Review: AVENGERS #44

Writer:  Jonathan Hickman
Artists:  Stefano Caselli and Kev Walker
Color Artist:  Frank Martin
Letterer:  VC’s Cory Petit

EVERYTHING ENDS!!  EVERYTHING DIES!!  These are the slogans used to signify the end of the Marvel Universe.  Jonathan Hickman‘s Avengers/New Avengers run comes to a conclusion before next month’s summer blockbuster event Secret Wars begins.  Just as Avengers #1 started with Steve Rogers and Tony Stark, so does it’s end.

What I Liked

Two of my favorite artists (Stefano Caselli and Kev Walker) team up to close out this Avengers run.  Caselli’s art makes me feel as if I’m reading an animated masterpiece starring my favorite superheroes.  Even with scenes involving characters walking or talking to one another, they appear epic.  Walker’s style is less flashy but still matches Caselli’s tone.  Walker gets to really let loose with some tense scenes between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark.  He even does some more callbacks to Avengers #1.

Hickman is able to juggle many plots.  There is the attacking Shi’ar force in space, the Cabal in the Ultimate Universe, the Avengers (New Avengers, Illuminati, S.H.I.E.L.D. Avengers), and ultimately Rogers and Stark.

At the core of the issue is Rogers vs Stark.  Just as “Everything Dies”, everything has been building to this confrontation.  I love that during their battle, we were reminded of their initial discussion while creating the Avengers machine.  Great way to reward your loyal readers.

What I Didn’t Like

One other thing that didn’t sit well with me was seeing the heroes talk about their post-end-of-the-world plans.  These are the brightest minds and greatest heroes the Marvel Universe has ever seen.  It felt wrong seeing them all with a defeatist attitude.

This doesn’t relate to this issue, but to the overall “Time Runs Out” arc…..it was never explained how Sue Storm joined S.H.I.E.L.D.  We know she was a mole for her husband, Mister Fantastic, but did she go to S.H.I.E.LD. or did they reach out to her?

And finally, haven’t we just recently seen Captain America vs. Iron Man in Civil War?

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

Timdogg

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