A Delightful Sign-Off For West Coast Avengers #10
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
Hawkeye Kate Bishop has just stopped her apparently-vampiric mom from feasting on an unconscious America Chavez. Kate’s mom claims to have been meaning well in this act, but Kate is understandably suspicious. The rest of the West Coast Avengers have their hands full in holding off the vampires of the Shifting Sun. Kate soon rejoins the fight, and, thankfully, America wakes up on follows soon after. If the West Coast Avengers even survive this encounter, can this band of misfits survive as a team?
West Coast Avengers #10 unfortunately marks the end of the too short-lived title. For now, this is Kate and her team’s last adventure as the WCA.
As is to be expected, Kelly Thompson makes sure that this final issue is a good one. Kate Bishop has an emotional confrontation with her estranged mom, America and Ramone work on their relationship as do Gwenpool and Quentin Quire (with Jeff the Shark), and Fuse and Marvel Boy (sorta) work out their differences.
It’s a very funny issue too. Thompson continues to show an endearing and strangely wholesome sense of humor. There are a lot of random moments and in-jokes, but they’re a treat for anyone who has followed this book as well as some references for those who read Thompson’s own Hawkeye title and even a couple of references to Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie’s fantastic Young Avengers run.
Moy R. once again brings an anime/manga-inspired style that plays well in both the more dramatic and comedic moments. Jeff the Shark is ridiculously cute, and Ramone (who takes the name Alloy) and America both get moments to be absolute badasses. Triona Farrell’s color work is popping and dynamic to boot, adding even more energy to the book.
West Coast Avengers #10 is a wonderful way for the title to conclude. I’m sad to see it go, but, if it must go, it may as well go on a high note. This was a great read, and I highly recommend checking it out.
West Coast Avengers #10 comes to us from writer Kelly Thompson, artist Moy R., color artist Triona Farrell, letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna, and cover artist Gang Hyuk Lim.
