Avengers #680 Review

Avengers #680

Writers:
 Mark Waid, Al Ewing & Jim Zub
Artists:
 Kim Jacinto
Colorist: David Curiel
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover: Mark Brooks
Publisher: Marvel Comics

A review by Nico Sprezzatura.

Following the apparent death of Human Torch last issue, the Avengers’ reserves are quickly dwindling down, and they’re no closer to getting to the bottom of their missing planet. With a slower-paced installment spent mostly reacting to what happened to Johnny Storm, is Avengers #680 worth your time? Let’s find out.

THE BIG BIG BAD?
While we’re treated to a brief villain vs. villain scene this week, much of Avengers #680 is focused on character beats and reacting to what happened last issue. At this point in the story, we’re still lead to believe there’s a higher power above The Grandmaster and The Challenger, but this issue doesn’t give us much to speculate on there.

However, the final page does leave us on a pretty tantalizing cliffhanger (one first teased last issue) that would break the internet… if it hadn’t been spoiled in a prior solicitation months ago. I won’t divulge about it here, but let’s just say it seems an iconic character seems to be returning in a big way. (And I’m not even referring to the abrupt “post-credits” Wolverine scene at the end, which is certainly a thing that exists!)

VOYAGER WATCH
While Valerie Vector was MIA last week issue, she returns with some dialogue in this issue, offering Rogue emotional support while grieving over Johnny… and that’s pretty much it. Considering how much fanfare she received prior to “No Surrender” months ago, it’s kinda weird that she hasn’t been a very substantial part of this story yet. I assume the writing team is playing the long game with her and a shoe will drop sooner than later, but that remains to be seen.

THE LIMELIGHT AVENGER
After a subversive take from one of the antagonists last week, our perspective returns to the side of angels through Rogue’s POV. As the most recent leader of the Unity Squad, Rogue has been at the forefront of “No Surrender” since it began, and much of this issue explores her strained psyche in the face of adversity.

It makes a lot of narrative sense to offer Rogue’s POV this week, coming after Johnny’s apparent death last issue. He was one of her own, and she’s obviously shaken up about it, but knows she has to put on a brave face and lead the Avengers to victory in spite of it. Rogue has worn many hats over the past few years —which she pointedly mentions here— and Avengers #680 serves as a pretty good reminder why she’s remained a fan favorite for decades.

WORDS AND PICTURES
Because of this issue’s gentler nature, there isn’t much that stands out about Kim Jacinto’s art, but it’s certainly nice to look at regardless. I particularly like how he draws the interactions between Beast, Wonder Man, and Nadia van Dyne’s Wasp; not much “happens” in those scenes, aside from quality character work. For a story as immense as “No Surrender,” the fact that he can draw so many characters in such a short span of time, all while making them look distinct from one another is no small feat — and one worth praising.

On the storytelling front, I’m very interested to see how Waid, Ewing, and Zub tackle the aforementioned character’s big return in the coming weeks; it’s a shame that it’s been spoiled (or at least, alluded to) in the solicitations by now, because I could easily imagine the reveal going over like gangbusters to the uninformed.

VERDICT
While it’s not the most exciting episode of “No Surrender,” Avengers #680 continues the weekly epic with some nice character work and attractive visuals. As always, buy it if you’ve been keeping up.