The Avengers #28: Reunited at Last

The Black Panther and Captain America make their final push against remaining-master-of-evil the Mad Thinker, hoping to rid their headquarters of his influence once and for all. But the Thinker has juiced himself up significantly, stealing technology and power from each of his fallen teammates to make himself an indestructable suit of armor. Increased firepower combined with his near-ability to anticipate any possible future makes him an intimidating threat, but the heroes have come to far to be deterred by his newfound might.

Avengers #28’s extensive and energetic action has all the best qualities of a video game’s final boss fight, as the Mad Thinker remixes every move and tactic thrown at T’Challa and Sam Wilson in previous issues. It’s an opportunity to show just how quickly the two men adapt to their circumstances, pulling out every trick they’ve learned over the course of this adventure. Jed MacKay does a service to T’Challa’s characterization this issue, bringing to light one of his more overlooked qualities. The King of Wakanda is far more than the seasoned warrior and tactician he is sometimes reduced to; his intelligence stretches to a multitude of academic subjects. His short diatribe about the differences between out-thinking and out-smarting one’s opponent is philosophical and thought-provoking despite its quickness. It’s a unique character moment which truly reaffirms T’Challa’s extensive education.

Andrea Broccardo elevates the comic’s third act with striking page composition to sell the intensity of the action. The Mad Thinker’s suit looks grand and imposing, and the myriad of weapons and devices it whips out in the heat of battle keeps the fighting fresh. In the end, Sam Wilson and T’Challa are able to distract the villain long enough to unlock the force field for the other Avengers, turning the tide of the battle for good. MacKay’s choice to skip right over the Thinker’s epic beatdown with only the slightest implication of the pain he experienced is a great comedic punch to top things off with. Black Panther, having proven his courage time and time again throughout this arc, finally works up the nerve to confront Storm, his ex-wife, and welcome her to the team. While they might not be in each other’s lives romantically, being Avengers makes them family still, which they heartwarmingly embrace.