Comic Review: Avengers (2018-) #24

Avengers (2019-) #24

Marvel Comics

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artists: Stefano Caselli & Luciano Vecchio

It’s the challenge of the Ghost Riders! Former street racer, current Avenger Robbie Reyes has been summoned to hell for a race. The stakes being his powers and his brother’s life. The challenger is Johnny blaze, former stuntman and current king of hell. At the same time, the rest of the Avengers are dealing with an intruder with enough power to take control of Avengers mountain.

While racing, Robbie is facing not only Johnny Blaze, but demons in hell sent to stop him. He isn’t alone though, as Robbie receives help from previous Ghost Riders. They warn him more is at stake than he realizes and urge him to win the race. At the same time, the Avengers are facing off against an enemy that can shrug off punches from Thor and She-Hulk, the Cosmic Ghost Rider.

I’m a sucker for pretty much any Avengers story. From the cheesy stuff in the 60s to the dense essay on every page of the 80s. To me, you can’t go wrong with the Avengers. I feel like I need to say that to say this next part: this story arc feels really, really slow. Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of both parts of the story. But it feels like I’m watching a movie for 5 minutes at a time, once a week. With this book being mostly monthly, it just feels slow, but I’m sure it’ll read better in a trade or when I can read it all in one sitting.

I am digging this story in general though. All-New Ghost Rider is one of the first series I read when I was really getting into comics a few years ago. So i’m always in for a story focusing on Robbie Reyes, and what a cool concept for a story. A race in hell between two Ghost Riders is just pure fun for me. Plus we’re getting Cosmic Ghost Rider fighting Earth’s Mightiest. Cosmic Ghost Rider is a little hit or miss for me, but I think Jason Aaron is a good fit for the character. In general, he’s definitely an overpowered character, but if I had to put money on one team to fight him, it’s the Avengers. And their fight is believable for me.

The art in this issue is mostly from Stefano Caselli, who is great, as usual. But there’s also a chunk in the middle from Luciano Vecchio. Off the top of my head, I didn’t recognize the name, but Vecchio is the artist on Ironheart, and that’s a series that I’ve been a fan of since #1. In this issue, he’s got a six-page chunk in the middle where the Avengers are fighting Cosmic Ghost Rider. It’s a very animation/cartoon style, but it’s full of great details. The characters look great, especially Cosmic Ghost Rider, with his flaming skull head. And with the colors from Jason Keith, it’s easily my favorite part of this issue.

I do have my own problem with this issue/story arc, but I’m still enjoying it. I don’t have a problem with the comic or the content of it, just the release schedule for it. It’s something I feel the need to bring up, but it’s something that I wouldn’t hold against the creative team behind it. It’s still a very cool story idea, involving a character I don’t think gets enough attention. Add on to that the fantastic artists working their magic, it’’s still a comic I would (and do) recommend to people whenever I get the chance.