Gay Superhero Couple, Hulkling and Wiccan, Back in New Avengers #1

Even though I’m a big fan of Wiccan and Hulkling (they are one of my main One True Pairings), reading New Avengers #1 made me remember the good old days of Young Avengers. The post-Secret Wars offering by Marvel needs to improve a lot, even if it has my favorite gay superhero couple in it. I won’t accept anything less!

The first weird thing I noticed about the issue was the line-up of A.I.M. Al Ewing seems to be taking a risk creating a team that has Squirrel Girl in it. Writing Doreen Green and doing her character justice is tough as it is, and making her part of a team needs a very different take. If you happen to be reading her solo-series, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, you would know that she doesn’t need a team to take down any bad guy. She shines best when going solo, and Ewing failed to deliver the Squirrel Girl I love in the second major Avengers title from Marvel.

Also, the eight-month post-Secret Wars gap doesn’t help with comfortably introducing readers to the new team. The team members did mention why they joined A.I.M, but it only hinted at their decision rather than explain it. I guess Ewing will be using the mystery of the events that occurred during said time gap to make things more interesting as the series continues.

The biggest complaint I have about the series is the art by Gerardo Sandoval. His style changed Wiccan into a whole new character for me. When was he ever so muscular? Also, is it just me or does he look a bit like Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto? Either way, he isn’t the Wiccan I know as far as looks are concerned, and that puts me off a bit.

While New Avengers has revealed its place in the new Marvel Universe (S.H.I.E.L.D doesn’t know what to do with them), the whole concept behind the team even existing in the first place didn’t pique my interest. There is a lot of talk about technology, and an evil alternate version of Reed Richards serves as the villain. This means that there’s going to be even more talk about complicated science, and I can’t understand why a science-focused team would recruit Wiccan, a reality warper and mage.

I guess Ewing does have an idea about what he wants to do with the current team, but I might not stick around if it takes too long for things to grow interesting. If someone decides to make Hulkling and Wiccan join a team, then I expect the story to have the magic and fun of Young Avengers worthy of these two beloved characters.

I really don’t want to keep reading a comic book series talking about how Wiccan knows he can be all-powerful but doesn’t do anything about it. Fans have already seen that, and it’s high time we see a change and Wiccan becomes the great character he can be. The love between him and Hulkling saved the whole Marvel universe and I want to see that again!

Did you read New Avengers #1? What did you think of it? Let us know!

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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