Writer: Jed MacKay
Artist: Ivan Fiorelli
Color Artist: Federico Blee
Cover Artist: Stuart Immonen
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
The Earth is under attack by dangerous and powerful alien beings called the Ashen Combine. Each of them skilled at destroying different aspects of worlds with intelligent life on them. The various Avengers have split up to take on several members of the Ashen Combine one-on-one while Sam Wilson Captain America and Black Panther infiltrate the Combine’s HQ, the advanced starship called the Impossible City. But in Avengers #5, the two heroes have a strange encounter with the Impossible City itself.
Review:
So last issue focused on Thor, Scarlet Witch, and Iron Man going up against three members of the Ashen Combine while Cap and Black Panther infiltrated the Impossible City, only to discover that it has been watching them the whole time. And boy does the city have something to say to them as it essentially spills its guts and shares its recent history with the Ashen Combine. Now, readers won’t learn too much about the Ashen Combine here, but the Impossible City definitely becomes a character on its own in this issue, which makes sense it was narrating the previous issue.
The comic focuses this time on Vision versus the female alien synthetic called Meridian Diadem and her portable army, Carol Danvers Captain Marvel against the incredibly OP Lord Ennui who is very much the second star of this comic aside from the Impossible City. And speaking of which, the sapient starship and its conversation with Cap and Black Panther is the other main focus throughout the entire comic as the main POV in the comic.
One thing I will say is that Jed Mackay knows how to give his new characters personality, some of it works and some of it doesn’t. For example, Meridian Diadem comes across as pretty generic when it comes to evil robotic characters in Marvel. Meanwhile Lord Ennui, the cosmic edgelord that he is, is probably the standout member of the whole Ashen Combine due to his powers, design, and general solemn and lackadaisical demeanor. Of course, the main problem with his is that he’s too strong and his moments in the comic are really him just talking and talking and talking.
I didn’t say much about the art because Ivan Fiorelli just does a fantastic job with all the characters, locations, action sequences and paneling. And Federico Blee’s colors also help brighten the comic, giving it that extra kick. But there’s not much more I can say about the art other than it looks great and has not only weight but energy to it. This is on great display when Jed Mackay gives a great moment for Cap & Black Panther as well as the rest of the Avengers in the latter half of the comic that just screams superheroes. All I’ll say, without spoiling anything, is that while this moment is pretty predictable it is still executed well thanks to both the writing and the art being in sync with each other.
Final Thoughts:
Avengers #5 continues the battle between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the alien villains the Ashen Combine. The comic shows off Vision and Captain Marvel take on two members of the Ashen Combine, one of whom is okay while the other is more engaging. The art and colors work great in this comic, particularly near the latter of the half of the comic that highlights the Avengers’ unconquerable spirit as individuals and as a superhero team.