Erwin Rafael
May 2, 2002, 04:40 am
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/avengv3-53.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/avengv3-53t.jpg" align=left alt="Avengers (3rd series) #53"></a> Reviewer: Erwin Rafael, 3rdsummers@edsamail.com.ph
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: The Last Castle
The Avengers and Kang clash in space in the penultimate chapter of the Kang war epic.
Written by: Kurt Busiek
Cover by: Kieron Dwyer and Studio 13
Pencils by: Kieron Dwyer
Inked by: Rick Remender
Lettered by: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Colored by: Tom Smith
Assistant Editor: Marc Sumerak
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
"The big story I wanted to see when I was in high school was the Sentinels/Magneto War, an actual war going on between the Sentinels and Magneto, but in orbit!...it's not like that sort of thing could happen anymore, but it would've resulted in big panels, big fightin'."- Kurt Busiek in the Wizard X-Men Special, circa 1999
The above statement was Kurt Busiek's answer to the question, "What X-Men stories did you dream up while you were a fan?" Busiek never did get to tell this big cosmic story in the pages of X-Men (Well, not YET, anyway), but he was still able to treat us to a similarly impressive cosmic war, starring instead those merry bunch of Assemblers he has been most associated with in the past couple of years. Avengers #53 is a big space battle that could rival all other great space battles, delivered with an epic feel perfectly fitting the conclusion of such an ambitious and long-running storyline.
The issue in a flash: The Avengers hit Kang from three fronts. As the planet-sized simulacrum of Captain America goes one-on-one with an equally giant-sized simulacrum of Kang, a big squad of Avengers led by Thor and Iron Man hit Damocles base. And from Earth, Wasp and company used the Master of the World's technology to help dismantle Damocles' force field. With the aid of a timely sacrifice from an unlikely ally, the Avengers managed to break through Damocles' defenses. The issue ended with Kang preparing for what may be his final battle, as Damocles finally falls and slowly plunges towards Earth.
Epic. Only this word can justifiably describe the feel of this issue. A lot of creators today try to capture that feel using modern techniques, like widescreen storytelling, catchy one-liners and other stuff that mostly attempt to emulate a "cinematic formula". Busiek and Dwyer, though, showed that epic stories can still be told using the classic superhero comicbook formula. This issue is a testament that more than attitude or technique, which a lot of creators seem to focus more on today, it's actually the substance of the story which could evoke that elusive grandiose feel.
When issue #52 ended last month, I was eagerly looking forward to the big battle between Captain America and Kang. The idea of two planet-sized warriors in hand-to-hand combat made me dream up scenes of gargantuan proportions. A lot of people called this ploy hokey and dated, but I beg to disagree. More than anything, this out-of-this-world fight sequence just reminded us that comic books can only be limited by our imagination. It evoked a feeling of wonder that seems to have been lost in comic books through the years. And surely, I was not let down by the Captain America-Kang confrontation this issue.
Contrary to what I expected, though, Cap and Kang's fight was actually just a sidelight this issue. Still, the level of action met, or even surpassed, my previous expectations. One would almost feel the explosions as the Avengers continuously barraged Damocles base. The transition from scene to scene was fast as we shift from one battle to the next. This frantic pace contributed a lot to the action-laden atmosphere of the story.
During the course of his long run on the title, Busiek placed special focus on specific individual members of the Avengers. It's nice to see his works on these characters "tied up" as his final storyline approaches its conclusion. Triathlon got his spotlight in issue #50 while the Wanda and Simon relationship was addressed in issue #51. This issue, short character moments on his "favorite" Avengers were inserted amidst all the action. Justice, who was characterized as a star-struck "newbie" during the early part of Busiek's run, had a "redeeming" moment when he saved Iron Man from a legion of Kang's soldiers. Jack-of-Hearts, who became an Avenger under Busiek, also played a significant role in the fight this issue. The biggest Avenger spotlight, though, was on Warbird, arguably the Avenger whose character growed the most under Busiek's writing. Several Warbird subplots - the development of her energy absorption ability and her romance with the Scarlet Centurion, to mention a few - came to fruition this issue as she proved to be the key to the destruction of Damocles base.
