Writer: Mark Waid / Artist: Humberto Ramos / Marvel Comics
There’s a way to handle heroes suffering a loss where they can’t punch their way back to victory. We need a to see this turmoil happen to a character, in this case, a group, in order to see them grow in a way that doesn’t involve their set of skills but their maturity as characters. That being said, MARK WAID AND HUMBERTO RAMOS ARE OUT HERE SHITTING ALL Y’ALL MUH FUCKAS. Ooooh, you know the issue is popping when Ms. Marvel needs to be physically restrained by Nova and Spider-Man from catching a body. Her answer to the Freelancer’s trademarking Champions for merchandise and cashing in is fucking their personal space up with these embiggened hands.
Kamala Khan is taking this the hardest as she had something similar happen in her own series and didn’t see it coming. Meanwhile, Cyclops, with Viv’s help, deals with this ordeal by plotting how he’ll speak to the Avengers that he knows will be coming down on the team with their concerns and disappointment at the compromising position the Champions find themselves in. Amidst all these serious concerns, Waid and Ramos are not only able to give us comedic gold between Amadeaus and Viv, but an excellent look at sexuality, attraction, and real rap raw friendship. The humor of this book will always hit when you need it and least expect it, no matter how dire or bleak things get.
We get a good talk and bonding between Hulk and Cyclops that results in, of course, the greatest X-men tag team team-up move. Also, Nova takes action into his own hands that will force the group to see him in a different light and highlights just how underestimated the MVP Spaceman really is. Champions continue to be a book that’s not only needed for the teen heroes in Marvel, but for the teen audience of readers, and team books for Marvel in general. We’re eight issues in and Champions continues to separate itself from the majority of team books for not only Marvel Comics, but other publishers as well.
Reading Champions? Find BNP’s other reviews of the series here.
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