A Retrospective Review of Jonathan Hickman's 'Avengers'

Howdy, good people. I hope you’re all doing well. I also hope you’re in the mood to read about the Avengers!

So, towards the end of February, I got an absolutely splendid new Marvel omnibus in the mail. It was the first volume of Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers, and if you know me, you know I absolutely adore this book. It is, arguably, the greatest run on the title of all time. It’s my favorite, at least. With that in mind, I decided to revisit the whole story once again, as I tend to do every once in a while, and it got me thinking about spieling about it on my blog. After all, that’s part of why I have a blog in the first place: so I can babble about stuff I like and share it with others.

Now, I will admit, I’m partly taking the easy route on this one, as I’m actually recycling an old article I wrote about this comic years ago for ComicsVerse. However, since that site has sadly vanished from the internet—thus the article basically no longer exists—I see no issue with resurrecting the piece and rehashing my original thoughts on the comic, especially since they haven’t really changed all that much.

Because, after all, this book is an absolute gem. The entirety of Hickman’s run is comprised of Avengers (2012) #1-44, New Avengers (2013) #1-33, and Infinity #1-6, which adds up to a little over 80 issues. You might also add in Secret Wars (2015), but that’s technically separated from the Avengers story, so I won’t actually be covering that.

With all that said, let’s get into what makes this book the finest hour for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Masterful Storytelling With an Immense Scope

If author Brian Michael Bendis previously redefined the Avengers during Marvel’s Heroic Age, then Hickman reimagined them in the Marvel NOW! era. Hickman took everything Bendis built hundreds of thousands of more layers on top of that, taking more than a few drastic measures to make sure his book stood out from all the others before it. Needless to say, all of his effort and hard work paid off in spades.

It all begins with two men—Steve Rogers and Tony Stark—and an idea. As the longtime leaders of the team put it, the Avengers needed to get bigger. Captain America and Iron Man construct what they called the Avengers Machine and use it to form a new team for new threats in a new generation. It doesn’t take long for the team to be called into action, after a mission to Mars by some of the original Avengers to stop some aliens from launching “life” bombs at the Earth fails. Not long after that… Well, you know how it goes. “Avengers Assemble!”

From there, this new team of Avengers—consisting of mainstays like Thor, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, and Falcon, and newcomers like Hyperion, Shang-Chi, Sunspot, and Captain Universe—tackles threats and dangers the likes of which they’d never seen before. Beings of immense, universal power. A resurgent AIM. An intergalactic war with the Builders. Thanos. Evil Avengers from an alternate reality. To say Hickman’s Avengers took the team to new heights would be a gross understatement.

On the flip side of this coin is Hickman’s New Avengers, which features a reformed Illuminati combatting the threat of a dying multiverse. The team consists of Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Black Panther, Namor, Beast, Doctor Strange, and Black Bolt. Against all better judgement and morality, the Illuminati come to grips with destroying other worlds—other universes—to save their own. And yet, despite it all, their mission is still ultimately a failure, with the culmination of Hickman’s entire arc arriving in the form of 2015’s Secret Wars.

So, needless to say, there’s a lot going on in Hickman’s Avengers. And yet, the writer still manages to tell an incredible, cohesive story on an unbelievable scale. I’m sort of a sucker for anything Hickman writes at this point, largely because of this comic, but even forgoing my extreme bias towards his work, his Avengers includes some of the greatest comic book storytelling I’ve ever seen.

Hickman writes in a very cryptic yet poetic manner, injecting a palpable level of nuance into every line of narration while also delivering definitive depictions of each of his characters. Tony Stark feels appropriately snarky and intelligent. Steve Rogers stands valiant and stoic. Mr. Fantastic fuels himself with hope at every turn, despite all the evidence telling him his quest will fail. Thanos remains every bit the Mad Titan we know and love him to be!

Not only does Hickman easily jump between beautiful narration and pitch-perfect character writing, but he also masterfully tells two highly contrasting stories at the same time. Avengers and New Avengers fall on very different ends of the same spectrum; while Avengers is action-packed and energetic, New Avengers features a darker tone and a story progressing towards an ultimate failure. Whereas Avengers tells of the triumph of our heroes, New Avengers depicts their fall. This dichotomy remains ever-present from start to finish, and it all ties seamlessly into the story’s world building (and destroying).

“Everything Dies”

Hickman filled this book with plenty of powerful, uplifting moments. I’m a particular fan of the first time the new team assembles atop Avengers Tower; it’s one of the best pages in the core Avengers title. But if one thing sticks more than anything else in this combined run, that honor goes to the tagline: “Everything dies.” That phrase isn’t included just for the sake of sounding edgy or creatively dark—it’s a universal truth. When Reed Richards utters those words right at the start of New Avengers #1, you know exactly how this whole story will end. You hope it isn’t true, but it is, nonetheless.

