Writer: Jason Aaron / Artists: Dale Keown and Andrea Sorrentino / Marvel Comics
I don’t know about you but my new preferred theory for the origin of life on planet Earth is a “diseased Celestial vomiting its liquified space innards onto our planet’s primordial shores”. I repeatedly roll my eyes and shrug my shoulders when trying to figure out what an issue of Aaron’s Avengers is going to be, given the prehistoric iterations introduced towards the beginning of this run. I should know better. These issues have been good, especially the ones that focus on one character. Last time it was Ghost Rider; Jason Aaron said, “Oh you liked the flaming mammoth? I’ll see that and raise you two gay cavemen and an energy blast-spitting T-Rex”. I’m only half-joking, but does Jason Aaron have the superpower to take my childhood dreams and turn them into legit comics? Much of the Million B.C. Avengers make sense. Iron Fist, Black Panther, Ghost Rider, Thor and Phoenix have cannon origins than go back generations. The stretch was Hulk. Hulk is being linked to the “Starbrand”, a cosmic force re-introduced by Jonathan Hickman in his Avengers run. If there’s one universal truth in comics (maybe even in life), though, it’s that it doesn’t matter how bizarre an idea is if it comes with a compelling story.
This tale follows the Starbrand on its first journey to Earth as the meteor (meteorite? I don’t know space) that wiped out the dinosaurs. Well, almost all the dinosaurs. Next, Aaron plays with Biblical themes introducing the slight Vnn and the burly Brrkk in a garden of paradise. Spending their days naming plants, defending the garden from attackers, and loving each other until the Starbrand abruptly infuses one with its power as the other dies. The grief, rage and loneliness expressed by the new Starbrand made a Hulk a befitting a new form of Earth’s new champion.
The art team demolished this one. Between the dinosaurs, a celestial and a Starbrand Hulk there were plenty of opportunities for impressive action shots. Not relying on action alone, the tranquil garden scene had elegance and grace. The emotion was beautifully conveyed on the two lovers’ faces. This was the best kind of book; one that could stand alone with no context and still shine.
10 “Starbrand T-Rex vs Kree Fights” out of 10
Reading Avengers? Find BNP’s other reviews of the series here.
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