Erwin Rafael
Jan 30, 2002, 12:21 pm
{Originally posted at X-Fan v3.1 on January 20, 2002}
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/avengv3-49.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/avengv3-49t.jpg" align=left alt="Avengers (3rd series) #49"></a>Reviewer: Erwin Rafael, 3rdsummers@edsamail.com.ph
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: There Are No Words
Kang retaliates against Earth in 'Nuff Said! fashion as we prepare for the landmark 50th issue.
Written by: Kurt Busiek
Cover by: Kieron Dwyer & John Estes
Pencils by: Kieron Dwyer
Inked by: Rick Remender
Lettered by: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colored by: Tom Smith
Assistant Editors: Marc Sumerak & Jeff Youngquist
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
When Grant Morrison was still helming JLA over at DC, his and Kurt Busiek's diametrically different approaches in writing a pantheon of heroes has always drawn comparisons. Busiek's approach has always focused more on characterization, breathing new life in the personalities of Avengers like the Scarlet Witch, Hank Pym, and more recently, Carol Danvers. Morrison, on the other hand, focused on the epic aspects, as we get fun over-the-top stories delivered in widescreen fashion. One's strength is the other's weakness. Morrison has been criticized for characterizing the JLA members as archetypes that lack depth, while Busiek's run has been labeled boring at times.
During Busiek's entire run on the Avengers, you do sense that he's sort of holding back a little. With the exception of "Ultron Unlimited" and Avengers Forever, Busiek's Avengers is like a boxer who wins by a decision rather than by a knockout. It's good - excellent actually - but it lacked the "oomph" that a powerhouse cast of Earth's Mightiest Heroes would greatly deserve.
This issue, though, in 'Nuff Said fashion no less, Busiek delivers an over-the-top superhero action story that would make even Grant Morrison's jaw drop in awe. It is so over-the-top that I think Busiek would finally hear a die-hard fan accuse him with "Shock Tactic!!!"
In case you didn't know, Kang has been wagering a war against Earth since his return back in issue #41. In this issue, Kang, along with his army of Sentinels, assaults Washington D.C. in retaliation to the Avengers and the United States government's attack on his orbiting base, Damocles. Four Avengers - Wasp, Firebird, Thor and Wonderman - put up a gallant stand, i.e. until Kang decided to take matters in his own hands (literally) in a display of power that would make the reader shout "Holy crap!!!" Kang's actions are so horrific that I would not even dare to spoil the climax and the ending because you got to see it to believe it!!!
Where to start with this review? Well, I guess I should summarize first my feeling with three words. BUY THIS ISSUE!!! This would definitely go down in history as one of the most memorable issues of the Avengers. With the heavy focus on the X-titles and the Spider titles since their revamp, Marvel's torch bearer of quality since Busiek took over has been relagated to the sidelines. This issue serves as a notice that Avengers is still one of Marvel Comics' best titles, and it's really a shame if you let this issue go right under your nose.
Technically speaking, this is easily one of the successes that came out of the 'Nuff Said event. While Busiek's run on the Avengers has been written in the classic Marvel style, which is full of melodramatic narration and dialogue, Busiek proved this issue that he is indeed adept with the basics of sequential storytelling with a really solid silent story.
Part of the issue's success as a 'Nuff Said story is that Busiek appears to know what works and what doesn't for a silent issue. First of all, Kurt delivered a pretty straightforward story. He strayed away this isssue from his multi-subplot storytelling approach which is a trademark of his run in the Avengers. While he managed to advance several story points that have been brewing up for the past few issues, like Thor's growing detachment from mortals, he told it in the context of one linear plot. There are no flashbacks, no references to previous events. The story moves in a logical forward sequence, thus making it easy to follow without captions. Ironically, this issue is so easy to follow that it's even more accessible to new readers than the past issues that contain numerous recaps and narration.
Secondly, Busiek kept the number of characters at a minimum. While a consistent complaint in my previous reviews has always been the lack of Avengers being activated to help in the war, the focus on fewer characters works for this issue. This is basically a story of four Avengers on one side, with Kang and his fleet of Sentinels on the opposing side. There are other characters featured like the U.S. president and Warlord Kro of the Deviants, but their roles in the story are obvious so that no words or additional panels are needed to explain their appearance. The handful number of players in the story provided a tighter focus, which actually allowed Busiek to put in character growth despite the lack of words.
Most importantly, however, Kurt wrote a visual story. In comic books, there are scenes whose impact is best delivered by words, like Morrison's "Define defenseless." ending from New X-Men #119, while there are some scenes whose impact is best conveyed by pictures alone, like the destruction of New York in the first few pages of Watchmen #12. Busiek filled this issue with exciting battles in mid-air, people panicking and mass-scale destruction - moments that need no words to be communicated effectively. Even for the quieter scenes, Busiek picked moments which can be conveyed by facial expressions and body movements alone.
