Superior Avengers Recycles a Familiar Concept With an Intriguing Cast (Review)

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In Marvel’s “One World Under Doom” event, Doctor Doom aims to demonstrate that his team of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes surpass the original ones in excellence. One intriguing idea born out of this publishing event is the “Superior Avengers“. Much like comics such as “Dark Avengers” and “Thunderbolts”, the “Superior Avengers” features a group of unidentified characters who assume familiar roles, but rather than adopting heroic aliases, these individuals opt for villainous names instead. To keep readers engaged, there must be enough depth to the story, and so far, the first issue of “Superior Avengers” delivers an unexpected twist.

In our previous discussion, we pointed out that each member of the Superior Avengers team has taken on roles of well-known villains. Visually, they resemble these characters, such as Doctor Octopus with his mechanical arms and Killmonger wearing a Black Panther mask. Unlike typical comics, the focus is more on their origins and secret objectives rather than revealing their identities. The narrative unfolds primarily from the perspective of Doctor Doom’s adopted son, Kristoff Vernard, who plays a significant role in the storyline given that his father has taken control of the world. This series, titled “One World Under Doom“, offers insights into both Kristoff’s and the Superior Avengers’ experiences. Though Doom appears for a limited time, he doesn’t overshadow the plot.

As a devoted cinephile flipping through the pages of “Superior Avengers” #1, I was taken aback by how swiftly the narrative unfolded. I had anticipated a more leisurely paced story to delve deeper into the characters’ backstories, but alas, I found myself on the last page before I knew it. This isn’t a criticism; rather, it’s a testament to writer Steve Foxe and his creative team for maintaining a brisk pace without getting mired in unnecessary details.

While we may not have the full story of the Superior Avengers just yet, there’s certainly room for further exploration. The intrigue has been set, and it leaves new readers with the tantalizing choice to continue following the series to unravel the mysteries or to step away without a significant investment.

In issue #1 of “Superior Avengers,” we have two distinct artists: Luca Maresca and Kyle Hotz. Maresca is responsible for the ongoing narrative, while Hotz contributes a flashback sequence. Alongside Mattia Iacono on colors and VC’s Cory Petit on lettering, this artistic team crafts an engaging comic. The initial pages plunge readers directly into the action, introducing us to our Superior Avengers as they protect the Capital from Annihilus. Other notable pages include Doctor Doom’s unexpected arrival to greet Kristoff, a heroic cameo from a Marvel character, a double-spread unveiling the Superior Avengers to the world, and Hotz’s page, which subtly hints at some spoilers.

In terms of rephrasing, here’s how I would put it:

Issue #1 of the “Superior Avengers” series embodies the typical quality one might anticipate from a Marvel crossover event. It builds upon the central narrative of the event while still offering space to explore new and thrilling directions. Whether this journey appeals to readers is largely a matter of personal taste, but I believe that “Superior Avengers” is definitely worth checking out.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Published by Marvel Comics

On April 16, 2025

Written by Steve Foxe

Art by Luca Maresca with Kyle Hotz

Colors by Mattia Iacono

Letters by VC’s Cory Petit

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2025-04-16 15:09