THE GOOD
Mahmud A. Asrar is an excellent artist. One to certainly look out for over the next few years. I think the best compliment I can give him is that his style was almost invisible. That is, I was so wrapped up in his storytelling that I was never really thinking about his technique or the logistics of his drawings, as I was for Siege: Captain America. McKeever's characterization of Hawkeye is a stand-out, here. It felt real, in the respect to how's she's teasing Patriot while, at the same time, using that teasing to get him to step up to his role as a leader.
THE BAD
Some of the pep talks in this story get a little corny, especially in comparison to the similar monologues that Gage pulled off in Siege: Captain America. Those felt authentic, while these felt canned at some times. Also, while I can see it being a cute "relationship banter" for Wiccan to admit to being a "Norse Nerd" to Hulkling, it seemed a little forced. Wouldn't it be obvious that a kid modeled after Thor would know a lot about Norse mythology?
THE VERDICT
While Asrar hasn't fully come into a style that's immediately identifiable as his own, he's still done exceptional work here. Just as it was the case for Siege: Captain America, this was a lot better executed than a cross-over tie-in usually needs to be. Despite some forced dialogue, this was satisfying installment in the Young Avengers' continuing soap opera of action and relationships.
3.5/5