Avengers #34: Myrddin’s Endgame is Here. The Grail is the Prize

Myrddin’s game has been revealed. Kang has shown his true colors. The Avengers must plead their case. Step into issue #800 of Avengers and see the Avengers in a whole new way. The Avengers and the Twilight Council both understand now that they have been manipulated by Kang. Their disagreements aside, the heroes decide to try a different approach, and Kang can’t wait to hear their story.

As a special treat for this legacy milestone for the Avengers, readers are treated to a special #800 issue Anniversary story featuring the killer team of Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. After eight years without working on a Marvel story, the team at Marvel Comics invited back for this issue the man who perhaps knows the Avengers better than any other. Indeed, Bendis has written more issues out of the 800 than any other writer.

Creative Team

“Heroes”
Writer: Jed MacKay
Artist: Farid Karami
Color Artist: Federico Blee
Letterer: Cory Petit
Cover Artists: Russell Dauterman and Rachelle Rosenberg

Anniversary Story
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Inkers: John Dell and Scott Hanna
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: Cory Petit
Published by Marvel Comics

Writing

As part of the 800th issue celebration, readers are treated to two great stories. One from Jed MacKay and one from Brian Michael Bendis. The main story, “Heroes,” opens with the Avengers and Twilight Court coping with revelations about Myrddin and what that means for both groups. It’s clear in this issue that MacKay’s Avengers run is winding down. Using a great artistic team, MacKay runs through a highlight of his Avengers run in a way that still contributes to the story. This strategy not only offers a great way for MacKay to recount his time as an Avengers writer, but also takes readers through a satisfying overview of the past 33 issues of this set of Avengers stories. MacKay continues to show why he is one of the top writers at Marvel throughout this issue with the writer steal revealing secrets after the big Myrddin reveal.

For the second story, readers would be forgiven for being a little bit nostalgic. Perhaps it’s to be expected when the most prolific Avengers writer in Marvel history returns. While Bendis certainly has a history with the Avengers, this Anniversary story feels more like a love letter to the characters for the time he’s spent with them. The writing is full of Bendis’ typical wit and outstanding writing. It’s certainly a treat to have two fan favorite Avengers writers producing a story for the same issue. Bendis manages to include little throwback and nods to his time as the writer, and rather than being sappy or unneeded, it just works.

Art

Both of the art teams in this story are just amazing. Cory Petit pulls double duty, handling the lettering duties for both stories, and manages to do an outstanding job on each story. Both stories feel unique and original. Each story’s art reflects the creative teams participating in each story.

In “Heroes”, readers are treated to the modern Avengers art that has marked MacKay’s run. Federico Blee continues to shine with the colors chosen for Avengers issues. Not to be missed in this #800 issue of Avengers is the beautiful cover art that will connect across issues 34,35,and 36 featuring almost every Avenger that has appeared in the first 800 issues of the series. Farid Karami’s art really pops and helps you feel the words and stories MacKay is sharing.

In the Anniversary Story, readers get a creative team that most Marvel readers are familiar with as Bendis teams up with collaborator Mark Bagley. Bagley creates beautiful images that feed into the nostalgic feelings of Bendis story. Dell, Hanna, and D’Armata combine to create a visual that is distinct. Choosing a more subdued color palette than the current Avengers run helps to create an older nostalgia feel. That’s not to say all the colors are subdued, D’Armata finds some panels to really make colors pop for impact.

Overall: 9/10

What a great way to celebrate 800 issues of Avengers. MacKay and Bendis both craft stories worth reading with each author’s partners on the visual side bringing life to their words. That said, the story may not be for everyone. MacKay’s story in issue #34 feels like a reminiscence on his time as Avengers writer, and for readers hoping for huge action sequences to drive the story forward, they may not be satisfied with this issue. I, however, loved it.

There are only a few issues of MacKay’s run on Avengers left, and while maybe lacking some of the big moments of past Avengers issues written by MacKay, this issue feels satisfying. Issue #34 of Avengers feels like MacKay’s version of a Midwest goodbye. It feels like a chance to celebrate what has happened in these 30+ issues of Avengers, begin to wind down this era of The Avengers, and look forward to how they will tie into the upcoming Armageddon event.

Until next time, may your pulls be magical and your multiverse remain stable

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How are you feeling about MacKay’s Avengers run ending? Let me know in the comments below!