Classic Review: Marvel Masterworks- Avengers Vol. 7

Quick Summary

Pros: The first story arc has some unique appeal to it. The following stories allow Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and Hawkeye some individual opportunities to shine. The closing stories are entertaining and the Ultron arc is incredible. The artwork looks good all the way through and has some nice diversity to it.

Cons: Not all of the stories here will appeal to everyone.

Overall: This is a collection with portions that will appeal to everyone and portions that may only really grab specific readers. The first half contains a story that is so bizarre in its premise that it could only take place in the Silver Age and also contains stories that focus more on individuals than the team. However, the second half is great all around and contains an excellent arc about Ultron. All in all, if readers enjoy the type of stories presented in the book’s first half, they will really enjoy this entire volume.

Story

Avengers Vol. 7, by Roy Thomas, is a unique volume that is likely to appeal to different fans in different ways. It starts out with some Silver Age-style comic book wackiness that will really only be appreciated by those willing to accept it as the unbelievable adventure that it is. Then, the collection moves on to a few quick adventures designed to highlight individual contributions from Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and Hawkeye. Finally, the collection ends with a few more standard stories that focus on pure excitement and should be able to be enjoyed by nearly everyone. This creates a book with a second half that has universal appeal but a first half that may only appeal to readers with an interest in crazy stories from comic history or a specific interest in one of the characters listed above.

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The opening story in Avengers Vol. 7 is strange and represents the more ridiculous side of the Silver Age. It has Hank Pym develop a split personality, attack the Avengers, and marry Janet van Dyne, all before finally coming to his senses and remembering his true identity. If you approach the issue without reservation, it ends up being a comically unique representation of what comics could do at the time. However, those looking for the straightforward and serious narratives one would expect to see nowadays may be disappointed.

The following chapters present a few solid adventures that mostly limit their scope to individual heroes. The first has contributions from most Avengers but is primarily focused on Doctor Strange; the second is almost exclusively centered around Black Panther; and the third places the focus on Hawkeye. Each adventure is entertaining in its own way but none of them really feel like the team-ups one would hope they would be. However, for fans of these characters, the more specific focus on the characters as individuals may be worthwhile.

At this point, the Avengers Vol. 7 switches back to adventures that more actively incorporate contributions from all of the team members. The Avengers face off against a high-stakes threat from outer space, one with the power to destroy entire cities, and then go head to head with an enemy who has a personal connection to one of the heroes. These adventures feel a bit standard but are still fun nevertheless.

This leads into the best story arc of Avengers Vol. 7, the return of Ultron. This is a high-stakes and action-packed thrill ride that is fun all the way through. Ultron easily reaffirms himself as one of the Avengers’ most powerful foes by rebuilding himself using one of the planet’s most powerful materials, a material all of the Avengers were just shown to be unable to break. This premise and an unintentional betrayal from Vision create a tense and highly enjoyable story arc.

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Art

Avengers Vol. 7 starts out with a few chapters from John Buscema that look as great as all of his previous work has looked. These chapters contain lots of detail and are prefect at capturing intense action between character. However, where Buscema really shines is splash pages that contain plenty of different heroes and villains. The wedding issue excels in this regard and is an excellent representation of Buscema’s skill.

From here, the artwork transitions over to a few different artists, all of whom do a great job with penciling these adventures and bring something of their own to the collection. Gene Colan adds a lot of visual diversity to this book. His artwork opens each story with visuals that immediately make you sit up and pay attention, such as the dramatic start to Avengers #64 or the introduction of the Swordsman in Avengers #65. In addition both Gene Colan and Barry Windsor-Smith change up the panel layouts in ways that keep the stories here looking fresh. All in all, these artistic changeups are a welcome addition to the collection and help make this a better read.

Continuity

Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 7 continues the story from Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 6 (Review).

The story here continues in Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 8 (Review).

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

• In Avengers #60 the Circus of Crime mentions facing off against Thor in Thor #147, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Thor Vol. 6. However, during this issue, Thor is busy with his actions in Silver Surfer #4, collected in Marvel Masterworks: The Silver Surfer Vol. 1.
• In Avengers #60, a reference is made to a wedding that took place at the Baxter Building sometime in the past. This wedding took place in Fantastic Four Annual #3, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 5 (Review).
• Dr. Strange’s adventures in “the dimension of the dread Tiboro” take place in Dr. Strange #178, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange Vol. 3.
• Narration indicates that, during Avengers #62, Black Widow is engaged with the events of Captain Marvel #12, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Captain Marvel Vol. 2 (Review).
• Narration in Avengers #63 states that Egghead’s last appearance was in Tales to Astonish #62, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Ant-Man/Giant-Man Vol. 2.
• Avengers #64 continues plot threads from Sub-Mariner #14, collected in Marvel Masterworks: The Sub-Mariner Vol. 4, and Captain Marvel #14, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Captain Marvel Vol. 2 (Review).
• More information about “the capture of Colonel Nick Fury” can be found in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #14, collected in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Masterworks Vol. 3.