Avengers #16: Here’s a vamp, there’s a vamp, everywhere’s a vamp, vamp…

It’s the penultimate issue before we put the final nail into the coffin (see the pun?), as well as the final issue where series artist C.F. Villa leaves for the upcoming Blade mini, we see OG Captain America’s ragtag bunch of heroes who banded together after a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth’s mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, the Avengers were born—to fight the foes no single super hero could withstand! So let’s get on with this!

Jed Mackay’s run on this volume of the Avengers has been fun, although rather safe, especially considering the cast. Having Steve Rogers gather up a rather odd ball collection of heroes to combat Baron Blood, and his Vampire warriors has been a lot of fun. It’s the moments, like between Hercules and Hazmat, that made this storyline a bright spot on these side quests, and MacKay really shines best here.

MacKay’s gift when it comes to scripting might be one of his biggest assets. While each of these characters have their own, distinctive voices, and are full of personality. Whether it’s the snappy patter between Quicksilver and Hawkeye (Kate), when they’re going up against the Baron’s generals, or Hercules’ and Hazmat reminiscing on their first meeting, where Herc was essentially naked the entire time, MacKay plays up to his strengths. He’s a goofball, and that’s what I love about him. Herc is a powerhouse, who makes some really good quips as he faces these vampires that could overwhelm him, and he’s still cracking jokes. It makes me want to see him join the group if we ever get another shakeup of the roster.

One of my favorite parts of this volume of the Avengers has been the art. This is C.F. Villa’s last issue on the book before superstar comic artist Valerio Schiti (S.W.O.R.D., Empyre, G.O.D.S.), takes over and introduces Storm to the team, and Villa goes all out with a bang. I’ve been a very big fan of Villa’s after his breakout run on Black Cat (another project he had with Jed), and have followed him to X-Men, and eventually here. His linework here is full of energy, and the fight scenes are kinetic. Villa’s characters are so dynamic and expressive, and the fight scenes are bombastic. MacKay’s script plays up to Villa’s strengths, which makes for an overwhelmingly positive issue, and one hell of a send off for Villa.