Avengers #673 review: Weird science with the High Evolutionary

The Avengers and the Champions have united to save the Earth! Yet are they just samples in the experiment of High Evolutionary!

Avengers #673

Writer: Mark Waid

Artists: Javier Pina & Paco Diaz

Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Cover: Alex Ross

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We are now midway through a six issue arc. That means it’s time for something to happen! To this end, this crossover between Mark Waid’s Champions and Avengers series starts to progress. After two issues of build up, the High Evolutionary makes his first appearance, and it is quite dramatic. The two teams are divided further when the Falcon and Viv Vision get transported to Counter-Earth. Before they can even get their bearings, they’re being chased by animal-men riding on dinosaurs!

Image by Marvel Comics

These are the “New-Men,” the pride and joy of the High Evolutionary. While their weapons appear primitive, they’re powerful enough to take down both heroes. As a result, both Falcon and Viv appear to be the latest subjects in the experiments of High Evolutionary. Yet that’s not the only thing that he’s after! His latest scheme will result in nothing less than the complete destruction of the Earth and his ultimate rise to power! Who knew a villain dressed in mostly pink could be so cruel?

Image by Marvel Comics

Behold More Panels of Heroes Talking!

Back on Earth, the Avengers and Champions are questioning the Minotaur who seems like the source of the recent chaos. While all of their emotions are high with the loss of their teammates, the Vision is the one coming the most unglued. He may treat his daughter sternly, yet it is beyond obvious that he still cares. After all, Vision did lose his wife and son not long ago. It’s all that Wasp and Spider-Man can do to contain him! The Minotaur does what most goons do, and provide exposition.

Image by Marvel Comics

The High Evolutionary is revealed as the ultimate source of the comet and the vibrations. It seems like Counter-Earth exists at a different vibration and frequency to Earth, which is why it cannot be seen. Yet now their dimensions are coming closer towards unifying, with members of each world swapping out every 20 minutes at random. This explains how Hercules lost his mace, and how an entire horde of New-Men suddenly surround the heroes only a few minutes later!

Image by Marvel Comics

As a result of the dimensional swaps, the High Evolutionary has new subjects back on Counter-Earth. The New-Men see him as a god with varying degrees of zealousness. The High Evolutionary plays the role of an arrogant mad scientist well, as he prepares to “evolve” both the Falcon and Viv into what he considers higher forms. While the Falcon is defiant and eager to escape, Viv seeks to at least hear out the rest of the High Evolutionary’s scheme. Yet neither are prepared for what comes.

Image by Marvel Comics

Yet Another Emotionless Robot with Lots of Emotions!

Back on Earth, Ms. Marvel and Cyclops convince the rest of the heroes not to attack the sudden New-Men. They estimate that they’re mere bystanders and have no ill will towards them. Aside for one grunt, they’re right. Unfortunately, the rest of the New-Men beaming into random locations on Earth are nowhere near as docile. Vision orders another split of their forces, as half of them will venture with Thor to Counter-Earth while the rest keep the peace back home.

Image by Marvel Comics

Yet the cooperation between teams is hardly perfect. The older Avengers still tend to be dismissive of the younger Champions. Nova is initially left out of Vision’s “away” team, despite having visited Counter-Earth. The Vision’s emotional instability is even wearing on his teammate Wasp. Jane Foster’s Thor is occasionally overzealous for battle (due in part to Falcon being her lover). And everyone seems to be taking turns ignoring or dismissing Spider-Man as a man-child.

Image by Marvel Comics

Mark Waid turns in a solid if not mostly routine issue. As the midway chapter, it was imperative to have the story progress. Hence, it does. However, considering how many world-conquering threats the Avengers have faced, it is difficult for this to rise above many of the others. The interaction among the cast remains key, yet the exposition of the adventure often gets in the way of this. There are a few fun exchanges, such as a brief one between Amadeus Cho and Thor.

Image by Marvel Comics

Does High Evolutionary Work as a Lead Villain? Sort Of!

If this issue does anything, it is try to sell the High Evolutionary as a credible threat. He’s one of Marvel’s oldest villains, but that doesn’t always translate into status. High Evolutionary has been at the center of some large scale sagas, but he often lacks the credibility of Kang or Thanos or Dr. Doom. Waid does a lot to avoid making High Evolutionary a raving maniac, yet also give him a cold aloofness which makes him creepy nevertheless. It is as successful as anyone really expect.

Image by Marvel Comics

The art by Pina and Diaz is quite good. It is a bit staggering that Avengers can’t even maintain the same artist for two issues yet Humberto Ramos has yet to miss an issue of Champions, but I digress. Alongside Rosebergh’s colors, they produce a solidly exciting looking issue. There’s less action here that in the previous issue, yet High Evolutionary and the New-Men all look great. The last page reveal of Viv Vision’s new form is meant as a highlight; a shame their redesign is a little simple.

Image by Marvel Comics

Next: Everyone fought a space Minotaur in Champions #13!

There isn’t a whole lot more to say about this one. It isn’t a fantastic issue, nor is it a bad one. The pace is a bit faster than the previous chapters. I imagine with tighter editing, Mark Waid could have gotten to this point at least an issue ago. There was no need for two issues of two superhero teams stopping a comet or shaking buildings. And Spider-Man being the most useless and dismissed Avenger gets old. However, a strong finale can easily improve the grade on this crossover.