Avengers Assemble, the 10-part finale of Jason Aaron’s 80-issue-plus Avengers run that began in 2018 finally came to an end in April. More than the end of his run, it was the culmination of a longterm build that began early on his run and, then, specifically in Avengers #50 (or, if you’re inclined to count it, Free Comic Book Day 2021: Avengers/Hulk). The focus of Avengers and the launch of a spinoff Avengers Forever directly led to this finale with multiversal Avengers, traveling through time to thwart Mephisto’s schemes, and, generally, feeling like the book was on a treadmill until the real story could actually begin. Which is why, when Avengers Assemble finally began, it felt so underwhelming. Over a year and 23 issues (not to mention the pre-issue 50 issues that set up various elements of the story through subplots in Avengers) the payoff is a meandering, inconsistently paced story featuring bad guys that won’t stay defeated despite looking quite dead for… ‘reasons’ until Deus Ex Machina and good guys win! At least, that was my first impression. [Read more…] about The Final Architect: The End of Jason Aaron’s Avengers and a Marvel Era
Jason Aaron
THORS #1 Review: “Mjolnir and Order: Allthing Edition!”
After writing multiple volumes of Thunder God adventures, Jason Aaron takes full advantage of the Secret Wars event to have something of a “working vacation”. Although far from phoned-in, the debut issue still plays heavily into the whimsical sidestep. Additionally, it also wastes no time tying back to the ongoing narrative like it was the next regularly-scheduled beat. [Read more…] about THORS #1 Review: “Mjolnir and Order: Allthing Edition!”
THOR #8 Review: “Goddess of Red Herrings!”
In a week already overbrimming with Gods of Thunder, the team of monthly Thor shrugs off an additional internet spoiler leak and still stands worthy. In the vacuum of the moment, that kind of pre-emptive takeaway could prove damaging- to a lesser work. Fortunately, the regulars yield anything but, turning out a superlative concluding chapter.
Before reaching “the big finale”, writer Jason Aaron crams a lot into the proceedings. The forward half is the culmination of a two issue stand-off against the Asgardian Destroyer (the time-honored rite of passage for any Thor). While it is unabashedly a straight-forward fight sequence (okay, there is much bash), artist Russell Dauterman cuts loose with a lot of non-standard, angular layouts. It really helps convey the melee’s chaos- multiple powered combatants against a singular opponent forcing them all to constantly stay on the move. Kin. Et. Ic!
Assisting in so small way to the dizzying visuals is color artist, Matthew Wilson. Throughout the issue, as well as the entire current volume, Wilson runs the entire palette from cold to lush and vibrant to washed-out. He also displays skills at stopping on a dime, switching-up and juxtaposing mood and lighting like nobody’s business. Sometimes this magic even occurs within the same panel!
Despite the fight’s anti-climactic finish (Odin realizes he’s just really old and out of touch, calling it), there’s a lot of justifiable and genuine fist-pumppery. That being said, the back-half is where things start to hit critical mass. Aside from the pronounced framing of the crescendo, the other transitions do little to actually resolve anything. At best, everything is brought to a broil if only to be left to simmer for the duration of this summer’s Secret Wars event.
In that, there is reassurance. Jason Aaron shows no signs of abating his plans because all of creation, including Asgard’s cosmology, has Katamari garbage-balled into Battleworld. The current chapter may be over but going forward, knowing who wields the hammer makes everything that much more compelling. The Odinson will always have his name but the new Thor’s place is foreseeably secured.
Thor #1 Review! Is It Worthy?
Early fall has always been a time for fresh starts. Schools are back in session and new television shows hit the air. All around, it seems like a good time to get in on the ground floor of just about anything. Likewise, Marvel has relaunched Thor this week with a new number one as part of the “Avengers Now!” branding initiative. However, autumn is also often fraught with ominous symbolism, what with the withering, harvesting and the “winter is coming” of it all. Fittingly, these glooming overtones are well represented within the latest inaugural chapter of writer Jason’s Aaron’s ongoing saga of everyone’s favorite Odinson. [Read more…] about Thor #1 Review! Is It Worthy?