The Rise Of A New Starbrand In Avengers #27
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
The Ravenstarr Maximum Security Prison, a facility run by the Shi’ar Empire, has experienced a massive prison break. A Shi’ar contingency was sent to investigate, and only two came back. Gladiator, Majestor of the Shi’ar Imperium, goes in to investigate by himself. A day later, the Avengers hear of the prison break and lend their aid to the Shi’ar. Captain America, Thor, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Black Widow, Blade, and Ghost Rider fly to the Ravenstarr Prison. Five days after that, Captain America is marooned, She-Hulk is being swarmed, Blade is being slowly killed by a red sun, Captain Marvel has gone missing, and Thor has been turned into a Brood.
Avengers #27 kicks off the “Starbrand Reborn” story, which brings the Avengers back into space and possibly finding the new bearer of the Starbrand aboard the Ravenstarr Prison.
Understandably, much of this issue is setup. We have the situation explained by an assistant to Gladiator before seeing the Majestor himself fly into the prison. Then, we see the Avengers gearing up for the outer space mission and seeming, largely, optimistic. The remainder of the comic reveals how badly this mission has gone, with the new wielder of the Starbrand still being a mystery.
All in all, it’s a hell of a setup. It’s been a while since the Avengers have had a good old cosmic odyssey, and the prospect of a new Starbrand is a good premise to hinge that upon. Plus, I’m always glad to see Gladiator. Throwing the readers into the deep end of the story is a good way to keep things engaging to boot.
Ed McGuinness returns to the title and does a hell of a job with this issue to boot. The opening spread of Gladiator is gorgeous, and the revelation Brood-Thor later in the comic is awesome and unnerving. Mark Morales gives the book a particularly good ink job in its ability to emphasize the right details. Jason Keith gives the book a bold color palette which brings the aesthetic together excellently.
Avengers #27 is another great issue for the series. It brings us to the beginning of a new story with a lot of promise for cosmic action and possibly a new character. The overall premise is compelling, and McGuinness, Morales, and Keith kill it on the art. This one definitely gets a recommendation. Give it a read.
Avengers #27 comes to us from writer Jason Aaron, artist Ed McGuinness, inker Mark Morales, color artist Jason Keith, letterer VC’s Cory Petit, cover artist Ed McGuinness with Val Staples, and variant cover artist Nick Bradshaw with Rachelle Rosenberg.
Final Score: 9/10