Critically acclaimed comic writer Chip Zdarsky presents a dark look into the future of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers: Twilight. In a gleaming new world of prosperity, Captain America is no more. But Steve Rogers still exists, floating through an America where freedom is an illusion… where the Avengers are strangers and his friends are long dead. But is the Dream itself dead? And how do you assemble Avengers in a world that doesn’t want them? With the clock ticking down to New Year’s Day, and the world against him, Steve must build an army to save America! Will his surviving friends sign up, or will he have to lead the ragtag group called the Defenders against the expert military marksman known as Bullseye? And can Steve infiltrate the Raft — a government facility full of secrets and danger off the shores of New York City — before the new Iron Man sentences him to the same gruesome fate as Tony Stark?
Chip Zdarsky has written some of Marvel’s best comics in recent years. From his Eisner nominated multiyear run on Daredevil to his acclaimed work on Spider-Man in Life Story and Spider’s Shadow. This time he takes a shocking look at how the future could look for the Avengers. As with his out of continuity Spider-Man work, he takes the story and characters in very bold directions whilst still respecting what has come before him.
It helps that – as with his work on Daredevil and Spider-Man – Zdarsky has a clear respect and love for the characters he is working with. Not only does he have a strong knowledge of Marvel’s history and significant storylines, but he also has a strong understanding of all the characters. It truly shines through in this series with Steve Rogers living in an era that no longer has time for superheroes. He has seen many of his friends die and he is aware that he – along with his surviving contemporaries – are not held in an esteemed light. It would be easy to take the characters in a bitter direction, but Zdarsky doesn’t lose sight of who Captain America is as he tries to maintain his dignity and moral values in a world that has passed him by.
Beyond the terrific handling of iconic characters, Zdarsky creates an action-packed story full of suspense and memorable moments. Whether it’s Steve stepping up to put together a new team of heroes when it would be easier to not to, or classic Avengers like Iron Man and Thor taking their battles to an epic scale – this is a true modern Marvel classic. This is of course couldn’t be accomplished without the superb art by Danie Acuna. His action sequences are on point, and he does a tremendous job at creating the rather bleak future The Avengers have ended up in. His character designs are also brilliant – with his rather tired but not completely past it Captain America being a big high point.
Zdarsky has added another all-time classic to his Marvel resume. This is a must read for Marvel fans and is a series that will be remembered for a long time.
Avengers: Twilight is out 27 August from Marvel (9781302921484, p/b, £23.99)
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