Uncanny Avengers 21, New Avengers 20, New Avengers Annual 1

Uncanny Avengers 21
Remender (w) and Acuña (a) and White (c) and Cowles (l)

The remaining members of the Unity Squad return to the past, to the moments before the Apocalypse Twins' plans have been set in motion, to warn everyone and prepare themselves. They explain everything to everyone around and everyone offers their powers to Rogue, who charges to stop Exitar the Executioner with the help of a marginally convinced (though totally crazy) Sentry while Wolverine, Sunfire, and Havok destroy the tachyon dam in the present, leaving Thor to use Jarnbjorn on Exitar. With everything coming up Avengers, Kang and his team descend and, of course, stab everyone in the back, with his team going to corral the powerless Avengers and with Kang himself throwing Thor into the dying Celestial while he drinks of the Celestial's blood and essence, deeming himself conqueror of the universe.

Here's the thing that you ALWAYS have to keep in mind about Kang: one of his very first appearances (as Kang, not Rama-Tut or whoever else he may have appeared as) found him locked into a deadly game with Grandmaster, an elder of the universe, where he convinced his enemies the Avengers to help him so he could save the life of his love Ravonna. When they helped him and eventually won, Grandmaster basically said "alright, well, you have the wish of life or death, do you want me to save that Princess that's totes locked in a jar?" and Kang, HOT ON THE HEELS OF THE AVENGERS RISKING THEIR LIVES TO HELP HIM, went "Actually, no, kill the Avengers for me, would you?" That's who Kang is. What Remender has done here is tell a really interesting story that, with the last second reveal, makes you understand just how long and risky of a con this was for Kang and also makes you remember that moment early in Kang's history and go "oh, that's right, no one should trust that guy EVER." This is a really enjoyable read, both for how quickly things seem to go right when the Avengers set their mind to it and for the fun dialogue (Wolverine's in particular, as he refers to Wonder Man as "Hollywood" and literally says the phrase "I ain't got no such compunction"). It also turns out to be quite a story and now, a book that has spent about 20 issues getting to this point, teases that the next issue is the conclusion of this arc, right as Kang takes the power of the gods and declares himself the conqueror of the universe.

Total Score: 5/5


New Avengers 20
Hickman (w) and Schiti (a) and F. Martin and Mounts (c) and Caramagna (l)

The Illuminati and the Great Society find themselves locked in combat with the Illuminati apparently at disadvantage. As Dr. Spectrum goes to find the bomb with Black Bolt in pursuit, the other Illuminati members fall one-by-one (except Black Panther, who is in a stalemate and is just AWESOME) until finally Dr. Strange reveals just how much he's let his soul go as he unleashes dark magic and singlehandedly stops the Great Society.

This issue moves really well and has the weight that we've come to expect from NEW AVENGERS throughout Hickman's run. Better still is how interestingly Hickman writes both Dr. Strange (who we haven't seen a TON from since the start of this series) and Black Panther (who we've seen enough from to know how well Hickman writes him). Also impressive is how well these Great Society characters seem to be fleshed out, even if their past isn't really seen in the comics. You actually believe that these people had lives before Hickman brought them into being just a few issues ago which is kind of rare for characters like them. They're well-developed and Hickman didn't even have to spend much time on exposition for them; instead, the book moves quickly and we understand the fight really well. Strong issue.

Total Score: 5/5


New Avengers Annual 1
Barbiere (w) and Rudy (a and c) and Caramagna (l)

In the time between, presumably, when Dr. Strange sold his soul for power and the NEW AVENGERS present, Strange was called to his Tibetan Mountains to help his old teachers rid a new and very powerful student of a demon who has latched on to her. As we get flashbacks from Strange to the first patient he lost thanks to his hubris, the doctor and the demon battle. Though the demon is immensely powerful, Strange uses dark magic to keep him down and brings the demon into himself rather than killing the girl to whom it's attached. The demon has no chance within Strange, which Strange knew when he took the demon in. The monks forbid him from returning, asking who he is now to which he replies that he is the doctor.

The story, particularly for an annual (the quality of which often varies), is very compelling and Marco Rudy's art, as it was in MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN, is just outstanding and absolutely perfect for this book. While Frank Barbiere tells an interesting story that weaves between the past and the present and reveals much about the proud Doctor Strange pre-Sorceror Supreme and post-Soul Seller, Marco Rudy illustrates incredible battles and emotions and even incredible still moments. Just wonderful, wonderful stuff. On the Nerdist Writer's Panel: Comics Edition podcast, I've heard plenty of times that everyone has a Dr. Strange pitch but almost no one has one that would work for Marvel in the longterm. I guess I can't speak for the longterm but this one worked really well for me on this issue. Check it out, you guys.

Total Score: 5/5