Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artists: Ryan Stegman, Mark Morales, Dave Mekis
Colourist: Richard Isanove
Editors: Alanna Smith, Tom Brevort, Daniel Ketchum
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

There are only a couple of action pages in The Uncanny Avengers #8 as the Standoff: Assault on Pleasant Hill cross-over serial continues, and that’s ok. Instead Rogue’s journey to free her teammates from a trap keeps the reader’s interest.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Commander Maria Hill built the Stepford-like burg using Cosmic Cube fragments – now in the form of the child Kubik – in order to imprison super-villains, brainwashed to forget their identities. Now Kubik has trapped Cable, Deadpool, Synapse, Rogue, Doctor Voodoo, Quicksilver and the Human Torch as well.

However, Rogue has been trained by Marvel’s most powerful telepath, Professor X, who gave her a psychic trigger to overcome invading mental control. One by one Rogue frees her comrades and the ensuing dialogue is never boring or trite. “I cannot believe you set me on fire,” complains Johnny Storm to Rogue.

Artist Ryan Stegman continues his excellent run on the series and the panels, layouts and story-telling are satisfying. Richard Isanove’s colouring balances light and dark as a metaphor for Pleasant Hill itself.

Standoff: Assault on Plesant Hill has been an entertaining graphic novel, and Uncanny Avengers #8 keeps the momentum moving forward. Next stop, All-New All-Different Avengers #8.

Excuse me while I wait by the mailbox.

 

Review: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker