Blasted out of the sky in the previous issue, the young Champions team finds themselves in peril over the Atlantic Ocean in the opening pages of Champions #4. Written by Mark Waid, drawn by Humberto Ramos, inked by Victor Olazaba, colored by Edgar Delgado, and lettered by Clayton Cowles, Champions #4 is a solid single-issue in a string of single issues. It’s not quite done-in-one, but it is strong enough to stand alone, giving readers succinct introductions to the Champions: Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man, Nova, Hulk, Viv Vision, and Cyclops as Mark Waid continues to investigate the Marvel Universe from a youthful perspective.

Barely able to get along, the Champions have to work through some communication blocks in order to survive the challenge of plunging from the sky into the sea. Waid infuses the adventure with humor, helping readers feel at ease in an issue of bickering and uncertainty. Splashing down into the ocean gives the Champions a chance to encounter some Atlanteans. As a reader who enjoys Squadron Supreme and the events of that series, I was a bit taken aback by the presence of Atlanteans, but Waid doesn’t dwell on minutiae, choosing instead to focus on the adventure of it all and the impetuousness stirred by such adventure.

All of this is fantastic fodder for Ramos: gangly teenagers, technology of alien and Atlantean origin, and conflict awash with roiling water, splashes, and bubbles. The setting allows Ramos to be as selective as necessary with background and scenery, which frequently means the characters are the sole focus. With part of Champions #4 set in the interior of an Atlantean watercraft, Ramos gives Olazaba ample space to ink in shadows, texture, and (pardon the pun) depth. As they have done for a quartet of issues in this series and numerous issues of other titles, Ramos, Olazaba, and Delgado blend seamlessly into one visual representation of adventure. Cowles plays nicely with the trio, running a wide array of visual sound effects, from outlined “SKSSSHH” glass shatter sounds to Cyclops’ concussive “SHRAAAK” eyebeam ripping through the watercraft.

Champions #4 takes the comic book storytelling trope of “wrong place, wrong time” and spins a fun tale for the teen team, giving them a relatively vague opponent in favor of boosting team dynamics and relationships. Mark Waid, Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Edgar Delgado, and Clayton Cowles balance the cast nicely, guiding the shape of this team through the storming phase of team building (although the argument could be made they’re still forming). A direct result of the events of Civil War II, Champions jukes in the opposite direction, favoring fun and hope over distrust and anger. Sure, there’s still some teen angst and plenty of drama to go with, but this is a team of teenagers. The drama is less the driving force of the comic than a by-product. Which makes for fun reading, just like team books should.