Book Review: Avengers: No More Bullying #1 (one-shot)

Book: Avengers: No More Bullying #1 (one-shot) cover art by Paul Renaud

Edition: Single Print Issue

Description:

EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES MAKE BULLYING A THING OF THE PAST!

The Avengers have always stood up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, but this time they're in for a bombastic adventure of the highest order! Featuring surprise guest stars from across the Marvel Universe including Spider-Man and The Guardians of the Galaxy!



Rating: 4 stars

Review:

Bullying is a serious issue and I like that Marvel created this special one-shot to address it using some of their characters. There are four stories along with four activity sheets featured in this issue:


Story #1: Avengers: "Straight Shooter" by Sean Ryan with illustrations by Carlo Barberi, color by Israel Silva and letters by VC's Travis Lanham

As the Avengers (Captain America (Sam Wilson), Thor (Odinson), Iron Man, Black Widow and Hawkeye) were getting together a plan to stop a giant robot attacking New York City, Hawkeye noticed he was left out of the plan. Fed up with being disregarded and with jokes at his expense, he decided to let the team know how he felt.

I think this story shows readers that even as a hero it took a lot of courage for Hawkeye to speak up and let his friends and teammates know that they were mistreating him. And what I saw from the story I don't believe they even realized what they were doing was considered bullying. However, to constantly do what they were doing only made Hawkeye feel as if he didn't really matter. I like how they dealt with the situation and not to be overlooked the Avenger do take down the robot and with Hawkeye coming up with a great plan.



Story #2: Guardians of the Galaxy: "Quotient" by Jody Houser with illustrations by Tana Ford, color by Ruth Redmond and letters by VC's Travis Lanham

While the Guardians and Angela (of Asgard) were getting their ship repaired, they went to get something to eat at the restaurant in the rest station. As they're waiting for their food, Rocket notices a kid all by itself crying in the next booth. That got the rest of the gangs attention and it had them wanting to help the girl whose name is 72596. Quill asked why she wasn't sitting with the other kids. Well, it turns out she's upset because she chose to listen to those other kids to stop being friends with her friend 04138.

72596 told 04138 they could still be friends just as long as the others didn't find out. Of course 04138 was upset and he certainly didn't want to be friends anymore especially not on those conditions.

With 72596's class field trip preparing to leave, one of the chaperones noticed that 04138 was missing. Scared and upset 72596 ran off to find her friend, she got some assistance from the Guardians and Angela.

So what's the moral of this story, don't let bullies make decisions for you nor determine who your friends should be. Fear also factored into 72596 decision because she was so afraid that she would be picked on that she was willing to end her friendship because of it. I like that the Guardians and Angela gave the two kids some good advice about friendship, it made it easier for the kids to figure out what's really important.



Story #3: The Amazing Spider-Man: "Friends On the Web" by Gerry Duggan with illustrations by Marcio Takara, color by Lee Loughridge and letters by VC's Travis Lanham

Spider-Man goes from webbing up a criminal upside down to a light post to later having to unwrap a teenage boy who was taped to a flag pole. And as usual he handled both situations with his signature wit and one-liners which aggravated the crook while making the teen feel even more embarrassed. And this was the last straw for the teen who was fed up with being picked on, he was now ready to fight the ones who had taped him up. And add to that he was going to be late for the science fair.

There's no way Spidey is going to let the kid be late nor turn into a bully trying to get back at the bullies. So while Spider-Man was webbing the kid across town he told him a story of how he got back at his bully. The story showed Peter constantly being picked on by Flash Thompson and as a way to get revenge he gave Flash an "energy drink" to help him in the school's football game. However, the drink wasn't something he bought from the store instead it was something Peter created in the lab. The end result was not what Peter had intended because instead of Flash being laughed at he wound up getting in trouble for something he didn't do as well as not being able to play in the game.

The point of the story is that in trying to get back at the bullies you don't turn into one as well. By the time they got to the expo, he had cheered the kid up, gave him some good advice and not to mention took a selfie with him, I quess all in the line of duty for a superhero. Spidey was so inspired by helping the teen that he even went back to apologize to the crook, but that was the extent of his heroics.



Story #4: "Weird" by Jeff Loveness with illustrations by Gustavo Duarte, color by Lee Loughridge and letters by VC's Travis Lanham

This last story shows a little boy during lunch time who doesn't seem to have any friends. After eating his lunch alone at one of the back tables, he spends the rest of his time drawing some of his favorite characters. What I found interesting is that the characters are telling him not to feel sad about being alone and to not to bully himself. And that is so true because sometimes we can be our own worst enemy saying things to ourselves that we would never say to a friend. The narrative continues by stating that the main thing is to be yourself and enjoy your life because sooner or later you will find friends. Which is indeed what happens for the little boy in this story he met another kindred sprit who loves to draw characters.


Overall, this was a good read. You get a thoughtful group of stories that's accompanied by great artwork which should appeal to young readers and especially those who maybe dealing with some levels of bullying. Avengers: No More Bullying may not necessarily stop bullying (one can hope) but I can see the stories making someone who is or has been bullied at least feel a little better. The writers took the difficult subject of bullying and put the characters in stories that are relatable and interesting to read. There's a good message in each story which also includes a bit of humor to lighten the mood in some aspects of the story.

I'm not sure if this can still be found at the comic book store since it was published last year but it is available in digital. However if you would like to have it in print or would like to give it as a gift this one-shot can be found in the trade edition that also has the same title. The trade also includes several republished stories that also center around bullying.