As we briefly saw in the last issue, Atlantean terrorists (who, contrary to my prediction, are not at all related to Attuma) attacked Los Angeles. Melrose, specifically. So, Norman Osborn calls together the Cabal, and he tries to get Namor to deal with the situation. Namor, however, regally tells Osborn to piss off and that his very participation in the Cabal is an honor that he bestows on them. Loki smiles evilly, noting Norman Osborn’s slow disintegration. So instead, Osborn calls the Dark Avengers. Noh-Varr, the new Captain Marvel, is missing, since he isn’t sure that he likes the idea of working with a bunch of criminals pretending to be heroes. At first, he and Sentry are going to go deal with the problem. But as Victoria Hand points out, Osborn’s not doing so hot. Instead, she insists that he delegate the task to Sentry alone. Osborn does so, asking Sentry to bring out the Void to deal with the issue. Now, that goes counter to how he’s been dealing with Sentry’s mental issues thus far, and both of them know it. Even still, he kills every single one of the Atlantean terrorists. Well, almost every single one. he spares one, which Osborn claims will be given over to the government for interrogation. Actually, he’s a snack for Venom. The issue then ends with Osborn having a mental breakdown as his Green Goblin persona starts to haunt him.
This is possibly the single best issue thus far of this series. Things pooped out at the end of the first arc, but this issue sees better characterization with characters like Victoria Hand and Venom, characters who have been pushed aside thus far in favor of Osborn, Ares, and Sentry. It’s very welcome, especially with the Venom thing, as it’s a return to the superb characterization of Warren Ellis’ Thunderbolts era. And I have to say, half of the fun of the Dark Reign stories, of Invincible Iron Man, Dark Avengers, etc. is seeing how close Osborn is to blowing up. Dr. Doom’s getting ready for it. Loki’s getting ready for it. There are schisms forming in the Cabal, and poor Emma Frost seems to be getting in bed with Osborn (not literally). But that won’t go well when he blows up. Then she won’t have him or the X-Men to rely on. At any rate, I think I can now safely say that Brian Michael Bendis is doing great work on this series. It’s basically the best work I’ve ever seen him do. Mike Deodato Jr.’s work here is probably the worst of the run (odd Atlantean/Sentry faces), but even still, his work is the best in the business. The Dark Avengers’ next two issues will be involved in Utopia, and I wonder just how everything will turn out.
Plot: 9.2 Art: 9.0 Dialogue: 9.2 Overall: 9.2