Hickman's Avengers — From *New Avengers* (2013) #1

The majority of Hickman’s run is constructed around this idea, particularly using it to tell a darker, more mature story entrenched with gripping sci-fi elements in the pages of New Avengers. Writing in this way, Hickman opened himself up to a whole world of possibilities. Most notably, he expanded the Marvel Universe in brilliant ways, creating new characters like the Builders and Ex Nihilo, reshaping the multiverse, and playing with familiar faces in a completely new and unique manner (more on that later).

The scale and demeanor of the book aren’t just for show, either. They’re crucial in the telling of this story. Besides, how else are you going to write about a dying multiverse? Without a doubt, though, Hickman nails the storytelling, top to bottom. This gripping epic will leave you wanting more and more after each issue, and when the end finally comes, you just may find yourself speechless.

New Teams for New Threats in a New Generation

Despite the overarching grim, defeatist tone of Hickman’s Avengers, there’s still plenty here that will make you believe in the heroes. Case in point, the team itself, which is likely the greatest ever assembled.

The initial roster consisted of the team assembled for 2012’s Avengers film. That quickly changed, though, to encompass a much larger roster. The Avengers Machine, as pictured above, acted as a groundwork for Cap and Tony to expand the team. Later on, characters like Ex Nihilo, Abyss, Starbrand, and Nightmask would also be included, making this an ever-evolving Avengers team for the ages.

Hickman’s team feels like an unstoppable force for good. There are so many incredible power players, to the point that it’s fairly difficult to track the team’s exact power level. You’ve got the likes of Thor, Hyperion, Hulk, and Captain Marvel, which only covers four members, plus a handful of other dynamically skilled and powerful heroes. And though Hickman doesn’t capture the familial aspects of the Avengers like Bendis masterfully did, he still does a great job making this team feel united.

Hickman’s Illuminati are a completely different beast. Whereas the Avengers are a cohesive, powerful unit, the Illuminati are a team of fractured yet utterly driven individuals, holding themselves together by the skin of their teeth. They have power and wit, sure, but they constantly seem deathly afraid to use any of it. Having Black Panther and Namor together may seem like a dangerous move—and it ultimately proves to be so—but it turns out to be the greatest power dynamic for the New Avengers title.

The stark contrast between the Avengers and the Illuminati works to further highlight the artful dichotomy in Hickman’s storytelling. These were two vastly different teams, meant to tackle vastly different problems. But what good are the teams without the characters within them?

Impeccable Focus on Unique Characters

A team is only as good as its members, and believe me, every member of this Avengers team deserves their spot. Hickman’s Avengers not only featured a powerful team, but also a believable one. The writer went to great lengths to flesh out every member, with the early issues of the core book highlighting each hero in great depth, especially the newcomers like Hyperion, Smasher, and the mysteriously cryptic Captain Universe.

This version of Hyperion survived one of the incursions ravaging the multiverse. After AIM ripped him into the 616 reality, he ultimately winds up with the Avengers, doing a great deal of soul-searching during his time with the team. Captain Universe stands as a constant head-scratcher, usually appearing to deliver appropriately foreboding warnings about events to come. And yet, even though she barely ever shows up, she remains one of the most mesmerizing characters.

Smasher, Cannonball, and Sunspot took me by surprise. I instantly fell in love with the new Smasher, Isabel Kane. Her issue (Avengers #5) worked well to quickly ground her character in a meaningful way. Cannonball and Sunspot seemed like nobodies to me, but much like Smasher, I quickly grew attached to these outsiders turned icons; I largely have Avengers #11 to thank for that.

As for the Illuminati, most of these characters had already been well-developed in previous titles, but leave it to Hickman to work his magic and make them feel fresh. Again, the chaotic chemistry between Black Panther and Namor practically drives this book. On top of that, Reed’s determination to win the losing battle with the dying multiverse is the faint glimmer of hope New Avengers desperately needs. I also found Beast to be a pleasant addition to the dark fold.

Above all others, however, Captain America and Iron Man shine most brightly throughout Hickman’s story. These two heroes are the ones that started it all.

As mentioned earlier, Hickman’s Avengers and New Avengers represent the opposite sides of a coin. Cap and Iron Man represent those opposing sides, as well. Much like the separate books, Steve and Tony are complete polar opposites. Steve represents all the good in the Avengers, such as their sense of heroism and overall moral righteousness. Tony, conversely, represents the darker side of that heroism; he wants to do good, of course, but he’s obviously not afraid to get his hands dirty when necessary.

Though Cap and Iron Man are typically portrayed as close friends throughout the story, their brotherhood is in an endless state of tension. They might both be heroes, but their differing views are always seemingly at odds with each other. For example, following the events of Infinity, while the Avengers are having a huge party, Steve and Tony are working on their Avengers Machine. Cap looks at all of their progress and finds hope, while Tony has a more cynical eye for how recent events have been unfolding. This is a storytelling constant with these characters that Hickman utilizes to great effect.

Avengers #44 acts as the breaking point for these two, as well as the whole world. Even as the Earth burns around them, leading into Secret Wars, Steve and Tony want nothing more than to tear each other apart. Like I said, Hickman’s Avengers begins on mountainous high note, and ends on an abyssal low.

