Avengers #19: An Avengers World

With a vampiric invasion and genocidal superman firmly behind them, the Avengers at last have a moment to reflect on recent developments. Captain Marvel ponders potential trouble stemming from Thor’s recent departure, Black Panther pours his focus into a brand new mission, and the illustrious Storm settles into her new home amongst the stars.

There’s ample time to flesh out the interpersonal drama at play, which writer Jed MacKay readily takes advantage of. King T’Challa’s failed marriage and subsequent on-again-off-again romance with Ororo Munroe is the obvious elephant in the room, a subject that all parties acknowledge with a gratifying level of maturity. The two heroes are true professionals willing to prioritize the job, but the tension can still be felt lingering in their off-hours, motivating T’Challa to embark on a long-postponed rescue mission. The fact that T’Challa willingly jumps into a dangerous pocket dimension but secretly fears a conversation with his ex-wife is the most brilliant bit of subtle comedy.

With two men out of action, it’s the most inconvenient time for Doctor Doom, having recently stolen the title of Sorcerer Supreme in the aftermath of Blood Hunt, to drag the Avengers into his philosophical dilemma. He teleports them to the middle of the desert, conjuring clay warriors to test their mettle, but these physical attacks pale in comparison to the way he verbally berates them. Demanding to know why Earth’s mightiest heroes refuse to take command of the planet and cure humanity of all its ailments, Doom shows them visions of his ideal utopian future. Artist Farid Karami’s frequent intercutting between physical action and internal conflict is excellent symbolism, allowing readers a peek into each hero’s insecurity. But these same insecurities are the reason why the avengers refuse to become tyrants, as the team poignantly explains in the climax.

Drawing a comparison to Marvel’s neighbor across the pond, their speech feels reminiscent of Grant Morrison’s inciting arc of JLA, stating that a superhero’s purpose is to protect humanity, not control it. The outcome of the ordeal vexes Doom enough to make him depart, ready to use his mystical power to achieve some unknown goal. The avengers end their adventure with many questions about his next move, but also many answers about themselves.