As for Hickman - well, no one's perfect, but that's easy to forgive, as the rest of the series easily outweighs this stumble. Read Full Review

New Avengers #31 is a fantastic chapter for fans who have been around from the beginning. Hickman's epic story, that has now been in motion for years, is about to blow up in a big way and this issue feels like the match that has been lit that is moving toward the powder keg to blow this all wide open. Rabum Alal is here, y'all. Read Full Review

This issue is a nice example of the artform-- something that combines art and words to a singular experience. As such, it capitalizes on tone and pacing in a way not many other chapters of this long epic have done. The reveal of the Great Destroyer plays out beautifully, and fits narratively with the ongoing plot points we've seen. Still, the characteristic style of the writer is there, and it's both a strength and a weakness that you have to consider this book in context of the overall and on-going (and going, and going...) story. Read Full Review

Entering the final five issues before Secret Wars, Jonathan Hickman is expertly double-checking his work, crossing t's and dotting i's from throughout his multi-title saga. Read Full Review

At this point, New Avengers basically exists as a prelude to Secret Wars, and that's okay, because it's done so well. With this month's reveal, as well as last month's less successful discussion of the Beyonders, all the pieces are on the board, and it's great to see such a long term plan finally coming together. As one character puts it, "[T]hey're out there" waiting. The Ivory Kings. The Beyonders" And how can we defeat them? We cogs in their well-oiled apocalypse machine?" Hickman is setting up what seem to be impossibly high stakes, and hopefully he can pull it off. Read Full Review

Visually, New Avengers has begun to lag behind its sister series. Kev Walker doesn't really tap into the surreal vibe needed to properly bring the library or its inhabitants to life. This is a disappointingly plain-looking installment, and even the big magical fight scene is hindered by flat, stiff figure work. Read Full Review

"New Avengers" #31 resists simply being a placeholder chapter in a story that is nearing its conclusion. Hickman has planned everything out enough to ensure that new revelations come to light in these remaining chapters, but those revelations feel overshadowed by the event beyond. The reveal of Rabum Alal carries "New Avengers" #31 to its conclusion, but the final page points back over to "Avengers." With just a few more issues remaining in this saga, it truly is time for Hickman and company to pull out all the stops and drive this story home. Read Full Review

New Avengers #31 is a comic that is slowly limping forward towards Secret Wars. Not much really happens in it until the ending and even then, the big reveal for the issue is a mixed bag. The writing is just slightly below average and the artwork is just not capable of properly conveying the tone and feel that the story wants. There's just not much left but to hope that somehow this comic turns around very quickly. Read Full Review

This just keeps up the momentum.

Reveal at end alone makes this good.

Where does the all hope lay in?