Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Jen Van Meter
Art by Barry Kitson; ‘Magyar;’ ‘Leisten;’ Geraci;’ ‘Kitson;’ Nolan Woodard; & VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Jorge Molina
SUMMARY:
Published by Marvel Comics for November 2013, this untitled issue reveals the aftermath of Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers), Hawkeye, and other Avengers evidently perishing in a deep-space battle vs. the Builders. Surviving Avengers Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew); Black Widow; Shang-Chi; Falcon; Manifold; and Captain America are among those present when the Builders attack their Behemoth Ringworld refuge. Adamantly refusing to believe that her best friend, Carol, is gone, Spider-Woman volunteers for a potential rescue mission when Captain America splits the Avengers into two separate missions.
Black Widow, Manifold, Shang-Chi, and Spider-Woman infiltrate a Builder vessel searching for a rumored human captive. Later regrouping their decimated space fleet, the Avengers face an uncertain next move.
REVIEW:
Co-writers Kelly Sue DeConnick and Jen Van Meter contribute a solidly entertaining tale, including their well-played opening scene with Spider-Woman. Jessica Drew’s insightful narrative is a fun bonus. Impressively, the art team contributes top-notch visuals throughout this issue (including a terrific cover image).
Yet, there is a trio of color glitches across the bottom third of Page 12. Specifically, a red ink bleed from Spider-Woman’s face mask covers her entire lower face in one panel. The next panel has a partial red splotch bleed on Captain America’s facial close-up. For the third consecutive panel, a final red splotch bleed is partially seen on Spider-Woman’s lower face, as the page finishes. The ink bleeds don’t necessarily ruin this page, but they are still eye-catching.
Yet, what really gels this issue together is Spider-Woman’s chemistry in various scenes with Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and a young alien child that she tries to comfort with plush stuffed animals. These entertaining sequences highlight Jessica Drew, as someone that readers can easily anchor to amidst the Star Wars-like chaos. As such, Avengers Assemble # 19 proves itself an enjoyably satisfying read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The first page offers a cast roster and a storyline summary-to-date. The single-page “Assembly” news-and-correspondence column includes a thumbnail cover reveal for the next issue. It also provides a checklist of upcoming Avengers-related issues. Another full page is dedicated to promoting five Infinity saga tie-in issues.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
