Avengers

Avengers #12

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avengers-12-coverThe final issue of the Infinity Gauntlet story arc begins and ends with a little slight of hand. Personally, I would have liked the Thanos storyline to play out in a different way, but what we get here certainly works (even if it is slightly disappointing).

We also get all the Infinity Gems joined together for the first time in years and under the control of a single master – Iron Man. Once all the gems are assembled together Stark faces the same dilemma of everyone who has worn the gauntlet – do I use this power to fix the world? Although not that surprising, his conclusion is dramatically well told and does line up with Stark’s personality. There’s no question, this is the choice he would make.

In the end the Hood goes back to jail, the Red Hulk becomes a permanent member of the Avengers, and we see Steve Rogers making a compromise he wouldn’t have made three or four years ago. It may not be as good as the last issue, but it’s still worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Avengers #11

/ / Comics

avengers-11-coverWhat’s most interesting about this issue is that the entire story is presented from the perspective of Uatu, the Watcher. As the issue begins Parker Robbins holds three of the Infinity Gems. By the issue’s end all five of the gems will be located, but the last by a figure you wouldn’t expect.

Although the dialogue is limited here, we get plenty of action and quite a bit of narration from the Watcher which gives us insight into the limitations of Parker Robbins’ imagination. It’s actually a very clever plot device to explain why Robbins is able to beat back the heroes rather easily but at the same time not able to use the full power of the gems. Uatu also gives an important insight into the Red Hulk as well.

Uatu’s presence helps underscore the importance of the events and the power of the gems, as does the power of the Mind Gem pitted against the Earth’s most powerful telepath – Charles Xavier.

Oh, and the surprise guest who makes his appearance on the final panel? Yeah, that’s pretty damn cool, too. Must-read.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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New Avengers #10

/ / Comics

There are two stories going on here. The first is the current squad of New Avengers fighting Superia and her squad of former H.A.M.M.E.R. troops. One Avenger is already down and the team has their hands full with villains they were just joking about last issue.

The second takes place years before and follows Nick Fury on his mission to recruit the very first team of Avengers consisting of Silver Sable, Sabertooh, Kraven, Namora, Ulysses Bloodstone, Dominic Fortune, and Dum Dum Doogan. Aside from historical clusterfuck this presents with this team being the Avengers before the Avengers (and thus tying the Star Trek franchise for the worst idea of another Enterprise being the best ship in Starfleet decades before the original Star Trek), it’s a pretty good tale. Oh, and did I mention I hate that they’re called the Avengers?

Even if I do have issues with the flashback storyline it’s by far the more intriguing of the two. (Sorry if I can’t get choked up on the apparently imminent death of a C-List West Avengers character Marvel kills and brings back whenever it fits their whimsy.)

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Secret Avengers #10

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secret-avengers-10-cover“Eyes of the Dragon” concludes as the team races to save Shang-Chi before Fu Manchu can kill his son, complete his ritual, and return to the land of the living.

This one’s full of action as the team attacks the Shadow Council’s base and John Steele learns his invulnerability doesn’t apply to weapons forged by the gods.

I was impressed how the Secret Avengers felt like a real team (with snide comments and all) this time around. Whatever the cause, the team clicked better here (at least for me) than in most of the earlier issues.

I’ve felt this comic has been shaky ever since it’s first issue, but there are moments here when it really feels like things are beginning to come together. Of the current major Avengers titles it’s been the most hit-and-miss so far. We’ll have to see if the things continue to improve, but this one is worth a look.

[Marvel $3.99]

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Avengers #10

/ / Comics

avengerrs-10-coverDanger Room meet the Avengers, Avengers meet the Danger Room.

Our heroes split up to recover the remaining Infinity Gems leading each team into a bit of trouble as the members of the Illuminati didn’t exactly make them easily accessible. Along the way we learn Noh-Varr doesn’t understand sarcasm (much to Spider-Man‘s dismay), and the fact that Tony Stark now owns Area 51.

Issue 10 is filled with action and some very entertaining interplay between out heroes. There’s a humorous one-page conversation between Ant-Man and Iron Fist while the pair are stuck together on monitor duty (and similar situation between Hawkeye and Mockingbird), Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel‘s reaction to the Danger Room, and Iron Man’s attempt to justify his actions.

All that plus our heroes finally come face-to-face with the villain amassing the Infinity Gems for himself – the Hood (who’s gotten his grubby hands on yet another gem). Must-read.

[Marvel $3.99]

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