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Avengers by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus #2
Avengers by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus, Vol. 2
Jonathan Hickman’s epic Avengers run builds to the end of all things! A runaway planet is on a collision course with Earth. AIM brings a corrupt version of the Avengers into the Marvel Universe. And the collision of the Avengers and the Illuminati is imminent! But as teammate faces teammate, the Time Gem takes the Avengers on a peril-filled journey into days-to-come — ultimately sending Captain America 50,000 years into the future to witness a true Avengers world!
Meanwhile, as the Incursion crisis worsens, the members of the Illuminati struggle with the weight of the burden they’ve shouldered. Their desperate, world-shattering actions will leave the Avengers at each other’s throats — and give rise to the Cabal! And as the realities of the Multiverse collide, time runs out for everyone!
Collecting Avengers (2012) issues #24-44 and New Avengers (2013) #13-33, Written by Jonathan Hickman, pencilled by Salvador Larroca, Leinil Francis Yu, Stefano Caselli, Mike Deodato Jr., Mike Mayhew, Kev Walker, Simone Bianchi, Rags Morales, Valerio Schiti, Szymon Kudranski, Dalibor Talajic & more, with cover artwork by Esad Ribic.
Meanwhile, as the Incursion crisis worsens, the members of the Illuminati struggle with the weight of the burden they’ve shouldered. Their desperate, world-shattering actions will leave the Avengers at each other’s throats — and give rise to the Cabal! And as the realities of the Multiverse collide, time runs out for everyone!
Collecting Avengers (2012) issues #24-44 and New Avengers (2013) #13-33, Written by Jonathan Hickman, pencilled by Salvador Larroca, Leinil Francis Yu, Stefano Caselli, Mike Deodato Jr., Mike Mayhew, Kev Walker, Simone Bianchi, Rags Morales, Valerio Schiti, Szymon Kudranski, Dalibor Talajic & more, with cover artwork by Esad Ribic.
1044 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2015
30 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Hickman
1,221 books2,028 followersJonathan Hickman is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for creating the Image Comics series The Nightly News, The Manhattan Projects and East of West, as well as working on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, FF, and S.H.I.E.L.D. titles. In 2012, Hickman ended his run on the Fantastic Four titles to write The Avengers and The New Avengers, as part the "Marvel NOW!" relaunch. In 2013, Hickman wrote a six-part miniseries, Infinity, plus Avengers tie-ins for Marvel Comics. In 2015, he wrote the crossover event Secret Wars. - Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 28, 2019
The second volume of Jonathan Hickman's amazing, science-fiction-focused Avengers answers most of the questions of the original but is weaker primarily thanks to editorial requirements.
Early off, things are great, because the first third of the comic mashes together Avengers and New Avengers as the one team learns about the other. We also get other fun stories like a romp through potential Avengers futures.
Then in the second half we get a great jump forward eight months, which was really startling at the time as we learned about all kinds of upcoming changes to the Marvel universe, and we also get a great breakdown of the Avengers, as they're split into three teams (including the first appearance of Bobby's AIMvengers). As we're heading toward what seems like certain doom, the tension just keeps climbing. And all the answers of these volumes are awesome: who the Black Swan's god is, who the Black Priests follow, what the Ivory Kings are. It was occasionally disappointing, since these outré new concepts codified as Marvel icons, but Hickman did it so well that you had to enjoy it.
The problem with this volume is inevitably the ending. Or rather, the lack thereof. Because it ends on the edge of the last incursion with a big to-be-continued for Secret Wars. Worse, it's not clear how much of this story ended up continuity. Did all of these events really occur in the modern Marvel universe, including heroic recriminations and even deaths? Sellings of souls? Or did the big reset button get hit sometime along the line? And why are most Marvel comics afraid to follow-up on this series? (Al Ewing's various Avengers and Contents of Champions titles seem like the exception.)
So, great follow-up to a great Avengers, with some editorial and continuity issues.
Early off, things are great, because the first third of the comic mashes together Avengers and New Avengers as the one team learns about the other. We also get other fun stories like a romp through potential Avengers futures.
Then in the second half we get a great jump forward eight months, which was really startling at the time as we learned about all kinds of upcoming changes to the Marvel universe, and we also get a great breakdown of the Avengers, as they're split into three teams (including the first appearance of Bobby's AIMvengers). As we're heading toward what seems like certain doom, the tension just keeps climbing. And all the answers of these volumes are awesome: who the Black Swan's god is, who the Black Priests follow, what the Ivory Kings are. It was occasionally disappointing, since these outré new concepts codified as Marvel icons, but Hickman did it so well that you had to enjoy it.
The problem with this volume is inevitably the ending. Or rather, the lack thereof. Because it ends on the edge of the last incursion with a big to-be-continued for Secret Wars. Worse, it's not clear how much of this story ended up continuity. Did all of these events really occur in the modern Marvel universe, including heroic recriminations and even deaths? Sellings of souls? Or did the big reset button get hit sometime along the line? And why are most Marvel comics afraid to follow-up on this series? (Al Ewing's various Avengers and Contents of Champions titles seem like the exception.)
