Avengers Epic Collection: The Collection Obsession [New Printing]

The latest Avengers Epic is very much a book of three parts, and while none of the three are particularly inspiring, it's another chunk of Marvel history and as such, will still be of interest to completists and Avengers superfans. This particular volume collects stories from 1991 and 1992, and opens with the Vault graphic novel. This slight tale (later repackaged as Venom: The Vault when the villain grew in popularity) sees Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the mutant ex-villain squad Freedom Force grudgingly team up to shut down Marvel's super-prison after a break-out by the dozens of villains within. It's fairly inconsequential, but works well as a knockabout romp, brought to you by Danny Fingeroth and Ron Lim.The second chunk of the book is taken up by 1991's annual crossover, Subterranean Wars. Taking in the Avengers, Hulk, Namor, Iron Man and West Coast Avengers annuals for that year, the story by longtime scribe Roy "The Boy" Thomas brings all of Marvel's various underground societies together into one sprawling tale. Only problem is... it's not particularly good. There are a few good character moments scattered throughout, but the actual plot meanders along until a rather flat ending.The third, and largest part, of the Epic is reserved for the regular Avengers issues (334-344 to be exact), with the title story taking up most of that, as the alien Brethren attack Earth while the Avengers struggle to discover the part of The Collector in the mayhem. Bob Harras and Steve Epting make a good team, and the story has a few twists that raise it above a lot of similar invasion plots. There is also a semi-fill-in issue with Captain America and Wasp, a short Hatemonger arc focusing on recent Avengers recruit Rage, and the sudden return of a presumed-dead member from yesteryear. While this is definitely the most enjoyable part of the Epic, it's still not really a run that ranks among the title's finest.Extras include an excerpt from Marvel Age about Subterranean Wars, the cover of the Venom printing of The Vault, trading card art of relevant characters from the time, and original artwork by Ron Wagner, George Freeman, and Ron Lim. Like I said, it's not the greatest of volumes, but if you're all in for these collections, you won't find it a waste.

This took me back to the magic days of junior high school. I was hoping to see the Brethren in the MCU before we got to the infinity gauntlet. hopefully we may still see them and the new warriors in a netfilx series