Some parts of the issue feel a little on the filler side (though incredibly gorgeous filler to be fair), but it seems things are moving in the right direction by issue's end. Read Full Review

If youre not a fan of Jason Aarons Avengers run or the Phoenix Tournament, then expect more of the same but with great art. Things are progressing slowly as the tournament continues with more matchups with the stakes being reserved for a select few fighters. I dont recommend buying this issue unless youre already on board with the tournament, because this is not a good jumping-on point for new readers. Read Full Review

Skip this and go read any classic manga tournament arc if you want some good old-fashioned brawling just for the hell of it. Read Full Review

I liked this one a little more than I probably should have but it just felt more productive than last issue. The part with shang chi was good and the last half definitely has me a little more interested to see what happens.

People seem real upset about the end of this issue, and I'll just say, I'm not upset. It's not the first time they've changed so-and-so's parents, and it probably won't be the last. As for the rest of the issue, it was fine. I wish I could say I had fun, but I didn't, really.

The Phoenix tournament rolls on, with a few too many characters delivering cute but shallow monologues about their firechicken feelings. Artist Luca Maresca deserves plenty of credit for delivering polished art that is stylistically similar to Javier Garrón's work in the previous issue. Also, Mr. Maresca does a stellar job carrying the story through the fight scenes while the script is staring into its navel.

I'm not at all pleased with the opacity of the tournament mechanics. Some eliminated contenders show up A-OK in Avengers Mountain. Does that mean all of the losers are safe? (Yes I am still gravely concerned about Howard the Duck.)

My rating was headed up toward green territory -- then the final page pulled that Empire Strikes Back BS. Noooooope, I don't like that.
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Fiiine.

Love Namor, think he's better than Aquaman and all that , hell, I even recognize him as the First Mutant from time to time but c'mon , Aaron's going to put him against Echo , Bendis' sexiest creation , and have her slaughtered in the ocean ? How in the flying fuck is that fair competition ?
This Pheonix tournament lost credibility with this here, shit Echo should've mixed it up with Red Wolf , for some Native love there . Even Shanna would have been a dope match up. Having basically break into Namor's home and get murdered for trespassing , basically , is no way a match-up.
And I love Shang-Chi , but two issues of him fighting in a row ? And then he loses because he isn't willing to kill ? How many bodies has Cap capped when he swinging his shield in the 40's? Man, pacifism is the weakest excuse to kick Shang-Chi out of the tournament, when the Avengers are all technically super-heroes and even a casual reader knows what the cardinal rule of men in tights tends to be.
By that merit, wolverine should just win by default, and I thoroughly enjoyed his little speech where he denounced his reserve Avengers membership and wen't full Magneto in regards to his Krakoan citizenship. That was the best piece of writing in the whole book, that got crushed with the Pheonix Force teasing to be Thor's mom ? Come on , this type of shit must be why I hear all these bloggers talking down on Aaron's name , but I'll stick with it just to see who wins the tournament. Not for this shit side story.
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why am I still reading this? FOMO I guess.

I'm not even sure what's happening anymore. This reads more and more like a badly-written fanfic rather than a book that's meant to be Marvel's flagship book.

Another drag of a boring issue further making a joke of the phoenix force and our loved characters with pointless fights and cliché tropes of characters saying things that feel off base for what we know of them. I was really liking the beginning of Aaron's run and was pumped to see where it was leading but the Moon Knight issues really seemed to be a bore and this arc has been especially brutal. Hoping we can get back to some better stories once this arc is finally over with.

The Avengers
Volume: 8, Issue: 42 LGY: 742
“Be Like Fire”
“Enter the Phoenix” Part III

Publisher: @marvel
Writer: @jasonaaron
Artist: @lucamaresca
Colorist: @davcuriel
Cover: @thealexrossart
Letterer: Cory Petit

The Phoenix Force has returned to Earth in search for its next host. Since it’s arrival, several of the Avengers, along with other heroes and villains from around the world, have been teleported to the White Hot Room to engage in a tournament that would determine who would wield the great power next. In this issue, the battle for the Phoenix Force continues as Namor takes on Echo for control beneath the waves and the remaining combatants stake their claim as to why they are so deserving. However, regardless of what they want, one thing is for sure, the Phoenix is always in control.

This issue started off strong with the focus being on Namor. His entire battle was narrated by him as we also learned about an incident that happened when he was young. It explains how he came to be and what direction his life would have possibly went had he not changed his ways. However after this start, the issue went downhill from there. The issue cuts to other less captivating battles to say the least. I continue to question why the Phoenix Force is involved with the Avengers instead of the X-Men as well as why in this capacity of a tournament. Aside from the amazing artwork and yet another stellar Ross cover, there’s not much to this issue that keeps me intrigued.

Once again, I want to be clear that this review as every other Comic Book Club Review is purely just our opinion and is not meant to insult any one or the creative team whatsoever. We always appreciate the hard work and dedication that the creators do and we have nothing but respect for them. Thank you for reading.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️ (2/5)
Reviewed by: @mcruz2189 of The Comic Book Club of Instagram
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I wish the Avengers would stop playing with the X-Men's toys.

Marvel, please get someone to reset/relaunch this title...4 years and I haven't read an issue I wanted to read twice!!

Continues to be one of the most mediocre runs The Avengers has ever had, not to mention the apparent horrible retcon at the last page.