West Coast Avengers Vol. 1: The Gospel of Ultron

by Gerry Duggan, Danny Kim (Artist), Arthur Hesli (Colorist)

Collecting West Coast Avengers (2024) #1-5. A classic team of Avengers returns with a new status quo! Iron Man and War Machine have put together a new team of Avengers - one that includes villains seeking a path to redemption. Their case study? Ultron - who, against all odds, seems to be walking the straight and narrow…for now. But does the success of one guarantee the success of all? Spider-Woman and Firestar have their doubts. But Firestar has her own Her time undercover with Orchis left scars and made her a pariah. Can the West Coast Avengers stop her downward spiral - or will their other questionable recruit, Blue Bolt, only exacerbate it? A second Ultron appears, declaring himself the leader of a terrifying new religion! And when the dark double of Steve Rogers returns, can this ragtag team survive a showdown with an enemy who nearly conquered the entire world?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Marvel, Comics

120 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2025

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.2 stars

An interesting start, and I’m stoked to have the WCA back, with four of my favourite Avengers on the squad to boot.

My main problems with the book are the artwork (not exactly bad but not to my tastes) and that it’s hard to reconcile the Tony in this book with the Tony in his own title; it’s like they’re two different people.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
No one is talking about this book, but they should be. A dynamic cast with flaws and something to prove and a certain freedom to create interesting relationships and character dynamics. War Machine was called "Captain Military Industrial Complex." For the win.

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this redemption story and the characters. Also, I have been waiting a long time for Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) and Firestar to be included in a series.

Ironman and Warmachine have a vision. Redeeming villains into heroes so there are fewer villains. However, Ultron was probably not at the top of their list. What has made Ultron change its mind? Has it changed its mind? Is it even the real Ultron? That is just one of the characters. As much as Ultron is trusted another recruit "Blue Bolt" is a work in progress. Also, the more trusted characters might need some help as well.

As Iron Man already has his series, I hope the other characters get more time to develop. They did a good job in this book I hope it continues. I am looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here. The book finishes with a thumbnail variant cover gallery.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gerry Duggan spins a new West Coast Avengers series out of his own Iron Man run, bringing Iron Man and War Machine along for the ride with some old friends like Firestar and Spider-Woman, and some new friends like a rehabilitated Killerwatt and...Ultron?

I really like the story ideas at play here. Rehabiltating villains is a good hook, even if Blue Bolt (I mean Killerwatt, whatever) is a bit of a douche, and the addition of a Good Ultron is neat too, as well as the explanation for why we've got multiple Ultrons (multipUltrons?) running around is great. The character work for Firestar is well realised, if a bit painful, and the end of volume cliffhanger has me excited for the back half of the series as well.

The reason I can't rate this any higher is the artwork, which is just...not it. I'm not sure if it's rushed or inconsistent, but Kim's visuals are all over the shop. Backgrounds appear and disappear, some shots are very anime inspired while others are super detailed, and it's just overall a very uneven experience.

[Adam Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

i gamble on a new Marvel book every here-and-there if I trust the author or the franchise. however, I was fully blind here. this is a delightful, funny take on a fascinating group of Avengers with a great dynamic. a fast, enjoyable read.

[Eva B.]

Wackos fans, we are so back!

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new take on a dysfunctional group of Avengers. Iron Man is back in his iconic Silver Centurion version of his armor from the 80s. Ultron has joined the team and another version has started a cult. I'm not real sure how that works when Ultron destroyed a whole country back in the Kurt Busiek/George Perez days. War Machine and Spider-Woman are also on the team. So is Firestar and she's a mess after the Krakoa era of the X-Men. There's a 6th Avengers Blue Bolt who is on a work release program from prison. It's interesting, just not perfect. Danny Kim's art is heavily manga influenced with almost no backgrounds. I really hate that trend in comics.

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This okay. I’m liking the team picks but I’m just not really caring for the story too much just yet. Not a lot of action and a lot of previous stories needed for full understanding. Like to get why Firestar is the way she is you need to know her role in the fall of Krakoa. You need to have read the last Iron Man run, the last Spider-Woman run. Know a lot of the confusing history of Ultron and the family lineage it birthed. It’s just a bit messy but it mostly seems to be working. It’s just a slow start. I think volume 2 could be a lot better as we bring in conflict with the other Avengers.

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find this series particularly exciting but I finished the 5 issues.

The art is pretty good. I'm interested in the multiple directions of Ultron. I like seeing Jessica Drew have time to shine. Firestar's story was very real and continues her life from Krakoa really well.

[Sarospice · Rating 1 out of 5]

No ma'am. I usually love a kooky krew of Avengers but they never establish a reason for this group to exist. The addition of a "good" Ultron is overshadowed by a Cult of Ultrons, and there isn't anything to say about Blue Bolt except boring. Dugan wastes an opportunity.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, we're off to a...strange start. Let's see where it goes. Hopefully with Firestar being less of a mess.