When Avengers #26 begins, Sam Wilson aka Captain America is facing insurmountable odds. The Avengers’ base, the Impossible City, has been conquered by the Mad Thinker and his Masters of Evil. The other Avengers are currently battling Doctor Doom in an effort to free the world from his grasp. And even though Sam’s taken out the shape shifting Madcap, the rest of the Masters are slowly catching onto the fact that they’re not alone. But as Sam succinctly puts it in another panel, “That’s just everyday Captain America business.”
In the same vein as previous issues, writer Jed MacKay is taking the time to focus on Sam and how he operates in the superhero world. A guy with no powers facing off against five of the world’s deadliest villains, including one of the most malevolent minds in the Marvel Universe, is an insane proposition. But Sam proves that he’s got some smarts on his side, managing to bait Dreadknight into attacking him and even showing up the Mad Thinker. It’s a pretty awesome moment in an issue full of awesome moments.
MacKay’s script also focuses on the Impossible City, the Avengers’ sentient base of operations. Ever since he began his run, the City has been many things: fortress, companion, enemy. But it also showcases that it’s learned from the Avengers, as it not only helps Sam out but continues to defy the Masters of Evil’s attempts to hack into its database. In his own way, MacKay is showcasing how the Avengers inspire others, even if they don’t fit the concept of what you or I think of an Avenger.
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Avengers #26 does see another art shift, as Andrea Broccardo steps in to handle interiors. It’s thankfully not a jarring shift, especially since Broccardo’s artwork hews fairly close to Valerio Schiti’s style. Broccardo has an immensely dynamic style to his action; when Sam throws his shield, you can feel every ricochet that happens when he throws his mighty shield, and a high-octane chase between him and Dreadknight feels appropriately tense. I also love that Braccardo never misses a chance to show off Sam’s new suit, which I hope sticks around after the end of this arc.
Topping off the artwork is colors from Federico Blee, who has never failed to bring the vibrant colors that you’d expect from a superhero comic. That’s especially prominent where the Masters of Evil are concerned – Dreadknight’s purple and blue armor and Mr. Hyde’s bright green suit stand out among the golden glowing hue of the Impossible City. So does the cobalt blue of Sam’s new suit, which matches the hues of his shield.
Avengers #26 continues to give Sam Wilson the spotlight while pitting him against the Masters of Evil, showing how a normal man fares against the forces of evil. I hope MacKay continues to do spotlight issues like this, as it shows why each member of the Avengers brings something different to the table.
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