Issue #10 continued...

All the elements for good read are intact here. So, why didn’t this issue knock it out of the park for me? Maybe it’s, me. After what transpired last issue, I was expecting a little more from round 10. The Avengers now know that each time a member of the Phoenix five is defeated; the power splits among the remaining members making them even more potent. So, each time an Avenger would attempt to stop Cyclops from reaching Hope, it came across as a completely futile effort. Not unlike a bug trying to defeat a speeding windshield. Still, they are Avengers so what else could they do but try. Hope does finally have her moment in the spotlight this issue; the result of which feels both dramatic and yet somewhat comedic at once.

Ed Brubaker is back to handle the writing for this issue. I have been a fan of Mr. Brubaker’s work for quite some time now. It’s not that big Ed did anything necessarily wrong. This issue just seemed lacking compared to the usual impact Brubaker brings to his craft. One the plus side, there is the wonderful artwork produced by Adam Kubert.  Adam has been handling the pencils on this story since issue #8 and has been doing an excellent job. His art really shines in round 10. As you may have heard, the Kubert family suffered an unfortunate loss recently. Adam and Andy’s father the legendary Joe Kubert passed away. My condolences to the family, he will be missed.

Though it may not be the most exciting issue of this story, round10 does at least set the stage for the big ending as we reach the homestretch. There are only two issues left to wrap up this ambitious little tale. Here’s hoping that the final issues provides us a worthwhile ending, rather than a forgettable one.

Final Grade: C+