The West Coast Avengers

#16

September 1986

A team of superheroes fight super-villains

    Miscellaneous Comments:    24 January 1999

    GOOD.

    Avengers Tigra and Hank Pym are vacationing in San Francisco with Hellcat and her husband Daimon Hellstrom, when they see costumed villain Tiger Shark being chased by the harbour police. Hellcat and Tigra capture Tiger Shark and learn that he and a partner, Whirlwind, are in town on a job. Whirlwind was a major foe of Pym's during his days as a costumed crime-fighter, and mention of his name brings Pym right back to his shameful past and expulsion from the Avengers.

    The foursome decide to capture Whirlwind. A trap is set. But, before Tigra and Hellcat can get him under wraps, Whirlwind has a chance to confront Pym and ridicule him.

    By issues end, Hank Pym - already coping with the recent end of a relationship - is feeling decidedly suicidal…

    I really enjoyed this issue.

    I liked the way Englehart kept suicide in the background all the way through. The opening scene has a group of motorists mistake Tigra's super-activities as a suicide bid. Mid-way through the issue another character speaks of Hank writing "himself out of the picture for good." And, finally, the last scene has suicide introduced as a topic of casual conversation.

    He is foreshadowing, but he doesn't do it with a sledge-hammer.

    It's also fun to see Tigra pull herself together, even as Hank falls apart. This is written very well. No overblown speeches or angst. Just Hank being hurt and then coping too well, so that the reader is suspicious.

    The issue is fast paced and a lot happens. We see two battles, lots of banter (both in L.A. and Frisco), a break-up and a recap in Pym's fall from grace. All four leads, and both villains, are written as characters. They come alive on the page, and they hook you much more than the story could on it's own.

    Type of Series: Super-Hero; Action-Adventure;

    Similar Comics: Avengers; Fantastic Four;

    Strengths: The writing of Steve Englehart. I love his run on West Coast Avengers.

    Weaknesses: While the art is likable and perfect for super-hero fights, the people have a certain blandness and sameness about them.

    Impressive Characters:

    Impressive Writers: Englehart.

    Impressive Artists:

    Less-Than-Impressive Characters:

    Less-Than-Impressive Writers:

    Less-Than-Impressive Artists: Al Milgrom and Joe Sinnott. While the art is likable and perfect for super-hero fights, the people have a certain blandness and sameness about them.

    Continuity: Strong, this issue showcases a new, stronger Tigra, who comes about as a result of the two-parter that came before this. While this issue affects Hank Pym and sets in motion the events that will change him in upcoming issues.

    Guide:

    Reviews:

    Other Info:

Three Things I Really Like About This Issue:

    It's a fun read. Good old fashioned super-hero action. Just the way I like it. Not only in terms of the battles (and both of them are really enjoyable) but in terms of the setting. Tigra, Hellcat, Pym and Hellstrom are four cool characters. Very diverse, very interesting individuals hanging out and having an adventure. Casually deciding to tackle a known super-villain. Because, after all, this is what they do. Fight bad-guys.

    While back in L.A. we get to see the rest of the team relax and have a meal together.

    That final confrontation between Whirlwind and Henry Pym, where Whirlwind basically stops to remind Pym of what a loser he is.

    

Three Things I Really Don't Like About This Issue:

    While the art is likable and perfect for super-hero fights, the people have a certain blandness and sameness about them

    

    

GRADE: A

Comments are welcome: dec@iol.ie

 

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