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Classic Review: Avengers Epic Collection- Under Siege

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Quick Summary

Pros: The book’s first half contains several exciting plotlines. The subplots and character development in the book’s first half work well in setting up the second half. The book’s second half is a thrilling story arc that gives the collection a satisfying conclusion, one that builds excitement for the next volume. The artwork is positive throughout the book.

Cons: Heavy tie-ins to Avengers history and other comic books make the book’s first half harder for newer readers to jump into.

Overall: Interesting story arcs and beautiful artwork help this collection stand out as something positive. The book has the Avengers participate in a number of exciting encounters that become better and better as the collection progresses. These encounters are backed up by solid character moments and a general sense of progression for the team. Though this volume might not appeal as strongly to newer readers, it is a real treat for those with more reading experience.

Story

Avengers Epic Collection: Under Siege, by Roger Stern, is a well-structured series of stories that provide a great picture of the Avengers in this era. The book’s first half has them dealing with a variety of external threats while also continuing to develop as a team. Meanwhile, small hints toward a larger villainous conspiracy help build up anticipation for an even more significant threat. This helps create a thrilling second half and leads to a satisfying conclusion. The book’s only real problem is that, at points, it is not as friendly to new readers. However, besides that, the book has plenty going for it and makes for a compelling reading experience.

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The first half of Under Siege is a bit mixed but manages to trend positive. It has the Avengers facing off against several significant threats in several exciting battles. It has them participate in the potentially-world ending events of Secret Wars II. Then, it has them go up against Kang in a battle that revisits the time-traveling conqueror’s history in an interesting way. Then, they go on to fight against the might of Atlantis as they attempt to reunite Namor with his lost love. Finally, they join forces with the West Coast Avengers in a thrilling team-up. Each of these encounters is exciting in its own way and provides plenty of stirring scenes from this team of superheroes.

However, these adventures are also heavily tied to other comics in a way that may make them intimidating for newer readers. The Secret Wars II tie-in chapters make little sense without knowledge of that event and the Namor-centric chapters bring up significant story elements from the Alpha Flight series. Meanwhile, the interesting approach to Kang’s history with the Avengers will have minimal appeal to readers unfamiliar with this history. For readers with more experience in this era of comics these problems will likely not be a factor but newer readers may not enjoy them as much.

Luckily, the book’s second half is far more universally positive than its first. These positives start in the background of the book’s first half, where unusual actions from villains and character development from heroes set the stage for a faceoff against the Masters of Evil. Readers are constantly reminded that the villains are planning something big and that the relationships between the heroes are currently being tested. This helps set up a slow burn that makes the final story arc seem more intense than those coming before it.

All of this comes to a head as the second Baron Zemo makes his play. His plan is calculated in a way that is interesting to see play out and allows the villains to get the upper hand for a while. While they have the upper hand, the narrative also takes its time to make sure these villains come across as evil as possible, with their attack on Jarvis punctuating this point. This makes the valiant counterattack by the heroes even more exciting and satisfying. It also helps lead to an emotional conclusion that leaves the Avengers to stew in one of their most significant failures in a long time.

In addition, the conclusion of Under Siege provides a compelling twist to the traditional Avengers status quo. It has the team’s base almost completely demolished, has one of the Avengers in a coma, and puts the rest of them in a crisis of confidence. Immediately after putting down this book I was ready to pick up the next one and see how the team restructures after this serious loss.

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Art

The artwork in Under Siege continues the quality work that has been seen time and time again throughout this series. Penciler John Buscema and inker Tom Palmer do a nice job in presenting the events of this comic. They make the characters look good, they make the action look energetic, and they present the entire thing with a structure that flows well.

This volume specifically does well in accurately depicting emotion and providing some great full-page spreads. Emotions come across well on the faces of the characters, allowing a few moments, especially those in the final few pages, to come across as more meaningful than they would otherwise. In addition, full-page spreads in the Secret Wars II tie-ins or at the beginning of a few chapters help instantly clue the reader in to the serious nature of a few story arcs.

The only negatives in the book come from the crossover with the West Coast Avengers. Though Steve Ditko’s pencils are mostly positive, there are places where the inking feels far too light. In addition, there are places where character’s faces do not accurately convey their mood or emotion. It complicates the read in a few places but not enough to have a serious impact on the appeal of the volume as a whole.

Continuity

Avengers Epic Collection: Under Siege continues the story from the first half of Avengers: The Once and Future Kang (Review).

The story here continues in the second half of Avengers Epic Collection: Judgment Day (Review).

This volume also makes references to other comic books, detailed below:

Previous Volume Review

All Avengers Reviews

Next Volume Review

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