Jim Zub’s excellent “Champions” run gets swept into the War of the Realms with its fifth issue. The question is, will this be merely another throwaway event tie in, or will the creative team use this opportunity to tell a unique, interesting story?
Written by Jim Zub
Illustrated by Juanan Ramirez
Colored by Marcio Menyz
Lettered by Clayton CowlesWAR OF THE REALMS TIE-IN! The War of the Realms rages across Midgard, bringing together heroes from across the globe to fight for our world against mythic evil. In the midst of this chaos, the Champions need…Scott Summers? Cyclops reunites with the Champions, all grown up!
As much fun as this issue works as a tie-in to a greater event, one of the best moments Jim Zub has in the comic is the quiet opening that builds off of previous issues’ content. Zub gives each of his characters a strong voice in this story, but Miles gets maybe the strongest in these three pages as he shares Gahwa with Faridah’s mother, the life that the Champions could not save two issues ago. Everything here feels important and totally in character – from Miles changing Miss Kassem’s lightbulb to the two of them getting emotional looking over Faridah’s photography. Zub shows a more mature and developing Miles, and ultimately shows that he understands the path this character needs to take.
In regards to the rest of the issue, Zub provides a story that gives closure to the relationship between Cyclops and Ms. Marvel, and really the team in general. Zub’s characterization of Kamala is great in that it could only thrive in this series, as she struggles with her duties as the team’s leader. As with Miles, we get to see a more mature side of Kamala try to get a grip on all the developments happening with each member of the team whilst actively trying to save the world, and Zub conveys well how much this bears on her, and especially how it’s left a void in the team dynamic that is soon to be filled.
Once we get into the meat of the battle, and the Champions are fighting with the adult Cyclops, it’s revealed that Cyclops retains all the memories of his alternate reality younger self that fought with the Champions (Superhero comics, everyone!). Zub has the chance for a great reunion moment, and for the most part, delivers with a great splash of Cyclops yelling “…TO ME, MY CHAMPIONS!”. However, the page before has very little build up to it, and it honestly feels like there’s a page missing in between the two sequences, as it lacks many emotional beats for a moment so grand.
The art here, done by Juanan Ramirez, is suitably epic and cinematic, but most importantly, Ramirez draws teenagers that feel teenagers. From the very first moment with Miles talking to Miss Kassem, Ramirez renders him with a lithe, young adult physique, and with a soft, at time naive facial expression that feels like someone trying to cope with being mature but still trying to see the best in people. Kamala is rendered similarly, feeling a little older physically than she has in the past, but appropriately so considering her maturity over the years. Ramirez draws her with the same genuine determination and kindheartedness she’s always had, but with more weight from her responsibilities playing into her emotional composure. It’s clever storytelling that feels appropriate considering the character’s history.
Ramirez gets to spend a lot of the issue providing some fast-paced, almost weightless action. The first splash page introducing the Champions fighting in Melbourne has some great composition, feeling busy yet not overcrowded at the same time, due to how lightweight the characters feel. Then there’s some more fun action peppered throughout the issue, like watching Cyclops and Kamala team up to repel the invaders. Ramirez especially does a good job with Cyclops, as he moves and fights a lot like the younger version in earlier “Champions” issues, but has the demeanor and weathered look of an experienced fighter.
Marcio Menyz supplies colors for this issue and ensures that the story looks like a candy-colored, yet cinematic rollercoaster. The Miles Morales scene feels like a triumph mainly due to the hopeful, dawn-colored gradient that Menyz supplies for the scene, making it feel like a new beginning filled with hope for Miles’ place in the Champions. Menyz does some great work, especially when portraying the powers of Pinpoint’s green teleportation powers, using the emerald glow to great effect to enhance the pin-up feel of the splash page of Cyclops’ battle cry. I also love the subtler touches in this issue during Kamala and Cyclops’ reunion. The page set against a black background works especially well as Menyz uses some super luminous lighting to make the scene really feel important.
“Champions” #5 proves that an event comic tie-in can not only progress the story of the individual series and the event but also have a lot of heart. While some big moments feel a little shoehorned in, there’s a lot of great character development and some well-earned reunions. Ramirez also brings some top-tier superhero art to the table, with action that feels light and flowing in the best possible way.
Final Score: 8.0 – Zub, Ramirez and Menyz bring the “War Of The Realms” to the “Champions” with style.