So, great follow-up to a great Avengers, with some editorial and continuity issues.
December 23, 2019
3,5/5. Very strong element sand lower ones as well for this second part. First, very epic, totally epic and with repercussion through the entire Marvel Universe like Hickman like to do. Might be a bit too epic though and that is why we get the feeling that it often seems to go everywhere and nowhere at the same time. The variation of the illustration trough each issue was a big minus for me. I know it has a lot of illustrator and each has their own style but as a reader this was bothering. It felt a bit stretch. I think that some issue could have been cut or compress, mostly around #50 to #60 where it felt a bit repetitive for me. Finally, bringing all those heroes together in a much more complex story line that we usually get from Marvel deserve a big mention for Hickman. Whats is good? Yes. What is perfect? No. Was I expecting better? Yes. Still glad I read it and certainly an ambitious game changer.
November 26, 2023
Definitely the better of the two omnibus.
August 16, 2023
Phenomenal. Absolutely epic stakes and masterful writing. Really really good story with truly great story here. Loved it. Can’t wait to finish everything off with secret wars.
May 27, 2020
These two books were quite an undertaking, but oh so rewarding. A very satisfying follow up to the intrigue of the first volume that builds to an epic cliffhanger.
Hickman's ideas and concepts are so dense, complex and massive in scale that at times I closed the book feeling almost out of breath. Which was then immediately followed by the feeling of "well I don't know what the f**k just happened but it was SO COOL!". After about 10 minutes of getting on with my life, going to make a coffee, or putting on the TV, I'd catch myself still thinking about it, and then things would begin to click.
Hickman's work, as many know, builds slowly and takes great care with the finer details that later pay off. Nothing is out of place, nothing is wasted, every line, every plot element is exactly where it should be. Reading his Avengers series is like playing a really satisfying game of Tetris.
Each piece fits perfectly with the next, forming one larger piece giving you the big picture which explains everything that came before. It's immensely impressive.
It's no surprise to me that he uses elements from his ideas in Fantastic Four as he probably saw all of this as one complete story, all leading to Secret Wars.
I realise I have written 3 paragraphs with little information about the actual plot, but I wouldn't want to spoil anything. My slight complaint about Volume 1 was that I felt it slacked on character development and dynamics, but that wasn't the case at all. It was there, I just didn't see it. There are some amazing moments between certain characters in this book.
I'd recommend reading some of Bendis' New Avengers run, also his Illuminati series, and Hickman's Fantastic Four before getting into these massive tomes. It'll all be worth it in the end!
Hickman's ideas and concepts are so dense, complex and massive in scale that at times I closed the book feeling almost out of breath. Which was then immediately followed by the feeling of "well I don't know what the f**k just happened but it was SO COOL!". After about 10 minutes of getting on with my life, going to make a coffee, or putting on the TV, I'd catch myself still thinking about it, and then things would begin to click.
Hickman's work, as many know, builds slowly and takes great care with the finer details that later pay off. Nothing is out of place, nothing is wasted, every line, every plot element is exactly where it should be. Reading his Avengers series is like playing a really satisfying game of Tetris.
Each piece fits perfectly with the next, forming one larger piece giving you the big picture which explains everything that came before. It's immensely impressive.
It's no surprise to me that he uses elements from his ideas in Fantastic Four as he probably saw all of this as one complete story, all leading to Secret Wars.
I realise I have written 3 paragraphs with little information about the actual plot, but I wouldn't want to spoil anything. My slight complaint about Volume 1 was that I felt it slacked on character development and dynamics, but that wasn't the case at all. It was there, I just didn't see it. There are some amazing moments between certain characters in this book.
I'd recommend reading some of Bendis' New Avengers run, also his Illuminati series, and Hickman's Fantastic Four before getting into these massive tomes. It'll all be worth it in the end!
December 7, 2022
The beginning of the avengers run to the ending of time runs out is one of my favourite things in all of comics. The way Tony and Steve started to where they ended was magnificent.
This was the second time I’ve read through Hickman’s avengers run and this time was even better. I understood a lot more of what was happening and saw a bunch of stuff I missed the first time around. Hickman’s intricate narrative style worked so well over this run, so much was happening but all of it lead to secret wars and wrapped it up in a nice little bow.
When it comes to team comics, this is the best run I’ve ever read. Hickman knew what relationships to strain and who to focus on. I only wish it was longer in the time runs out section. I felt like that resolved really quickly where it could’ve spent a little more time on a few other things but I don’t rate it down for that at all.
This is one of my favourite things that I’ve ever read. I can see myself reading it a lot over my life.
This was the second time I’ve read through Hickman’s avengers run and this time was even better. I understood a lot more of what was happening and saw a bunch of stuff I missed the first time around. Hickman’s intricate narrative style worked so well over this run, so much was happening but all of it lead to secret wars and wrapped it up in a nice little bow.
