PopCultHQ

PopCultHQ received an advanced review copy of AVENGERS: NO ROAD HOME #10 (of 10) from Marvel Comics. Available April 17th, 2019, the creative team for this issue features writing from Al Ewing, Mark Waid and Jim Zub, art from Sean Izaakse, colors from Marcio Menyz and Erick Arciniega, and lettering from VC’s Joe Sabino.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review of…

Avengers: No Road Home (2019) #10 (of 10)

Written by Al Ewing, Mark Waid, Jim Zub
Art by Sean Izaakse
Colors by Marcio Menyz, Erick Arciniega
Letters by Joe Sabino

Main Cover by Yasmine Putri

LEGACY #718
In Shops: Apr 17, 2019
SRP: $4.99

THE ALL-NEW WEEKLY AVENGERS FINALE!

The extra-sized finale! Can anything stop Nyx from remaking the cosmos in her image? And will an Avenger die in the attempt?

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
AVENGERS: NO ROAD HOME #10 (of 10)

The Vision takes on Nyx with everything in the balance. Will darkness reign? Or will hope prevail?

Writing:

Teaming three writers who are renowned for their deep-seeded comic book knowledge and who regularly turn out outstanding books is a brainwave. One publishers should have more often. Although this isn’t on the scale of DC’s 52 or Countdown, it still executes a weekly book with “not-the-main-roster” characters in a high grade of quality.

With fewer cooks (than 52) to risk spoiling the broth, what Waid, Zub, and Ewing achieve bears the hallmarks of the team’s more heartfelt individual work. With group dynamic and an aversion towards darker storytelling included. (Appropriate considering villain Nyx is a creature of darkness)

It’s a story with clean writing. Straight lines, simple dialogue, and a straightforward conclusion. No, it’s not the most cerebral read, but not everything has to be.

The issue’s ultimate message of hope is dented a little by coming across some as “on the nose” but even this doesn’t undo the good writing and great synergy the three have with each other.

Don’t expect any REAL action in this issue, just know that you’ll get your fill of that AND some good character work. But the real crux of Avengers: No Road Home #10 is to wrap up a solid ten-issue journey.

Art:

Sean Izaakse is a great choice to bring this issue home. An artist who clearly shares the affection for Marvel history as the writers, Izaakse takes the reader on a visual parade of moments through Marvel history. This ranges from the fan-favorite to the unexpected. (Props for using the Greg Capullo Cannonball design)

This issue is weighted a lot towards the visuals and Izaakse really takes the opportunity to show us what he’s made of. Not just with character designs but also with layouts, page design, big scale imagery, as well as shining in quieter character parts.

Given the eclectic gathering of characters, this is really a great display of the artist’s range that should hold him in good stead when he stakes a claim for ongoing work. He really deserves his shot.

Colors:

Marcio Menys (Luke Cage, Champions) and Erick Arciniega (Avengers, Goddess, inc.) infuse what is essentially a tale of second stringers with a whole lot of A-grade Marvel energy. This is a colorful book, not in the least because the character designs definitely call for it, but also because the theme of the issue really relies on it.

Unifying the look of a weekly publication with consistent coloring is also something that everyone from the creative team should be applauded for and Menys and Arceniega really drive this home in grand fashion. It’s an effort that, low key, calls to mind the cosmic coloring efforts on The Infinity Gauntlet and Infinity Wars. Two books that were just as instrumental to my childhood enjoyment of the medium as they are to Marvel’s strength and visibility in the current day market. To transport a reader back to such a fond time through colorwork alone is a monumental achievement.

Letters:

Virtual Calligraphy’s Joe Sabino has another strong showing for Marvel here. In a month that featured such stellar lettering on War of the Realms amongst other works, this man really had no business contributing such high caliber letter work. But he does anyway. Close attention should really be paid to how Sabino homages styles from the past in what becomes a celebration of what Marvel is all about from cover to cover. Either lettering this good is easy, or Joe Sabino is that good he makes it look easy.

Sometimes it’s just nice to read something finite. Semi-self-contained. A book that comes out on time, shows you something entertaining and true to its roots. Something that doesn’t have earth-shattering consequences for the sake of it and puts the pieces mostly back where they were. Avengers: No Road Home is refreshing in its simplicity and is written by people who have a real affection for superhero comics. Sometimes that’s all you want from a comic book.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

AVENGERS: NO ROAD HOME #10 (of 10) can be purchased
on ComiXology and available at your local comic shop
and online retailers Wednesday, April 17th!