With Thor just hitting theaters almost a week ago, Marvel has stepped up its' game by releasing both volumes of their animated series, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes on DVD. Already having reviewed the first volume (http://www.shakefire.com/reviews/tv-on-dvd/the-avengers-earths-mightiest...), I was expecting the exact same from the latter half of the first season. Which isn't a knock on the first volume in the slightest. Thankfully, I was delightfully surprised. 

The story line for Volume 2 carries on right where Volume 1 left off: Finally assembled as a team, The Avengers set their sights on taking down 75 of the baddest villains who have escaped their imprisonment, including Abomination, The Absorber, and Baron Zemo. With difficulties rising, things look bleak between Hulk and The Avengers. But while Hulk takes a leave of absence, Black Panther and Captain America are getting observed for membership by our heroic team. With a trustworthy alliance and unlimited power, nothing can stand in the way of The Avengers. Well, almost nothing. 

The impressive factor Volume 2 of The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes has is the submission to darker plot elements and creepy characters. It's the final two episodes of the season where the scariest villains show themselves. It's a place where few cartoons go, but a place so rich in excitement that it jets a show far above its' competitors. Thankfully, the series isn't afraid of examining some of the flaws of the heroes and allowing those flaws to become the downfall of certain characters. It's a strong human emotion often left out of animated shows, let alone a live-action series. 

Even a series with a heart needs to know when to release some action and adventure. The Avengers is no exception to this. Knowing exactly when to place human emotion, action runs through its' veins through and through. And thanks to the battles, characters seen as second-rate heroes are proved to be just as effective and interesting as the bigger and more well-known heroes. Hawkeye especially. His appearance in the animated series alone has me excited to see how he ranks against his team mates in the live action Avengers come 2012. Black Panther stills seems out of place, however. His backstory is emotional enough but his confusing abilities and silence makes him the most looked-over Avenger of them all. 

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Volume 2 is the better half of the first season, thanks in part to emotional plot-lines and darker characters than most animated series are brave enough to visit. These qualities are guaranteed to make most comic books even more excited for The Avengers film coming next year.