Uncanny Avengers #17
Writer – Rick Remender // Artist – Steve McNiven
I am surprised with every issue of Uncanny Avengers; starting small scale and now it has grown to epic proportions. Marvel has allowed Rick Remender to work his magic and pace his story without any interference from crossovers. Remender pushes the boundaries further with each new chapter as consequences grow, the moral fibre of our heroes is tested and we see said heroes die as they fight.
Steve McNiven has been the artist on the book since issue 14 and his art style in general fits in fine alongside the other artists that have taken on this book. In terms of characters he provides plenty of line detail, in terms of the backgrounds they are quite lacking in this issue and that may be due to time pressures.
Writer – Matt Fraction // Artist – David Aja
Hawkeye has not had an easy time at publication, fraught with constant delays and recent issues released out of order. Despite these problems Matt Fraction is providing one of Marvels best books with this title.
The book is about what Clint Barton (Hawkeye) does when he isn’t an Avenger, the overarching theme has been about protecting the place he most cherishes; his home. Clint bought the building he lives in so that the landlord couldn’t sell it. Ever since Clint has had to deal with the “Tracksuit Draculas” and The Clown as they continually try to take him out. This current chapter makes it clearer as to why they want the building. The “Tracksuit Draculas” hired The Clown to kill Clint Barton, The Clown works for a larger company which has bought the surrounding building blocks intending to develop a large shopping complex. The ante is upped as they discover an issue with Clint’s ownership of the building and the chapter ends on a stunning cliff hanger. The final 3 pages barely contain any text yet the intensity is kept at high velocity.
David Aja yet again on-board for art and it is he along with colourist Matt Hollingsworth that beyond question gives this book its full personality. Aja has this simplified yet detailed style to his work; the best way to describe it is to imagine a rotoscoped film. This is basically to process of an artist drawing over live footage to make it look animated. Every panel is full to the brim with simplified detail; he is a craftsman pure and simple.
Writer – Rick Remender // //Artist – Matteo Scalera
Continuing on from where we last left off, we see Ward, Shawn and Kadir on the home stretch of their kidnapping/rescue mission. They have kidnapped a Shaman from the “Native Americans” to heal Grant McKay. While last chapter centred on Grant McKay’s assistant Shawn, this issue centres on security chief Ward as he battles the “Native American” military. He is a strong and dedicated man who will make sacrifices to accomplish his goals, defending Shawn and Kadir will lead to one of the greatest sacrifices he has ever made. Grant’s boss Kadir takes up a secondary role and Rick Remender shows him for what he is, a lying and deceitful man who will betray anyone as he only cares about himself.
The chapter flies by swiftly with plenty of action to appease the eyes. Remender uses the second half of the chapter to embrace some character moments and develop personalities further. We are also introduced to an unknown personality who seems to have a larger role in future chapters. I look forward to finding out more about this mysterious person and hope Remender introduces us to the next strange world very shortly.
Matt Scalera and Dean White grant the book stunning visuals yet again. The action scenes are all easy to discern detail and movements in and Scalera takes advantage of two page spreads to add greater impact to said action scenes. White fills the line detail with dark and gritty colours which really drives home the fact that they are not on a very pleasant planet.
Marvel
Deadpool #24
Fantastic Four #1
Guardians Of Galaxy #12
Hawkeye #15
Mighty Avengers #7
Miracleman #3
Superior Spider-Man #28
Uncanny Avengers #17
Wolverine And X-Men #42
DC
Flash #28
Forever Evil Argus #5
Wake #6
Image
Black Science #4
Deadly Class #2
Revenge #1
Dark Horse
Serenity Leaves on the Wind #2
Tomb Raider #1