This is the second part of my countdown to the Ten best covers of Avengers from issues 100 to 199.
Number 5 - issue 190
This cover shows a lot of action - as the Avengers (plus Daredevil) try to stop what seems to be an alien life form (its not) from seemingly just rampaging in the docks - and not exactly succeeding as Captain America, and the Beast are being tossed aside (either that or they're dodging the supposed blow in their own unique style), while Iron Man seems pinned down and the rest of them - Wasp, Ms. Marvel and the Vision are joining the fray.
The art is by then getting to be legendary artist - John Byrne with (I suspect) inks by Tom Palmer or Joe Rubinstein. Even the mastheads are a John Byrne rendition of the Avengers including the Falcon (who is not in the cover - probably doing monitor duty).
Byrne's dynamism shows in how his heroes are anatomically presented - Ms Marvel is sexy yet muscular, the Vision is seen rushing in form the right end of the cover and even considering the Wasp's wingspan being almost twice her body length to be able to lift her and make her fly. It is therefore no surprise that John's covers will show up again in this list.
Number 4 - issue 190
This cover shows the Beast passing on an antidote to the Vision as the latter is turning intangible to enter an unconscious and enlarged Yellow Jacket as Thor and the Scarlet Witch look on - unable to do anything else.
For long time Avengers fans - this represents a pleasant reversal of roles, as Hank Pym, then using his Antman persona, had to once enter the Vision to find out what was wrong with him.
For X-men fans, this was Hank McCoy doing what he did best - reminding everyone that he too, was a biochemist, and in this instance, he was using his mind to solve a problem to help his fellow Avenger. For Avengers fans who were still seeing the Beast as an X-man just hanging around the Avengers mansion, it represented the first step in realizing that the Beast had other things to contribute to the team aside from jokes.
The title blurb was a bit confusing though... and may have been better served if it was Invasion into the 50-foot hero = not of... but then again, who know? Maybe Yellow Jacket did invade something - after all, its been a long time since I've read this particular issue.
Number 3 - issue 186
As covers go, this one shows a captured Scarlet Witch being part of a magical spell - cast in a crucifix pose, possibly as a sacrifice, while the rest of her teammates who are not aware and nowhere near to help her... are simply represented by their floating heads (which are basically an enlarged version of their mastheads, lined up at the cover's left margin).
Adding to the danger is the fact that the antagonist in this cover is Mordred the Mystic - and as any fan of the Scarlet Witch knows, Wanda is at best a dabbler - and not a full mystic. So she seems to be in a situation in which she's way over her head in.
Again, the cover - and expression of Wanda looking helplessly up, is greatly crafted by John Byrne. The background being a barren, perhaps snowy area - so yeah... the mood is likewise set by the colors. So as far as scenes go, this one promises to bring suspense - maybe even the success of the villain in affecting the Scarlet Witch. One therefore wonders if the Avengers can help her in time - and to do that, they need but peek inside the issue... that said, this cover is a definite tease and piques any fan's curiosity. But then again, isn't that what covers are supposed to do?
Number 2 - issue 184
Yes, this is another John Byrne cover (he is that good an artist), and this one doesn't really represent a heavy hitter, as far villain are concerned. After all Crusher Creel is a Thor villain - so why the need for an entire Avengers team? Yet here he is... seemingly larger than usual and teeming with power... and the Avengers are hard pressed to stop him.
The Avengers, at this juncture, happen to be Hawkeye, Iron Man, Vision, Ms. Marvel, the Beast and the Wasp. So this lineup has at least two heavy hitters and the rest aren't exactly push overs.
I can't recall what the Absorbing Man absorbed to become this much a threat to the Avengers, but obviously, this cover shouts action (similar to that of a movie's director when filming a scene starts), but Byrne's dynamism once again makes this cover a favorite. Never has Crusher Creel looked so formidable and dangerous, and never has the Avengers seemingly looked unable to stop a villain. Truth to tell, I did not expect this cover to be one of my top picks - but as I compared it to the others, I surprisingly saw myself choosing it over other more familiar covers.
And now... drum roll please!
Number 1 - issue 187
This cover says it all, the Avengers caught and floating helplessly - held motionless and upside down, by a spell seemingly concocted by a villain who has possessed the Scarlet Witch - seen laughing triumphantly. No need for word balloons here - in fact, the silence adds to its impact.
The Avengers - in this case, Captain America, Ms. Marvel, the Falcon, Quicksilver, the Wasp and Wonderman, are here to rescue Wanda, but the possession makes the task more difficult, as they need to find a way to defeat the villain 'Chthon' without hurting Wanda. Whoa... moment, right?
This could very well be a Halloween story as the cover promises intense and scary moments ahead. Chthon - by the way Wanda is acting is obviously a malevolent force, and the near darkness surrounding her - while the Avengers are relatively brightly lit, hints at the depths of Wanda's predicament and Chthon's darkness.
If the cover is any indicator, the story itself is one great adventure, making the Witch on Wundagore Mountain an instant hit and easily one of my favorite Avengers stories ever written and drawn. But don't take my word on it... try to find the compilation or if you like looking for back issues - try getting this two-part story.
