AVENGERS #14 is the best issue of the series so far. I know I say that nearly every issue -- but that's exactly how I WANT to feel about a comic book.

George Perez and Kurt Busiek put themselves as characters into this issue. The two were hilarious. They definitely need to return -- an annual would be perfect, but heck, they'd be welcome anytime. But as Kurt said on page one, "Let's show the readers what they really want to see..."

THE BEAST BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS IN THE MANSION! He wasn't the only one. I was bouncing myself as I read this. When this issue was over -- I wanted to cry because I never wanted it to end. It was a perfect issue. Exactly what I wanted to read. Lots and lots of great dialog, action, conflict, mystery, confusion, humor, drama, soap opera. Nothing was missing! It was all there and more. And that "more" was definitely The Beast! I again realized how truly important the Beast was to my enjoyment of the AVENGERS as a youngster. He was absolutely crucial to the magic that the AVENGERS had... a magic that they somehow lost after the Beast was gone. The Beast is that "something extra" that makes the AVENGERS more than a superhero comic book. I can't fully explain it, but the enthusiasm with which Perez and Busiek write and draw this character is a badly needed piece of the puzzle. I can't think of any situation the Avengers have had (even the court martial of Carol Danvers) since Kurt and George took over the book that wouldn't have benefited from the Beast. He isn't the same in the dire X-MEN and he is worth so much more as an Avenger than as an X-Man. Heck, I can't see a more sure fire way to improve sales than by putting Beast in the Avengers! Anyway, I'm putting my money where my mouth is and buying as many copies as I can afford and giving them to my friends. I urge all AVENGERS fans to do the same.

Next was a somewhat rare night "off-duty." The Beast, Scarlet Witch, Wonderman and The Vision at a jazz club talking is practically a dream come true for me. If you'd told me three years ago I'd be reading this I'd have called you a liar! This was the coolest thing ever! I never liked Vision's dorky Victor Shade persona until now, but Kurt made it work.

Kurt is also making the many sub-plots work as well. The Ultron set-up is coming along ominously. I love a slow build up. The only draw back is the pay-off may not live up to it, but I think we're pretty safe on this one. I want to place a bet on which body part of Ultron's we get to see next. I vote for his eye--no mouth. Yeah, the mouth...