Having spent years in captivity at the hands of the Skrull, Mockingbird is trying to find her way in a world that has changed since she's been gone. She's created a new anti-terrorism task force and is eager to get back into the game as a super spy, but is finding it difficult to accomplish her goals with her estranged husband sniffing around her operations.
New Avengers: The Reunion collects the four issue mini-series of the same name, written by Jim McCann and art by David López.
Once a staple of the Avengers during the late-'80s and early-'90s, Mockingbird was tragically killed off and faded into obscurity. All that changed when the character was brought back during Secret Invasion. With the revelation that she'd been replaced by a Skrull years ago, there were many questions to be answered and Jim McCann addresses each one magnificently in this collection. Over the course of The Reunion, McCann slowly peels back the layers of Mockingbird's character and reveals to the reader what she'd been through when she was a captive of the Skrulls. Her harrowing experiences are documented through incredibly effective flashbacks.
The major question that dictates the direction of the narrative is whether Mockingbird had been replaced before or after her divorce to Hawkeye. With the reader aware that she'd fully intended to end their relationship years ago, the tension is palpable and the awkwardness between her and her estranged husband adds dimension to the story. It would have been easy for McCann to write the reunion between Mr. and Mrs. Clint Barton as a sappy romance, but he takes the alternate route of addressing the fact that their relationship is severely flawed and Mockingbird's uncomfortableness with the world around her. Not only that, but he makes a conscious effort to emphasize what makes both of these characters so unique. Often cited as ripoffs of DC Comics' Green Arrow and Black Canary, Hawkeye and Mockingbird seem like independent creations here. Mockingbird is especially treated well, with McCann smartly emphasizing the character's scientific knowledge.
Normally I'd count David López as one of my least favourite comic book artists, but his work in The Reunion is spot-on. Not only does he manage to capture the characters and tone of the book perfectly, but he gave Mockingbird one of the chicest redesigns I've ever seen.
The New Avengers: The Reunion is truly a hidden gem in Marvel's catalogue. It celebrates one of their most underrated characters and gives her an opportunity to prove why she's not just a knockoff of Black Canary. Jim McCann does a great job with the story and characters, writing them with enthusiasm and depth. Paired with López's art, this is one mini-series that proved to be quite impressive. If you enjoyed Mr. & Mrs. Smith, this collection should be right up your alley!
Rating: B+
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