With this book, if there is to be an epic fight it's a safe bet that Ed McGuinness is going to pop his head in to dazzle. This issue was full of energy blasts, colorful costumes, and close ups that allow McGuinness' genius to shine. I can't wait to see Avengers Mountain turn into cosmic nursery. Read Full Review

Though Jason Aaron's era of Avengers has had its ups and downs, Issue #30 finds it hitting a fine balance between emotions and fun. Read Full Review

The Starbrand's identity has been revealed and it is even more important to the Avengers to protect her than it was before. Gladiator and the heralds of Galactus are still hell-bent on destroying the Starbrand before she can destroy the galaxy. Will the Avengers be able to harness the power of the Starbrand? Read Full Review

Avengers under Jason Aaron's pen has been a tough nut to crack. From arc to arc and even issue to issue, it's been wildly inconsistent. "Starbrand Reborn" is easily the writer's most consistent attempt thus far, though, and if it's indicative of the quality he wants to pull off with this title, thenAvengers could be poised to become Marvel's wildest, least-predictable and all-outfun book on the stands. Time will tell. As for this issue, it brings to a head a story that no one was expecting but everyone should love, mild flaws and all. Hats off to everyone involved. Read Full Review

The Starbrand has been overused in Marvel team books for too long, but Aaron takes the idea in an entirely new direction here. Read Full Review

The conclusion to the "Starbrand Reborn" story starts off with a bang, with the Avengers facing off against Gladiator and heralds of Galactus. The back half of the issue slows it down a bit but gives a satisfying ending. Read Full Review

Avengers #30 gives readers a new Starbrand and not much else. Sure, there is some punching and arguing, but we've been getting that for issues now. I wish this all felt bigger than it does, but I will wait until Jason Aaron expands on it until I get more excited. Let's hope that it is sometime soon. Read Full Review

" She was trying to get away to control a power she didn't ask for and couldn't possibly understand... A power that exists only to protect its host and its homelands from alien threats. "
- BLACK PANTHER

It's an OK end to this up and down arc. rushed at times and decompressed at other times. Aaron has great ideas but his delivery was off with some characters doing things just because? Brood Thor as an example was just a waste. Aaron succeeds in tying the story with baby Starbrand and we'll see where that goes but somehow he misses with too many other ones. His Black widow moment was way off but I did like Cap delivering the baby! McGuiness and Manna combined for the art along with Morales on inks and Keith doing colors. The art was OK. McGuiness was sharper the last issue and Manna was decent but nothing spectacular.

Hmm, this felt a bit rushed. But still, I've really enjoyed this story. I wonder what will come out of this though.

I liked how this ended so let’s start with the good. Spoilers!

There is interesting story potential in a baby having the star brand power. I’m curious to see how this plays out. It could also go poorly but I’m on board right now. I would have rated this lower if it had not ended the way it did.

My issues with the issue and story arc as a whole.
Art - it was okay. I’m not a big McGuinness fan but I don’t hate it. It’s passable. If you are into this artist it likely delivers for you. There’s nothing bad aside from personal date.

The silver surfer. I’m glad he came around to not advocating murder of a woman the star brand chose but he was going to until he realized she was pregnant. I’ve read a lot of silver surfer (highly recommend the awesome run by Dan Slott) and I don’t think the surfer would want to kill the woman despite the threat. He would find another way. Terrax for sure and maybe fire lord would, even gladiator I can see doing what he did not the surfer. The surfer does not always get consistent writing but but he nearly always has a love and respect for life. That’s his contrast and penance for the death he caused in the past. It’s part of what makes him interesting in my opinion.

Surfer rant aside, I felt like there were story elements left untold in favour of increased action. I thought there was something more to brood Thor, why did gladiator call the avengers to help? Did he actually think they would come help him kill the woman?

I feel like I’m complaining a bit much about this arc. It is a microcosm of Aaron’s entire run. There’s interesting ideas but many a little too much going on for proper follow up. Maybe everything will tie together and wrap up like a Hickmen story would but I’m not sure it all will. more

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• Kalaoui

Kalaoui - Feb 5, 2020

All valid concerns. Good ideas but disjointed delivery.

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Cap delivering a baby. :)

The Pacing of the issue felt weird, things were moving way too fast and suddenly. Although, the payoff was still good and it is interesting to see where this new Starbrand will go. 7/10

This was probably the weakest issue of the arc. Most of it was fine, it was just a little too decompressed and the dialogue didn't help. Black Widow's comment makes no sense in context, for instance. It's hard to care about the Starbrand as an entity but putting it in a baby is pretty interesting. An instance of the dialogue being good, Black Panther's question at the end really hammers home the potential of this. We'll see where it goes.

When Jason Aaron gets political … well, it ain't exactly Al Ewing's Immortal Hulk. Poor pregnant Starbrand!

That baby is very cute.

What a week for average comics.

Why is Captain America wearing a headband? He doesn't have long hair.

Aaron is trying to do too many things and he seems to be trying a Dark Metal Scott Snyder storyline. He is a great writer but he is going for effect over any coherent storytelling.
Mostly he doesn’t know what to do with his cast, so there is a barrage o”Big Moments” which don’t work. Robbie Reyes is a terrible character and the novelty of Blade on the Avengers has work off. Black Widow gets an armor. But there is no character development, no conflict. Only She Hulk is somewhat interesting.
Let’s hope Aaron can get back on track. Not next issue, which might be the worst of his run.