man and the Scarlet Witch, the West Coast Avengers have always been the B-team (or maybe the D-team). With the relaunch of the title, writer Kelly Thompson keeps to this theme allowing Hawkeye (one of the original West Coast Avengers) to be added to the group surrounded by characters you are unlikely to see in the MCU.
As a joke that gets old halfway into the first issue, the team includes not one but two Hawkeyes as Kate Bishop puts the new team together. As with most Marvel team books, I care for about 40% of the characters. On the plus side, the group has Hawkeyes and Miss America, but I’m less than impressed with Kid Omega, the reality-TV angle, or Bishop putting her boyfriend on the team. The addition of Gwenpool is a wildcard that could help or hurt the comic (possibly both at the same time).
The first issue offers wacky action as the heroes save the Los Angeles beaches from land sharks and discover a former member has outgrown them (literally). I’m not sure if there’s enough to bring me back for issue #2. For fans.
[Marvel, $3.99]