The finale to Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa’s epic first story arc is out today with Avengers #6. The arc has introduced a brand new supervillain group with each one nicely matched against a different Avenger. With the heroes on the ropes, can they avenge Earth, or are they toast? What do you think, true believer!?
With most of the previous issues devoted to our heroes taking lumps, it’s nice to see a victorious chapter in the series in Avengers #6. This issue opens with Captain America and Black Panther talking to the Impossible City hovering over Earth with an adamant reminder Avengers never quit. This leads to quick cuts of action as we check in with each hero who has been defeated.
These scenes are well drawn and crafted with clever ways for our heroes to win. Drawn by Ivan Fiorelli, the Ashen Combine is truly disturbing with alien faces and clothes. These villains are basically monsters with unique looks. Fiorelli is also very good at throwing in little details in backgrounds, like red flames on buildings behind Scarlet Witch, or reminders of the cost the Ashen Combine has brought to each city in backgrounds.
Bring the thunder!
Credit: Marvel
Each hero must employ a clever comeback and they’re all satisfying in their own way. Vision, for instance, utilizes code from Ultron to get the upper hand and MacKay cleverly ties his win into a reminder of what he’s endured in the past. Scarlet Witch and Thor both figure out ways to take the power away from the enemy, while Captain Marvel takes her full force right to her Ashen Combine enemy. It suits each character how they win, including Iron Man who of course has some secret tech to save the day.
This issue satisfies by not only giving the Avengers a win but also a surprise new member. I won’t spoil it, but paired with the inventive villains of the Ashen Combine, MacKay has set up a lot of exciting new stories for casual and long-term fans to enjoy.
One gripe I do have with this first story arc is Captain Marvel acting as the leader. While it was fun to split up the team and have them face villains with clever powers to compete with their own, the leadership side of things was lacking. Essentially splitting everyone up probably wasn’t the best move even though it all worked out. It’s hard to remember, though, that most of these fights lasted a couple of minutes and thus there wasn’t a ton of time for her to lead. That said, the opening issue leaned heavily into her as the leader and making choices, but that ended up not mattering that much.
This issue also features a backup story written by Kalinda Vazquez with art by Alba Glez. It features Firebird in a story set in New Mexico with Captain Marvel and Captain America swooping in to help her out. There’s a mystery afoot and it might be UFOs. It’s a mystery with a bit of heart due to what’s really going on.
Avengers #6 is a fun wrap-up to a story arc that offers brand new villains and, in the end, an exciting new direction for the team. “New” isn’t something you often see in serial superhero comics, but Marvel’s got the most exciting superhero team book going right now.
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