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The Story:
The Avengers split up to take the fight to the Ashen Combine. Thor, Iron Man, and Scarlet Witch engage in one on one battles as Black Panther and Captain America infiltrate the Impossible City in an attempt to learn more information about their new enemy.
The Writing:
I continue to be impressed by Jed MacKay as he effortlessly balances action and character interactions. This group of Avengers feels like real people with diverse pasts and motivations. The dialogue between Black Panther and Captain America will make a new reader want to find out why they are not on the best of terms and the manipulation of Wanda is dark and ominous in the best way. The highlight of this book for me, however, was the fight and verbal sparring between Thor and Idol Alabaster. Seeing the god of thunder sharing blows with a false idol had me so fully engaged that I almost felt disappointed when I turned the page and saw that the scene had changed.
The Artwork:
What is left to say about this art team that I haven’t said in the past? C.F. Villa’s movement and Federico Blee’s colors during the action set pieces are top notch and the layout of each panel is impeccable. The emotion on Thor’s face as he realizes the affects his attacks have on the people on the streets below, the fear on Wanda’s face as she struggles with what is real and what is manipulation, and the destruction as Iron Man fights against the very architecture around him is truly incredible. Not to mention, the scope and weight of the threat that these new enemies pose. The art team is firing on all cylinders here.
The Verdict: 9 OUT OF 10
This was a fast paced, action packed issue that somehow managed to include meaningful character motivations and back story without hurting the pacing. When I finished reading I wanted nothing more than to pick up the next installment to see where the story goes next. This is cliffhanger storytelling at it’s best. Make sure you pick this one up, you will not regret it!
