Welcome to 52 in 52, one man’s look at the vast world of Marvel Unlimited. I will be reading and sharing my thoughts each week regarding a different single arc or event from somewhere within the world of Marvel Unlimited, trying to find things I haven’t read that are relevant to the current comic or cinematic landscape, or completely irrelevant and just fun to read.
One year. 52 tales. One per week. Marvel Unlimited.
Let’s do this.
On the docket this week: Avengers: Red Zone *Warning, there be spoilers ahead*
AVENGERS #65-70
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Olivier Coipel
Release Date: May – October 2003
Geoff Johns writing a Marvel comic? What the hell world is this? Seriously…this does not compute.
…but I like it.
This is Geoff Johns before he was “Geoff Johns” and Olivier Coipel before he became the event slayer, and it was neat to read both of these titans telling a tale before they became headline generating names. In Red Zone, a mysterious gas begins to spread from a military base in Mount Rushmore, acting like a rapid version of flesh eating bacteria. The Avengers arrive on scene to determine the cause while the CDC attempts to evacuate civilians, and a larger conspiracy is revealed. Johns writes the characters well, giving each a strong amount of page time and some solid moments. This is pre-House of M so the roster is somewhat less controversial than some Avengers teams, but it has a classic feel to it.
The plot of this arc is solid, and the twist of the Red Skull being behind the plot is great. It adds to the classic feel of this storyline, as there really isn’t a more classic Cap villain than Red Skull. Can I say classic more? Yes. Yes I most certainly can, because it’s time to talk about the characters:
Captain America: This is classic Cap (I had to, sorry). Steve Rogers with a chiseled jaw walking into a red cloud of what is most likely death because people are gonna get hurt and this needs to be stopped. There is no pause, no hesitation in this character. People need help and the Avengers will help them. Johns writes a few great “quintessential Cap” speeches throughout the arc and I think a long run on Cap may just be the Geoff Johns project the world needed but never got.
Scarlet Witch: Holy crap, this Wanda is actually respected and nobody is out to get her. This is pre-House of M and she and The Vision have got a bond and oh my word it was just nice to read. She’s strong, she can control her powers and not everything is about those three little words. It was nice reading a story featuring Wanda that wasn’t about House of M.
The Vision: An android looking for his humanity, the constant quest of The Vision. Who knows what he’ll end up becoming during the eventual character tweaks that come from the film in May, but here he’s a robot with a soul, so contemplative and trying to find his place in the world. This character reminds me of some iterations of the Silver Surfer, trying so hard to find answers and so analytical and cold at times. Note: Geoff Johns on Silver Surfer some day, please. Coipel too, let’s make this happen.
She-Hulk: Tough as nails and a major player in this event, if you haven’t read this one you haven’t seen She-Hulk SMASH. Bruce Banner who? This is She-Hulk the bruiser, and Johns takes her down an interesting path in this arc.
Warbird: Carol Danvers, pre-Captain Marvel era…and even pre-second-go-round-as-Ms.-Marvel-era. For much of this storyline Carol is with the CDC working with the evacuations and showcasing her military prowess. It was good to see that side of Carol, as even in her new (and excellent) role as Captain Marvel it isn’t something we see a lot of. I preferred Warbird as a code name to “Ms. Marvel” too.
Black Panter: He’s not card carrying at the moment and he’s not the T’Challa we’ve seen for the past several years, and I kind of like it. He’s not trusting. He’s got edge. He’s a great foil for Tony Stark and that’s always a good thing. This Wakandan is strong in this arc.
…and Red Skull is super Red Skull. Jack-of-Hearts didn’t quite click with me, but the character never really has for me so I won’t pin that on Johns or Coipel. Olivier Coipel’s artwork is rock solid, and you can see the future superstar in here. While his style isn’t quite what we know it to be today, the seeds of it are there and this is a very well penciled arc. Red Zone is a good looking arc from start to finish.
If you enjoyed the Avengers film, and if you’re an Avengers fan at all, give this run a shot. Johns’ work is strong, Coipel is on point and this just a good time. I dug it, I’m guessing you will too.
Next Week: Uncanny X-Men #428-434
Btw guys, I picked next week’s entry for Aaron and he has NO CLUE what he is getting himself into. I really can’t wait for this one