Rick Remender is single-handedly saving the Avengers. You should help. Buy this book!
Remender covers a lot of ground here. First, let's talk about the conversation between Cap and Wolverine. After the eight-year reign of Bendis, it's hard to remember a time when the Avengers used to talk to one another about serious topics without resorting to inane banter. Over the course of two pages, Cap and Logan have an honest-to-goodness disagreement about the direction of the Avengers, where both make valid points. Logan somewhat reasonably questions the logic of choosing the brother of the villain of "Avengers vs. X-Men" to lead an Avengers squad meant to promote human/mutant harmony. He also wonders why Cap didn't ask him. Cap laid out his argument why Alex should lead the squad last issue, but he addresses Logan's concerns by (again, somewhat reasonably) suggesting that the public would have a hard time accepting a mutant with Logan's "reputation" as someone seeking to promote harmony between the races. He contrasts Logan's reputation with Alex's, noting that people see him as a "strong and ethical man" with whom they can identity. But, Logan calls bullshit, accusing Cap of just picking a pretty face. Before Cap can really respond, though, an elderly man thanks Alex personally for saving his life, hugging him and telling him, 'There ain't enough heroes in the world." Cassady does a great job in the next panel, showing Cap slyly looking at Logan and Logan somewhat resignedly accepting the wisdom of the "someone with whom people can identity" arugment, all without words. These four pages alone show us that we're in a different world. If Bendis was Michael Bay, Remender is Aaron Sorkin.
But, he doesn't stop there. Remender gives us a more deadly competent Red Skull here than we've seen in a long time. Of course, he has to explain why the Red Skull is still alive and he does so in a way that I totally buy and actually manages to strip away years of baggage from the character. Instead of a man whose mind has been shattered after deaths, dismemberments, etc., we get someone recently awoken from stasis, for whom "1942 was mere months ago." This Skull has realized that the United States is just as ripe for takeover as Germany was, with a "freightened population" fearing coming change. He sees America as a place where he can use anti-mutant hysteria to create an Eternal Reich. Of course, he also now is all the deadlier since he has Professor X's brain grafted to his brain. I mean, Red Skull + Professor X = downright scary.
It's the discovery by Rogue and Scarlet Witch of Professor X's body that leads to perhaps the best scene in this issue, with Rogue remembering the Professor defying the rest of the X-Men when he declared that he would accept her into his School even if she were the only student to remain. Whereas Bendis wouldn't bother with this sort of reflection on Rogue's past, Remender puts it front and center here. Rogue sobbing next to Professor X's body is a powerful moment and really the best tribute to the Professor that I've seen so far. It drives her fury at the Red Skull and really makes me anxious to see the fight next issue. However, Remender uses that moment for more than just showing Rogue's quest for vengeance. When parid with Logan's introductory monologue about the X-Men failing the Professor, it helps to remind us of the theme of this series perfectly, that this team, at its core, is the X-Men team fighting for the Professor's dream. Bendis always skipped this part, never bothering to explore characters' emotions when he could just be smashing robots together. Here, in just two issues, Remender delivers an arc that redefines the Avengers for a new age, all thanks to his exploration of the characters.
If Bendis wrote for teenagers, Remenber writes for adults (and not just by having Rogue mention sexy-time with Gambit). This issue shows people with extraordinary powers in difficult situations that challenge their self-perceptions as well as their relationships. It's the very best type of Avengers issue and it's such a wonderful relieft to read it. Remender is clearly building to the moment, possibly next issue, where the team comes together for the first time and, for the first time in a long time, I can honestly say that I can't wait for the next issue of an Avengers title. Thanks, Remender, for giving me that, after just two issues.
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