At the end of Avengers #3, Hickman writes, in reference to Steve and Tony, “One was life. And one was death.” Much like when Reed Richards tells us that “Everything dies,” the conclusion to Avengers #3 further cements the overall tone Hickman’s epic would adopt, and it was effortlessly carried out from start to finish, thanks largely in part to how these two characters are used to drive the story forward.

Hickman’s (Minimal) Shortcomings

As magnificent as Hickman’s Avengers is, it isn’t without a few faults. I consider these miniscule errors, at best, but they’re still there, so in fairness, I’ll point them.

First and foremost, this is simultaneously a story new readers can and cannot jump into with ease. While you don’t need to read anything else prior to this series to understand what’s going on here, this is still an extremely complex story. If you don’t pay attention, you’re going to get lost. There’s a lot to keep track of, so you have to go into this one with your wits about you.

Also, later on, during the “Time Runs Out” arc, the book loses some of its overall luster and flair, taking maybe little bit too long to pick up steam again. The eight-month time jump isn’t very well explained either, so there are a few things you have to piece together on your own (again, an easy way for readers to get lost). This is also when the story throws some of its most complex aspects at you, like what Doctor Doom has been doing this whole time and what has really been causing the death of the multiverse. The latter half of “Time Runs Out,” however, remains extremely enjoyable.

Issues to Check Out from Hickman’s Avengers

Obviously, I recommend you read the whole of Hickman’s Avengers, but if I were to pick out a few individual issues, these would probably be my favorites. It goes without saying, of course, that you should check out Avengers (2012) #1-3 and New Avengers (2013) #1-3. These introductory arcs act as incredible jumping on points and will instantly leave you wanting more.

Avengers #11 may be one of the most enjoyable issues of Hickman’s run. It features some of the more underrated members of the team going through a casino on an undercover mission to find out what AIM are up to during the early stages of the story. It has everything: crazy spy thrills, hilarious gambling moments, and epic kung fu fights.

New Avengers #32 is an incredible, culminative issue. Having previously learned who is causing the multiversal collapse during “Time Runs Out,” this issue sees a space-faring team of Avengers, including Thor, Hyperion, Starbrand, Nightmask, Ex Nihilo, and Abyss, finally confronting the culprits. I don’t think it’s exactly a spoiler to say they fail, but nevertheless, the climactic final battle in this issue will likely pull a few heartstrings.

Avengers #34 is a must-read. This issue concludes an arc which follows the Avengers through time. Cap finds himself trapped in the far, far future, with only Iron Lad, Kang, and Immortus for company. It’s here that Steve breathlessly defines himself as a person and affirms his mission to take down the Illuminati, whatever it takes, before ultimately finding a way to return to the present day.

Finally, you have to read Infinity in its entirety. That’s Infinity #1-6, Avengers #18-23, and New Avengers #7-12. This is likely one of, if not the best Marvel event of the past 20 years. It has just about everything you could hope for in a colossal Marvel event story. And, despite being so utterly massive, it reads impeccably well.

You can also rest easy knowing that every single issue of Hickman’s Avengers is accompanied by breathtaking artwork. Hickman works alongside a smorgasbord of talented artists throughout his run, such as Jerome Opeña, Jim Cheung, Mike Deodato, Stefano Caselli, Leinil Francis Yu, Dustin Weaver, and Steve Epting. Each of these artists gives their all, and it’s fairly challenging to pick out any singular issues of the overall series that aren’t artistically incredible.

**Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers is a Modern Masterpiece**

I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say Jonathan Hickman is a visionary. He changed the Avengers forever, breaking them down to their very core and reimagining what they were and what they could become. The Avengers were no longer just Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. They were the mightiest heroes of the entire universe. At the same time as Hickman built up the Avengers World, he was also busy breaking down and destroying the multiverse, doing so without the slightest flinch in composure.

Hickman’s Avengers tells a captivating story with an immense scope. The character work is deep and emotional, extending to every single hero and villain in the author’s two Avengers titles. He constantly battles with opposing storytelling styles, constructing his massive tale in a manner that could quite easily dumbfound some readers. But, given time, everything syncs up, and you’ll find yourself falling completely in love with every single page.

It certainly helps that just about every page of Hickman’s Avengers looks drop-dead gorgeous, thanks to the many artists who worked with the writer. But forgoing all of that, the beauty of the story deftly permeates the art on the page.

Hickman took many risks to take the Avengers in a bold new direction, all of which paid off, big time, giving us what may very well be the greatest Avengers story of all time. Call me biased all you like, but I’ll forever stand by the fact that Jonathan Hickman’s run on this title is a modern comic book masterpiece.

Now, will we ever see another Avengers series like Hickman’s? Well, by my account, current Avengers writer Jason Aaron (as of this blog post’s release) has done a masterful job telling an equally epic story that certainly rivals Hickman’s work, though I think there’s still a fairly large gap between the two. Though I guess that’s maybe a topic of discussion for another time.

In any case, if you’ve got the time and drive, I encourage everyone to read Hickman’s Avengers. I promise you won’t regret it.