Review: Avengers #6

Â By: Shawn Warner

Jason Aaron and company have wrapped up the first arc of this run in truly epic fashion. No question is too ponderous spiritually, metaphysically or philosophically for this team of Avengers or for this team of creators for that matter. The fact that this entire shooting match, humanity and all it has accomplished, is the result of Celestial vomit sums up… well, everything. The Final Host concludes with a battle for the ages as this new team of Avengers face a foe more formidable than perhaps any they are prepared for in the giant Dark Celestials. Jason Aaron has crafted a perfectly paced, action packed punch feast that develops a dynamic team chemistry fueled by in-depth characterizations and spot on dialog spiced with precise comedic beats. Aaron has been one of Marvel’s most prolific writers, a favorite of fans and critics alike since his debut, a back up story in Wolverine #175 and he continues to impress with the concluding chapter of the inaugural Avengers arc.

Aaron has packed the preceding five issues with a voluminous amount of previously secret history of the Marvel Universe going beyond the aforementioned Celestial regurgitation, all while putting together one of the most diverse and imaginative Avengers teams ever to assemble. The prospect of coming together as a cohesive unit is an arduous enough task, for some of these heroes it is the first time they have worked together, but to do so while confronting a threat like the Final Host with the fate of the entire planet hanging in the balance is quite a bit more than a test of this team’s mettle, it’s a do or die proposition.

This issue fulfills all the potential of the first five and then some. The action is intense complete with massive kaiju sized Avengers facing the equally huge Dark Celestials in a battle scene that is part Pacific Rim part Jack Kirby. Aaron gives us so much to wrap our brains around that the more esoteric elements of the narrative take a backseat to the pure over the top fun elements, and that’s just fine with me. I definitely love the pseudo-science of the Marvel Universe, all the various forms of life, beliefs and technologies that make up such a multifaceted environment really ups the ante when the heroes of that universe are faced with saving it in its entirety. That is what is at stake in this issue and that is what makes the outcome so satisfying and exciting.

Visually Ed McGuinness and Paco Medina seem to have collectively channeled Jack Kirby, by that I mean that Kirby’s influence is huge, especially in the character designs. That, my friends is high praise indeed. McGuinness’ bold line style really works with the grand scale of Aaron’s narrative. David Curiel’s colors and light effects are extremely vibrant and bring the images brilliantly to life. This creative team holds their own when considered alongside the bombastic visuals of the Marvel films and the action is just as thrilling to follow.

Overall I love how Aaron uses the entire team to reach the resolution of this first arc. The narrative is paced at light speed so the plot unfolds quickly. There is not a single wasted panel as the team establishes themselves as suitable defenders of humanity and they do this while under fire from gigantic celestial beings. The Avengers team roster is versatile and fresh representing the diversity present in the Marvel Universe extremely well. If it’s not already on your pull list definitely add it, you won’t want to miss a single issue of this one. 5/5

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Writer- Jason Aaron
Artists- Ed McGuiness, Paco Medina
Inkers- Juan Vlasco, Mark Morales
Colors- David Curiel