Despite my usual lack of interest in alternate reality/time travelling storylines, this book has been the exception. Now don't get me wrong, it still has the trademark confusion that accompanies any "I'm messing with the time stream!" book. The difference here is that Bendis has been able to tap into a lot of different high interest areas to get me hooked.
The writing in this book is very un-Bendis'esque'. Sure it contains his usual layered dialogue, but there is a complexity and girth (for lack of a better word) that is usually absent in his writing. What I think i am trying to say is that usually his writing is very much for the moment. This script seems to constantly reference a bigger, more complex picture.
John Romita Jr.'s art is...still John Romita Jr.'s art. Blocky, horribly drawn faces on bizarrely bent bodies. The man has skill, there's no denying it, but his style is just not my cup of ink.
The story sees the Avengers unfold the real reason they were summoned to the future, and it doesn't seem to be what "future" Kang claimed it was...for now! There are references to the classic Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day and plenty of appearances by cool villains such as Galactus and Apocalypse. I think the coolest thing of all though had to be the giant timeline future Tony Stark pulled out. It references EVERYTHING happening in the Marvel Universe and I can't help but feel there are some big hints hidden in it. So I am definitely going to spend some more time studying that timeline more carefully to see if I can come up with any new revelations within my favourite Marvel storylines.
The story was good, but I can't help wondering how much better it might be with a better artist on the title. It has enough entertainment value to keep me along for the ride for now though.