Avengers #35
Written by: Jonathan Hickman
Art by: Various
After Captain America returned to the present last issue, we jump ahead 8 months into the future as time begins to run out.
This has been a debatable series. Some adulate it for its high concept ideas, long-term storytelling and broad scale. Some decry it for a lack of character and heart. I’ve always thought you could find these elements in Avengers’ sister title, New Avengers. Reading this title without New Avengers would be like solely reading the odd number chapters of a book. One chapter focuses on the character and the other brings the plot to the forefront. This technique may be controversial but for those who like it, it’s remarkable. Avengers #35 is another great issue in an awesome series.
It’s very apparent that Hickman remembers every little detail of this series’ past in this issue. Every segment of this comic consists of a previously planted plot seed flourishing into a significant part of the story. The Ex-Nihilli make their return, the relationship between smasher and cannonball has evolved into a family and Hyperion is still fathering aliens in the savage lands. Thor makes an appearance in the latter of these scenes. Despite being a brief and relatively silent appearance, Hickman displays the change in this character greatly. A lot has changed in 8 months and Hickman’s ideas for the marvel universe are all noteworthy. His penchant for high-concepts is what an Avengers title needs.
There is no lack of small-scale, human scenes in this issue, though. Hickman uses the reunion of Canonball and Sunspot to evoke emotion on a smaller scale which brings a nice balance to the comic. He writes strong interactions between the two friends who have gotten little attention in 2014.
This comic, however is not without flaws. None of the new status-quos are explained. This comic lacks exposition considering it jumped forward 8 months. Yes, Hickman doesn’t want to spoil the events of Axis and what will happen in the coming months but the jump feels jarring. Instead of smoothly flowing, it took a while to get adjusted to the new setting in a positive manner. There is also a lack of focus in this issue. We skip between about 5 different plot lines, causing a lack of cohesion. They will all come together in the coming months, but Hickman has put a little too much on our plates for this serving.
The rotation of 4 different artists could also be considered when evaluating this comic’s want of cohesion. Every segment is pencilled by a different person. All of the art was good but Nick Bradshaw’s stood out as too cartoony for this comic. Every switch from or to his art was jarring and detracted from my enjoyment. If Bradshaw found the right series, he could be a superstar, however this is not that series. Jim Cheung stands out amongst on otherwise excellent team of artists. You can’t help but wish he drew the whole issue while reading his segment.
Overall, Avengers #35 was a great issue. Despite its lack of focus and cohesion, Hickman revitalizes the book with this new setting. There is a lot of set-up for his upcoming finale and but this issue will have you eager to read the next one. The payoff is imminent and it will most likely astonish.
Art by: Various
After Captain America returned to the present last issue, we jump ahead 8 months into the future as time begins to run out.
This has been a debatable series. Some adulate it for its high concept ideas, long-term storytelling and broad scale. Some decry it for a lack of character and heart. I’ve always thought you could find these elements in Avengers’ sister title, New Avengers. Reading this title without New Avengers would be like solely reading the odd number chapters of a book. One chapter focuses on the character and the other brings the plot to the forefront. This technique may be controversial but for those who like it, it’s remarkable. Avengers #35 is another great issue in an awesome series.
It’s very apparent that Hickman remembers every little detail of this series’ past in this issue. Every segment of this comic consists of a previously planted plot seed flourishing into a significant part of the story. The Ex-Nihilli make their return, the relationship between smasher and cannonball has evolved into a family and Hyperion is still fathering aliens in the savage lands. Thor makes an appearance in the latter of these scenes. Despite being a brief and relatively silent appearance, Hickman displays the change in this character greatly. A lot has changed in 8 months and Hickman’s ideas for the marvel universe are all noteworthy. His penchant for high-concepts is what an Avengers title needs.
There is no lack of small-scale, human scenes in this issue, though. Hickman uses the reunion of Canonball and Sunspot to evoke emotion on a smaller scale which brings a nice balance to the comic. He writes strong interactions between the two friends who have gotten little attention in 2014.
This comic, however is not without flaws. None of the new status-quos are explained. This comic lacks exposition considering it jumped forward 8 months. Yes, Hickman doesn’t want to spoil the events of Axis and what will happen in the coming months but the jump feels jarring. Instead of smoothly flowing, it took a while to get adjusted to the new setting in a positive manner. There is also a lack of focus in this issue. We skip between about 5 different plot lines, causing a lack of cohesion. They will all come together in the coming months, but Hickman has put a little too much on our plates for this serving.
The rotation of 4 different artists could also be considered when evaluating this comic’s want of cohesion. Every segment is pencilled by a different person. All of the art was good but Nick Bradshaw’s stood out as too cartoony for this comic. Every switch from or to his art was jarring and detracted from my enjoyment. If Bradshaw found the right series, he could be a superstar, however this is not that series. Jim Cheung stands out amongst on otherwise excellent team of artists. You can’t help but wish he drew the whole issue while reading his segment.
Overall, Avengers #35 was a great issue. Despite its lack of focus and cohesion, Hickman revitalizes the book with this new setting. There is a lot of set-up for his upcoming finale and but this issue will have you eager to read the next one. The payoff is imminent and it will most likely astonish.
A Look Inside
