SPOILERS The Phoenix Force was given to a character with the least bearing on the series so far. One with so little a role, I had completely forgotten she was ever in this series, and with so little effort given to her in this series, I was forced to wikipedia the character just to have some understanding of who she is. It seems like the worst choice of them all, as she seems have little to no conflict with anyone or anything going forward. She is simultaneously a safe choice and completely unearned, and I foresee her having less impact on the story than the baby Starbrand. The swerve of "someone who has fallen will receive the prize" was completely wasted. That reveal should've been the driving force for the tournament; a race to die in battle as opposed to a psyche out that was actually and secretly decided several issues ago, making any re-read seem like a waste of time. This winner could've at least been made into one of the random Agents of Wakanda or something beforehand. Any build-up at all. I didn't know her before this arc, and her presence in the arc was extremely minimal (apparently she's a deaf Native-American with Taskamster's copy-reflexes, a fact not presented or utilized at all in the story, but then becomes one of the only reasons that she was chosen over the other fallen), leading to a massive amount of questions on why this story exists in the way it does. Shoehorning in Political Correctness is about all I can come up with. It's as if inclusion is enough as style over substance. The Phoenix Force just got linked to a character solely to highlight that character's existence, instead of story based logical progression. I fear the Phoenix Force just got a lot more boring, as the level of care put into this winning character so far is frighteningly unrealized.

Aaron's run has been about 75% build-up, and this series continues the trend, ending with Blade in a sanctioned position of authority over those he's hunted, forcing both parties to play nice for the time being. My favorite part of this issue is the interaction between Robbie Reyes and the newly chosen phoenix, Maya Lopez; if only because it rights the wrong of under-developing Maya in the Phoenix-arc before shoving her in our faces as the new Old-Power. Here's my hopeful ship for Maya and Robbie. Plenty of Avengers downtime flavor abounds this issue and after the self-seriousness of the Phoenix arc, it's all quite welcoming.

The art is top-notch, and the visuals make up for the one-sided Gorilla-Man monologues. I’m really hoping his apparent budding sacrifice isn’t a fake out, and he’s actually going to pay for his betrayal; successfully building anticipation for the next Gorilla-Man. Heres hoping it won’t be a character only mentioned twice in the last 20 years of Marvel. (I do like Echo as the Phoenix, just wish there had been more build-up.)

I enjoy Aaron’s deep dive into all the different multiversal/historic characters.

Robbie Reyes continues to shine as Jason Aaron puts him front and center in an “Old-Man Logan” style apocalyptic setting, allowing him to reach his darkest and most violent limits. Tony Stark’s new digs are very much a different name for the same flavor, but it works well enough to intrigue and steadily build the mystery of the ancient powers. Mostly, we are left wondering how all those cover characters will ever fit into this series.

The mystery is as comic-book trope-y as it gets and the stakes seem non-existent. However, the execution of it all is top notch. Much of the strength comes from the panel work and the art. Jason Aaron's attempt at the Justice League is intriguing, and each member is introduced with their own villain to deal with (many of whom are a mash-up of well-established villains with well-established newly acquired powers). There's bravado coming out the wazoo, and though most readers will know what parts each character will play, and how the story will end, it's a fun time promising a climactic showdown.

Jason Aaron and Cosmic Norse mythology are a match made in Valhalla. Sometimes a comic book should be cool, and Jason Aaron's newest is mighty cool. The art in the first part, the questions posed in the second part; both will have me lingering on this issue for a long time. Jane Foster's not-so-recent push in Marvel Comics has aged like a fine mead (it's aged well). She has been fully developed and redefined more than once in Aaron's run, and her newest iteration offers so many new opportunities for epic tales, I wouldn't be surprised to see her have a pivotal role in another upcoming event. In the second part, the tale of the lost Valkyrie is based more on other-world building than characters' development, but what a world, with an economy seemingly in love with an Oracle-based reality show promising an end to the mysteries; for a price. All the brashness of a Warrior Asgardian is on full display as the Valkyrie doesn't hesitate once in her mission, a mission seemingly based more on a hunch but nonetheless compelling. A loud start in nostalgic territory with endless potential. Super cool