Review # 112: "Infinity"

One of the great things about the first Avengers film is that there were only six of them: Cap, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Hulk, Thor and Black Widow. Throughout most if its history, the core roster of Marvel's premier superteam was kept small, rotating as needed.

Times have changed.

Review # 48: "Avengers - The Children's Crusade"

"The Children's Crusade" had every reason to succeed: it thrust the Young Avengers into a prominent role in what should have been a major arc - the redemption of Scarlet Witch. It brought back the original "Young Avengers" creators Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung to put it together. It has an All-Star cast: the Avengers, the X-Men, Magneto and Doctor Doom. And yet it falls flat.

Review # 6: "Young Avengers Ultimate Collection"

Marvel has a dodgy history at best when it comes to writing teen characters. Yes, they created the biggest of the bunch in Spider-Man. Yes, their biggest franchise ever - the X-Men - began as a tale of teen superheroes. But writing teen dialogue is tough and for every character whom they nail in that department (Kitty Pryde), there's another that's practically embarassing to read (Jubilee.) However, since the "Generation X" debacle of the 90s, Marvel has really gotten their act together with the likes of "Runaways" and - as I'm about to discuss here - Allan Heinberg's "Young Avengers."