Avengers Vs. Thunderbolts #6

Marvel Comics
Avengers Vs. Thunderbolts #6
By Loretta Ramirez
August 21, 2004 - 09:26

Writer(s): Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza
Penciller(s): Tom Grummett
Inker(s): Gary Erskine
Cover Artist(s): Barry Kitson

AVENGERS VS. THUNDERBOLTS #6

With the upcoming revival of their own ongoing series in November, the Thunderbolts wrap-up their miniseries in AVENGERS VS. THUNDERBOLTS #6 by Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza, and Tom Grummett. Characters are shuffled into surprising situations, and a sumptuous story begins to simmer by issue’s end. Yet, although great excitement builds for the ongoing, this issue—as the conclusion to a self-contained story-arc—suffers substantially.

Focus prematurely switches away from the miniseries, in favor of setting-up the ongoing. The result is mixed: a diluted conclusion, but a promising beginning. Still, the issue does captivate throughout. And, there are great character moments—Hawkeye’s passionate vote of confidence for the Thunderbolts and Songbird’s surprising rejection of a long-desired proposal. But the best characterization arrives unexpectedly from the first Baron Zemo back in 1489, as the deranged cruelty that courses through the Zemo bloodline first surfaces.

The art is also to be commended for its traditional, high-superhero style—very crisp and vibrant. And even with such a large cast and all the activity that occurs, there’s very little confusion. The only place where this slips is, unfortunately, a crucial panel. Moonstone finally declares her love for Hawkeye in her characteristic cryptic manner; sadly, the art is similarly cryptic, as, upon further inspection, it’s unclear whether Moonstone addresses Hawkeye or Zemo.