When it comes to team comics, this is the best run I’ve ever read. Hickman knew what relationships to strain and who to focus on. I only wish it was longer in the time runs out section. I felt like that resolved really quickly where it could’ve spent a little more time on a few other things but I don’t rate it down for that at all.
This is one of my favourite things that I’ve ever read. I can see myself reading it a lot over my life.
January 7, 2021
Upon rereading this all together (as it was clearly intended), I now believe that "Time Runs Out" is the single best Marvel story of the modern millennium. I'm also more convinced than ever that Marvel completely squandered the opportunity to use it and the Secret Wars follow-up to have a Crisis-style reboot of their universe, and clean up the 70+ years of continuity without throwing baby with bathwater that the Ultimate universe chose.
January 24, 2024
An epic story with epic stakes that heaves under its own weight. When it's good it's brilliant, and the first half in particular has some stellar arcs -- the alternate Avengers, the time gem's return, and the Legally-Distinct-Justice-League all come to mind as high concept science-fiction at its best. Though I'd never call the second half bad by any means, everything that follows is a lot less even. The pacing is off, some characters become unbearable to follow, and the ending (by nature of it leading directly into Secret Wars) is underwhelming.
Still, there's lots to love -- and arguably a lot more of the character work Hickman established himself on with his fantastic Fantastic Four run here than there was in the first omnibus. If you're a big fan of that place in fiction where sci-fi and magic intersect, and you like seeing characters faced with impossible decisions, then this is the book for you.
Still, there's lots to love -- and arguably a lot more of the character work Hickman established himself on with his fantastic Fantastic Four run here than there was in the first omnibus. If you're a big fan of that place in fiction where sci-fi and magic intersect, and you like seeing characters faced with impossible decisions, then this is the book for you.
August 14, 2023
Fucking epic. Couldn’t stop turning pages and read this 1000+ page Omni in a single week. The end of the universe” is nothing new in comics, but never has the scale been this big and the execution so flawless. Continuing all the plotlines and mysteries from the first omni, folding in countless more characters from all corners of the Marvel universe and then bringing it to a satisfying conclusion… or a very exciting and well earned cliffhanger at least. It turns out no issue, no single line of dialogue, was wasted in this entire Avengers run. I enjoyed it even more now that I recognize all the characters from reading a lot of other Marvel stuff. Only downside might be the many different artists, which makes the style slightly inconsistent sometimes, but everyone is bringing their A+ game, so whatever.
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February 16, 2025Reread- it's the character work that jumps out at me this time around, something that Hickman has been accused of skimping on, when really I think it's the foundation of all his stylistic flourishes. The big ideas, and crazy sci-fi and magic all point back to Hickman's dissection of these characters as defined by their origins. Tony perpetually feels inferior and that he needs to prove himself, projecting his relationship with his father onto the world around him. He's either brushing off those he views as beneath him (the Avengers), outworking his colleagues to impress them (the Illuminati) or actively challenging others to oppose him (anyone and everyone at various points), almost creating tests to see if he's actually worth anything. The only escape from this is his friendship with Steve, something he squanders at the start of all of this, and without Steve he's lost. It all comes back to a very smart boy who never felt like he lived up to his dad's standards, and now can't live up to the standards of his best friend.
Steve has a similar inferiority complex, that the illuminati characters needle him on, about how he's not as smart as those around him. He's made to feel that his way of thinking is not simply outdated, but un-evolved. The time travel arc worked so well for me this time because I stopped trying to understand the world elements as they related to plot, but instead viewed them through how it affected Steve to feel like his very human morality is being left behind in the name of inhuman progress. It's a fantastic elaboration of his man out of time origin.
Strange is motivated to a dark pathway in order to cure his inability to take control and fix things (just as he was with his broken hands in in his origins), and Reed is the only one who feels like he gets out clean because he has a family to ground him. "He practically runs on hope" Tony says at one point, and it's Reed's hope and optimism and need to keep his family safe that are threatened throughout this entire saga.
Still my second favorite comic series of all time.
Steve has a similar inferiority complex, that the illuminati characters needle him on, about how he's not as smart as those around him. He's made to feel that his way of thinking is not simply outdated, but un-evolved. The time travel arc worked so well for me this time because I stopped trying to understand the world elements as they related to plot, but instead viewed them through how it affected Steve to feel like his very human morality is being left behind in the name of inhuman progress. It's a fantastic elaboration of his man out of time origin.
Strange is motivated to a dark pathway in order to cure his inability to take control and fix things (just as he was with his broken hands in in his origins), and Reed is the only one who feels like he gets out clean because he has a family to ground him. "He practically runs on hope" Tony says at one point, and it's Reed's hope and optimism and need to keep his family safe that are threatened throughout this entire saga.
Still my second favorite comic series of all time.
