Written by John Byrne; Roy Thomas; & Dann Thomas.
Art by John Byrne; Paul Ryan; Mike Machlan; Keith Williams; Danny Bulanadi; Bob Sharen; & Bill Oakley.
Collection Cover Art by John Byrne; Chris Sotomayor; & Jerron Quality Color.
SUMMARY:
In 2008, Marvel Comics released this 232-page collection reprinting 1989-90’s Avengers West Coast # 51-57 and # 60-62. As of Issue # 51, the Avengers West Coast (AWC) roster consists of: Dr. Hank Pym; Wanda Maximoff’s Scarlet Witch; the Wasp; the Vision; an estranged Hawkeye; Wonder Man; U.S. Agent; and a newly revived Golden Age Human Torch. The team’s temporary guest is the widow of the Torch’s former partner, Toro. Presently concealing his identity is Tony Stark’s Iron Man, who has rejoined the team.
After demonic beings invade their Southern California compound, the AWC pursues Master Pandemonium to his limbo-like realm to rescue the Scarlet Witch and Vision’s twin infants: William and Thomas. Through sorceress Agatha Harkness, the horrifying truth of the boys’ existence is revealed. To help Scarlet Witch emotionally recuperate, Wonder Man makes an offer that the Vision adamantly refuses. The Vision subsequently leaves the team to return to its East Coast division.
In an “Acts of Vengeance” tie-in, Magneto and Loki guest star, as the U-Foes attack an unsuspecting AWC. “Acts of Vengeance” continue as the Mole Man’s above-ground threat brings in Iron Man, U.S. Agent, and Wonder Man. Magneto attempts to recruit his near-comatose daughter, Scarlet Witch, to his cause. Guest stars include Captain America, Thor, Falcon, Mockingbird, and a host of villains. Wonder Man and U.S. Agent’s investigation in outer space ends with Wonder Man’s ominous disappearance. It is also referenced that Wanda has been recently rescued from being a mesmerized Bride of Set.
Now corrupted, Scarlet Witch cruelly holds Wonder Man, the Wasp, U.S. Agent, and Agatha Harkness as captives. With Immortus manipulating her descent into madness, the team needs her estranged brother, Quicksilver, and Lockjaw’s help.
As the team struggles to overcome the evil consuming Scarlet Witch, Perpetually imperiled, Avengers Compound is threatened with an eviction notice. Captain America and Sersi make guest appearances, as two wartime Invaders are finally reunited.
Desperation time sinks in, as the overwhelmed AWC faces off vs. Immortus and his intended bride. Among those in the evil Legion of the Unliving facing the team are: the Grim Reaper, Iron Man 2020, the second Black Knight, Left-Winger & Right-Winger, Swordsman, and Toro. It ultimately comes down to the Scarlet Witch’s chaotic nature to cast the team’s fate against Immortus.
REVIEW:
For the most part, writer-artist John Byrne’s storylines are as entertaining as his reliable visuals. What does not age well is an abundance of cheesy and even cringe-worthy 80’s dialogue. If anything, the best legacy of Darker Than Scarlet … is how nearly fifteen years later writer Brian Michael Bendis smartly taps its main plot device to set up Wanda Maximoff’s relapse into madness come Avengers # 500-503 (plus Avengers: Finale) – aka the “Avengers Disassembled” arc.
For that reason alone, this trade paperback is a fun nostalgia trip revisiting an Avengers West Coast franchise nearing the end of its prime.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
In a full-page format, the original cover precedes each issue. The last page is John Byrne rendering himself in comic strip form. The Byrne strip pertains to his single-page ‘confession’ of a Tigra goof in Avengers annuals that year.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
