Uncanny Avengers # 21 is not quite the end of Rick Remender’s long-running storyline, but it is near the finish line. Back in Uncanny Avengers # 14, things went to hell as Rogue, Scarlet Witch and Wonder Man were killed. They were shortly followed in death by Captain America and the entire population of Earth minus the mutants.
So, it’s time for a reboot!
This issue brings the survivors from the alternate Planet X timeline back into their present day bodies to save the world. The first order of business is to reconcile the Avengers Unity Squad, particularly Rogue and the Scarlet Witch. Remender’s characterization of Rogue hasn’t always felt true to her previous depictions and making Rogue murder Scarlet Witch was a low point for both characters.
Rogue’s apology in this issue is a little weak and intentionally awkward, but she does get her biggest hero moments of the entire Uncanny Avengers run… or possibly since her creation. Remender’s take on the story reads like a Michael Bay directed Marvel film, except you can actually watch the story unfold without hurting your eyes.
I’m not sure what’s going on with Daniel Acuna’s art. His action sequences are really amazing, but he seems to have lost the ability to draw distinctive faces. All of his characters look generic without their costumes. I’ve read Acuna’s previous comics, including his stint on X-Men: Legacy, so I know he can do better than this. I don’t understand why Acuna made this stylistic choice, but I don’t like it.
There are moments that Acuna absolutely nails, including Thor’s fight with the Celestial and Kang’s return to the story. I was ready for this storyline to be over, but I can buy into Kang’s endgame. It was a haphazard plan that nearly destroyed every timeline, but it’s totally worth it for Kang. Somehow, this has to all be wrapped up by the end of the next issue. However, Remender has a knack for good cliffhangers and this is one of his best.
I think that Uncanny Avengers would be better served with a different artist, but it’s still one of Marvel’s most consistently entertaining books. That’s more than enough to keep me coming back.