May 6, 2024
In event comics, I think there's this tug-of-war occurring between scale and heart. The plot of these kinds of stories demands a cataclysmic sense of disarray, it needs to be epic and never-ending and insanely constructed. But the best of these stories, nestle into their larger-than-life fibers, a bleeding heart. That is what leads Hickman's story to its best heights, the reduction of universe-colliding incursions to a lie told between two friends. That said, these kinds of comics always veer far too much in one direction of that binary, often they aim for the glitz and glamour of a hefty plot with splash panels and bloodshed. Rather than maintaining any kind of well-engineered balance, they always go off the rails into pondering upon "what-if" questions that serve that kind of feverish glee of fandom, rather than the poignancy of the story. I wish the beating heart of this book was placed more front and center throughout, but it does finally crash against the doomed beaches in the final pages, which are some of the book's best. We can't truly wrap our heads around these kinds of comics-based frenzies of imagination, but we can invest in stories that are about two people at odds about the best way to save the world. Yet, Hickman, and others, try to beat us over the head with the club of fantastical stories anyway, which is fine enough most days.
November 18, 2020
This book is the second half hickman's avengers run. It collects avengers (2012) #24-#44 and new avengers (2013) #13-33. Unfortunatly it does not collect the secret wars mini series. Which kinda sucks because this book ends on a huge cliffhanger, and secret wars is the true ending of hickmans run. Why did marvel leave this out? My best guess is that they are planning a secret wars omnibus. It's either that, or they are just being jerks. But with that said, if you want to know what happens at the end of hickmans run? You will have to buy secret wars separately. Which is quite annoying for people who do not already own secret wars.
Now I would rate this book 5 stars, it really that good, BUT.... I just can't let it go that secret wars was not included. Hickmans avengers run is just not complete without that mini series. The first volume had the infinity mini series in it. So why not have secret wars in here???? This omnibus literally ends mid story. So ya, it's only getting 4 stars.
Now I would rate this book 5 stars, it really that good, BUT.... I just can't let it go that secret wars was not included. Hickmans avengers run is just not complete without that mini series. The first volume had the infinity mini series in it. So why not have secret wars in here???? This omnibus literally ends mid story. So ya, it's only getting 4 stars.
December 10, 2023
A lot of people associate Jonathan Hickman with brainy slow-burning stories, but when it's time for payoff, the man knows how to get your heart racing. Volume 2 of his Avengers epic is a lot more exciting than the first volume, but unfortunately, it isn't perfect.
Things kick off with a bang. The mind wipe Doctor Strange did to Steve has worn off, and after a classic Hickman romp through the future (featuring space-time jesus Franklin Richards), he's decided that it's time to kill the heck out of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, the Illuminati are forced to confront the reality of the only solution they've ever come up for the incursions: they face a populated world whose Justice League clones are more than willing to fight for survival. When push comes to shove, Namor is the only one with the nerve to actually destroy a world, and things just spiral from there.
The conflict between the heroes in this story is honestly really fascinating. Destroying worlds to save your own is the opposite of what heroes do, but so is submitting to your own destruction. In the face of the death of everything, all anyone can do is hold fast to their ideals...or is it? Could it be that the Illuminati aren't as smart as they think there are, and there were solutions they hadn't bothered to try?
Conceptually, this saga is amazing. In execution, though, Hickman often seems to brush up with the unwieldiness that comes with writing the central book of the Marvel universe, and the cracks really show in this volume. The big one is that we have an eight month time skip, after which you'll notice that Steve is suddenly an old man, Sam is Captain America, Thor has become unworthy, and other things that happened in other books. Interestingly, what you don't see is anything that stems from Infinity, like the new Inhumans or Thanos' son. I defended that event in my vol 1 review, but it sure feels like it was a waste of time that negatively impacted the entire run.
I can't blame everything on outside events, though. The truth is that Hickman didn't balance this story very well. I said before that New Avengers needed to be slower, and we're at a point now where Steve and his SHIELDvengers have somehow failed to kill a bunch of smartasses for close to a year. The reason why Avengers has to spin its wheels this way is because New Avengers needs time to pay off the early teases about Rabum Alal, the Ivory Kings and the Black Priests. These reveals are cool, but they would've been cooler spread out across the run.
Things do kick back up towards the end, and we finish off strong...but the ending brings me to my one complaint about this omnibus in particular.
It is criminal that Secret Wars wasn't included here. I can live without the inclusion of other books that were supporting this story, but the omnibus ends on a humongous cliffhanger for which you need to buy a whole other book, which won't even be available in oversized format until December 2024 (announced the night I finished this omni, incidentally).
Of course I'm gonna reread Secret Wars, but how do I feel about the Avengers/New Avengers run? It's honestly some of the comics Marvel has ever published, but the rose tinted glasses have come off, and this story is as flawed as it's ambitious. I must grudgingly admit that it doesn't quite reach the level of his Fantastic Four run, but nevertheless, this is the Avengers run that all other runs should be compared to.
