Writer: Jim Zub / Artist: Kevin Libranda / Marvel Comics
Champions #22 serves as a recap issue of sorts for those who don’t keep up with our heroes’ respective solo outings. Riri’s got a brand new armor after her old one was destroyed in a battle with Thanos. Miles is out of commission due to taking on the Sinister Six. Amadeus is less of a Hulk than usual and now going by the name Brawn. And last but not least Sam got his Nova helmet taken away by the Nova Corps after they found out he wasn’t supposed to have it.
Zub does a great job giving the reader a quick and easy to understand update while also moving the story forward. He also works these latest changes into the story effortlessly and uses them for some great character moments. Nova’s dilemma is especially an interesting plot point that forces the young Champion to come to terms with what his place on the team is sans-powers.
Also, we get Vision back on his bullshit. Seriously, I know parenthood is hard and he’s trying his best but when has keeping secrets ever been a good idea? Also, the amount of trauma Viv had been through in her short life is just criminal. It’s wasn’t much of a surprise to find out she turned off her emotions after the Viv 2.0 situation. However, for a man who wanted to create a family and for them to learn how to be human, you’d think that Vision would have warned the girl that bottling up your emotions is never a good idea.
Anyway, I digress. Kevin Libranda takes over art duties this week and does a fantastic job. I’m really loving his art style. Everything from Riri’s new armor to newcomer Snowguard’s powers is excellently drawn. There’s a clean quality to his work that makes it just fun to watch this team on the move. There’s an almost cartoon quality Libranda’s art style that makes it look like Champions stepped into a Disney film.
As always, Champions continues to be a fun ride with a great cast of young heroes just trying to do the right thing and make a difference. As they jump into the next mission, I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
8.5 Team Mascots out of 10
Reading Champions? Find BNP’s other reviews of the series here.
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