Avengers #8
Recap
***WARNING: This review contains major spoilers!***
Ghost Rider arrives at Avengers Mountain at the North Pole. Their new base, given to them by the cured Final Host of Dark Celestials, is the Progenitor Sentinel’s shell (newly refit and converted for habitation by Wakanda and Alpha Flight). While Robbie and Cap have their first sparring session we are shown that at the defeat of the Final Host, Loki claimed an even greater threat looms against humanity before the remaining Celestials left Earth with him in tow.
We are then given a “slice of life” of the Avengers getting settled into their new digs. Jennifer has reverted to her normal self. Apparently, even though her vocabulary was stunted, she’s been mostly in control while Hulking about (making her relationship with Thor far less creepy). Strange also reports that her gamma radiation storage exceeds even that of Bruce, essentially making her a walking gamma-bomb. They are interrupted by a lavatory seeking Thor, who Jennifer invites to her quarters (so cute!).
T’Challa expresses his disappointment that Strange won’t be a full-time Avenger, but the Mountain is equipped with a global teleporter, should they ever need his help. Tony comes close to apologizing to Carol and successfully recruits her to be an Avenger, but ruins it by flirting with her and she rightfully pushes him into a muddy hot-spring.
Later, the Avengers vote T’Challa as team Chairperson. Before they can get far into their first meeting, they are alerted to an international incident in the South Sea. Whalers are hunting in Atlantean territory and are attacked by aquatic soldiers defending their home. Unfortunately, they underestimate the human’s armaments and are slaughtered and hung from the sides of the ship, suddenly it is rocked by the tentacles of a kraken and an incensed, vengeance-seeking Namor!
Review
Art: Fully immersive panels and excellent, expressive faces keep this transitional issue engaging. Though I like the more realistic body types Marquez favors, Cap should focus on more leg-day workouts and the hero suits could use much more detail (Panther especially). Also, I know it’s childish, but I just think there are better choices for the Progenitor Celestial’s final pose.
Writing: Avengers Mountain is a really cool idea and the layout of the place is awesome. Robbie and his brother remain a highlight for me, I really appreciate the humanity in their relationship. I’m also the type of person that really enjoys watching protagonists interact with each other in downtime. Though I really liked all of the encounters, my favs were Jenn and Thor (I’m a sucker for good ‘ships) and when the big three endorsed Panther as Chairperson in the “Spinal Lift” for this new Avengers team; I got chills like I was 15 years old again (I’ll never grow up). I understand keeping Strange on an “as needed” basis, but I’m really glad Carol will be a mainstay. New Namor looks incredible with his new black-plate pauldrons and gauntlets; I can’t wait to see him kick some ass next issue! The dialogue is well written and mindfully realistic, as is always the case with Aaron’s work. This has been a hell of an epic run and I hope it keeps up the pace without sacrificing the relationships they’ve cultivated so far. I’ve been looking forward to seeing what they were going to do after the Final Host run, and I must say this issue left me happy and optimistic!
Final Thoughts
This issue is filled with great interactions, settings, relationship drama and banter, making me hopeful for continued excellence in this run!
Avengers #8: The Avengers Assemble in Their New Operations Base and Thulk Ship is Sweet
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 7/107/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 7/107/10