Things kick off with a bang. The mind wipe Doctor Strange did to Steve has worn off, and after a classic Hickman romp through the future (featuring space-time jesus Franklin Richards), he's decided that it's time to kill the heck out of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, the Illuminati are forced to confront the reality of the only solution they've ever come up for the incursions: they face a populated world whose Justice League clones are more than willing to fight for survival. When push comes to shove, Namor is the only one with the nerve to actually destroy a world, and things just spiral from there.
The conflict between the heroes in this story is honestly really fascinating. Destroying worlds to save your own is the opposite of what heroes do, but so is submitting to your own destruction. In the face of the death of everything, all anyone can do is hold fast to their ideals...or is it? Could it be that the Illuminati aren't as smart as they think there are, and there were solutions they hadn't bothered to try?
Conceptually, this saga is amazing. In execution, though, Hickman often seems to brush up with the unwieldiness that comes with writing the central book of the Marvel universe, and the cracks really show in this volume. The big one is that we have an eight month time skip, after which you'll notice that Steve is suddenly an old man, Sam is Captain America, Thor has become unworthy, and other things that happened in other books. Interestingly, what you don't see is anything that stems from Infinity, like the new Inhumans or Thanos' son. I defended that event in my vol 1 review, but it sure feels like it was a waste of time that negatively impacted the entire run.
I can't blame everything on outside events, though. The truth is that Hickman didn't balance this story very well. I said before that New Avengers needed to be slower, and we're at a point now where Steve and his SHIELDvengers have somehow failed to kill a bunch of smartasses for close to a year. The reason why Avengers has to spin its wheels this way is because New Avengers needs time to pay off the early teases about Rabum Alal, the Ivory Kings and the Black Priests. These reveals are cool, but they would've been cooler spread out across the run.
Things do kick back up towards the end, and we finish off strong...but the ending brings me to my one complaint about this omnibus in particular.
It is criminal that Secret Wars wasn't included here. I can live without the inclusion of other books that were supporting this story, but the omnibus ends on a humongous cliffhanger for which you need to buy a whole other book, which won't even be available in oversized format until December 2024 (announced the night I finished this omni, incidentally).
Of course I'm gonna reread Secret Wars, but how do I feel about the Avengers/New Avengers run? It's honestly some of the comics Marvel has ever published, but the rose tinted glasses have come off, and this story is as flawed as it's ambitious. I must grudgingly admit that it doesn't quite reach the level of his Fantastic Four run, but nevertheless, this is the Avengers run that all other runs should be compared to.
September 14, 2024
Everything ends, and the folly of great men trying to stop the inevitable.
I've said it before and I say it still, this is my favorite Avengers story of all time. It doesn't hurt it's Hickman playing on a large scale, touching so many corners of the main marvel universe.
Talk about going grand scale, as we deal with alternate realities, time travel, longstanding betrayal, worlds dying, and the crushing reality that the inevitable always comes.
Juggling the two biggest avengers books can't be easy, but Hickman gives it his best attempt. I would say even if it isn't perfect, the attempt is to be admired!
Rogue planet is a interesting sci-fi romp with some unique ideas. The Illuminati discovering alternate realities and facing against the society is beautiful tragedy. The time stone reappearing at the peak of drama to shoot Cap through time? a bit technobabbly but man was it cool. Once time runs out, the drama is ramped up to the max as trust is eroded and the desperate clawing for survival in the face of oblivion has you griped.
This run isn't perfect, far from it, which gave me pause on the five stars. A lot of the more sci fi concepts in the time gem arc and dialogue gets a bit science buzzwordy. The double edged sword of Hickman writing some of the most brilliant minds in the marvel universe, some of their pontificating gets a bit hard to understand in layman's terms. Some people get lost by the 8 month time jump during Time runs out, and they would be forgiven if they weren't plugged into the broader marvel landscape of the time, with the aged steve, extra douchy iron man, and handicapped Thor.
In terms of going all out with the end in sight, Hickman really tore the place down. Old allies turn on one another, friends take lives, sacrifices are made every other page it feels like. I'm still blown away he had Earth be invaded by all the major cosmic societies, and to do what he did, proves you can only make those shifts when you know you have a smart way to go back.
This is the big, widescreen, high concept sci-fi avengers run for you if you want them as more world defenders and less "heroes of new york". Hickman is really playing with morality, the greater evil, and big galaxy sized conflicts. Life and death, two sides of the same coin. At the end of the day....there's only Secret Wars.
I've said it before and I say it still, this is my favorite Avengers story of all time. It doesn't hurt it's Hickman playing on a large scale, touching so many corners of the main marvel universe.
Talk about going grand scale, as we deal with alternate realities, time travel, longstanding betrayal, worlds dying, and the crushing reality that the inevitable always comes.
Juggling the two biggest avengers books can't be easy, but Hickman gives it his best attempt. I would say even if it isn't perfect, the attempt is to be admired!