If there's one complaint I have, it's this one scene where Thor debated with the Wasp, insisting that Janet and Firebird to go through the teleportation gate leading to the realm of Warlord Kro. The motivations for Thor's argument is not clear. Did he want Wasp and Firebird to accompany the American president on the other side? Was he concerned that the two would not be a match for Kang? Or was it just a mere plot device to make sure that Wasp and Firebird survive the destruction that came in the subsequent scene?
While kudos should indeed be given to Kurt for passing the technical merits for a silent issue, what makes Avengers # 49 stand above the rest of the 'Nuff Said issues is the ambition. While New X-Men # 121 and Hulk # 35 are better in the technical aspects like cinematography, symbolic imagery and such, no other silent issue had as great an impact on its running storyline like this issue of Avengers. After being accused of stretching out the Kang storyline too long, Busiek unleashed the ace up his sleeve with this issue which, I would dare say, is an Avengers Top 20 moment - definitely up there with the conclusion of the "Ultron Unlimited" storyline.
The issue won't work as well without a very capable artist, specially since it is a silent issue. Kieron Dwyer is a definite departure from the tradition of legendary artists like George Perez and Alan Davis, but what he lacks in detail, he more than makes up for in emotion. I am particularly impressed with the way he captured the worry in Jan's eyes, the agony and outrage of Thor and the cold and calculating demeanor of Kang. He does it with an unbelievable economy of lines that I can't help but think that he has indeed mastered illustrating human emotions. He can capture with just one line in the face a particular emotion that takes some artists several strokes of their pencil to capture.
Dwyer is also a perfect fit for this issue because he has such raw power in his work. This issue, like I said earlier, has a lot of "oomph!", and Dwyer delivered that feeling perfectly. You can feel the destruction just by the art. Dwyer adds a dose of grim and gritty to the work, a-la former Avengers penciler Steve Epting. Unlike Epting, however, Dwyer managed to retain the noble stature of the heroes. Dwyer is a great storyteller, and it's good that he's been given a chance to deliver a unique non-mainstream approach to a classic book like the Avengers.
To sum up, I would like to reiterate again - BUY THIS ISSUE!!! This is Avengers history happening before your eyes. The title of the story is "There Are No Words", and despite this lengthy review, there are still no words enough to tell you how great I think this issue is. It's a great time to be an X-fan. It's a great time to be a Spider-fan. And it's a great time to be an Avengers fan, too. :cool:
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xhalf.jpg
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/avengv3-49.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/avengv3-49t.jpg" align=left alt="Avengers (3rd series) #49"></a>Reviewer: Erwin Rafael, 3rdsummers@edsamail.com.ph
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: There Are No Words
Kang retaliates against Earth in 'Nuff Said! fashion as we prepare for the landmark 50th issue.
Written by: Kurt Busiek
Cover by: Kieron Dwyer & John Estes
Pencils by: Kieron Dwyer
Inked by: Rick Remender
Lettered by: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colored by: Tom Smith
Assistant Editors: Marc Sumerak & Jeff Youngquist
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
When Grant Morrison was still helming JLA over at DC, his and Kurt Busiek's diametrically different approaches in writing a pantheon of heroes has always drawn comparisons. Busiek's approach has always focused more on characterization, breathing new life in the personalities of Avengers like the Scarlet Witch, Hank Pym, and more recently, Carol Danvers. Morrison, on the other hand, focused on the epic aspects, as we get fun over-the-top stories delivered in widescreen fashion. One's strength is the other's weakness. Morrison has been criticized for characterizing the JLA members as archetypes that lack depth, while Busiek's run has been labeled boring at times.
During Busiek's entire run on the Avengers, you do sense that he's sort of holding back a little. With the exception of "Ultron Unlimited" and Avengers Forever, Busiek's Avengers is like a boxer who wins by a decision rather than by a knockout. It's good - excellent actually - but it lacked the "oomph" that a powerhouse cast of Earth's Mightiest Heroes would greatly deserve.
This issue, though, in 'Nuff Said fashion no less, Busiek delivers an over-the-top superhero action story that would make even Grant Morrison's jaw drop in awe. It is so over-the-top that I think Busiek would finally hear a die-hard fan accuse him with "Shock Tactic!!!"
In case you didn't know, Kang has been wagering a war against Earth since his return back in issue #41. In this issue, Kang, along with his army of Sentinels, assaults Washington D.C. in retaliation to the Avengers and the United States government's attack on his orbiting base, Damocles. Four Avengers - Wasp, Firebird, Thor and Wonderman - put up a gallant stand, i.e. until Kang decided to take matters in his own hands (literally) in a display of power that would make the reader shout "Holy crap!!!" Kang's actions are so horrific that I would not even dare to spoil the climax and the ending because you got to see it to believe it!!!
