Avengers: The Children's Crusade

I was a big fan of the original Young Avengers (2005) series when I first read it around a year ago. That said this sequel series released four years after the first one, from the original creative team of Alan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, doesn't quite live up. My only real gripe with the first series was how at times established heroes would act out of character and whereas before it balanced itself out, here it can become distracting. Even without that the book feels crowded. Our main stars are all here but they tend to be lost in the background of so many guest characters necessitated by the story being told. The book acts as a follow-up and retcon of sorts to Brian Michael Bendis's Avengers: Disassembled/House of M story arcs. Heinberg picks up the Scarlet Witch's hanging story threads from those books while reuniting her with her missing sons, the Young Avengers Wiccan and Speed, and he does so well. The inclusion of Doctor Doom was an interesting choice but a welcome one. He too is written decently. The good Doctor is my favorite Marvel character so anything with him in it is under extra scrutiny by me. Despite the faults the collection is worth a read. Jim Cheung is still fantastic as an artist. His bold lines make the characters stand out on every page. Likewise Olivier Coipel and Alan Davis do great with their parts. The biggest thing this series has against it is a lack of impact. The plot points involving the Scarlet Witch would be re-explored later by other writers in the likes of Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) and others and these works would seemingly ignore revelations put forth by this book. In spite of all that, these characters have a real lasting quality and this chapter is not one to be missed.3/5

A great story for any young avengers fan, and also a great (mostly) self contained story featuring many of the most popular avengers. The artwork in this book is top notch as well.Also one of the best comics with an lgbtq+ main character (the writer is openly gay), and I think the first comic book that had a kiss between two men that marvel ever published, so it has some historical significance as well.

I enjoyed the  Young Avengers  (YA) collection so much I decided to pick up any related titles and Children's Crusade came up as a recommendation. In the collection, it's implied Wiccan and Speed may be the twin sons of the Scarlet Witch and that her reality warping powers caused them to be reborn again. The boys decide they need to find her, only the Avengers think that is a very bad idea.The premise of this book is a solid hook. Wiccan still struggles with his powers, and the authors do not shy away from showing that the Avengers and X-Men fear that he may become as powerful, and as unstable, as Wanda. However, his team supports him and with the unexpected help of Magneto, they sneak off to find her anyway. It wouldn't be much of a story if they didn't find her, but some interesting revelations arise from the mission that shake up the status quo and cause these young heroes to have to deal with unexpected tragedy as well. Wanda doesn't remember who she is, but someone does - Dr. Doom. And what will the X-Men and Avengers do with Wanda now that she has been found?One weakness I found in the book was continuity. The first YA collection followed directly from House of M. After the Avengers disbanded, these heroes decided to take up the mantle. The first two thirds of this story flow like they stem directly from there. However, Wiccan actually announces on the opening page that all this takes place after Civil War and Siege, but it's difficult to piece together what was happening with this group of young heroes during those events. In short, these kids don't act like they've been through four Marvel events. And, the last little story in this book was outright confusing.Never-the-less, I still enjoyed the book immensely. There is just enough action to keep the story moving at a fast pace, but also strong emotional content to back it up. Overall, I was glad to see the Scarlet Witch return and how her presence will shake up the Avengers and X-Men. Highly recommended. Young Avengers Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers Young Avengers Presents Dark Reign: Young Avengers Young Avengers: Style>Substance Young Avengers Volume 2: Alternative Cultures (Marvel Now) Young Avengers Volume 3: Mic-Drop at the Edge of Time and Space (Marvel Now)

This book was at the top of my wants list. The Scarlet Witch has always been my favourite Marvel character...and boy was I not happy what Marvel did to her in the first Avengers run. That was one of the main reasons I stopped buying comics. Yet when I heard she was back in the Children's Crusade I had to get it and it was worth it. The artwork is stunning and the story fwell written. There are some amusing moments, especially what Wanda says to Emma when the White Queen tries to take Wiccan and Speed and Hawkeye's reaction when he finds out he had slept with a robot not the real Wanda.. It was good to see a lot of loose ends were tied up and that the Scarlet Witch had been intergrated back into the Marvel universe.

Revolves around the Young Avengers (mostly Wiccan and Speed) on their hunt for the Scarlet Witch. Great Plot and story line with involvement from the Avengers and X-Men. A great tale in the Young Avengers, Avengers and X-Men storys as the Scarlet Witch affects them all. Highly recommended.

Grandchild likes DVD

Awesome artwork and ties in very well with the next series of books.

great