Review: Invaders #10

Although the title of this series says Invaders the focal point has mostly been on Namor and his long and complicated history. Trying to provide context to why his mental state has varied so much over the years. Now ten issues in the scope has widened with more focus being placed in the present day. This issue is very much a transition issue as the narrative progresses to the final conclusion in the next two issues.Â Â

Here Captain America and Bucky trying to limit the chaos as much as possible. From saving a supervillain to tracking down Roxxon goons from taking the Genius Compound. Fittingly this series has felt like an old school classic Avengers/Invaders that brings things back to the basics. A story of trying to stop the evil guys from getting the magic ingredient that will possibly end the world. Formulaic, but a formula worth repeating. At the same with Namor at the center of everything, the layers are a bit more complex due to the multiple factions all warring at once with their own agenda. It works as a mirrored structure as the concept has been using the past to inform the present and now the story execution has followed suit.Â

Now that the story has reached the point that it has the downside becomes the general progression does slow down as the story jumps from place to place to keep everything contained. To push things forward some plot contrivances do occur, like learning how Roxxon was behind much of this due it their name being written in bold letters on their gear. You would think if someone was trying to be covert they would make better choices, but it is still a small issue that at least makes some logical sense with the confides of a comic book.Â Plus could be a small part of a much more evil plan. Bad guys do tend to do that sort of thing.Â

Jim Hammond and Toro confrontation with Roman Machan was brief but effective. It quickly established just how major of a threat Roman now is while giving a strong cliffhanger to leave on before transitioning to the final sequence. Carlos Magno is also showing how much he has grown as an artist within this series. He has seemingly become very comfortable drawing these characters as his reddening is as potent as ever. One key moment within this is when Roman is looking down at Jim Hammond with this absolute crazed look in his eyes as he showcases what he is now capable of doing.

Drawing underwater sequences are not easy in general especially when major action is occurring. Due to some motion blurring and well-designed layouts you get the sense the story is underwater without limiting the intensity Credit should also go to colorist Alex Guimaraes as well. For many of those underwater his colors add a lot of depth to make Atalantis feel like this big sprawling city. When the action shifts to a battle ontop an ocean liner in the middle of thunderstorm his colors come alive. An undercurrent of violet hues causes the montage of lighting strikes to really pop. Due to the work of this art team, this is been one of Marvel“s best-looking books on stands today.Â

If there is any downside to this issue it is that there is not that powerful character moment that has occurred in previous issues.Â Chip Zdarsky“s has a clear sense of who these characters are and more importantly how their relationships with one another have defined who they have become. Based on where this starts and ends it looks like we are getting there as the relationship between Namor and Captain America becomes even more of the center of this story.Â

Overall Thoughts:

Issue ten may have not have been the strongest issue of the series thus far yet this series continues to be a well constructed self-contained story using some of Marvel“s greatest legacy characters. It is a shame it is not getting more attention as it is not seeking to forever change the framework as Marvel as we know it. Instead, it is telling the type of story that has made Marvel what it is today. One grounded in a sense of reality but punctuated with elements of superhero fantasy.Â

Score: 3.5/5Â

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Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artists: Carlos Magno & Butch Guice
Color Artist: Alex Guimaraes
Letterer: VC“s Travis LanhamÂ

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Daniel Clark

A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.