New Avengers #53

The search for the new Sorcerer Supreme doesn't seem nearly as important as the solicits make it out to be. I think this story would have been better suited as a Doctor Strange mini series that focused more on his loss of the power and search for his replacement. With it being in New Avengers, it just ends up being one fight scene after another with some hit-or-miss banter thrown in.

This issue is just one big fight scene. First the Hood fights the son of the Devil, whoever that is. Then Madame Masque fights the New Avengers. After she gets taken out, the Hood fights them, in what seems to be the championship match in a single elimination tournament.

Oh! A new Sorcerer Supreme debuts this issue. I barely remember it because it's totally glossed over. On the last page some Voodoo guy walks out into the street and asks what's going on. Doctor Strange just happens to notice that guy is wearing the Eye of Agamotto. Annnnnnnd scene. As you can tell, I wasn't at all impressed with this development.

One thing that was impressive was Bendis's characterization of the New Avengers. He writes most of them really well. In one panel, Captain America asks anyone if they want a gun. I sometimes forget he carries one around, so it was nice to see Bendis address it. Cap even defeats Madame Masque with one of his high powered rifles. Don't worry. He doesn't kill her. That wouldn't be too heroic.

Bendis also does a great job with Spider-Man this issue. He tries to comfort Luke Cage about his wife's secret high school crush and then asks to partner up with Iron Fist since they "broke up." It's all really funny and Luke Cage is appropriately annoyed. Spidey also finds time between all the fighting to bug Cap too by calling him "Bucky Cap."

Mockingbird continues to be someone Bendis can't write. Once again, he writes her as a helpless little mascot for the team. She doesn't get it on any of the action and actually asks for her husband's permission to fight. Give me a break. Take some notes from your boy, Jim McCann, from The Reunion.

Billy Tan's art is really good this issue. In particular, his panels of the fight between Madame Masque and Spider Woman are awesome. Also, his Hood his fearsome and menacing. Some of the magical parts are a little hard to decipher, but overall I think Tan's art totally worked for this issue.

Don't you think the New Sorcerer Supreme sounds like a type of pizza? That's what I was thinking while reading this issue. Brian Bendis doesn't do an effective job writing an important and captivating story. This issue's only saving grace is the characterization of the Avengers and the art from Billy Tan.