Monkey Business: A Review of Avengers #19

written by Jason Aaron
penciled by Ed McGuinness
inked by Mark Morales
colored by Justin Ponsor and Erick Arciniega

For the second issue running, the title characters are conspicuously absent from their own monthly book, although this time writer Jason Aaron tells the story of one of the actual Avengers, albeit an extremely peripheral one, namely Kenneth Hale, aka Gorilla Man.

Life should be good for Ken Hale; having been tapped by no less than T'Challa, the Black Panther and current leader of the Avengers, to work as one of the Agents of Wakanda, he's basically in the big leagues. His duties include getting updates from T'Challa's vast network of spies, including those in the unlikeliest of places, and safeguarding Avengers Mountain, the current headquarters of the Avengers carved from the giant carcass of a Celestial. Today, though, his role as Chief of Security will be put to its greatest test yet as the forces of Malekith lay siege to the mountain, with the intent to slaughter the millions of New Yorkers taking refuge inside. People's lives are on the line, and while it's up to Ken to save them, what nobody but Ken knows is that, having lived with the curse of the immortal Gorilla Man for what feels like far too long, Ken is not only willing but is actually hoping to lay down his life for everyone else.

This is the second consecutive done-in-one Aaron and Ed McGuinness deliver and like last issue, it's a satisfying read, even as it teases at something bigger down the line. While I was still vaguely annoyed that, with the exception of Black Panther, most of the Avengers basically make cameo appearances in their own book, at least they actually show up, unlike last issue. Also, Gorilla Man's own story is a pretty involving one. The last time I saw McGuinness draw a gorilla was Gorilla Grodd for a three-issue Justice League arc many years ago, and it's a nice change that it's a sympathetic character he's drawing, for a change.

I have to say, though, I still have no intention of picking up the individual issues of "War of the Realms" so Aaron's sneaky trick of restricting the Avengers' presence to his event (which he's writing) isn't going to work. I'm glad he at least put some effort into writing some decent supporting stories like this one, and am interested to see how it pays off in the long run.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to pay my respects to colorist Justin Ponsor, who recently passed away from cancer, and to extend my condolences to his loved ones, if ever they should read this. You were one of the pillars of this industry with your amazing work, and you will be missed.



8.5/10