The first volume of Avengers Academy was very dark, as these teens have some serious issues weighing them down, and their teachers aren't much better off. This second volume has each of them, students and teachers alike, confronting their possible futures and what they want to make of themselves. And it's darker still.

The book opens with Pym facing off against the Absorbing Man, and his own guilt over Janet's death. Next up, when the students learn of the Red Hood's attack on Tigra, they go after him and she realizes she still needs to deal with that trauma. The book then jumps to each of the students learning something about themselves. Finesse meets the Taskmaster (who may be her father) and discovers that experience trumps mimicry and her gift may have a negative side effect. Hazmat gets a chance for a day outside thanks to the mutant Leech, but that temporary reprieve may make her feel even more isolated than before. Individually, these stories are good for developing the characters. And they needed it. However, as a whole the book is weak.

My biggest issue with this series is how the adults consistently, and ridiculously, underestimate these teens. I just don't buy Finesse being able to blackmail Quicksilver, or Pym and Tigra being so oblivious to these kids' inner demons. Each incident meant to help them mature is so contrived it takes away from the "lesson." Both Avengers teams arrive to battle the evil Korvac but I'm supposed to believe that only these teens hold the key to defeating him?

Overall, the team has potential but they have so many issues I find myself feeling sorry for them rather than rooting for them. I'm not sure how the writers can overcome the problem ( )

avengers academy #7-13 ( )