Rogue planet is a interesting sci-fi romp with some unique ideas. The Illuminati discovering alternate realities and facing against the society is beautiful tragedy. The time stone reappearing at the peak of drama to shoot Cap through time? a bit technobabbly but man was it cool. Once time runs out, the drama is ramped up to the max as trust is eroded and the desperate clawing for survival in the face of oblivion has you griped.
This run isn't perfect, far from it, which gave me pause on the five stars. A lot of the more sci fi concepts in the time gem arc and dialogue gets a bit science buzzwordy. The double edged sword of Hickman writing some of the most brilliant minds in the marvel universe, some of their pontificating gets a bit hard to understand in layman's terms. Some people get lost by the 8 month time jump during Time runs out, and they would be forgiven if they weren't plugged into the broader marvel landscape of the time, with the aged steve, extra douchy iron man, and handicapped Thor.
In terms of going all out with the end in sight, Hickman really tore the place down. Old allies turn on one another, friends take lives, sacrifices are made every other page it feels like. I'm still blown away he had Earth be invaded by all the major cosmic societies, and to do what he did, proves you can only make those shifts when you know you have a smart way to go back.
This is the big, widescreen, high concept sci-fi avengers run for you if you want them as more world defenders and less "heroes of new york". Hickman is really playing with morality, the greater evil, and big galaxy sized conflicts. Life and death, two sides of the same coin. At the end of the day....there's only Secret Wars.
July 10, 2025
teetering on 3.5 but fuck it. there's some REALLY good highs here. the mapmakers and the black mages debut is sooooo good, that 3-4 issue stretch starting with stephen selling his soul for the dark magic, i thought this would really be one for the books. unfortunately there's an artist switch, which remains this collection's biggest weakness imo--i think some of the art is like, at points too plain for the parts of hickman's sci-fi mysticism, and when hickman goes back into his grounded character, boots on the ground hero action, the art switches to something too expressive for the mood. it's genuinely a distracting mismatch for a good bit of the run, which is sad because when the art *does* click i think this would be up there with some of the best shit of the last 15 yrs from the big two.
having said all that. the amount of hype moments and aura here? crazy. one of the consistently appealing thing abt comics currently is that occasionally some freak will let his pet scientific trivia cross with his need for pulp page-turners, which results in the ridiculousness this side of the run gets up to. hickman cashes in on the character tension from part 1 in hugeee ways, and even if some of the character jumps are sudden (in classic cap fashion he changes as soon as he had something great to work with) there's enough ingenuity to admire the threading even if there's some holes still. being a smart mark removes some of the stake of the multiversity collapse sure but there's fun to be had in watching everyone climb deeper and deeper into the hole.
also as a sidebar it's kinda crazy the ultimate guys never met their thanos (outside of richards). interesting universe honestly it's certainly a statement of the 2000s that the cosmic side of marvel never made that crossover.
having said all that. the amount of hype moments and aura here? crazy. one of the consistently appealing thing abt comics currently is that occasionally some freak will let his pet scientific trivia cross with his need for pulp page-turners, which results in the ridiculousness this side of the run gets up to. hickman cashes in on the character tension from part 1 in hugeee ways, and even if some of the character jumps are sudden (in classic cap fashion he changes as soon as he had something great to work with) there's enough ingenuity to admire the threading even if there's some holes still. being a smart mark removes some of the stake of the multiversity collapse sure but there's fun to be had in watching everyone climb deeper and deeper into the hole.
also as a sidebar it's kinda crazy the ultimate guys never met their thanos (outside of richards). interesting universe honestly it's certainly a statement of the 2000s that the cosmic side of marvel never made that crossover.
April 14, 2025
So, I read things in the wrong order, as I first read Secret Wars without knowing about these Avengers omnibuses (omnibi?) which made Secret Wars confusing AF from the very first panel.
I hoped both volumes of the Avengers would answer the questions I had going coming out of Secret Wars, but I came away a bit disappointed.
I grew us reading Marvel in the 80s and 90s, so had some pre-conceptions on how comics work. Maybe because I've missed 30 years of comics, I didn't know some of the backstory to these events which were assumed, but never stated.
I found the story too big with too many insurmountable challenges which seemed to get resolved. Whilst you're wondering how the team will get out of this fix, you find Reed Richards or Tony Stark have planned for this is and already have a solution, the wheels of which were set in motion months prior.
The whole thing with Steve Rogers seemed wrong to me, and not true to his character. Maybe I missed a bit or forgot something, as I had a gap of a few months in the middle, so his arc seemed...wrong.
The end was where it needed to go, but felt hurried. After multiversal adventures of Odyssean proportions, it felt like the end charged to its conclusion.
I think I will have to start again and see if a second reading of BOTH volumes AND Secret Wars brings me more fulfilment.
Good luck to the Russo brothers trying to turn this complex and gargantuan tale into 2x 3 hour films.
I hoped both volumes of the Avengers would answer the questions I had going coming out of Secret Wars, but I came away a bit disappointed.
