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This latest incarnation of the New Champions feels very much like a counterpart to DC’s Teen Titans, with each of the heroes on the team having either a real or symbolic link to a corresponding adult hero. This team includes Amaranth (Scarlet Witch’s apprentice), Moon Squire (whose Hydra-built costume was inspired by Moon Knight), and Cadet Marvel (whose powers mimic Captain Marvel). Though the team has shrunk from a whopping 13 members to 7, there’s still a great mix of power sets and personalities between them.
New Champions #5, written by Steve Foxe with art by Ivan Fiorelli and colors by Arthur Hesli, puts Amaranth in the spotlight as she tries to give the team focus and direction. Tons of magic threats are out there and she’s determined to squash all of them. A few pages of the book have the team sitting around Moon Squire’s basement discussing a past battle. You might think dedicating several pages to a conversation is boring, but I thought it was the most entertaining part of the book.
In the hands of a great writer, putting a few characters in a room and having them debate and bicker can be as equally exciting as battling a horde of villains. And Steve Foxe delivers. Fantasma’s total irritation by everyone and Gold Tiger’s exuberant, lovey-dovey huggy nature contrast perfectly, as does Cadet Marvel’s smartass flippant attitude and Moon Squire’s constant worrisome fretting. Amaranth and Liberty seem to be the most thoughtful and straight-arrow of the team but even they’re not beyond being punctured by Cadet Marvel, who loves taking shots at Moon Squire like “They’re talking about you, bro!”. You can practically feel Amaranth’s eyes rolling at every word coming out of Marvel’s mouth.
The issue’s not all sitting around yakking, though. The second half of the issue has the team battling a powerful extra-dimensional creature. The battle puts the team to the test as the monster forces each of them to confront their worst fears.
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Ivan Fiorelli’s art captures the youthful exuberance of the group. Each character’s personality is reflected in their facial expressions and posture and Fiorelli conveys the quiet moments equally as well as when the team’s in battle. The New Champions are one of the most visually striking teams at Marvel these days, both in character design and power sets. Fantasma’s roller-skating demonic form, Cadet Marvel’s glowing fists, Liberty’s translucent energy wings and Amaranth’s crimson spells all dazzle the eyes thanks to Arthur Hesli’s colors.
My only complaint with the book is that I wish they’d return to the 13 character roster they had at the beginning. Maybe even add a few more people? When the team had all those characters, it had a “Legion of Super-Heroes” vibe to it that I loved and it also reminded me of that classic Jonathan Hickman Avengers run where the team’s roster was even more massive. I suppose having 7 characters makes it easier to give each one some time to shine, though, and that’s not a bad thing.
If you’re even remotely a fan of super-team books, pick up this issue. It’s a great introduction to all the characters and sets up a future storyline with a lot of potential for showing the dark magic side of the Marvel Universe. New Champions #5 is a super fun read, with the team members’ personalities clashing and an epic battle in the issue’s climax that sets up a promising future storyline.
“]] The team faces their worst fears. Read More