Comic Review: Uncanny Avengers #5
Posted By Dave Howlett on March 28, 2013
The flagship book in Marvel’s high-profile Marvel Now! relaunch, Uncanny Avengers, hasn’t exactly been the model of stability. Almost every issue after its first has shipped late, and original artist John Cassaday now seems to have exited the book after only four issues. The delays only served to stretch out a needlessly gory opening storyline, one that saw a psychic-powered Red Skull incite riots that racked up a shocking body count (I can’t be the only one who’s getting tired of reading superhero comics that depict heroes standing around helplessly in the wreckage of a bloody disaster, lamenting all the lives they couldn’t save; I thought part of the appeal of this stuff was to see heroes overcoming incredible odds to do the impossible, not constantly feeling guilty for their mortal failings). It must be a bit embarrassing for Marvel to have such a high-profile vehicle capsize so quickly, but the fifth issue seeks to right the ship once again. In this (relatively) done-in-one chapter, Olivier Coipel (House of M, Thor) handles guest-art duties, writer Rick Remender hints at future intrigue, and the lineup of the “Avengers Unity Division”, a mix of heroes from both Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Earth’s Most Misunderstood Mutants, gains a few familiar additions.
A prologue sequence, picking up on events in Remender’s acclaimed run on Uncanny X-Force, follows up on the legacy of immortal mutant Apocalypse while setting the stage for upcoming storylines (Remender surprises here by connecting Apocalypse’s story with a high profile Avengers foe who also has an origin steeped in Egyptology). From there, the action shifts to the still-gestating Unity Division, as it gains a couple of new members in longtime Avengers mainstays Wonder Man and the Wasp. The duo are looking to help with the new team’s PR profile–an uphill challenge, considering that the lineup includes more than one reformed mutant villain. Wolverine heads to Japan to enlist onetime X-Man (and current self-loathing drunk) Sunfire. Tensions run hot amongst the disparate, expanding membership, and a surprise attack from classic Avengers foe The Grim Reaper during a press conference only makes things worse.
As much as I love John Cassaday‘s art, it seemed like he never quite found his groove on Uncanny Avengers. His heart never really seemed to be in it, and as such, neither the quiet dialogue scenes nor the big action beats ever played as well as they did on titles like Astonishing X-Men and Planetary (although his version of the Red Skull was downright terrifying). Not to mention, he clearly either missed or disregarded the memo about some of the Marvel Now! costume redesigns (in which he himself participated!), leaving the three-dimensional wings on Captain America’s helmet even on this very issue’s cover. Coipel’s guest art stint feels like a fresh start of sorts, bringing an elegant, European quality to the linework and layouts. Remender’s characterizations are on point, particularly in his handling of Wasp and Wonder Man; Wasp is fiercely protective of the legacy of the team she helped found, while Wonder Man, having bounced back and forth from hero to villain to dead to alive again for years, has no interest in fighting with anybody anymore (although one wonders how a hero with such a checkered personal history is supposed to help the team’s public image). Uncanny Avengers #5 paves the way for a more assured and timely-shipping title (Daniel Acuna takes over the art duties next month), hopefully one that can demonstrate a creative unity to match the genetic unity its heroes are striving for.
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