Avengers Academy #39 Review

Another week, another batch of Marvel series coming to an end. In the case of Avengers Academy, however, I never expected the series to last this long in the first place. And though there are plenty of plot points left unresolved or open to continuation, Gage is able to deliver a fitting and mostly uplifting end to the series.

Gage brings the book full circle in more ways than one. The revelation from issue #1 that the Academy recruits are not the best and brightest of a new generation, but rather those most in danger of falling into darkness, comes back into play as the kids finally confront their teachers. But as the issue is titled Commencement, the focus is not on darkness and despair but the excitement and uncertainty that comes as a group of young men and women embrace the next stage in their respective lives. This can be said for the series as a whole, but issue #39 excels in delivering a teen superhero book that eschews cynicism and offers a more positive look at growing up. Gage capitalizes on all the attachment readers have built with these characters as we see romance blossom, friendships endure or unravel, and new opportunities open up. The script is equal parts jubilant, whimsical, and wistful as Gage bids the characters farewell. It's hard to imagine any longtime reader feeling disappointed with the results.

Tom Grummett closes out the series alongside Gage. By now readers should know what to expect from his visuals. The art has a distinctly old school flavor that suits the optimistic tone very well. Certain characters sometimes look younger than they should, but Grummett delivers plenty of heartfelt emotion and a nice visual callback to Mike McKone's issue #1.

It's sad to see this series go, partly because Gage makes it abundantly clear that there's still so much story left to tell with his cast, and partly because Avengers Arena does not appear to be the kind of book that will explore that potential. Regardless, we'll always have these past 40 issues to look back on fondly.

Jesse is a writer for various IGN channels. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.

Source : ign[dot]com