Avengers #366 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The cover for this 1993 issue touts that this is a '30th Anniversary Issue'. But for a very large majority of it, this book didn't feel like it led up to the hype. There's 2 stories in what feels like a slightly oversized issue. I didn't count the number of pages but with the prestige format cover, it felt thicker than a standard early modern age Marvel publication. 

The first story sees Captain America, Hank Pym, Natasha Romanoff and a really super powered lady named Sersi, who are attempting a rescue mission of the Black Knight, Hercules and the Inhuman Crystal. Occurring sometime after the destruction of the Kree home world at the hands of the Supreme Intelligence, a rogue Kree General is holding the Avengers responsible for the obliteration of his planet. To exact his vengeance, the Kree warrior has activated a Nega-Bomb, which will destroy planet Earth in about 30 minutes. Just enough time for the Avengers to save the day with a moment of reflection on the part of Hank Pym to marvel at the original lineup of Earth's Mightiest Heroes and to give his seal of approval to the current incarnation.

Story #2 really has nothing to do with the anniversary of formation of the Avengers. Instead, we get a guest appearance by Deadpool!  A couple of B-list villains rob a Manhattan bank in hopes of obtaining the contents of a former weapons master that will lead to the discovery of the world's most deadliest weapon. Throw in Bloodwraith, the demon possessed former squire of the Black Knight, along with the Black Knight himself and you've got a 3-man free-for-all that seems really out of place here.

If you read the editor's note on the letters page at the back of this book, you will learn that this issue was very, very delayed in coming out. That could explain why there's a backup story. Perhaps the creative team was running out of time and thus had the main story come in short. A second tale gets included by a totally different crew to keep with the promise of several super-sized anniversary issues. Toss in one of those breath-taking embossed covers, paint it entirely in gold lamé ink and you hopefully have produced something that will make the Marvel faithful satisfied despite being way behind schedule.

I enjoyed seeing an early Deadpool appearance. He's not as insane and off-the-wall irreverent as the Merc With a Mouth has become in the 21st century. That story was written by Glenn Herdling. Illustrated by Mike Gustovich. 

As for the opener, the script was crafted by Bob Harras with art by Steve Epting. Epting also pencilled the cover..

Definitely a product of the 1990s post-bubble industry. It's full of overly muscular heroes. Scantily clad vixens. Plus a level of violence that looks tame to 2026 standards but was rather shocking 4 decades ago.

Completing this review completes Task #10 (An Avengers Comic from the 1990s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #11

  Up until the publication of this issue in 1997-98, there were 3 people to carry the mantle of the Black Knight in the Marvel Universe. The first was Percival from King Arthur's Court, who bore a sword forged by Merlin that could only be defeated by one that wielded this sword’s counterpart. (OK, stop right there! Why create a powerful tool only to give it an equally powerful way to stop it? Seems stupid to me. Or is this like Batman having some kryptonite to keep Superman in check?)

Anyways, centuries later, a curse was bonded to the sword in which if anyone kills with it, even accidentally, it turns the killer evil. A biologist named Nathan Garrett becomes possessed by the blade and becomes the villainous Black Knight. But Garrett's reign of terror is short-lived and he is killed.

  Enter Dane Whitman, nephew of Garrett. He discovers that his uncle was the Black Knight but he decides to go on the path of good. Tell that to the Avengers as they still think this is the evil version of the Black Knight and mayhem ensues when Dane tries to save them from Magneto and later Kang.

  This all seems pretty straight forward, right? Well somebody forgot to post the memo to issue writer Glenn Herdling, because this was the most convoluted story that I have read in a long time. This book has flashbacks, flash forwards and even a flashback hiccup (that's when you flashback to someone else who then has a flashback in their flashback. Confusing, ain't it?) Another issue is that because of this excessive jumping around in the Marvel timeline, some potholes are left wide open and seemingly forgotten. Only I didn't forget!  (This is also another one of those times where a bibliography would've come in handy, as I have little idea where most of this takes place and I'd like some closure!)

   Along with the plot, the art wasn't all that great either. Dane doesn't look the same one panel to the next. Proportions of characters were all wrong and it looked like someone was trying to copy Rob Liefeld a bit too much.

  This was such a disappointment. I really like the character of the Black Knight- good or bad. But they just don't do him justice. And that my friends is a true crime!

Not Worth Consuming.

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.