Comic Review: Avengers #9

Avengers #9

Marvel Comics

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: David Marquez

Once a friend, now a… foe?!?! The Avengers are underwater and facing off against friend and fellow Avenger, Namor.

Namor is holding Roxxon agents captive for the murder of some Atlanteans. The Avengers take to the depths to retrieve the men and bring them to the surface for trial. There’s a fight between Namor and the Avengers. Namor surrenders the men, but by the end of the issue, has formed The Defenders of the Deep, and declared war on the surface world.

To set the tone for this issue (and story arc), Avengers #9 sees the death of an Avenger. It’s not one of the current Avengers, but once an Avenger, always an Avenger. It’s pretty brutal, too. I’ll admit I’m not the world’s biggest or most knowledgeable Namor fan, but for what he’s writing, I think Jason Aaron is doing him justice. Compared to the start of the series, the Avengers team has gotten better. They feel like a team, and the banter between them is humorous, but not out of place.

I’m still really digging the art from David Marquez. I think it’s a great fit for the tone this issue is presenting. The fights that are in here, look good and are clean and easy to tell what’s happening from panel to panel. On top of that, the colors, by Justin Ponsor really stand out in some places. With the issue taking place mostly underwater, everything has a mostly blue, slightly green hue to it. While Black Panther and Captain America’s costume blend in a bit, Iron Man and Thor stand out with their reds. And Ghost Rider is a whole other thing with his car’s flames burning bright. Yes, even underwater.

There are a couple of things I don’t like in this issue, though they are nitpicky. Both have to do with Namor. First, I’m not a fan of this costume. I know Namor is usually pictured in a speedo, or maybe it’s armored Atlantean underwear? Either way, I don’t like the “no shirt, full pants and also sleeves” look he has here. He just got a cool looking X-Men costume, and I’d like to see more of that. Speaking of X-men Red, this feels like a complete 180 from what he’s doing in that book. I know Namor also has a history of sometimes being an enemy of the surface world, but so soon after he’s being a hero with the X-Men?  Again, I like it in the context of the story, but it’s throwing my continuity-sense off.

Overall, I do like this issue. I like the direction this new story arc seems to be heading in. The team of Avengers feels like a team, and the dialogue and banter between them feel natural. The art is fantastic. Namor is in a weird place considering his role in X-Men Red. But as far as the context of this story, I like it, and I’m looking forward to more.