New Avengers #29
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Kev Walker
Following all the news and revelations about Secret Wars, I couldn’t feel the story looming on the horizon any more. Hickman clearly feels the same way. It must be incredibly satisfying to reach the endgame of a story you’ve been telling for 3 years that climaxes with an idea you’ve had for double that. The satisfaction is a direct parallel to the quality of this arc. While I enjoyed the beginning of this Avengers run, there were some moments that felt a little gratuitous (given they haven’t been brought back to the plot). Now, Hickman evidently uses every page to further the story or the characters which makes for a much tighter and enjoyable book.
I’ve highly appreciated the focus that Hickman has brought to this series with the last 3 issues of Time Runs Out. I enjoyed the start of this arc where every group had their own issue but the continuous story here feels more satisfying. There’s been a stronger sense of focus that accelerate the momentum of this book greatly. However, that trend is somewhat broken here. My only flaw with this issue was an isolated sequence with Doctor Doom. It was a cool little scene and Hickman writes Doom as well as always but given that the last 3 issues have been focused on one group, the change in scenery felt jarring.
But the story advancements were quite strong. Hickman takes two pages to show us what the Illuminati were really up to before Time Runs Out and brought one poignant and subtle panel that made the issue for me. Simply for the sheer amount of character brought to it (and the fact that it was accompanied with one of the best one liners of the series wasn’t too bad either). And then, near the end of the issue came one insane plot-advancement that I have been anticipating since New Avengers #12. I won’t spoil anything but Hickman seems to be finally ready to gives us the details on all the obscure references he’s been making for the past year and I’m eager to decipher them.
The previous issue of Time Runs Out had a fantastic showing of Black Panther’s character, showcasing his hubris and anger in perfect fashion. He’s always been the human heart of New Avengers for me and that continues here. He may be acting a little irritable but it feels only natural. Everyone in this dire situation is under great pressure and Black Panther has been the most affected. Hickman has torn this character down to the core and the fact that he still takes a part in the illuminati is incredible. His character arc is truly one of the best aspects of this series. Hickman’s tenure on the Black Panther will be remembered for a long time (Marvel Studios take note).
Artist Kev Walker returns to the series in another Reed Richards focused issue and he does a great job as per usual. One mournful and melancholy panel struck me as the best work this artist has done on this series to date. If I would’ve heard that Kev Walker was closing this volume of New Avengers off in August I would’ve been tremendously disappointed but after his recent issues, I’m actually quite excited.
Time Runs Out is Hickman at his best and New Avengers #29 was a testament to how good Hickman’s best truly is. Few books are able to hold onto my attention for very long but New Avengers has remained at the top of my reading pile since I first started buying it. It’s a grandiose story with human suffering at the dead center of it. Hickman isn’t the kind of writer that will make you smile from bittersweet moments, but he will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you ponder his stories. I can’t wait to see what he brings next and I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it greatly.
Artist: Kev Walker
Following all the news and revelations about Secret Wars, I couldn’t feel the story looming on the horizon any more. Hickman clearly feels the same way. It must be incredibly satisfying to reach the endgame of a story you’ve been telling for 3 years that climaxes with an idea you’ve had for double that. The satisfaction is a direct parallel to the quality of this arc. While I enjoyed the beginning of this Avengers run, there were some moments that felt a little gratuitous (given they haven’t been brought back to the plot). Now, Hickman evidently uses every page to further the story or the characters which makes for a much tighter and enjoyable book.
I’ve highly appreciated the focus that Hickman has brought to this series with the last 3 issues of Time Runs Out. I enjoyed the start of this arc where every group had their own issue but the continuous story here feels more satisfying. There’s been a stronger sense of focus that accelerate the momentum of this book greatly. However, that trend is somewhat broken here. My only flaw with this issue was an isolated sequence with Doctor Doom. It was a cool little scene and Hickman writes Doom as well as always but given that the last 3 issues have been focused on one group, the change in scenery felt jarring.
But the story advancements were quite strong. Hickman takes two pages to show us what the Illuminati were really up to before Time Runs Out and brought one poignant and subtle panel that made the issue for me. Simply for the sheer amount of character brought to it (and the fact that it was accompanied with one of the best one liners of the series wasn’t too bad either). And then, near the end of the issue came one insane plot-advancement that I have been anticipating since New Avengers #12. I won’t spoil anything but Hickman seems to be finally ready to gives us the details on all the obscure references he’s been making for the past year and I’m eager to decipher them.
The previous issue of Time Runs Out had a fantastic showing of Black Panther’s character, showcasing his hubris and anger in perfect fashion. He’s always been the human heart of New Avengers for me and that continues here. He may be acting a little irritable but it feels only natural. Everyone in this dire situation is under great pressure and Black Panther has been the most affected. Hickman has torn this character down to the core and the fact that he still takes a part in the illuminati is incredible. His character arc is truly one of the best aspects of this series. Hickman’s tenure on the Black Panther will be remembered for a long time (Marvel Studios take note).
Artist Kev Walker returns to the series in another Reed Richards focused issue and he does a great job as per usual. One mournful and melancholy panel struck me as the best work this artist has done on this series to date. If I would’ve heard that Kev Walker was closing this volume of New Avengers off in August I would’ve been tremendously disappointed but after his recent issues, I’m actually quite excited.
Time Runs Out is Hickman at his best and New Avengers #29 was a testament to how good Hickman’s best truly is. Few books are able to hold onto my attention for very long but New Avengers has remained at the top of my reading pile since I first started buying it. It’s a grandiose story with human suffering at the dead center of it. Hickman isn’t the kind of writer that will make you smile from bittersweet moments, but he will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you ponder his stories. I can’t wait to see what he brings next and I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it greatly.
A Look Inside
