Avengers Forever by Kurt Busiek

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This twelve issue 1990s Maxi-series finds a team of seven Avengers, all from different eras coming together to fight for the life of Rich Jones who, as a young man, aided the Hulk and brought the Avengers together. They're opposed by Immortus who, working for the Time Keepers, is determined to kill Jones who possesses the Destiny Force which has lead humans in many timestreams to become the terror of the galaxy. Along the way, as the Avengers cross time and space they meet the 1950s Avengers (later known as Agents of ATLAS), Kid Colt and the Rawhide Kid, and plenty of alternate universe Avengers.

They're joined by some surprising allies, most notably Kang the Conquerer who wants to stop himself from becoming Immortus because he views Immortus as weak because he serves the Time Keeperrs.

Overall, this is a surprisingly entertaining book. I say surprising because (superficially anyway), it does some of the same things that the very worst event comics do, with a lot of backstory explained, introduced, retold. One whole issue is basically Kang's complicated history and another focuses on how Immortus has been pulling the strings on every decision on behalf of the Time Keepers. There's also a lot of characters running about: too many to keep track of usually.

However, all the continuity makes the book's scope feel larger, more important. It lets you know enough so you can understand what's going on at a basic level, while also giving you the sense that there is a far bigger, more epic story going on. The last three issues really pay off, particularly the end of Issue 11.

Overall, this is an intelligent, fun, and action-filled series that stands above most similar event comics and is highly recommended.



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