If anyone was curious about Rick Remender’s intentions for Uncanny Avengers, look no further than issue #17. This story has nothing to do with the rest of the Marvel Universe. Those who scratched their heads at the indiscriminate slaughter of Scarlet Witch, Rogue, and Wolverine, wonder no more. The happenings of this issue should leave no doubt that Remender has been playing us for suckers from the get go.
When I say playing us for suckers, I don’t mean it in a negative way, I mean he’s been a master huckster and I applaud him for it. First, let me explain what happens.
There will be spoilers ahead, matey, so beware!!
Okay, you’ve decided to read on. The Apocalypse Twins have seized their day. The Earth’s destruction is at hand, brought on by the arrival of a Celestial called The Executioner. All of the Avengers and the X-Men have gathered all their power to stop the destruction. Problem is, nothing is working. Tony Stark has created a machine to generate a field around the Earth, one that will only work using the Hulk as connector between two points. Hulk must hold steady against the pounding of the Executioner.
As Hulk and Stark try to keep the Executioner at bay, Thor has his hands full attempting defeated Eimin, the blind Apocalypse Twin who is still alive. The battle rages, and does not favor Thor. Meanwhile, Wasp is trying to fight off Grim Reaper, but refuses to kill him. Enter Captain America, who attempts to take out the Reaper, only to be slaughtered mercilessly. Outside, the Hulk fails, and the Executioner destroys the world, taking the heroes with it. Only Thor is left, and when he lands in a desolate and scorched place, his father is there to explain that Ragnarok was destined for Earth, and things happened as they had to.
It’s genius!! Right now, everything having to do with the Avengers is about multiple worlds crashing down into our reality. The X-Men are dealing with past versions of themselves in the current time stream, and even Thor is embroiled in a new story arc where he is lord of Asgard and the Earth has been destroyed. All of this is leading up to the next big Marvel event, the death of the Watcher.
Thinking about all of that, I would venture an educated guess that the entire world Remender has introduced to us in Uncanny Avengers is actually a duplicate dimension. All the dimensions are collapsing on us, and Remender is showing us one possible Avengers future. It’s brilliant, because he has gotten us to invest in this world the way we would the actual Marvel Universe. Now that we’re hooked, this destruction and death is heartbreaking. Even once it becomes clear what the reality (or at least what I hope is the reality) is, you’re too far gone to not care. So wonderfully played. Bravo. Mr. Remender.
Of course, if that’s not what this is, I’ll be back in a month to shred Remender.
Artist Steve McNiven is allowed to let loose in this issue. McNiven has always had a strong comic style, good with action and faces, but here, there is no holding back. From the glorious Captain American splash page, to the so-brutal-you-can-feel-it bashing between Eimin and Thor, McNiven nails every panel. Ships, multiple characters, explosions, galactic fighting and even up close and personal fisticuffs – this is some of the most exciting work McNiven has given us thus far.
(4.5 Story, 4.5 Art)
