Review: NEW AVENGERS #19

Writer:  Jonathan Hickman
Artist:  Valerio Schiti
Color Artist:  Frank Martin
Letterer:  VC’s Joe Caramagna
Publisher:  Marvel Comics

The New Avengers have tasked themselves with protecting our world from planetary incursions.  They have even gone so far as to build bombs that can destroy another world.  Thankfully, the New Avengers have not had to activate one of these bombs.

Now they have come across heroes from another universe who have successfully fended off incursions.  But what happens when their world and ours are on a collision course?  What is even worse, these heroes are noble.  Blowing up another world, however, is not so noble.

New Avengers #19 interior art

What I Liked

Valerio Schiti + Frank Martin = one beautiful comic book.  I first became familiar with Schiti’s work on Mighty Avengers.  Here he gets to play with some of Marvel’s most iconic figures.  He definitely takes advantage of the opportunity.  Schiti has a firm grasp on displaying emotions through body language and facial expressions.  Color art by Martin makes each panel pop with vibrance.

I am loving Jonathan Hickman‘s build-up between the interconnecting stories in Avengers and New Avengers.  Repercussions from the latest Avengers (Captain America punching Tony Stark after remembering that the Illuminati mind-wiped him) carry over to this issue.

As much as it is fun to watch intelligent people debate the proper etiquette involving world-saving, I am glad that Namor is present with his impatience for small talk.

What I Didn’t Like

It feels like New Avengers has been devoid of much action.  There has been much world-building and seeds being planted for future stories, which are finally bearing fruit.  With this showdown between The Great Society and New Avengers, hopefully the action will pick up.

A few issues ago, Doctor Strange sold his soul to gather more power.  He did this so he would be prepared to help defend against incursions.  We have yet to see Doctor Strange unleash this new power.  I am sure Hickman is saving this for later, but I thought it was necessary to point out.

New Avengers #19 cover art

Summary

The New Avengers/Illuminati have gone down a dark path with no end in sight.  Can they remain heroes, or must they do horrible things in order to save our world?  Do they really have it in them to destroy another world?  And what happens now that Captain America and the Avengers know of their scheming?

Rating:  4 out of 5

This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network.  They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE