REVIEW: ‘Savage Avengers,’ Issue #10

Savage Avengers #10 is published by Marvel Comics, written by David Pepose, art by Carlos Magno, colors by Espen Grundetjern, and letters by Travis Lanham. This is the last issue of the series. The Avengers have been restored, but are still stuck in the year 2099, with Ultron and his Deathlok army standing in their way and threatening to cause massive damage to the timestream.

It would not do for this series to go out with anything other than a chaotic finale. It’s an open warfare battle brimming with action and drama. There is nothing else to lose, so everything is thrown at Ultron. This second arc of the series has all of its largest recurring characters return to the war, with new inclusions even at the late stage of the game. Pepose is determined not to leave a story arc left unanswered. Whilst it bears similarities in structure to the final issue of the last arc, it is a story of its own. The action is glorious, always elevating. Even after ten issues, the book finds new combinations. Savage Avengers #10 isn’t just this hardcore comic, it is a book filled with heart as well. Some of the joyous moments have been building in Marvel Comics for decades, actually progressing a storyline that had gone stale. There is a really satisfying feeling to the last pages.

The characters in this book have been a brilliant cast—selection of characters that may have been forgotten about, wearing names that weren’t originally theirs. Many are former criminals and murderers, all now given a group among people like themselves. In his letter at the back of the book, Pepose calls them a “found family of loners, killers, and berserkers.”

In this issue, and in the 9 before it, they had been adapted into Avengers, and that means putting your life on the line to save everyone. They’re fighting perhaps the most frightening and powerful Avengers villain of them all, Ultron. He himself is a bit of an outcast, with a monologue that verges on emotional from him. There is also the Deathlok of it all, the ultimate tale of sacrifice who very quickly became the heart and soul of this series. The respect Pepose has for the character is amazing, cementing the young hero as one of the greatest Marvel has to offer. It has been beautifully written with so much poetic grandiosity.

The art is also fantastic. Magno’s ability to draw an almost constant battle has been impressive whilst maintaining a high level of excitement. It’s impossible to get tired of these fights, with so much variety in those involved. From the athleticism of Daredevil to the sheer size and brutality of Weapon H, to the contrasting powers of Cloak and Dagger. Then there is the 2099 technology and the disturbing mechanics of this world that make it a brilliant hodge-podge of designs. There has been a perfect balance of chaos and cohesion.

The colors in 2099 have a permanent intensity. There is almost always a bright red or yellow behind the action, casting light over the gloomy colors in the foreground. The different shades are used in the background to denote energy and just liven the page up vary but are always stunning. The lettering is great, although the color choice for the caption boxes has often led to some reading difficulty.

Savage Avengers #10 ends the series with the epicness it deserves. It has been a wild ride throughout the series, and this issue keeps up that extreme momentum right to the end. It’s an Avengers adventure of the highest quality, with countless amazing moments. This selection of heroes that may have been forgotten has the fate of multiple worlds at stake. It is left unclear as to the fate of the group by the end of the issue, but it would be a shame if this was the last they are seen. Marvel needs its most heavy metal team.

Savage Avengers #10 is available where comics are sold.