Avengers: the Initiative featuring Reptil #1 - Marvel

I thought this was a pretty decent issue. It's a one-shot, for $3.99. And it actually falls between Initiative issues #19 and #20 . . the timing is a little off. But, other than that . . I actually liked the story. Christos Gage and Steve Uy handle the story. They also do the main title, so it felt like it was just a natural extension of that. Which is a good thing. I think they're doing a pretty decent job with this series. Especially considering the repercussions of the Skrull invasion and that there may not be a reason for this program anymore. Plus this issue is wrapped in a beautiful Humberto Ramos cover. This issue we're introduced to a new character, Humberto Lopez aka Reptil. His parents are paleontologists and he sometimes goes out on their digs with them. One time he found what looks like a piece of crystallized bone. His powers seem to come from the bone, but nobody else can access them. Anyways, he's brought in because Stegron is looking for Moon-boy. You know, from the Savage Land . . Moon-boy and Devil-Dinosaur? Anyways, SHIELD captured him when they were down there and brought him back for observation. The problem is . . Devil-Dinosaur is dying without his friend. So Stegron is searching SHIELD bases trying to save a fellow dinosaur. With the obvious connections, plus he seems to have an empathic connection with the dinosaurs, Humberto is picked for the team. He really wants to be a hero, and he loves that he's been picked as a new recruit, however . . in order to save Moon-boy, he has to give all of that up. However in his eyes he's the greater hero for making the personal sacrifice to save another. In the end it pays off because when Ka-zar comes to pick up Moon-boy, he offers Reptil a chance to visit the Savage Land and . . he says he'll help find his parents who are supposedly lost therein. I think this character has some future, and I'm sure the Savage Land story will be told someplace. That's a good thing. Plus . . I really like the Initiative title. I know it doesn't have much time left, but . . I'm gonna enjoy it while I can.