What's a smasher to do? SMASH !!!
The good:
The 5th issue of this series by Johnathan Hickman possesses the exact same formula as the 4th issue: an origin story (for a lesser known character) mixed with an adventure for several Avengers. Although it's exactly the same formula as the previous issue, this 5th issue doesn't have the same problems as the last one. In fact, it excels in giving the reader an amazing story that is yet again a piece to the big puzzle.
Hickman does a fantastic job concerning the origin story of, this time, the character called Smasher. Just like Hyperion's origin, it is filled with emotion and intrigue. Personally, the ''cool'' side of her story is how her eye lenses work and how her powers are treated trough it (read the issue and see for yourself). Other than that, we get to see who she really is as a person even if it's through one issue. As for the other half of the issue, we get the Avengers, including Smasher, trying to stop an invasion. It is well done and seeing Captain America leading a group is always a treat for me personally. On top of that, we get a great cliffhanger concerning a mystery that will leave us impatient to learn more about it.
On the art side, although in the last issue Kubert didn't impress me (except some of the panels), his work here was way better. In fact, I greatly enjoyed it. The action scenes were well displayed and the images where we see through Smasher's lenses were another treat.
The bad:
The only bad thing I can say about this issue is what this series is mainly suffering of so far: the fact that some of the characters are shown, but not exposed a lot. I'm pretty sure though we'll have to be patient on that aspect of the book.
So what's the verdict?
After a mediocre 4th issue, Hickman delivers a fantastic fifth installment to a series that seems very promising. We get a great origin story, good art and a great piece to the puzzle as I like to say. Even though this issue still suffers from the underexposure of certain characters, we still get an amazing adventure. Can't wait for the next issue.
The 5th issue of this series by Johnathan Hickman possesses the exact same formula as the 4th issue: an origin story (for a lesser known character) mixed with an adventure for several Avengers. Although it's exactly the same formula as the previous issue, this 5th issue doesn't have the same problems as the last one. In fact, it excels in giving the reader an amazing story that is yet again a piece to the big puzzle.
Hickman does a fantastic job concerning the origin story of, this time, the character called Smasher. Just like Hyperion's origin, it is filled with emotion and intrigue. Personally, the ''cool'' side of her story is how her eye lenses work and how her powers are treated trough it (read the issue and see for yourself). Other than that, we get to see who she really is as a person even if it's through one issue. As for the other half of the issue, we get the Avengers, including Smasher, trying to stop an invasion. It is well done and seeing Captain America leading a group is always a treat for me personally. On top of that, we get a great cliffhanger concerning a mystery that will leave us impatient to learn more about it.
On the art side, although in the last issue Kubert didn't impress me (except some of the panels), his work here was way better. In fact, I greatly enjoyed it. The action scenes were well displayed and the images where we see through Smasher's lenses were another treat.
The bad:
The only bad thing I can say about this issue is what this series is mainly suffering of so far: the fact that some of the characters are shown, but not exposed a lot. I'm pretty sure though we'll have to be patient on that aspect of the book.
So what's the verdict?
After a mediocre 4th issue, Hickman delivers a fantastic fifth installment to a series that seems very promising. We get a great origin story, good art and a great piece to the puzzle as I like to say. Even though this issue still suffers from the underexposure of certain characters, we still get an amazing adventure. Can't wait for the next issue.
