Credits

• Writer: Allen Heinberg
• Art: Jim Cheung

Side Kicks, part 3

The origins of the Young Avengers continues; as Jessica Jones, Iron Man and Captain America react to the Vision being alive inside Iron Lad's armor. They are startled by an earthquake, which is the now the giant-sized Cassie Lang passing out on the front lawn, surrounded by the rest of the Young Avengers (Patriot, Asgardian and Hulkling). After getting Cassie to relax, she is able to return to her normal size.

Iron Lad introduces his teammates to Kate Bishop, and finally reveals what the Vision told him. The Avengers' Fail Safes, in case the Avengers were either destroyed or disbanded. The files were to seek out young heroes who had connections tovarious members of the Avengers and brought together. We learn that Asgardian's real name is Billy Kaplan, the oldest of three children, while Hulkling is Teddy Altman. Neither teen know how they got their powers or how they are specifically linked to Thor and the Hulk. When Captain America tries to learn about Patriot, he cops an attitude leading to a huge argument. In a fit of anger to get Cap to shut up, he reveals himself to be Elijah Bradley the grandson of the first Captain America, Isaiah Bradley.

Isaiah was part of an African-American platoon that first had the super soldier formula tested on. Isaiah was the only survivor, but the raw formula eventually left him with the mentality of a child. Eli as he is called was in a fight that lead to a server blood loss. He received a transfusion from his grandfather and gained his powers similar to Captain America.

Meanwhile, Cassie Lang, after receiving her father's costume, is told not to follow in her father's foot steps by Iron Man. Tony Stark reveals that he blames himself for Scott Lang's death and the destruction of the Avengers. That is why he disbanded the team, he couldn't take any more deaths and sins on his shoulders. The group is then attacked by the Growing Man, the heroes end up fighting the Growing Man, but instead of increasing in size, it splits into several Growing Men to fight the heroes. With their attacks doing nothing, Asgardian uses his magic powers to disarm the stimuloids while Iron Lad reveals his face to them that causes them to stop dead in their tracks. However, they activate their calling signal to Kang, the Conqueror, which means he's on his way. Captain America and Iron Man trick the Young Avengers into going into the fighting simulator, but instead of training them to fight they lock the door on them. With the kids safe, they try to figure out what to do about the current situation, but are then ambushed by Kang, the Conqueror.

How does this book do it? It's just great, the creative team continues to make this book shine. The secret origin of the Young Avengers makes the most sense, but also raises tons of questions. Who created the Fail Safes? Who did Asgardian and Hulkling get their powers and who exactly are they connected to? And what are the Young Avengers going to do while Jessica Jones, Captain America and Iron Man are being attacked by Kang, the Conqueror? It keeps you on the edge of your seats and just keeps it coming. Allan Heinberg even finally answers questions on the questionable reasons why Iron Man has been acting the way has been of late since Disassemble, it makes complete sense and just explains everything. Love that continuity fairy. The artwork rocks, the story rocks and we're only half way through the story, bring it on!

--Ryan Read