Avengers: The Initiative #14 Review

AVENGERS: THE INIATIVE #14
Written by Dan Slott & Christos Gage
Art by Stefano Caselli

This was another solid issue from the Initiative team, but it lacked focus and seemed to have some odd scene changes, like with the Skrull Hank Pym explanations, which felt like retcons to cover up the fact only Bendis probably knew he was a Skrull. While not covered in this issue, I also found it funny that the Pym that was replaced by a Skrull in Civil War was actually a Skrull in the first place.

We find out that Skrull Pym is a complete screw up and that the easiest way to detect Skrulls is to look for people that like strawberries and pickles. I kid you not.

One thing I found amusing was that Triathlon actually had the audacity to make fun of the old 3D Man costume's colour scheme, as if his hideous, multi-coloured monstrosity was actually better. In the end, he took the goggles from the costume, which he received as a gift from the retired 3D Man.

I also found it funny that the Pym that was replaced by a Skrull in Civil War was actually a Skrull in the first place.   

Turns out Triathlon received the cushiest job in the Initiative as the new leader of the Hawaii team and, after some quick introductions to some interesting characters, of which I can't tell if any are pre-existing characters or not, we find out that the goggles, they do nothing! Er, I mean, they do something. As in they let the wearer see who is and isn't a Skrull and he quickly sees that one of his recruits is a Skrull, who they eventually manage to take down with a well placed sword through the head.

Verdict - Check It. I'm a little annoyed that these goggles can detect the Skrulls so easily while Spider-Man's spider-sense, Wolverine's overpowered senses, telepaths and even the sorceror supreme of the entire freaking universe can't tell who is or isn't a Skrull. Otherwise, the issue was another good outing from what I'd consider the best Avengers title on the stands.

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