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Occasionally there are such issues like Aliens vs Avengers, such titles, where every page screams, you must find me amazing. Where critics and readers also radiate a rare unanimity. Where even the speculators cause stupid prices after a short time.
Where I then almost feel bad because I... I just can’t bring myself to think it’s amazing.
Jonathan Hickman’s latest crossover project, Aliens vs Avengers #1 is one such issue.
Not that I have anything seriously wrong with this opener to this mini-series, no, I liked it. It was just at least as hard not to like the story as it was to find it amazing.
My main problem here is with what basically makes a Hickman story, the broad storytelling.
The outline is actually a pretty straightforward story. Evil people from outer space are experimenting with the Aliens and weaponizing them to wipe out entire planets. Earth is among them, which logically calls the Avengers onto the scene.
But because the Aliens are not so easy to wipe out, especially when enough of them hives, equipped with queens, populate the planets, even the elite superhero unit reaches its limits.
But a Hickman story doesn’t just consist of this plot, it’s always a whole network of storylines, main and secondary characters and scenarios and scenes.
And yes, that’s exactly my complaint. Though it’s probably also the very thing that generates enthusiasm among enthusiastic readers.
So I thought it was good, solid craft, a really well written crossover that brings the best of both universes. It’s wonderfully dark, really dark, so Alien dark. But perhaps this also means that it’s not quite both worlds, because the dialog is all a bit too grave, too serious for an Avengers story.
@ribicesad and @ivesvorcina ’s artwork is also absolutely befitting for this title. Bleak, alien bleak, highly detailed, with a dominant cinematic feel to it, truly a feast for the eyes.
But despite this first-class quality, I just can’t get excited about it, I can only find it good, not amazing. But does that really make me feel guilty?
Of course not. But it sounded good to start this review with.
Any of you give this a read? What are your thoughts?
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Aliens vs Avengers #1
€34,90
ALIENS AND AVENGERS FACE OFF! It's all led to this: Xenomorphs reach Earth! The perfect organism meets a planet of superhumans. Who will be first to fall? Legendary collaborators Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribi? cut loose in this four-part epic… read more
