Gorilla-Man Defends Avengers Mountain In Avengers #19
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
While the Avengers fight in the War of the Realms, Gorilla-Man has tended to Avengers Mountain and making sure it doesn’t fall to Malekith’s forces. Gorilla-Man was connecting with Ursa Major of the Winter Guard when the call came in from Ka-zar that something bad was happening. Ken returned to Avengers Mountain and worked on the Celestial’s weapon systems as Frost Giants, Dark Elves, and Fire Goblins approached the base. The survival of the Avengers and much of New York City rests upon Gorilla-Man’s ability to tend to the dormant body of a Celestial. Is he up to the task?
Avengers #19 follows the foibles of Gorilla-Man during the massive conflict. Kenneth Hale no longer sees himself as someone capable of saving the world, but he’s still willing to do what he can to help Black Panther and the Avengers.
Gorilla-Man has a dark, rather self-loathing sense of humor. Avengers #19 is definitely shooting for some degree of levity in the doom and gloom of War of the Realms, but it’s undercut somewhat by Gorilla-Man’s constant expressed wish for death.
Of course, that is overcome somewhat by Gorilla-Man’s newfound sense of purpose in the Avengers, but the death-wish still brings down the more upbeat aspects of the comics from time to time.
Ed McGuinness contributes the artwork to this issue as well, and he gives an especially expressive and lively treatment to Gorilla-Man. McGuinness’ somewhat cartoonish style proves to be perfectly-suited to Kenneth Hale’s character. The color art of Erick Arciniega and the talented and tragically-passed Justin Ponsor proves wonderful, giving the comic a bright and energetic vibe throughout.
Avengers #19 is another solid entry into Jason Aaron’s run on the series. There are some drawbacks, but the comic has more good than bad to offer, especially in the art department. This one gets a recommendation. Feel free to check it out.
Avengers #19 comes to us from writer Jason Aaron, artist Ed McGuinness, inker Mark Morales, color artist Justin Ponsor and Erick Arciniega, letterer VC’s Cory Petit, cover artist McGuinness with Val Staples, and variant cover artists Maxx Lim; and Nick Bradshaw with John Rauch.
Final Score: 7/10