Growing up I was a fan of the Avengers, but not an uber loyal fan. If I missed a book I didn’t sweat it too much. But looking back, this is and always has been a mighty fine book. We get some of the greatest heroes in existence teaming up to kick a wide variety of rear-end. It’s fun. Captain America is a certified boss. Iron Man and Thor are handy to smash skulls. It’s just got a lot of really good things going for it, including the work of a much younger Stan Lee and the great Jack Kirby.

This book, the fourth issue in the ongoing series, welcomes Captain America to the world of the Avengers. It also plays host to a fantastic battle between the titular heroes and the great and powerful Prince Namor.

The story picks up where issue three left off, the battle between the Avengers, Hulk and Namor now over and done with. Namor is chewing on the sensation of defeat, bullying anyone and everyone he can find, which ends up being a group of unsuspecting Eskimos. They’re gathered around a massive block of ice, the shape of a figure suspended within the frozen water.

Namor chucks the block into the water, where the Avengers, cruising in their submarine, spot the quickly defrosted man that was frozen within the ice. What do you know? It’s Captain America! Not a bad way to kick off the story.

It’s cool that issue four is the issue that showcases a monumental moment in the history of the Avengers: The unifying of the Avengers and Captain America. This is a very, very relevant occurrence, and the impact of this super powered mash-up of the Avengers and Captain America (and precisely what it meant for Marvel Comics in 1964) certainly isn’t lost on me.

We’re treated to the Cap reciting the occurrences that led to him eventually being frozen since World War II. It’s a truncated tale, but it still feels rather epic on page. It’s good catch up for the character, and if you’re not familiar with Captain America at all (at least not the page version), it’s a great place to begin following.

Back to Namor, who, as it turns out, wasn’t done causing trouble in issue three, he’s dead set on getting the upper-hand, even if it means seeking the help of other parties and those who bow before him beneath the sea’s surface. But can he defeat the Avengers, and if he does manage to take the advantage over the group, how long can he hold that position?

You’ll have to order up a digital copy for the answer to that question!

I dig the long, drawn out battle between our heroic lot and the pestering but extremely dangerous Namor. There’s no short-changing here, it’s a battle to the bitter end, and it’s a good one. We’re certainly quick to issue a recommendation for this book. It’s an important book historically speaking, and it helps to elevate the status of the Avengers a great deal. Look for the digital, ASAP!

Rating: 5/5