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Marvel Salute: New Avengers guest starring the Fantastic Four "Pot of Gold" Review posted: 13 Nov 2005 Writer: Paul Jenkins Artist: Graham Nolan (pencil breakdowns) Artist: Tom Palmer (finished art) Letters: VC’s Rus Wooton Colors: Chris Sotomayor Publisher: Marvel Comics  2.00 out of 5 Stars Reviewed by Matt Yocum

I was genuinely excited when I picked up this special issue offered free at military PXs and BXs (Post and Base Exchanges, respectively) in the US and around the world. Brian Michael Bendis did a decent job on the last such Marvel special around six months ago. And when I saw that Paul Jenkins wrote this issue, I thought he would be up to the task of giving military members a good story. Unfortunately, this was not to be.

One problem I’ve had with Paul Jenkins, as noted in my review of his Revelations series for Dark Horse Comics, is that he’s hit and miss. Some stories, like Revelations, are a complete miss, and others, like Batman: Jekyll & Hyde for DC Comics, are an inspiring hit.

The primary reason this issue was a miss is also the main reason the last Marvel special for the military was a hit. In Bendis’ story, he gave us a good comic story first, a military tribute second. Here, Jenkins gives us a military tribute, or more accurately an AAFES (or Army Air Force Exchange Service) tribute first, and a good story second. Did you know AAFES has about forty-eight thousand associates world wide? And that at least a quarter of them are military family members? That’s interesting, but it doesn’t serve a great comic story.

Actually this comic seems put together more by editors than the writer. I can just see the editorial emails to Paul Jenkins:

“Paul, make sure to put in Thor.”
“But I thought he was dead.”
“Doesn’t matter. People know we have Thor at Marvel, so put him in. Oh, and put in Daredevil somewhere.”
“But he’s not part of the Fantastic Four or New Avengers.”
“Doesn’t matter, put him in. Oh, and Paul, have Captain America give a mom and apple pie speech. ”
“But that’s hokey.”
“Just make it work.”

And Paul Jenkins did all of these. I won’t delve into the story, but Thor stands in the background, Daredevil is thrown in there, and Captain America gives a speech on the value of supporting troops, to which Luke Cage preambles quietly to the Thing, “Uh-oh. Here comes the speech.” Of course by the end of said speech, the Thing is in tears and the rest of the New Avengers and the Fantastic Four cheer. Actually, I will admit, I liked the speech part only in that it highlighted in today’s politically divisive American culture how the average military member serves regardless of politics. We could debate forever numerous issues about today’s military operations, but ultimately the military is the hammer not the hand.

As a current military officer, I’m grateful to Marvel for doing this comic. I truly am. But what we covet most is a good, solid comic, not an ad for AAFES. This issue adds to my collection of rare issues, but not much more.

Comments about my comments? Feel free to email me at myocum@comiccritique.com.