The tragedy of Blue Marvel
The Good
Art- Greg land has taken time off the last few issues to clearly put together this gorgeous issue. There are a few hiccups but for the most part this is a good looking book (Yeah I said that about Greg Land’s art).
Story- Ronin talks with Kaluu in his safe house before being attacked by Ninja Were-snakes. In the battle the safe house explodes. Elsewhere the unstable Kevin Brashear puts the whole world in danger. Blue Marvel is unable to do anything about the situation
Black Heroes- Blade is revealed as Ronin (gasp), Blue Marvel makes an appearance and Monica Rambeau continues to be used to great effect!
Action- Rampaging She Hulk enhanced by Monica Rambea vs Out of control Kevin Brashear was pretty damn cool!
Cover- This issue’s cover touts “Ronin Revealed”, it has the new Ronin taking off his mask in front of shocked Monica Rambeau, Falcon, Power Man and Ava Ayala.
Tragedy- This issue makes Blue Marvel move up a couple places on my favorite Black Superheroes list. Like Monet St. Croix before him Blue Marvel has powers that should seemingly make him another Superman clone which is the equivalent of being neigh omnipotent and boring to boot. Instead of dear stale Clarke however Blue Marvel is humanized by the tragedies in his life like Monet. His failure as a father, his retreat from public life as a superhero, his failure to save his wife, all these things makes him a very emotionally resonant character. His strained relationship with Max Brashear, Max’s rebellion against a father who couldn’t save his mother or brother, the loss of his favorite son in Kevin and then the nail in the coffin Kevin’s unstable arrival and having him lost again. When Adam Brashear shed’s a tear this issue I want to shed one right alongside him.
Team- The escape of Monica Rambeau and She Hulk was awe inspiring stuff! I would never have thought of it but it makes perfect sense in retrospect.
The Bad
The reveal- This could have been an issue to create waves and set the internet on fire the same way Bendis reveal of Echo as the original Ronin instead this was spoiled so long ago I can’t help but wish it was someone else under the mask just to get a touch of shock or excitement.
The Ugly
Mighty Avengers #9 is an emotional, action packed, deliciously rendered tale, we give it 4.5/5 stars