Where to start with this review? Well, I guess I should summarize first my feeling with three words. BUY THIS ISSUE!!! This would definitely go down in history as one of the most memorable issues of the Avengers. With the heavy focus on the X-titles and the Spider titles since their revamp, Marvel's torch bearer of quality since Busiek took over has been relagated to the sidelines. This issue serves as a notice that Avengers is still one of Marvel Comics' best titles, and it's really a shame if you let this issue go right under your nose.
Technically speaking, this is easily one of the successes that came out of the 'Nuff Said event. While Busiek's run on the Avengers has been written in the classic Marvel style, which is full of melodramatic narration and dialogue, Busiek proved this issue that he is indeed adept with the basics of sequential storytelling with a really solid silent story.
Part of the issue's success as a 'Nuff Said story is that Busiek appears to know what works and what doesn't for a silent issue. First of all, Kurt delivered a pretty straightforward story. He strayed away this isssue from his multi-subplot storytelling approach which is a trademark of his run in the Avengers. While he managed to advance several story points that have been brewing up for the past few issues, like Thor's growing detachment from mortals, he told it in the context of one linear plot. There are no flashbacks, no references to previous events. The story moves in a logical forward sequence, thus making it easy to follow without captions. Ironically, this issue is so easy to follow that it's even more accessible to new readers than the past issues that contain numerous recaps and narration.
Secondly, Busiek kept the number of characters at a minimum. While a consistent complaint in my previous reviews has always been the lack of Avengers being activated to help in the war, the focus on fewer characters works for this issue. This is basically a story of four Avengers on one side, with Kang and his fleet of Sentinels on the opposing side. There are other characters featured like the U.S. president and Warlord Kro of the Deviants, but their roles in the story are obvious so that no words or additional panels are needed to explain their appearance. The handful number of players in the story provided a tighter focus, which actually allowed Busiek to put in character growth despite the lack of words.
Most importantly, however, Kurt wrote a visual story. In comic books, there are scenes whose impact is best delivered by words, like Morrison's "Define defenseless." ending from New X-Men #119, while there are some scenes whose impact is best conveyed by pictures alone, like the destruction of New York in the first few pages of Watchmen #12. Busiek filled this issue with exciting battles in mid-air, people panicking and mass-scale destruction - moments that need no words to be communicated effectively. Even for the quieter scenes, Busiek picked moments which can be conveyed by facial expressions and body movements alone.
If there's one complaint I have, it's this one scene where Thor debated with the Wasp, insisting that Janet and Firebird to go through the teleportation gate leading to the realm of Warlord Kro. The motivations for Thor's argument is not clear. Did he want Wasp and Firebird to accompany the American president on the other side? Was he concerned that the two would not be a match for Kang? Or was it just a mere plot device to make sure that Wasp and Firebird survive the destruction that came in the subsequent scene?
While kudos should indeed be given to Kurt for passing the technical merits for a silent issue, what makes Avengers # 49 stand above the rest of the 'Nuff Said issues is the ambition. While New X-Men # 121 and Hulk # 35 are better in the technical aspects like cinematography, symbolic imagery and such, no other silent issue had as great an impact on its running storyline like this issue of Avengers. After being accused of stretching out the Kang storyline too long, Busiek unleashed the ace up his sleeve with this issue which, I would dare say, is an Avengers Top 20 moment - definitely up there with the conclusion of the "Ultron Unlimited" storyline.
The issue won't work as well without a very capable artist, specially since it is a silent issue. Kieron Dwyer is a definite departure from the tradition of legendary artists like George Perez and Alan Davis, but what he lacks in detail, he more than makes up for in emotion. I am particularly impressed with the way he captured the worry in Jan's eyes, the agony and outrage of Thor and the cold and calculating demeanor of Kang. He does it with an unbelievable economy of lines that I can't help but think that he has indeed mastered illustrating human emotions. He can capture with just one line in the face a particular emotion that takes some artists several strokes of their pencil to capture.
Dwyer is also a perfect fit for this issue because he has such raw power in his work. This issue, like I said earlier, has a lot of "oomph!", and Dwyer delivered that feeling perfectly. You can feel the destruction just by the art. Dwyer adds a dose of grim and gritty to the work, a-la former Avengers penciler Steve Epting. Unlike Epting, however, Dwyer managed to retain the noble stature of the heroes. Dwyer is a great storyteller, and it's good that he's been given a chance to deliver a unique non-mainstream approach to a classic book like the Avengers.
To sum up, I would like to reiterate again - BUY THIS ISSUE!!! This is Avengers history happening before your eyes. The title of the story is "There Are No Words", and despite this lengthy review, there are still no words enough to tell you how great I think this issue is. It's a great time to be an X-fan. It's a great time to be a Spider-fan. And it's a great time to be an Avengers fan, too. :cool:
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xhalf.jpg
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!