AVENGERS

Issue 37

"Scorched Earth"

Writer: Kurt Busiek

Pencils: Steve Epting

Inks: Al Vey

              This is the second part of what in essence is a fill-in tale marking time before Kurt is joined by Alan Davis for the launch of a "new era of excitement" in #38. This isn't to dismiss it entirely, as it shows us developments on two fronts. One in the Ultron-decimated land of Slorenia, and the other back in the rubble that was Avengers' mansion.

Kurt & Steve hand us two competently-fought battles with... compromise endings. The cover's a wee bit over the top, though.

              The Slorenian front sees Cap, Iron Man, Wonder Man, Scarlet Witch, and for a while Photon, against a dark incarnation of the curse of the Black Knight's ebony blade: Bloodwraith. All dark pain and vengeance, they finally succeed in only bounding magic by magic.

              Back in New York, the rest of the team battles Pagan and Lord Templar - along with the Triune Understanding, all part of a subplot I'm growing bone weary of - and ultimately wins another temporary victory. That much of it was due to the intervention of Hank Pym (the rowdier version, btw) seems to have been overlooked, but what the hey?

              I'm belatedly sorry to see George Perez go, and much the same goes for Steve Epting. George helped give us another classic run, and I have hopes that once his exclusive contract with Crossgen is up he'll be coaxed back for yet another triumphant try at the team. Meanwhile, in a way I'm a little more sad to see Steve Epting go. I've come to see him as a vastly under-used talent. Not necessarily a knock-out artist, but in this age a competent storyteller who renders human-proportioned and distinctly-featured characters is not to be underestimated.

              Avengers remains one of the superhero comics I most look forward to each month. Among Marvel's line it's second only to Black Panther. I hope Kurt has many more Avengers tales left in him, and we get to tap into every one.

                                                              MJN

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