Well, here it is folks. The turning point of “Avengers” that was 28 issues in the making (not counting the twenty something issues of “New Avengers” that have also lead here… and “Infinity”) hits like a ton of bricks as Hickman steers the title towards the oncoming “Original Sin”. If you weren’t on board before, you should be now.
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Illustrated by Salvador Larocca
• A challenge twenty-eight issues in the making, as Bruce Banner puts the pieces together and confronts Iron Man…
Now, I have to admit something. For a while there, I really thought “Avengers” was running out of steam. After the excellent start the title had and the middling bridge between that opening arc and the best comic event of the last ten years (that’s official, trust me) that was “Infinity”, this last arc felt like something of a disappointment. Not only did I think the ‘evil Avengers from another world’ thing felt a little outplayed, it felt like such a by the numbers story for Hickman to be telling. Thankfully, this issue, that functions as both the conclusion to this arc and an introduction to the “Original Sin” tie-ins, really brings it all around to bring this arc up to the quality this title should be at.
Knowing Jonathan Hickman, it was clear from the start that “Avengers” was never going to be an easy read to breeze though with innocuous fistfights taking up most of the pages. Still, this is perhaps one of the most Hickman-y issues he’s written yet as the entirety of the issue is framed with a confrontation of words between Bruce Banner and Tony Stark. What has made Hickman’s time writing the “Avengers” so great to read so far, despite its ups and downs, has been his handle on the character writing on the title and this issue is no different. Even though this issue focuses on only two characters, it never once feels like the writer talking through each character in order to serve his own story. Each character feels genuinely true to how they should be and seeing this clash of minds happen in a way that, really, we should have all seen coming makes the issue engaging even if it is mostly just these two guys in a room talking.
The thing about this issue is that it’s mostly epilogue to the arc it is a conclusion to while also serving as something of a introduction or teaser to what is to come with the tie-ins to “Original Sin”. Yet it’s because of Hickman’s eye for detail that makes this wrapping up of loose ends show the previous arc in a new light. Suddenly things that seemed out of place or didn’t seem to fit with the story now not only make sense but explain things from issues back. It’s the kind of issue that re-frames the story it is a conclusion to with one last piece of puzzle falling into place and Hickman does it with skill. And he makes it compelling along the way by making the interaction between Stark and Banner so well-written.
While “Avengers” has had it’s fair share of artists since Jerome Opena illustrated the first arc, Hickman is joined here by Salvador Larocca. Larocca’s art seems rather suited to this kind of issue as he can balance making a sit down chat between two characters interesting through use of experimentation with the framing of the characters on the page. Just as knowing when to go in for a close up and pull out for a wide shot is essential in filming a conversation, it’s important on the page to emphasise the tone of the writing. Larocca is a master at this here by framing the conversation between Stark and Banner as really two halves of the same coin and it makes the confrontation all the more engaging for it. However, the problems that plagued Larocca’s art way back during his “Invincible Iron Man” are still present. His use of model reference in his art combined with his sparse pencil lines and Frank Martin’s rather realistic fleshtone colourings serves to make the human faces seem flat and gelatinous and awkwardly posed at times when contorted to show emotion. It’s not enough to break the scene or the issue, but it is something that brings his art down from what it could be.
Overall, this was the kick into gear that “Avengers” needed going into “Original Sin”. It wipes the table clean from the last arc while repositioning pieces in ways that will make future stories all the more interesting for it. Hickman’s writing is as dense and elaborate as ever, jumping back and forth during the conversation that frames the issue to conclude plot threads, but it’s his spot on character writing that really solidifies this issue. Teaming with Larocca to create a more somber and downplayed issue allowed for artwork that feels just as measured as the writing. While it’s not a perfect issue and still not quite at the heights reached during “Infinity”, it’s certainly back on track.
Final Verdict: 7.2