There were some times this issue, though, when Busiek fell into a trap of being redundant while addressing some characterization issues. Warbird's reiteration of her guilt in killing the Master of the World was only a mere repeat of what she said last issue. Justice's reaction to Tremont's sacrifice felt a bit forced and unnatural. The exchange between the Presence and Starlight served only as a reminder of their basic personalities, which has already been addressed back in issues #43-44. Redundancy has been a chronic problem in Busiek's writing in Avengers because his subplots are drawn out over several issues. He tends to harp over a specific character issue over and over again so that readers would be constantly reminded that such issues are still unresolved. This gives the readers an impression that his stories are already getting "too long".
Although Busiek did nice character work on a lot of Avengers, there is no doubt that the star this issue is Kang. Busiek was responsible for my admiration of this villainous character due to the impressive Avengers Forever maxi-series. This issue, Busiek reminded us again of what made Kang such a great character. I see Kang as a villain comparable to Dr. Doom and Magneto. His actions may be deplorable, but you just can't help but admire the nobility of his character. Particularly telling this issue were the final three pages, which perfectly showed the heart of Kang's character. Seeing him making a final stand against the Avengers as Damocles base falls towards Earth was this issue's best moment, and I hope the closing chapter next issue would be just as impressive.
I have praised Kieron Dwyer's work since his first issue back in Avengers #48. Sure, he is no George Perez or Alan Davis, but it was exactly his ability to redefine the Avengers in his own image that made me admire his work. This issue's story worked particularly well for him because the big action scenes fit his larger-than-life style. I particularly liked how he illustrated the Captain America and Kang confrontation. His work is also more detailed compared to his previous issues, and we even see a lot of "going-ons" in the background. (I just wonder why Wonder Man always gets smacked around in the background :D)
The colors of Tom Smith were also better. I don't know if he used a different approach, because his colors in past Dwyer-drawn issues were a bit muted. Maybe it's just because of the better paper. Whatever the reason, the brighter colors and better separations worked better as it fits the "classic superhero" atmosphere of the book.
The year-long storyline has finally reached its climax, and we finally see the Avengers clealy gain the upper-hand in this epic war. The storyline may have taken a bit long to tell and the pacing of the issues may be erratic, but one just has to admire Busiek's ambition to end his long run on this title on a really high note. I'm definitely looking forward to next issue's showdown between Kang and the Avengers, which Kang ominously called his "last battle". Would Busiek take Kang with him as they both exit with an explosive finish? Well, like what they always say, we just have to wait and see. ;)
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
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/xnone.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/xhalf.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: The Last Castle
The Avengers and Kang clash in space in the penultimate chapter of the Kang war epic.
Written by: Kurt Busiek
Cover by: Kieron Dwyer and Studio 13
Pencils by: Kieron Dwyer
Inked by: Rick Remender
Lettered by: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Colored by: Tom Smith
Assistant Editor: Marc Sumerak
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
"The big story I wanted to see when I was in high school was the Sentinels/Magneto War, an actual war going on between the Sentinels and Magneto, but in orbit!...it's not like that sort of thing could happen anymore, but it would've resulted in big panels, big fightin'."- Kurt Busiek in the Wizard X-Men Special, circa 1999
The above statement was Kurt Busiek's answer to the question, "What X-Men stories did you dream up while you were a fan?" Busiek never did get to tell this big cosmic story in the pages of X-Men (Well, not YET, anyway), but he was still able to treat us to a similarly impressive cosmic war, starring instead those merry bunch of Assemblers he has been most associated with in the past couple of years. Avengers #53 is a big space battle that could rival all other great space battles, delivered with an epic feel perfectly fitting the conclusion of such an ambitious and long-running storyline.
The issue in a flash: The Avengers hit Kang from three fronts. As the planet-sized simulacrum of Captain America goes one-on-one with an equally giant-sized simulacrum of Kang, a big squad of Avengers led by Thor and Iron Man hit Damocles base. And from Earth, Wasp and company used the Master of the World's technology to help dismantle Damocles' force field. With the aid of a timely sacrifice from an unlikely ally, the Avengers managed to break through Damocles' defenses. The issue ended with Kang preparing for what may be his final battle, as Damocles finally falls and slowly plunges towards Earth.
Epic. Only this word can justifiably describe the feel of this issue. A lot of creators today try to capture that feel using modern techniques, like widescreen storytelling, catchy one-liners and other stuff that mostly attempt to emulate a "cinematic formula". Busiek and Dwyer, though, showed that epic stories can still be told using the classic superhero comicbook formula. This issue is a testament that more than attitude or technique, which a lot of creators seem to focus more on today, it's actually the substance of the story which could evoke that elusive grandiose feel.