I grew us reading Marvel in the 80s and 90s, so had some pre-conceptions on how comics work. Maybe because I've missed 30 years of comics, I didn't know some of the backstory to these events which were assumed, but never stated.
I found the story too big with too many insurmountable challenges which seemed to get resolved. Whilst you're wondering how the team will get out of this fix, you find Reed Richards or Tony Stark have planned for this is and already have a solution, the wheels of which were set in motion months prior.
The whole thing with Steve Rogers seemed wrong to me, and not true to his character. Maybe I missed a bit or forgot something, as I had a gap of a few months in the middle, so his arc seemed...wrong.
The end was where it needed to go, but felt hurried. After multiversal adventures of Odyssean proportions, it felt like the end charged to its conclusion.
I think I will have to start again and see if a second reading of BOTH volumes AND Secret Wars brings me more fulfilment.
Good luck to the Russo brothers trying to turn this complex and gargantuan tale into 2x 3 hour films.
June 8, 2025
...
Pre timeskip run was great! Rolled my eyes a bit about the melodrama surrounding morality of the decisions Illuminati had to make, but that was my only issue (other than inconsistenty with artstyles really throwing me off), which was made up for by the Cabal reveal - probably my favorite part in this entire run. Lotta good stuff within the first third of this edition. Post timeskip however... Yeah, I guess editorial really wanted Original Sin to have repercussions or something, idk. It was very jarring and left me scrambling to understand new status quo. I could see Cap V Iron Man work, but no with this circumstances. Hyperion/Thor and Doom/Molecule parts were my favorite parts, but by the time I reached the latter, I was kind of checked out and wanted to be done with it. Cosmic side and new elements introduced by Hickman were all great (as usual), but couldn't bring myself to care AT ALL about all the Avengers teams and their conflicts. Sucks!
Pre timeskip run was great! Rolled my eyes a bit about the melodrama surrounding morality of the decisions Illuminati had to make, but that was my only issue (other than inconsistenty with artstyles really throwing me off), which was made up for by the Cabal reveal - probably my favorite part in this entire run. Lotta good stuff within the first third of this edition. Post timeskip however... Yeah, I guess editorial really wanted Original Sin to have repercussions or something, idk. It was very jarring and left me scrambling to understand new status quo. I could see Cap V Iron Man work, but no with this circumstances. Hyperion/Thor and Doom/Molecule parts were my favorite parts, but by the time I reached the latter, I was kind of checked out and wanted to be done with it. Cosmic side and new elements introduced by Hickman were all great (as usual), but couldn't bring myself to care AT ALL about all the Avengers teams and their conflicts. Sucks!
March 30, 2025
I was loving this run, then it hit the eight months later jump with time runs out.
Picks back up once the in fighting stops between SHIELD/Captain America, Illuminati and the Avengers. Heroes working together are much more interesting than the friends fighting. Then Hank Pym returns from a mission we had no knowledge of. That issue of exposition almost had me sleeping.
It's so strange that Marvel didn't have their best four artists taking turns at storylines when these two series are driving the whole publishing line and universe. So many times the artist changes in each issue of each series.
Hickman rolls with the punches of the characters changing - Unworthy Odinson, aged Commander Rogers, Superior Iron Man. Similar to Morrison in JLA, but Morrison wove those changes into a positive whereas Hickman pushes some of them out of the story at time for long periods or uses Rogers in a different role.
Picks back up once the in fighting stops between SHIELD/Captain America, Illuminati and the Avengers. Heroes working together are much more interesting than the friends fighting. Then Hank Pym returns from a mission we had no knowledge of. That issue of exposition almost had me sleeping.
It's so strange that Marvel didn't have their best four artists taking turns at storylines when these two series are driving the whole publishing line and universe. So many times the artist changes in each issue of each series.
Hickman rolls with the punches of the characters changing - Unworthy Odinson, aged Commander Rogers, Superior Iron Man. Similar to Morrison in JLA, but Morrison wove those changes into a positive whereas Hickman pushes some of them out of the story at time for long periods or uses Rogers in a different role.
August 4, 2020
Whoa.
Hearts and souls and minds and systems within systems imperceptibly small and inconceivably sprawling. This series is so freaking huge in its cosmic and philosophical scope and while it isn’t necessarily the first stop I’d recommend any readers new to comics it was a really rewarding and thought provoking read. I have no doubt I’ll be revisiting this entire run and I have no doubt that anyone who interacts with me in the near future will quickly be over my haphazard and over-excited explanation of its basic premise.
Hickman really knows what he’s doing and years from now I look forward to being able to read through the epic trilogy of his Fantastic Four run, this Avengers run and his currently unfolding X-Men run in one epic comic book ultramarathon.
