Comic Review: Avengers (2018-) #7

Avengers (2018-) #7

Marvel Comics

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Sara Pichelli

It’s been just about a year since Marvel Legacy #1 was released. That’s when we got our first look at the 1,000,000 B.C. Avengers. We didn’t see more of them until this past May, and the release of Avengers #1. With the first story arc to the series complete, Avengers #7 shows us the origin of the first Ghost Rider.

In a cave full of cave dwellers, there’s one who’s smarter than the rest of his tribe. When a stranger arrives, he explains that the smart caveman is not alone, and gives him a name: Ghost. The stranger proceeds to kill Ghost’s tribe, leaving him alone and wanting revenge. Near death, Ghost makes a deal with a talking snake (Mephisto), to find the stranger and take vengeance.

I like the story as a whole. I like the idea of an issue like this, exploring one of the early Avengers. I’ve wanted to know more about them since they first appeared. As far as Ghost Rider goes, the origin here is a basic vengeance story. There’s a smart caveman, and a roaming stranger kills his tribe. The smart caveman wants vengeance, so he seeks it, and in the process makes a deal with the devil. The devil being Mephisto. The settings and the characters are really interesting, and I still want to know more about this time period. But as far as what we got, it’s interesting and holds the attention.

My biggest gripe about this issue is how the name “Ghost Rider” apparently originates. The stranger gives Ghost the name Ghost. I’m fine with that. But, apparently no one else had seen anybody ride an animal, so when Ghost does it, they also call him “Rider”. Get it? GHOST is a RIDER! Imagine if Peter Parker, before he had a name and costume, stopped a mugger. He’s clinging to a wall high off the ground. Then, a bystander sees him on the wall and says “You’re like a spider, man.” And that’s when a lightbulb goes off in Peter’s head. “The four of you sure are fantastic!”. Lightbulb. “Hey, the six of you are pretty sinister!”. Again I liked the story, but that stuck out to me.

I think Sara Pichelli’s art is a good fit for this. Everything in this issue feels soft. The lines aren’t as bold or pronounced as previous issues are. The colors, by Justin Ponsor, are lighter and fit well with the art. For what is essentially a flashback issue, the art feels appropriate. I don’t have any complaints or nitpicks with this one. Everything in here works and works well.

The first story arc of this Avengers series is pretty large in scale. I think that’s a good place for any Avengers team to start, with a foe no single hero can withstand. This issue, while contributing to a larger story, is a nice self-contained break. I have my problem with the way “Ghost Rider” apparently started as a name. It’s a little dumb, but I’m making a bigger deal of it than it is. Otherwise, the story is pretty good. The art is great and helps the mood and setting of the story. This is another great issue in a very solid series.