Champions #7 Review: Cyclops Takes Over As The Freelancers Attack
By Alex Widen
After being framed for a crime they didn’t commit, the Champions take on the Freelancers. But can Cyclops take over for Ms. Marvel?
Champions #7
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Humberto Ramos
Inker: Victor Olazaba
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
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Ever since they first rebelled against the Avengers, the Champions have sought to be something different. They’re “not here to play cops and robbers,” they’re agents of social change. Yet now they find themselves on the receiving end of social media. The team stands accused of assaulting two homeless men, and the court of public opinion has already convicted them. The tension of losing it all gets into Ms. Marvel’s head. It soon falls to Cyclops to hold the team together!
Image by Marvel Comics
As quickly as the Internet fell in love with the Champions, they’re now turning on them. The police hold the team for questioning for an assault. Viv’s father, the Vision, tries to use his experience to aid them, but Viv and her friends prefer to solve the crisis on their own. The source of their trouble appears obvious—the Freelancers, their recent corporate sponsored rivals! With the Freelancers once again acting against the under class, it’s up to Cyclops to lead the Champions into battle!
Image by Marvel Comics
As a Result of Kamala’s Angst, Can Cyclops Lead the Way?
The Freelancers are in Minneapolis blowing up the homes of people who are being foreclosed on. Their mission is to clear the neighborhood for a new series of luxury towers. They’re tended to by their lawyer Lewis Black, who seems to share some of the team’s sadistic pleasures. He mentions enjoying hearing Cursed Cass squeal during her explosions or seeing Panic scare people witless. Might is irritated by his calls, and the rest of her team continue to get off on picking on the poor.
Image by Marvel Comics
The Champions arrive for their third round against the Freelancers. This time it isn’t just to protect the poor or the environment, it’s personal. As such, emotions fly high among the team. Yet the most affected of all of them is Ms. Marvel herself. As the spiritual leader of the team, she tends to be the one who acts as their heart and direction. Her already frayed nerves are put to the test by Panic, who is soon on the receiving end of Kamala’s worst fears. Never get an elastic girl mad!
Image by Marvel Comics
Without drawing attention to himself or calling anyone out, Cyclops quietly takes control of the mission. Scott is the one asking Kamala to focus on the police interrogation. When they leap into the fray, he’s the one giving battlefield commands. And when they manage to get the upper hand on the Freelancers, Cyclops is the one who irons out a deal with them. In exchange for agreeing to not interfere with their jobs, Might will cancel their latest contract and admit to their crimes on TV.
Image by Marvel Comics
Of Corporate Villains and Lack of Leadership!
Yet once again, the Freelancers seem to gain the upper hand in another way. The Champions may have their ideals and superior fighting skills, but the Freelancers have corporate trickery on their side. They’ve incorporated the Champions’ name and symbol for the luxury towers they were hired to clear a path for. While Ms. Marvel and her friends may have won the battle, they’re in danger of losing the war. The world as the Champions see it, and the world that is, are two different things.
Image by Marvel Comics
This continues to be Mark Waid’s best work at Marvel at the moment. His run on Black Widow with Chris Samnee just ended, and his run on Avengers continues to be lost in the weeds. Champions combines his current ease with writing teenagers from Archie with his zeal for the Marvel Universe. The cast is full of vibrancy and Waid has a clear message for their adventures. It isn’t a routine spandex union, but a group of heroes of a new generation trying something fresh.
Image by Marvel Comics
One of those things is a lack of a clear leadership structure. Most superhero teams these days have a clear leader and co-leader, and by issue seven they’re dealing with a traitor already. The Champions addressed this gap, but, so far, deal in a more egalitarian way. Ms. Marvel may be the heart and soul of the team, as it was her idea to found it. Viv Vision is usually the one who directs the missions. Yet even this version of Cyclops is the one with the most tactical experience.
Image by Marvel Comics
Everyone Knows Their Role, Whether Hero, Villain, or Artist!
While the arrogant Amadeus Cho and the overeager Nova have often bickered about their roles, true leadership comes from within. Cyclops and Kamala have had an interesting rapport since he joined the team. He avoids stepping on her toes or pressing for such a role on this team as he had with the teenage X-Men of the past. Yet when the need arises, he fills that role without any drama. Being a mutant, the idea of being hated and feared by the public was just a typical day.
Image by Marvel Comics
The Freelancers continue to be very on-the-nose villains. This time around we see their lawyer, Lewis Brewer, who is almost as much of a sociopath as they are. They may be ethnically and gender diverse, but they’re about as subtle as Hydra. Once again, we hear about how they “punch down” and their relish at terrorizing the poor is as over-the-top as ever. Yet their saving grace is being efficient at utilizing their positions of power to stymie the Champions off the battlefield.
Image by Marvel Comics
Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, and Edgar Delgado once again unite on art. It is worth a mention that Ramos has now penciled seven issues of this series without a backup or any noticeable lateness. This is a considerable feat in today’s day and age. He excels at action sequences and inhuman characters, so bits with Hulk or Ms. Marvel’s elasticity always shine. Cyclops is in a new costume concerning the latest X-Men relaunch, but it isn’t distracting.
Image by Marvel Comics
Image by Marvel Comics
Next: See how the Freelancers returned yet again in issue #6!
The Champions Are Definitely Woke!
Few books seem to embody the current youth landscape like this one. From wanting to avoid Viv’s creepy dad to waging socially aware battles, Champions seems to have its finger on the pulse of many readers. The addition of reoccurring enemies has added an even bigger spark to what was already a raging inferno of a series. There are some plot holes—like how Cursed Cass’ vest and explosives seem to regenerate—but, overall, it remains one of the top Marvel comics out right now.