The Avengers 18: Infinity is a massive, entertaining storyline

Marvel Comics just started the Infinity storyline.  Essentially, most of the Marvel superheroes are in outer space with literally every living being.  An evil alliance called The Builders has been created and is destroying worlds.  In The Avengers 18, Earth’s superheroes suit up, team with a couple of The Builder and try to crack some heads.

Infinity is a storyline that has 6 of its own issues, but also visits the issues of Avengers and New Avengers.  Infinity 1 was great, a little complex in that most of the alien characters were new to me; but the art and dialogue keep you hooked.

For the first half of Avengers 18 we see things from the perspective of The Builders.  They’re laying out a plan, specifically a trap that will bring The Avengers, The Galactic Council and lots of other questionable space character together for the slaughter.

What’s refreshing about the Infinity story is that it puts the characters that we know in places that are new, storytelling 101.  We know that Hulk and Thor have been to different planets, but Captain America, Hawkeye and Spider-Woman?  They, and lots of other normally Earth bound characters are along for the ride and you can really feel the unknown and see it in their faces.

When the alliance is having their team meeting before the initial attack you almost can’t believe it.  Wait, these are Earth’s superheroes, really-what are they doing here?  The joy of their brief victory and their defeat when The Builders show their true force is likewise tough to watch.

Here’s the good news, it’s early in the series and we know that most of The Avengers won’t die in this issue.  Sure it ends with their ship just having been shot up and yeah, they’re humans and need oxygen but something will happen.

Jump into Infinity, it’s the best miniseries that I’ve read in two years.  Each issue, even the tie ins, have a page recap to get readers up to speed on what’s happened.

Every Wednesday new comics are released.  We’ll highlight what we’re reading here on Wednesday (sometimes Thursday) so that you can keep to speed on basic comic culture.