Hearts and souls and minds and systems within systems imperceptibly small and inconceivably sprawling. This series is so freaking huge in its cosmic and philosophical scope and while it isn’t necessarily the first stop I’d recommend any readers new to comics it was a really rewarding and thought provoking read. I have no doubt I’ll be revisiting this entire run and I have no doubt that anyone who interacts with me in the near future will quickly be over my haphazard and over-excited explanation of its basic premise.
Hickman really knows what he’s doing and years from now I look forward to being able to read through the epic trilogy of his Fantastic Four run, this Avengers run and his currently unfolding X-Men run in one epic comic book ultramarathon.
July 29, 2023
If you thought Hickman couldn't one-up the first book, you're gonna be sorely disappointed. There are points in this book where it feels like the story is meandering but then Hickman comes up with an ingenious twist to tie up what you'd think was a loose end. The Hyperion-Thor bromance in this run will forever be one of my favourite brotherly relationships in comics. And the bitterness between Tony and Cap which leads to the climactic final panel is just fucking perfect!
The art, once again, isn't the best, but it was much better than what we had in Fantastic Four.
FINAL RATING - 5/5
This is a comic masterpiece!
The art, once again, isn't the best, but it was much better than what we had in Fantastic Four.
FINAL RATING - 5/5
This is a comic masterpiece!
February 1, 2024
I'm a little conflicted about this 2nd volume. I've given it 5 stars but it is borderline as there are arcs in this that didn't work for me.
The skipping though time one in the 2nd fifth really slowed things down for me and the end result leaves a main character in a state that I didn't like. However, that change does result in the part of volume that was an absolute page turner with the fugitives; it reminded me a lot of the Secret Warriors omnibus.
The ending is not a satisfying one as Secret Wars is the capstone for this story but there's enough great stuff here to justify the rating.
The skipping though time one in the 2nd fifth really slowed things down for me and the end result leaves a main character in a state that I didn't like. However, that change does result in the part of volume that was an absolute page turner with the fugitives; it reminded me a lot of the Secret Warriors omnibus.
The ending is not a satisfying one as Secret Wars is the capstone for this story but there's enough great stuff here to justify the rating.
September 24, 2024
I usually don't give 5 stars but this book stole the show for me. The first omnibus was alright. With Hickman it's a lot of building-up and this book defnitely had that. The first third of the book was pretty sloggy and confusing but once things started making sense, the pay-off was amazing. I wish they had included the Secret Wars Storyline in this too. You had everything from drama to sci fi to off-beat humours
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September 10, 2025Have never read a set of Omnis with such a jump in quality between books. Nearly every issue I had with the initial (too many characters, too many plot threads) was swiftly cleaned up in this. The focus of this Omni is squarely on the incursion, with much of the focus on the Illuminati and their he characters closest to that. Some amazing drama, character moments are all incredibly earned and surprising, and the twists are phenomenal. Also Dr. Doom…
July 21, 2019
This was one of those books that may well be great, but if it is it went over my head. Seems there’s a LOT of background info you need to know in order to understand it, similar to the Jimenez Wonder Woman run.
It’s still entertaining, particularly with the overal Cap storyline. But I enjoyed volume 1 far more.
It’s still entertaining, particularly with the overal Cap storyline. But I enjoyed volume 1 far more.
March 13, 2020
This second half of Hickman's Avengers run is much more character focused, which is great. There are awesome reveals, characters finally coming to blows, and plenty of my boy Bobby da Costa. The 8 month time jump took me out of it a bit due to some crazy changes to some characters, but I won't knock Hickman for that. Guess I should read that Secret Wars thing now.
February 18, 2024
Enjoyed this a bit more than Volume 1.
Admittedly, the first book does a lot of the heavy lifting and putting things into their places and people on the board for later… but my god, some of the pay offs throughout Volume 2, not only just from Volume 1, but from The Ultimates and Fantastic Four runs are just so damn satisfying.
Admittedly, the first book does a lot of the heavy lifting and putting things into their places and people on the board for later… but my god, some of the pay offs throughout Volume 2, not only just from Volume 1, but from The Ultimates and Fantastic Four runs are just so damn satisfying.
October 10, 2024
The conclusion of Hickman Avengers is magnificent, and I really like how even though the Illuminati is shown as being on the run, they still get their moments. And it's also nice to see Captain America wind up being an asshole since no one ever wants to see him be vindictive. This leading in to my favorite marvel event doesn't hurt either.
November 26, 2025
Somehow ever better than the first volume. As much as I love all the big cosmic space faring wildness of the first half it’s just so compelling when it all comes back to earth and focuses around the avengers themselves. It really should have Secret Wars in here though makes no sense to not include it.
November 1, 2025
absolutely epic in a sense that you feel in your gut.
some characters get a little pushed aside, but it's in favour of fantastic insights into Tchalla, Stark and Rogers.
I love Sunspot's role as well.
some characters get a little pushed aside, but it's in favour of fantastic insights into Tchalla, Stark and Rogers.
I love Sunspot's role as well.
August 3, 2018
Hickman's Avenger's epic comes to a conclusion while setting a stage for Secret Wars.
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