This cover shows a lot of action - as the Avengers (plus Daredevil) try to stop what seems to be an alien life form (its not) from seemingly just rampaging in the docks - and not exactly succeeding as Captain America, and the Beast are being tossed aside (either that or they're dodging the supposed blow in their own unique style), while Iron Man seems pinned down and the rest of them - Wasp, Ms. Marvel and the Vision are joining the fray.
The art is by then getting to be legendary artist - John Byrne with (I suspect) inks by Tom Palmer or Joe Rubinstein. Even the mastheads are a John Byrne rendition of the Avengers including the Falcon (who is not in the cover - probably doing monitor duty).
Byrne's dynamism shows in how his heroes are anatomically presented - Ms Marvel is sexy yet muscular, the Vision is seen rushing in form the right end of the cover and even considering the Wasp's wingspan being almost twice her body length to be able to lift her and make her fly. It is therefore no surprise that John's covers will show up again in this list.
This cover shows the Beast passing on an antidote to the Vision as the latter is turning intangible to enter an unconscious and enlarged Yellow Jacket as Thor and the Scarlet Witch look on - unable to do anything else.
For long time Avengers fans - this represents a pleasant reversal of roles, as Hank Pym, then using his Antman persona, had to once enter the Vision to find out what was wrong with him.
For X-men fans, this was Hank McCoy doing what he did best - reminding everyone that he too, was a biochemist, and in this instance, he was using his mind to solve a problem to help his fellow Avenger. For Avengers fans who were still seeing the Beast as an X-man just hanging around the Avengers mansion, it represented the first step in realizing that the Beast had other things to contribute to the team aside from jokes.
The title blurb was a bit confusing though... and may have been better served if it was Invasion into the 50-foot hero = not of... but then again, who know? Maybe Yellow Jacket did invade something - after all, its been a long time since I've read this particular issue.
As covers go, this one shows a captured Scarlet Witch being part of a magical spell - cast in a crucifix pose, possibly as a sacrifice, while the rest of her teammates who are not aware and nowhere near to help her... are simply represented by their floating heads (which are basically an enlarged version of their mastheads, lined up at the cover's left margin).
Adding to the danger is the fact that the antagonist in this cover is Mordred the Mystic - and as any fan of the Scarlet Witch knows, Wanda is at best a dabbler - and not a full mystic. So she seems to be in a situation in which she's way over her head in.
Again, the cover - and expression of Wanda looking helplessly up, is greatly crafted by John Byrne. The background being a barren, perhaps snowy area - so yeah... the mood is likewise set by the colors. So as far as scenes go, this one promises to bring suspense - maybe even the success of the villain in affecting the Scarlet Witch. One therefore wonders if the Avengers can help her in time - and to do that, they need but peek inside the issue... that said, this cover is a definite tease and piques any fan's curiosity. But then again, isn't that what covers are supposed to do?
Yes, this is another John Byrne cover (he is that good an artist), and this one doesn't really represent a heavy hitter, as far villain are concerned. After all Crusher Creel is a Thor villain - so why the need for an entire Avengers team? Yet here he is... seemingly larger than usual and teeming with power... and the Avengers are hard pressed to stop him.
The Avengers, at this juncture, happen to be Hawkeye, Iron Man, Vision, Ms. Marvel, the Beast and the Wasp. So this lineup has at least two heavy hitters and the rest aren't exactly push overs.
I can't recall what the Absorbing Man absorbed to become this much a threat to the Avengers, but obviously, this cover shouts action (similar to that of a movie's director when filming a scene starts), but Byrne's dynamism once again makes this cover a favorite. Never has Crusher Creel looked so formidable and dangerous, and never has the Avengers seemingly looked unable to stop a villain. Truth to tell, I did not expect this cover to be one of my top picks - but as I compared it to the others, I surprisingly saw myself choosing it over other more familiar covers.
And now... drum roll please!
This cover says it all, the Avengers caught and floating helplessly - held motionless and upside down, by a spell seemingly concocted by a villain who has possessed the Scarlet Witch - seen laughing triumphantly. No need for word balloons here - in fact, the silence adds to its impact.
The Avengers - in this case, Captain America, Ms. Marvel, the Falcon, Quicksilver, the Wasp and Wonderman, are here to rescue Wanda, but the possession makes the task more difficult, as they need to find a way to defeat the villain 'Chthon' without hurting Wanda. Whoa... moment, right?
This could very well be a Halloween story as the cover promises intense and scary moments ahead. Chthon - by the way Wanda is acting is obviously a malevolent force, and the near darkness surrounding her - while the Avengers are relatively brightly lit, hints at the depths of Wanda's predicament and Chthon's darkness.
If the cover is any indicator, the story itself is one great adventure, making the Witch on Wundagore Mountain an instant hit and easily one of my favorite Avengers stories ever written and drawn. But don't take my word on it... try to find the compilation or if you like looking for back issues - try getting this two-part story.
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