Avengers Mech Strike #1 out this week from Marvel Comics introduces a new threat to the team. One they are unable to defeat through teamwork and instead have to break out some new tools to handle effectively. This titanic battle arrives thanks to Jed Mackay (writer), Carlos Magnos (artist), Guru-eFX (color), and VC’s Cory Petit (lettering).
Summary
The Avengers are confronted with an unstoppable new menace, one that is seemingly impervious to their every strength! But the Avengers aren’t so easily beaten, and when new threats arise, powerful new tools must be brought to bear!
Writing
Question of the day: Why do the Avengers need Giant Robots? This first issue set out to answer this exact question. The issue mainly focuses on the battle against the Biomechanoid (the new giant threat) and the destruction it causes. The latest threat to the safety of the Marvel Universe gets bigger with everything it eats and is able to siphon energy as well to become any more powerful. The origin of where it came from and who is pulling the strings for this new threat is not even hinting at, helping to pull in the reader to the mystery surrounding this new storyline.
By showing how the entire team struggles to defeat their opponent Jed Mackay does an impressive job laying out the need for the Avengers to get an upgrade. All while Spider-Man makes sure to throw out some very grin-inducing oneliners. Now if there only could be some kind of meta-joke where Spider-Man references the robot he had in the Japanese Live Action series.
Artwork
The artwork by Carlos Magnos allows for incredible scale at the same time not skipping on the details. The Biomechanoid is shown to not merely be a slick, smooth forgettable robot but more like if someone turned a monster from Lovecraftian horror into a cyborg. The fine attention to detail of the monster helps to make it more memorable and terrifying all at the same time.
With the coloring by Guru-eFX, there is an engaging juxtaposition from frame to frame. Everything around the Biomechanoid is bathed in reds, oranges, and blacks emphasizing the destruction taking place. Meanwhile, special attention is paid to the Avengers as they enter the battle, bring a sense of hope and inspiration.
The lettering by VC’s Cory Petit is a bit of a mixed bag. The letter is used in several frames to direct a sense of flow to how the action is supposed to play out. At the same time, a few roars and loud noises fonts can be distracting and not blend as well with the rest of the issue.
Conclusion
Avengers Mech Strike #1 helps to introduce a new creature with an unknown origin which proves to be a threat the Avengers may not survive. Above all, though the issue is just a lot of fun. Even if this series doesn’t turn out to be the new status quo for the team and is just a story where the Avengers get giant robots is it such a crime? Sometimes you have to just have to be entertained with the comics you read and nothing more.
