A Solid But Not Impressive Middle Chapter
The Illuminati and the three assembled Avengers teams retrieve the remaining Infinity Gems in this issue, which suffers a little from being a middle chapter of this story arc where it is just going through the motions of the plot.
It is interesting to see how the individual members of the Illuminati chose to secure their respective gems. Namor's solution is an obvious but good one. It fits with his character that he would hide his gem in such a way. However, Iron Man and Xavier's solutions really are not so good. There is an Area 51 gag with Iron Man, but it really sums up to him just locking the gem up in a vault. It is not very creative. Xavier's solution makes some nonsensical use of the Danger Room, one of the X-verses worst plot devices, to protect his gem.
There is a little more of Tony and Steve debating with Tony giving a pretty logical defense of the Illuminati. It was arrogant of them to do the things they have done, but arrogance comes with the job. It is arrogant for any superhero to take the law and the safety of the world into their own hands, but that is what they do all the time. It is an interesting argument.
Now for the regular feature of an Avengers review.
Last issue, extra help in the inking department and a whole new team of colorists really improved the art. It was easily the strongest it has been so far. Unfortunately, this issue loses one of those helpful inkers and goes back to the former team of colorists. It really shows. This is just not good art. It seems like JRJr. will only put effort into characters' faces if the panel is an extreme close up shot. A silent scene in the beginning with Namor, Red Hulk and Thor underwater is just dull because the art is unable to elevate the scene. The art for the Danger Room scene is just an awful chaotic mess. But the blame does not rest solely on JRJr at all. The coloring on this issue is terrible. If we are going to keep JRJr.'s art, then get these colorists off this book. The colors are so flat and lifeless most of the time.. The art needs all the help it can get, and these colorists are not helping at all.
This is not a strong issue of Avengers. Overall, it is not a bad issue, but it is definitely a disappointing one in regard to to ways the gems have been secured and the art. There are a few brief character moments that work well, and it does progress the plot along like it should.
