A KEY MOMENT IN IIIIARVEL HISTORY AS A NEW CHARACTER TAKES THE STAGE… The Marvel Universe changes forever right here and right now! The Avengers are torn apart as a shocking character makes their debut, setting the stage for November’s Avengers #1! While the moments of Avengers: Armageddon #4 are expected, it’s still a big moment for the Marvel Universe and sure to be an issue snag by collectors.
WARNING, THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
Avengers: Armageddon as a whole has been an interesting event whose goal is to clearly shake up the status quo of the Avengers as well as the greater Marvel Universe. Like events before it, it swings big with underlying themes and grand concepts. Written by Chip Zdarsky the series began with Red Hulk wanting to bring democracy to nations through force, It was an interesting flipside to the recent “One World Under Doom,” which saw the world give up a lot to a “benevolent” dictator. But, where that series had one focus, Avengers: Armageddon pivoted quickly instead turning to David Colton, the Captain America who took on the role after 9/11.
Colton was introduced in Zdarsky’s run on Captain America and has become a rather intriguing character overall. At first, he had a jingoistic aspect to him, like many did, after the terrorist attack of 2001. But, as the series progressed and in the subsequent Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon, we saw the character evolve into a soldier questioning his service and government, seeing through the propaganda and patriotism. During Weapons of Armageddon, Colton came across a box from the Ultimate Universe that grants powers to individuals (long story to explain that one). Colton was transformed with powers and abilities similar to Superman and Hyperion. With the Red Hulk threatening numerous nations, the Avengers assembled, against the United Nation’s wishes and attempted to save the day with Colton joining the Avengers and delivering the upper hand.
Avengers: Armageddon has been focusing on what Colton has been doing after the battle with the Red Hulk. With so much power, he’s decided to take his actions further attempting to bring peace to the world by attacking nuclear sites and removing weapons of destruction from the hands of numerous nations. Basically, he’s gone Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Avengers: Armageddon #4 focuses on the next phase with just one more issue to go as the Red Hulk has his revenge and with the help of Russian forces, presses an attack on the Avengers and America as a whole.
But all of this is to set up what happens after Avengers: Armageddon in Avengers #1 and it promises to be a hell of a shift for the Marvel Universe.
WARNING BIG SPOILERS
Zdarsky has had Colton focused on atomic weapons, delivering a tease that has spanned a few issues and leading to Avengers: Armageddon #4‘s big moment, the reveal of Colton as Miracleman. Yes, the character in limbo is back and has joined the Marvel Universe proper. It’s something we all knew was coming, it was just a question of when and how.
This big moment is sure to bring with it either excitement or a lot of criticism as the character itself has had a weird, winding, rocky, history and it’s clear whatever comes next for the Avengers and Marvel Universe will be shaped by this debut.
It’s a moment though that delivers and Zdarky’s introduction is well done with a nice build through the issue that really feels special. There’s some excitement underneath with great pacing and a lot of climactic moments that really build until the final reveal.
The art by Delio Diaz and Frank Alpizar is fantastic. The issue is one that swings big for massive moments, multiple, and each actually delivers while not relying on packed chaotic spreads. Instead, the story has only a few heroes confronting Red Hulk and his Russian allies, keeping it focused and the art does a great job of doing that deliver a battle that feels like a real struggle and full of chaos. Diaz and Alpizar are joined by Jesus Aburtov on color and lettering by Cory Petit and it all pops, looking great. But, where the comic really stands out is the apex of the battle with Red Hulk as a massive explosion seemingly kills multiple characters in dramatic fashion. Stop and look at what happens to the Winter Soldier, it’s brutal in its depiction.
But, that moment quickly shifts as Colton fights for his life and his true identity is revealed. It’s that moment in the film where the boxer is knocked down and given that pep talk in their head to quickly pop up for one more round. The art team nails it without overdoing the moment.
END OF BIG SPOILERS
Avengers: Armageddon #4 is an issue that is likely to become a controversial one with folks either loving what it does or absolutely hating where it’s taking everything. Either way, it’s hard to argue the comic doesn’t deliver a cinematic and epic story and moments that are full of surprises. The event as a whole has been interesting and with this issue it has delivered on its promise to shake up the Avengers for what comes next.
Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar
Color: Jesus Aburtov Letters: Cory Petit
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