When issue #52 ended last month, I was eagerly looking forward to the big battle between Captain America and Kang. The idea of two planet-sized warriors in hand-to-hand combat made me dream up scenes of gargantuan proportions. A lot of people called this ploy hokey and dated, but I beg to disagree. More than anything, this out-of-this-world fight sequence just reminded us that comic books can only be limited by our imagination. It evoked a feeling of wonder that seems to have been lost in comic books through the years. And surely, I was not let down by the Captain America-Kang confrontation this issue.
Contrary to what I expected, though, Cap and Kang's fight was actually just a sidelight this issue. Still, the level of action met, or even surpassed, my previous expectations. One would almost feel the explosions as the Avengers continuously barraged Damocles base. The transition from scene to scene was fast as we shift from one battle to the next. This frantic pace contributed a lot to the action-laden atmosphere of the story.
During the course of his long run on the title, Busiek placed special focus on specific individual members of the Avengers. It's nice to see his works on these characters "tied up" as his final storyline approaches its conclusion. Triathlon got his spotlight in issue #50 while the Wanda and Simon relationship was addressed in issue #51. This issue, short character moments on his "favorite" Avengers were inserted amidst all the action. Justice, who was characterized as a star-struck "newbie" during the early part of Busiek's run, had a "redeeming" moment when he saved Iron Man from a legion of Kang's soldiers. Jack-of-Hearts, who became an Avenger under Busiek, also played a significant role in the fight this issue. The biggest Avenger spotlight, though, was on Warbird, arguably the Avenger whose character growed the most under Busiek's writing. Several Warbird subplots - the development of her energy absorption ability and her romance with the Scarlet Centurion, to mention a few - came to fruition this issue as she proved to be the key to the destruction of Damocles base.
There were some times this issue, though, when Busiek fell into a trap of being redundant while addressing some characterization issues. Warbird's reiteration of her guilt in killing the Master of the World was only a mere repeat of what she said last issue. Justice's reaction to Tremont's sacrifice felt a bit forced and unnatural. The exchange between the Presence and Starlight served only as a reminder of their basic personalities, which has already been addressed back in issues #43-44. Redundancy has been a chronic problem in Busiek's writing in Avengers because his subplots are drawn out over several issues. He tends to harp over a specific character issue over and over again so that readers would be constantly reminded that such issues are still unresolved. This gives the readers an impression that his stories are already getting "too long".
Although Busiek did nice character work on a lot of Avengers, there is no doubt that the star this issue is Kang. Busiek was responsible for my admiration of this villainous character due to the impressive Avengers Forever maxi-series. This issue, Busiek reminded us again of what made Kang such a great character. I see Kang as a villain comparable to Dr. Doom and Magneto. His actions may be deplorable, but you just can't help but admire the nobility of his character. Particularly telling this issue were the final three pages, which perfectly showed the heart of Kang's character. Seeing him making a final stand against the Avengers as Damocles base falls towards Earth was this issue's best moment, and I hope the closing chapter next issue would be just as impressive.
I have praised Kieron Dwyer's work since his first issue back in Avengers #48. Sure, he is no George Perez or Alan Davis, but it was exactly his ability to redefine the Avengers in his own image that made me admire his work. This issue's story worked particularly well for him because the big action scenes fit his larger-than-life style. I particularly liked how he illustrated the Captain America and Kang confrontation. His work is also more detailed compared to his previous issues, and we even see a lot of "going-ons" in the background. (I just wonder why Wonder Man always gets smacked around in the background :D)
The colors of Tom Smith were also better. I don't know if he used a different approach, because his colors in past Dwyer-drawn issues were a bit muted. Maybe it's just because of the better paper. Whatever the reason, the brighter colors and better separations worked better as it fits the "classic superhero" atmosphere of the book.
The year-long storyline has finally reached its climax, and we finally see the Avengers clealy gain the upper-hand in this epic war. The storyline may have taken a bit long to tell and the pacing of the issues may be erratic, but one just has to admire Busiek's ambition to end his long run on this title on a really high note. I'm definitely looking forward to next issue's showdown between Kang and the Avengers, which Kang ominously called his "last battle". Would Busiek take Kang with him as they both exit with an explosive finish? Well, like what they always say, we just have to wait and see. ;)
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
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/xnone.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/xhalf.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!