Jason Aaron’s epic run on Avengers ends this week with Avengers Assemble: Omega after an over five-year run on the series. It all launched with a story focused on the Trinity of Iron Man, Cap, and Thor, but now every Avenger from a vast multiverse is joining forces to stop the biggest multiversal threat ever conceived in comics. It’s epic with a capital E, and you should be rest assured in knowing this finale brings all the fun and crazy ideas that have defined the series from the start.
This is also the finale of a 10-part send-off for Aaron that started in November. An extra-sized issue, Aaron is joined by artists Aaron Kuder, Dexter Vines, Ivan Fiorelli, Javier Garron, Jim Towe, and Alex Sinclair. These artists bring their A-game, and, for the most part, the art is consistent even when art styles change up a bit. They’re all clean, big in style, and have contributed to this run, so the art definitely works wonders.
If you’re jumping on to read how it all ends, the issue opens with a handy guide to the vast Omni-Avengers still in the fight. They’re up against Doom Supreme, Dark Pheonix, and Mephisto, so essentially, there are three bosses to vanquish while saving Earth, the past and the future.
Given Aaron’s proclivity to get a Biblical with his stories–just read The Goddamned to see what I mean–this issue opens with a great wave that’s expanding in all directions, hellbent on destroying everything. It makes short work of a few remaining Dr. Doom characters, but it will also swallow up fallen heroes and those left standing. Enter Captain America, who Aaron reminds us runs towards danger always.
First matchup, Doom Supreme vs. Mephisto!
Credit: Marvel
As the issue plays out, each of the three remaining villains is taken care of, giving the book a compartmentalized feel. With so many heroes running around, it makes it easier to follow, knowing what villain or problem needs to be dealt with and then moving on from there. Key heroes in this run get a chance to shine, save the day, or in some cases, maybe even die. Thor and Robbie Reys stand out since they’re longer running characters under Aaron, and it’s nice to see them interacting with other heroes to save the day.
One drawback of compartmentalized fights is that a lot of the characters seem to stand around. Some of your favorite heroes in the fight earlier in the story arc may not have anything to say or do. They’re certainly drawn into scenes, but it’s a bit of a bummer how little some characters add. The compartmentalizing also reduces the epic feel of some of these battles, as we know a fight is taking place on the side while others watch or wait for what comes next.
A new problem formulates two-thirds of the way through, which allows two major players a chance to act. Fans of Phoenix should be happy with how things turn out, and it’s also very much hammered home the Phoenix is Thor’s mother.
If you were a fan of the Earth-616 Stone Age Avengers, it’s nice to see how they come back around when the issue reaches its epilogue stage. A check-in with past characters, those in the future, and those in the present help hammer home where Aaron is leaving things. It’s nice to know the story could continue on from here, as all good stories do.
Avengers Assemble: Omega #1 ends the only way Aaron’s run could have, with epic clashes, big ideas, and a finale that reminds us these stories will continue. It’s farewell but also hello, as he establishes enough endings for multiple characters so that writers can use what they like or leave it behind as they please. It’s a finale only a great storyteller could leave behind, as the characters will come and go in new and exciting ways, and only Aaron has come to an end here.
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