Credits

• Writer: Allen Heinberg
• Art: Jim Cheung

Side Kicks, part 4

The Young Avengers worse fear has happened, Kang the Conqueror has arrived to find Captain America, Iron Man and Jessica Jones standing in his way of his younger self, Iron Lad. Despite Captain America and Iron Man's attacks, Kang plows through them and threatens to kill Jessica Jones unborn daughter before the former heroine kicks him one and takes his gun. Meanwhile, Kate Bishop frees her friends from the training room telling them that Kang has arrived. While the Young Avengers gather up weapons to fight Kang. The evil conqueror shows the three Avengers that time is already starting to unravel as New York is transformed into a war zone and Jessica Jones finds herself the super heroine Jewel again and no longer pregnant. With no other choice they decided to help Kang return his younger self to his own time.

The Young Avengers in the mean time have finished getting ready for their attack on Kang including Kate arming herself with Hawkeye's bow and quiver, Mockingbird's mask and batons and the Swordsman sword. She even retrieves Patriot's grandfather's old shield. The problem is when they head to attack Kang they find Cap, Iron Man and Jewel on his side and a fight breaks out. Iron Lad refusing to become his future self takes off but when Iron Man tries to chase after him. Hulkling attacks Iron Man and is soon blasted off. When the Avengers run to his side they find Hulkling is really a shape shifter. Up in the sky with no choice Iron Lad blasts Iron Man but soon finds his armor under control by Kang who can now control it since he is in close proximity. Kang soon causes Iron Lad to attack and defeat all of his friends and then tells him it's time to go.

This has to be one of the best takes on Kang the Conqueror since Kurt Busiek was writing Avengers. Allan Heinberg just gets the villain, he's not a mass murderer, he's a warrior and he'll do what ever it takes to be the victor. How he handles Jessica Jones, Captain America and Iron Man is brilliant, he shows them that they have to help him or history will come apart at the seams. It shows how he is the master of time and that the Avengers have no choice but to help him. The characterization continues to shine in this book. The moments between the Young Avengers is great especially with the development of Kate Bishop. She's quickly becoming my favorite with her skills and how she plays off Patriot and Cassie Lang. The artwork is still going strong by Jim Cheung four issues later. The battle scenes and dark present is shown beautifully and that final page of utter destruction and defeat. You can just feel Iron Lad's dread that he has no choice but to become his future self. I love Young Avengers I hope everyone else is reading this book.

--Ryan Read