Written by: Jim Zub
Art by: Steven Cummings, Marcio Menyz, Erick Arciniega, and VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 2, 2019

I have been looking forward to this #1 issue since it was announced. I haven’t been reading Champions, but I love a bunch of the characters in the book and couldn’t wait to get in on the action with a new run that I can jump into and start enjoying right away. So, how did it go? Let’s find out…

Okay, so obviously there is no recap page yet since this is a brand new run so I looked at the cool team on the credits page and jumped in…to a bunch of characters I had no knowledge of whatsoever! The Locust? Pinpoint? Okay, we do get to Ironheart and Wasp fast enough, but from the very first panel, I felt left behind.

We get Kamala Khan and after telling us she is the leader, says she made big changes a month ago…why aren’t we starting there?!? Seriously, this first couple of pages may be the least new reader friendly of any #1 issue I have ever read. EVER!!!

We continue with Jim Zub telling us a bit about the members of the team, but again, the monologing is in the past tense. “Qureshi has been incredible…”, “Victor came highly recommended…”, “Rayshaun hesitates at times…” Why does Jim Zub want to make me feel like this book isn’t concerned about me joining in?

As we continue, there really isn’t anything that helps me as a new reader out. Well, unless you count editor’s notes telling me to read the previous volume that just ended. Really?!? A number one issue with editor’s notes?

Besides that, the team doesn’t seem like they even like to be around each other. The argue, fight and yell at each other and even when Ms. Marvel says they’re friends, I have to take her word for it. The issue ends with an argument between Miles and Kamala and then a crazy cliffhanger and I am not excited to continue reading because I was just confused.

I’ll say it again…this was one of the worst #1 issues I have ever read. Jim Zub seems to be against getting new readers interested in his team or story and I was left wondering why. I could see if this book was one of the best selling Marvel books, but it isn’t. Maybe this is for people already reading Champions, but then why not just continue the last run????? If you don’t agree with me, don’t worry…I will never read or review another issue of this book.

I did like the art a whole lot. Steven Cummings has a butt load of characters to draw and he does a great job on each and every one.

Final Thoughts:

This is the worst #1 issue I have ever read. It is not new reader friendly at all, has numerous editor’s notes to read the last run and it felt like we started out missing at least five issues. Of course, if you are a Champions fan, you may like or love this, but if Marvel was hoping for new readers to jump on this series, I know one guy who won’t be. It’s a shame because I love almost all the characters in the book (at least the ones I know), but I’ll get them in books that at least pretend to want me to get involved.

3.5/10