REVIEW: ’Avengers Of The Wastelands,’ Issue #5

Avengers of the Wastelands #5 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Ed Brisson, art by Jonas Scharf, colors by Neeraj Menon, and letters by Corey Petit. Having crossed the wastelands, a new team of Avengers has arrived to confront Doom and topple his dictatorship. But can this new team defeat one of the most diabolical villains the Earth has ever known?

Dr. Doom is a benchmark of Marvel supervillains, and this is certainly well earned. Throughout his decades of battle, he has challenged every major hero group, mastered both science and magic, and shown his prowess as a political demagogue. It is perhaps this last element of Doom’s character that is often the most overlooked and certainly the one that hits the hardest today.

When our heroes arrive in Doom’s capital he is just beginning a speech to the citizenry. He tells them about how the Avengers have brought death across their country. How they have slain innocents and destroyed lives. And of course, he reveals their grand leader himself is the only one who can protect them.

Given the current state of the world, this direct manipulation of truth and the attempt to deceive the masses makes Avengers Of The Wastelands #5 a bit harder hitting than it otherwise would be. The people are scared, frightened and just want to live. And, even though Doom has not been good to them, what can they do? They need hope. Luckily for them, they live in a world with the Avengers. Brisson does a great job writing this new, untested team of heroes too. Some have made mistakes in the past. Others stand in the shadows and bear the symbols of the greatest champions their world has ever known. And all of them are untested, unready, and are at least a little scared.

But it is during times of fear that standing is most important, and it is these times that make scared individuals into heroes. Brisson’s work to capture these complex emotions within this team is well handled. The heroes come to very different conclusions as they all come from different points of view. But, in the end, they know what they have to do, and, like Avengers, they will give it their all.

Scharf’s artwork for Avengers Of The Wastelands #5 further pushes the drama of the story. Doom’s army of Doombots feels countless. Doom himself, is elevated above all, bathed in light as the heroes struggle before him. The art design pushes Doom’s megalomania to the forefront of every panel he occupies. Until his very last line of dialogue, Doom’s only concern is himself, his image, and the legacy he will leave behind. He sees himself as the greatest supervillain there ever was no matter what the truth is. The art’s pursuit of this epic confrontation is further aided by Menon’s colors. The bright colors highlight every explosion and contrast from the many heavy shadows, giving the images a feeling of desperation and struggle. The final touch to Avengers of the Wastelands Issue #5 is Petit’s lettering. The dialogue is well placed, and slight text alterations like bolding of words are used just enough to emphasize the dialogue where needed.

All in all, Avengers Of The Wastelands #5 creates a confrontation worthy of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. In its ending, it strives to remind the reader that strength and valor are crucial for a hero but, just as equally important, so is empathy and compassion.

Avengers Of The Wastelands #5 is available June 3rd wherever comics are sold.