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Avengers #41 Review: Take Me To The Other Side

By Nick Tylwalk

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Ever since it was revealed that Secret Wars was going to start because of one final Incursion that would smash the Marvel and Ultimate universes together, there’s been a logical question to ask: is anyone on Earth-1610 doing anything about this?

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A big chunk of Avengers #41 is an answer to that question. Jonathan Hickman kept this particular card up his sleeve until it was common knowledge that the Ultimate Universe was going to be a big part of the conclusion to this arc, playing it only now. Even if “Time Runs Out” isn’t your particular cup of tea, you have to marvel at the logistical hoops that Hickman and his artists have had to jump through to tell a compelling story here.

The problem with this particular puzzle piece, as interesting and logical as it is, comes from the fact that even using both this series and New Avengers to weave the overall tapestry, it’s still not quite enough. As evidence, I present the fact that there are no actual Avengers in this issue, despite the fact that the team is currently split into three different units, one of which (the team that Thor and Hyperion led into the great white beyond) hasn’t been heard from in months.

Also, while many comics tout the fact that they are great jumping-on points for new readers, this one is the exact opposite. There’s absolutely no way anyone who hasn’t been along for the entire ride will be able to make heads or tails of this issue. Even Black Panther’s ruthless though justified double-crossing of Namor just last month isn’t made entirely clear in and of itself. And that’s a pretty important plot point.

The bottom line is this: if you’ve been enjoying “Time Runs Out,” Avengers #41 propels the story forward, showing us how other forces have figured out what’s going on with the final Incursion. We learn more about the final fate of the Cabal, and you can see Hickman’s hand moving even more pieces around a huge board — aided by the returning Mike Deodato, who draws a gorgeous Miles Morales, even if he’s only in one panel.

Everyone else is going to be confused as heck. That’s just the way it goes.

(Also, any review that can incorporate an old Aerosmith reference is a fun one.)

SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT!

Six months ago (so … like three months ahead of the current time?), on Earth-1610, Nick Fury has asked for a meeting with Reed Richards. That world’s erstwhile Mr. Fantastic doesn’t know why he’s there, but Fury has a simple request: any doomsday scenario he can think of needs to have a contingency plan. Think of the scene from Captain America: The Winter Soldier where Fury reveals all the Helicarriers, but on a super dose of steroids.

Fast-forward and we see Ultimate Reed talking to his City, who informs him that less than two dozen universes left in the multiverse. We also learn that Richards has disposed of 67 alternate Earths himself. Hardly surprising, given that he turned evil on this world for a bit.

In the regular Marvel Universe, the Shi’ar learn about the Incursions, and Gladiator is promptly informed. In turn, he summons some of the galactic leaders who joined forces during Infinity and announces that even though they’re all indebted to the humans, and the Avengers in particular, they have to destroy the Earth. I guess the Shi’ar scientists decided that was the only way to avoid universal destruction?

Ultimate Reed prepares for an Incursion on his Earth. Meanwhile, we see Namor’s last confrontation with Black Panther and Black Bolt again, learning that the Cabal saw him fall from the platform. Ever the quick thinker, Namor tells Thanos that he flew to investigate the platform sent by the Avengers (though withholding that information, of course) but that its force field repelled him. Thanos recognizes the trap set by Earth’s heroes, but there doesn’t seem like enough tim to escape … except that Black Swan realizes a second Incursion is occurring on that same planet. In essence, three alternate worlds are overlapping.

The villains barely make it to that new Earth before the antimatter bombs go off, and wouldn’t you know it, Ultimate Reed is there to greet them.

Favorite moment: As the Cabal is flying to the second Incursion point, Namor gets a force bubble of his very own. As he screams in silent rage, we get Black Panther’s explanation to Black Bolt about why he hesitated before setting off the bomb, as he wanted Namor to know who beat him. Powerful in two ways, as T’challa’s desire for that kind of revenge torpedoed the whole plan, even if he doesn’t know it yet.

Final thought: All along, I’ve been thinking about what a bummer it’s going to be for the citizens of the Marvel Universe on the post-catastrophe Battleworld. But given the way things are going for the Earth in “Time Runs Out,” that might seem like a paradise in comparison.

Next: Previously, in Avengers ... our Avengers #40 review

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