Comic Review: Savage Avengers (2019-) #3

Savage Avengers (2019-) #3

Marvel Comics

Writer: Gerry Duggan

Artist: Mike Deodato Jr.

I’m a big Avengers fan. From the movies to the comics, to some of the cartoons. I have a soft spot for the team. So, I knew I’d be reading Savage Avengers as soon as I found out it would be a thing. But I wasn’t expecting just how much I’d like the book. I mean, I’m not the biggest fan of any of the characters on the team, but oh man do they kick ass.

Savage Avengers (2019-) #3 sees the team unofficially come together. Kulan Gath is teaming up with The Sickle Priest and The Hand. Together they’re trying to summon Jhoatun Lau, the Marrow God. Needing the blood of warriors, they’ve drawn Wolverine, Conan the Barbarian, Frank Castle, Elektra, Dr. Voodoo and Venom together. Now they’re the only hope the world has to stop this new threat.

I never in a million years would think I’d enjoy Conan swinging an unconscious Wolverine around as a weapon. But it happens in this issue, and it’s not even the best part of the issue. There is some crazier stuff that goes down, but I don’t want to spoil the whole issue. We do get to see the team “assemble” but not officially. I don’t think they’ll even be an actual team, but more “we’re brought together by circumstance” type thing. Except for Wolverine and Dr. Voodoo they’re not all heroes, really. They’re all morally in the gray area, leaning towards the bad side. They’ll stop Kulan Gath together, but if they stay together after that is something I can’t really guess at.

The art in this is kind of a perfect match. Mike Deodato Jr’s art is a very distinct style, and there’s always the chance an artist’s style won’t match the story. But that’s definitely not the case here. I’d call it a kind of “gritty” style, with good energy to the action. And that’s appropriate when you consider how violent the main characters are. Plus, on top of that, the colors by Frank Martin just add to everything. Things are a bit on the dark side (it’s night time though) but pop when they need to. Especially the red of the blood contrasting the blue of the night. It’s just a good looking comic.

There’s not much more I can say about this issue without spoiling the entire thing. If you like a group of violent anti-hero types, you’ll like this. The art is fantastic, the story is interesting. I’ll say it again, in case I didn’t make it clear at the beginning: Conan swings an unconscious Wolverine around as a weapon. And that’s not even the best part of the comic. You should definitely be reading this book.