Connect with us
'Avengers: Endgame Prelude TPB' Review

Comic Books

‘Avengers: Endgame Prelude TPB’ Review

Even for a prelude series, this is a mixed bag.

Another Marvel Studios Film, another Marvel Comics prelude comic book. Due to the secrecy surrounding the upcoming film, the Avengers: Endgame Prelude TPB ends up on the lower end of the “Prelude” series thanks to its use of oft-collected material.

The collection begins with the “prelude” to Avengers: Endgame and, as one might imagine, it is a series of issues adapting Avengers: Infinity War. Writer Will Corona Pilgrim and artist Paco Diaz do a commendable job adapting the 2.5 hour film into just sixty pages, but frankly, it just doesn’t live up to the film. Emotional beats and iconic fights are condensed into single panels. While Paco Diaz and color artist Dono Sánchez-Almara make it look beautiful, there isn’t much of a reason to have this material when the film exists. Frustratingly, Corona Pilgrim isn’t allowed to go far off-script; potential cutaways to other characters (like Pepper when she calls Tony) go unused.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!
'Avengers: Endgame Prelude TPB' Review
Marvel Comics

Furthermore, the supplemental issues are a bit obvious. Normally the prelude collections include an issue or two to introduce readers to the larger ends of the Marvel Universe, but since Endgame is a direct follow-up to Infinity War, there isn’t much room for surprise. Infinity Gauntlet #1 by Jim Starlin and George Perez is fitting for the films that it inspired, and the first issue is hauntingly gorgeous. However, at this point, I have to imagine that most potential readers already have a copy of this epic in one form or another.

The final supplement is issue #19 of Brian Michael Bendis’s run on Guardians of the Galaxy. The issue focuses on a conflict between the Guardians and Thanos. The use of Annihilus as a secondary villain may fan the fan-theory flames for what will happen in Avengers: Endgame, but otherwise this is a fun issue even without the context of the events in the previous issues.

Is it good?

Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame Prelude TPB is a frustrating read that unfortunately sheds no new light on the upcoming film. The prelude issues themselves are well crafted, but are nothing more than an adaptation of Avengers: Infinity War. And the supplemental issues are likely already in your collection somewhere else. This collection might work for younger readers and completists, but there are better places to get into the Thanos mythology than this.

'Avengers: Endgame Prelude TPB' Review
Avengers: Endgame Prelude TPB
Is it good?
The "Prelude" line has always been a bit of a mixed bag, and thanks to some story limitations, Avengers: Endgame Prelude falls on the lower end of that scale. Perhaps useful for a younger audience, most comic readers will find little value here.
Will Corona Pilgrim and Paco Diaz deftly adapt Avengers: Infinity War in a short page count.
The "Prelude" is simply an adaptation of Infinity War, offering no new insight into either that film or Avengers: Endgame.
The supplemental issues, normally an exciting feature, feel a bit lacking here thanks to the recent omnipresence of the Infinity Gauntlet Story.
4
Meh

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke' X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke'

X-Men Monday #241 – Steve Foxe Talks ‘X-Men ’97,’ ‘Dead X-Men,’ and ‘X-Men: Blood Hunt – Psylocke’

Comic Books

Films to check out at SXSW Films to check out at SXSW

Films to check out at SXSW

Movies

'X-Men' #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age 'X-Men' #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age

‘X-Men’ #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup