REVIEW: ‘Avengers: Armageddon’ Issue 5

Avengers: Armageddon Issue 5 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Chip Zdarsky, art by Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar and Ario Anindito, colors by Jesus Aburtov and letters by Cory Petit.

This is the final part of the event. In the aftermath of a devastating explosion, the Avengers and the world may be irreparably damaged.  Avengers: Armageddon Issue 5 isn’t a victorious celebration. Instead, it is a shattered selection of heroes who have been devastated by tragedy. Colton’s war of escalation led to nuclear attacks, and the Red Hulk was transformed into a bomb that exploded and killed hundreds of people.

Within Avengers: Armageddon Issue 5, the consequences are only beginning to be revealed. The whole world order and reactions have changed, and those with superpowers are hated and feared across the globe. Zdarsky does a superb job of covering so many avenues and the politics fused with superhero ramifications.

Avengers: Armageddon Issue 5 is a slow book; it’s happy to wallow in the glum, traumatized atmosphere left behind. The pieces are still being picked up, and allegiances are shifting. And at the very heart of the comic is the dissipation of the Avengers team. It’s the end of an exhaustive, enormous event, but only the start of a new era.

The characters are brilliantly written, especially as many of them are at their lowest and reeling. Spider-Man has been seen as the person who questions everything, taken way out of his depth by Iron Man and the others. But using his friendly neighborhood approach, it is a conversation between him and a family member or a victim that brings the giant scale down and makes Avengers: Armageddon Issue 5 more personable.

Captain Marvel has had her powers immensely depleted, shattering her invincible confidence. Bucky is dead. Iron Man is terrified of the future. Colton has been transformed entirely. His own confidence in his power, with a desire to rid the planet of all weapons, has dissipated after the explosion.

But his encounter with the origin box also transformed him into Miracleman, a version of the iconic character who bounced across publication companies and was made most famous by Alan Moore. It will be fascinating to see how his personality and role in the Marvel Universe evolve from here.

And there’s also een a reintroduction of mistrust and resentment towards anyone with powers. Not just mutants, but primarily the Avengers. Their lack of accountability leads to the reintroduction of Marvel’s premier and elusive spy organization. Avengers: Armageddon Issue 5 has a lot within it, but each of the conversations is heaped with emotion and meaning.

The art is gorgeous as the full art team returns for the event. They all superbly show heroes who are changed and subdued. Peter Parker, Tony Stark and Wolverine are all haunted by what they’ve witnessed. It’s very daunting to see such powerful members of the team brought so low.

Carol’s long, glorious hair was incinerated in the blast, so she now sports a buzz cut. She’s distraught and broken, even allowing herself to cry for a brief moment. Colton has been placed in a phenomenal redesign of the classic Miracleman costume. He may still radiate power, but there is a lot of pain within him.

It’s also an intriguing point that many of these characters appear out of costume. It helps remind us that they are human, tapping into their humanity. There is a constant reminder of the superheroes that reside in New York and elsewhere too.

Whether it’s Iron Man suiting up, Human Torch flaming on, or Spider-Man in his spandex, the prevalence of superpowers is actually a cause for concern in Avengers: Armageddon Issue 5. Instead, the figures that slink around in the shadows are the most important. Eyepatches, trench coats, and suits become the most powerful and ominous costumes.

The colors are also sensational, balanced between casual clothing and superhero intensity. Those in regular clothing wear a variety of muted but beautiful shades, while the costumes are much more vibrant. This symbolizes the hope superheroes should create, not the fear and mistrust that has been crafted. The lettering is very clear and easy to read.

Avengers: Armageddon Issue 5 sees the end of an Age of Heroes. The heroes have acted with impunity for a long time, with unfathomable powers. But Colton showed just how far the limits can go before the levy breaks. And after the dust settles, it leaves wounds that may never be recovered from.

Zdarsky writes a heavy, sedate conclusion to an energetic event that has never known when to stop in this political superpower struggle. Well, it’s stopped now, leaving many to slink away and lick their wounds. The Avengers that come out of the rubble won’t be the same as those that charged into battle.

Avengers: Armageddon Issue 5 is available where comics are sold.