The infinity stones reborn and are not as they once were. Doctor Strange uses his mystical powers along with the Time Stone to communicate with the beholders of each stone and arranges a meeting of the minds as imminent danger approaches.
INFINITY COUNTDOWN #5
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Pencilers: Aaron Kuder & Mike Hawthorne
Inkers: Aaron Kuder & Jose Marzan Jr.
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Cover Artists: Nick Bradshaw & Morry Hollowell
Publisher: Marvel Comics
What You Need to Know:
As the Saga of the Infinity Stones continues around the cosmos, the ultimate race for power is fought, blood spilled, lives lost, and insecurities are heightened. Great heroes and villains eager for possession, the beholders of each stone are challenged as their path end lies near and the “Wars” begin anew.
What You’ll Find Out:
Adam warlock reacquaints himself with the Guardians of the Galaxy on Oblitus, however, he is companioned with the known adversary, Kang! All hell breaks loose as to the justification of this deranged team-up along with the fact that Adam has the Soul Stone and won’t give Gamora possession.
Adam quickly defends himself from Gamora with Kang blocking the other Guardians, which leads to teammates against each other. Gamora is offended that she is refused a chance to regain what she lost in the Soul Stone. Meanwhile, within the Soul World, Hank Pym is trapped with old woman Gamora and eagerly seeks an escape. The world reflects what you want to see, not what you need to see. A door is opened in the Soul Stone; “I’m right where I belong.”
Elsewhere, in New York City, Black Widow uses the power of the Space Stone, she teleports to Doctor Strange in hopes that he would take possession. In the middle of their conversation, Doctor Strange connects with Turk Barrett, the beholder of the Mind Stone. After returning to Black Widow, Doctor Strange refuses to take possession and strongly feels that all the infinity stones should stay apart from each other. Later, Doctor Strange acquires the awareness of the “imminent dangers approaches”, he summons the beholders of each Infinity Stone. “…Because we may have only one opportunity to stave off calamity”.
What Just Happened?
The final to Gerry Duggan and his creative team has become the cosmic masterminds for another Marvel event. Infinity Countdown #5 brings this super entertaining series and its lead characters to the most important position in preparation for the next stage in this universe changing Saga; “Infinity Wars”.
It’s awesome to go into an event with questions of what’s going to happen next. Excitement grows through mystery and impatience of the reader. We enjoy and yet, despise those hangers and Duggan’s writing grabs the reader by the stones and articulates the beholders nicely through storytelling.
Duggan places Adam Warlock and the Guardians at odds with each other. As Adam tries to explain there is something just not right with the Soul stone, distrust is placed between each other. The big surprise has been the entrapment of Hank Pym inside the Soul Stone with a piece of Gamora’s soul. Duggan pulls a fast on us where Hank Pym seemingly meets his “departure”. It was clever that gets an unexpected reaction from the reader.
Duggan continues to make connections as Black Widow teleports to the Sanctum Santorum with the Space Stone and asks Doctor Strange for help. As the beholder of the Time Stone, Doctor Strange uses his mystical methods to locate the Mind Stone, which is in possession of Turk Barrett. I found it a bit odd for Doctor Strange to abruptly leave Black Widow and left confused with the purpose of connecting the Mind Stone in this section. It is also disappointing that the beholder of the Reality Stone, Captain Marvel, wasn’t given a stronger roll in this issue. However, Duggan made up for these dismays at the end of the comic as Doctor Strange summon the Infinity Watch to gather for the approaching danger. Leaving the reader excited for the next major event. Will Doctor Strange continue to use the Time Stone and lead the other stone beholders as they battle the next threat to infinite power?
The artist team, Hawthorne, Kuder, Marzarn Jr, and Bellaire all do a decent job. My biggest confliction is the colorization of Gamora and Drax, especially the eyes. The facial details of Adam Warlock and the Guardians were left less desired, but the team did wonders with Hank Pym facial expressions. The strong talent continues to be demonstrated with the Doctor Strange action scenes.
Hawthorne gives us a more classic look for Doctor Strange; more weathered than recent incarnations – thank you!
Rating: 8 /10
Final Thought: Infinity Countdown was an intriguing, stone grabbing story with some mix reviews on some standalone tie-ins; like Captain Marvel and some outstanding; like Darkhawk. Duggan has us ready and excited for the next event – bring on Infinity Wars!
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