Young Avengers 2: Alternative Cultures - Softcover

An award-winning critic and journalist, Kieron Gillen has written for organizations such as PC Gamer, The Guardian, Rock Paper Shotgun and Wired before turning his attention to comics. His previous writing credits include the critically lauded Phonogram, Thor, S.W.O.R.D. and Generation Hope. He has relaunched two longstanding Marvel series in Uncanny X-Men and Journey into Mystery.

This team of teen and new-adult superheroes continues their galactic, dimension-spanning adventure directly from volume 1. Under the guidance of a teenage Loki, Norse god of mischief, the team is happily gallivanting through space when they are approached by Prodigy, a one-time militant mutant and current staggering genius, with warnings of a dire interdimensional threat. So begins the journey through alternate realities to confront a terrifyingly powerful tyrant called Mother. Despite the growing ensemble, Gillen makes each character distinct and likable and keeps the gay relationship between Wiccan and Hulkling at the heart of the story for some satisfying emotional stakes. As with the previous one, this slim volume is a quick read with snappy dialogue and fast, cleanly depicted action that pops with cinematic digital coloring effects. Though this is solidly a part of Marvel’s overall continuity and clearly segues into the next volume, teens will enjoy the characters’ youth-oriented plights and have their curiosities piqued as Loki’s true agenda starts becoming clearer. Grades 9-12. --Jesse Karp