REVIEW: ‘Savage Avengers,’ Issue #6

Savage Avengers #6 is published by Marvel Comics, written by David Pepose, with art by Carlos Magno, colors by Espen Grundetjern, and letters by Travis Lanham. Escaping from the Hyborian Age and landing in 2099, the Savage Avengers are now being hunted by a new predator: Punisher 2099. 

Between the issues, Pepose has transported the comic into a new world and a new set of circumstances. The change could not be more different, replacing magic and monsters with robots and lasers. But what hasn’t been cast to the side is the unrelenting energy that this book carries. It is an almost constant battle rife with carnage, with ridiculous concepts that work due to that practice being the remit for the series. The events of the last issue are quickly hurried away as there isn’t time to dwell on the past. The story addresses the 2099 world in an alternative way to other forays into the timezone, accessing the parts that fit best with the premise of the team. It is heavily robot orientated. The battle at the end demonstrates the unpredictable brilliance of Pepose’s script, leaning on some fantastic callbacks, and the final page is another jaw-dropping reveal.

The character development in this series has been deceptively excellent. It is much lighter in Savage Avengers #6, understandable due to how much story has to be packed in. Yet the writer can portray personalities with very little direct dialogue. Black Knight shows glimpses of his scientific understanding, more than I have seen in other comics that just focus on the Ebony Blade or the Arthurian magic. Then there is the most powerful presence of the issue; the Punisher. It is unnecessary to read the miniseries in which he first appears to understand his backstory, as Pepose effectively sums it up early in this issue. It is odd not having Conan in this cacophony of noise, a reminder of the end of an era that the previous chapter brought. 

The art brilliantly adapts to the new surroundings while maintaining similarities. This is a vastly advanced age regarding machinery, holograms, and other technology. But Magno’s construction of the buildings means that they could be considered to resemble the castles of the Hyborian Age, just much taller. Nueva York is ominous and shadowy, fitting the character that represents it. Magno keeps the design of this futuristic Punisher instead of updating it, allowing the 90s look to remain alive. His weaponry and vehicles seem to influence Judge Dredd or Cable to them, huge and exaggerated. The other characters in the story look superb too. The carnage of the fight scenes is fantastic. The first is a chase scene, and the sensation of speed intensifies the pace of the story instantly. But the battle at the end of the comic is more stationary but still filled with ridiculous action. 

The colors are kept to a similar palette to the rest of the series, even after being plunged into 2099. The city itself is a grey landscape bathed with orange and green lights. These tones aren’t intense, but they illuminate the page with unnatural light. It creates an oppressive, dangerous tone to the comic that doesn’t ease up. Some of the lettering has been altered to fit a futuristic setting but is still easy to read.

Savage Avengers #6 is another journey into chaos from Marvel’s most hardcore team. What I adore about this book is that it completely accepts how mad it is, from the characters to the set pieces to the whole plot. Pepose understands just how many beautifully ludicrous characters have existed in this comics universe and beyond and is using them at the utmost best. The art is glorious as it connects references to past stories inside this futuristic world, as the team seemingly destroys everything around them.

Savage Avengers #6 is available now wherever comics are sold.