Avengers and Mighty Avengers got the Marvel tie-in treatment this week!
AVENGERS #30. Writer: Jonathan Hickman. Penciler: Leinel Francis Yu. Inker: Gerry Alanguilan. Colorist: Sunny Gho. First off, this is barely a true Original Sin crossover. Yes, this latest time-travel Avengers epic began because the secret that Tony Stark and the Illuminati mindwiped Captain America in order to save reality came out because of the Watcher’s murder, but, the Watcher’s death, the investigation, or really anything Original Sin isn’t even brought up during this issue. That doesn’t mean this comic doesn’t kick ass though.
The Avengers are shunted into a future where they meet the Avengers Union, a team of future Avengers that are well conceived and really intriguing and fun. Cap is still pissed at Tony and Hyperion, Starbrand, Black Widow and Hawkeye are along for the chronal ride to try and find out exactly what Stark did to Cap.
Some of the highlights of the issue include future Hawkeye vs. present-day Hawkeye and Starbrand meeting the next wielder of the sigil and learning about his own fate. The issue gives the reader the sense that the concept of the Avengers transcends time and space and will always serve as an inspiration to heroes everywhere and everywhen. This is the type of storytelling that Hickman does best, a concept-driven mindblast that serves his cast and allows their individual personalities to shine.
It may barely connect to Original Sin, but this issue is well worth picking up.
Grade: A
—
Mighty Avengers #10. Writer: Al Ewing. Penciler: Greg Land. Inker: Jay Leisten. Colorist: Frank D’Armata. Marvel might want to look at the format of these Original Sin crossovers to find inspiration for any future event. The goings on in Original Sin are used as a story engine for the crossover so regular readers of any book partaking in the event won’t be lost. The crossover serves the monthlies, not the other way around. Take Mighty Avengers #10 for example: The murder of the Watcher is used as story fodder to explore the history of Blue Marvel.
It was established a ways back that the Blue Marvel and the Watcher were pals, so this issue serves as a poignant reminder of that friendship. The issue also allows readers to check in with the Watcher’s wife and newly formed (created?) child and drives home just how alien the Watchers are. Blue Marvel mourns, but the Watcher widow simply keeps observing. Luke Cage and the Falcon get some nice moments as well, as the everyman Avengers continue their mission statement of being the publicly funded heroes for the common man. One of the Mindless Ones pops by to keep a connection with Original Sin but the battle with the creature only serves to highlight Luke’s team.
Meanwhile, Al Ewing keeps the anything-goes vibe of the book as Blade, using the identity of Ronin, is kidnapped by were-roosters and were-lampreys. It all has a really cool Bronze Age feel going — this is a fun book that deserves some more attention.
Greg Land’s art is uncharacteristically sedate and he tells a well-paced story that captures the emotions of even the most alien of characters. Yeah, Land probably earned his controversial reputation, but the artist has turned a page into new levels of storytelling acumen with Mighty Avengers.
Grade: A-
