The Avengers #22

Recap
Kang the Conqueror warned the Avengers about the threat that is the Tribulation Events, and they have been on the defensive ever since. But while Black Panther deals with a mission within a pocket dimension, the rest of the Avengers regroup to uncover the mystery of the Missing Moment…
Review
Over the course of their 60-year-long career, Earth’s mightiest heroes have been referred to by many titles by allies and enemies alike, but a guild of expert thieves has never been one of them. The team’s reputation as an assembly of powerhouses has always meant that their adventures are large-scale and bombastic, not the type of missions requiring much espionage or discretion. But there is a first time for everything as Avengers #22 showcases and, with the combined brainpower of some of Marvel’s greatest geniuses and tacticians, an intergalactic heist couldn’t possibly be so hard to pull off.
Finally alone with their thoughts after the back-to-back interruptions of Fall of X and Blood Hunt, the avengers have redirected their focus towards the Tribulation events, an enigmatic threat that Kang the Conqueror warned them was approaching. These heroes are flying blind as they have no clue as to what shape or form these events will be arriving in, or to what end they serve. With their only possible lead being a data archive locked in an intergalactic casino’s vault, the avengers hatch the heist of the century. Writer Jed MacKay continues breathing a refreshing air of playfulness into these characters, bringing out a lot of personality in this brainstorming session. A few more well-meaning jabs are tossed at the messy history between Scarlet Witch and the X-Men, further dissolving any bad blood between them while giving Wanda and Storm a very fascinating dynamic. Indeed, every avenger gets their opportunity to assist the mission with their unique set of skills, executing the plan without issue until the sudden twist that any good heist story has.
Should anyone still be in doubt after issue #20, Avengers #22 cements that bustling alien environments are artist Farid Karami’s bread and butter, allowing this newly-introduced location to feel historic and lived-in without the need for any exposition. The diversity of alien life on display is abundant and worthy of close attention, everyone of them feeling like they have their own story to tell.
Jed MacKay finishes the issue strong, bombarding readers with not one, but two unexpected developments. As it turns out, the Avengers are not the sole gang after this data hard drive, as Kang himself has recruited Felicia Hardy, the notorious Black Cat, as well as her late father plucked straight out of the time field to beat the heroes to the punch. Little do both parties know that this entire charade is a set-up by Myrddin, the herald of the tribulation events. The avengers are not one step ahead of him, but actually playing right into his hand, and only the universe knows what torment he has in store for them.
Final Thoughts
Avengers #22 has the team embark on a mission unlike anything they've done before: a sleek and exhilarating heist of epic proportions, with a few twists and turns to leave you wanting more.
The Avengers #22: The Great Casino Caper
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 7/107/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 7/107/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10