Review: What If? Mickey and Friends Became Avengers #1

Someday Marvel and Star Wars will be allowed to crossover. Our greatest hope lies in the series of Disney and Marvel crossovers under the ‘What If? banner. What If? Mickey and Friends Became Avengers #1 is a nice retelling of the Avengers origin with a friendly Disney tone.

There is little in the way of conflict or excitement here, but it’s a nice visual exercise seeing these characters in Marvel form. In typical fashion all the elements are slightly renamed, so Asgard becomes Ducksgard and Loki becomes Gladstone Loki. Gladstone Loki asks Scrooge Odin to keep his prizes in the throne room, but when they topple over Donald Thor suggests Loki be banished to reorganize them as punishment.

Donald Thor spends his time on Midgard with Daisy Sif as Gladstone Loki promises revenge. Loki entrances Goofy Hulk who sees the Duckberg festival cake as a monster he steals. Donald and Daisy transform to stop him even while Minnie Wasp, Pluto Antman and Mickey Iron Man also head to Duckberg to stop the threat. Donald battles Gladstone as the others track Goofy Hulk. With Loki defeated Hulk reverts back and the Avengers are formed.

The entire issue feels a bit toothless with the only true conflict being a nice battle between Donald and Gladstone. The issue also does not try to make any sense. But the art throughout the issue is the real treat with great visual depictions of all the characters. The Asgardian elements including Loki’s minions and his battle with Thor are especially beautifully drawn. Hulk Goofy also looks amazing and that’s the action figure we need.

The combination feels much more like cosplay than a true amalgam of personalities but it’s a fun exercise. It is also a great comic to draw in new young readers given its simple plot and bright colors. But for seasoned comic fans this feels like a comic to hang up as a unique mashup rather than a book you’d ever wish to reread.

Writing: 2 of 5 stars
Art: 4 of 5 stars
Colors: 4 of 5 stars

Overall:
3 of 5 stars

Plot: Steve Behling
Script: Luca Barbieri
Art: Alessandro Pastrovicchio
Colors: Lucio Ruvidotti
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.