Comic Review: Champions (2019-) #2

Champions #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Jim Zub

Artist: Steven Cummings

The new Champions book is off to a rocky start and it seems simple to me as to why. The last volume of the series is cut off mid-story and this book is moving forward with two goals. The first is to continue that previous tale which now has a weird break between volumes. The second is to reintroduce these characters to new readers while bringing in the next layer of the original plot. This issue works hard to move beyond the previous one’s need for exposition, but there’s some gravity of reintroduction leftover. I blame editorial execs here because the book’s team is great and clearly know the story they want to tell.

After the mindboggling reveal of Mephisto from last issue, we see what leads to his appearance and how his machinations play out. Prior to last issue’s events, Zzzax rampages through Dubai and Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man, Brawn, and Viv are on the scene. The panels trace the terror he reaps while the heroes do their best to save everyone they can. Miles goes off to save an innocent as the worst happens around them; Viv and Kamala die. As the smoke clears, Mephisto appears to Miles and Amadeus, telling them he’ll rewind the clock free of charge. A chunk of the issue is the remaining two heroes discussing the ramifications of bargaining with the devil. Devastated by the loss of his teammates, Miles accepts the offer.

The events explain Miles and Amadeus’ personalities from the previous issue since they incur trauma from watching their friends die. The middle of the book isn’t really about Mephisto, it’s about the choice the boys are offered and how its made. Amadeus cares deeply for his teammates but isn’t sure the clock can be rewound, the effects are here to stay. He says they should call the rest of the team to sort through the wreckage but Miles disagrees. It’s rough to watch these two friends who are erupting with hurt have to battle philosophically; it’s beautiful and disgusting. Jim Zub understands the underlying desires and drives of humanity as well as their faults; his character work shows that.

Eventually Miles’ guilt wins out and he takes the choice away from Amadeus and screams “do it” at Mephisto. Throughout his decision process, Miles is emotionally punished and it stands out in Cummings’ artwork. While the battle and destruction is a major set piece of the issue, Miles holding Kamala’s lifeless body stands out as beyond impressive. Cummings’ art evokes emotion in powerful ways that weren’t able to shine as much last issue. Then the last panel hits and my jaw drops. The hand of the girl Spider-Man saves earlier in the issue is sticking out from the rubble, crushed by it. It’s with this striking panel that readers come to learn the real ramifications of Mephisto’s playing with the timestream.

Having read Zub’s Champions run up to now, I can say that it flows well. Unfortunately, they had to reboot the book mid-run, but I believe Zub and Cummings are picking the pace back up. This issue has heartache, great visuals, and a clear pulse once again.