Avengers Undercover # 4

Written by Dennis Hopeless
Illustrated by Kev Walker and Jason Gorder
Colours by Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel

This series follows up last years 18 issue Avengers Arena, in which a group of young superheroes were captured by supervillain Arcade and forced to fight to the death in his artificial "Murder World" a la Battle Royale and The Hunger Games, as Arcade broadcasts footage of their ordeal to the world.

In this series,  the survivors have difficulty adapting to their daily life, and set out for revenge against Arcade.  However they find themselves increasingly drawn to the dark side.

The series builds on the events of Avengers Arcade and shows how heroes could be drawn to villainy.  It's refreshing to see a comic where events actually have lasting consequences both physically and emotionally for the characters.

The story is well-written with a real feel for characters and doesn't let the action drown out the characters.  However the action keeps ticking along nicely.  The artwork is dynamic and works well for the action.

   Cover art by Francesco Mattina

Captain Marvel # 3

Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Illustrated by David Lopez
Colours by Lee Loughbridge
Letters by Vc's Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel

Carol Danvers is a former United States Air Force pilot who was caught in the explosion of an alien device called the Psyche Magnitron, which gave her superpowers which she uses to fight for the forces of good as Captain Marvel.  Tic is a refugee from the poisoned planet Torfa, who was heading to Earth to recuit the help of the Avengers.  Captain Marvel is taking her home when they  encounters the Guardians of the Galaxy.  Tic immediately recognises one of them, Star-Lord, as the son of the king of the Spartax, the sworn enemies of her people who are part of the Alliance that are trying to evict Tic's people from Torfa.

This is a good issue of a comic that has developed a very strong fan-base.  The story is intriguing with an interesting moral dilemma, and the unfortunate Tic is a strong character.  Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel is a great hero, strong, intelligent, tough but also compassionate, there is a level of heart in this series which is missing from many other superhero comics.

The artwork is detailed and colourful with distinctive character designs and real dynamism in the action scenes.