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A review by miguel
Avengers: Time Runs Out, Vol. 1 by Jonathan Hickman
4.0
Time Runs Out, the lead in to Secret Wars, begins 8 months after the events of Original Sin (where we last left both Avengers and New Avengers). In the intervening 8 months, relevant plot developments have occurred in the Captain America, Superior Iron Man, and Thor solo titles. Additionally, across those 8 months the Uncanny Avengers plot has unfolded and Axis has occurred, although these developments are fairly irrelevant to Hickman's Avengers/New Avengers.
As for the volume itself, it is a fantastic setup for the upcoming event and an engaging story in its own right. Although Steve's old age, Sam Wilson as Cap, Thor's transition to simply being Odinson, and the breakup of the Illuminati are all fairly confusing shifts that have occurred outside of Avengers/New Avengers, Hickman still delivers a strong continuity through Sunspot, Smasher, Cannonball, and the other "second string" Avengers. It is these characters that have served to facilitate the stronger emotional arcs throughout Hickman's run, and they haven't been left in the lurch here.
Hickman creates a strong sense of urgency, avoids tripping on the broader shifts in Marvel continuity, and manages to craft engaging plot questions that are intermittently resolved even within this particular volume. By shifting the focus from ideological conflict (I mean, really, what exactly is the ideological distinction between SHIELD's Avengers, The Cabal, and The Illuminati? It's getting messy) to emotionally intended plot beats, Hickman even manages to shake off the pretension of his New Avengers run up until this point. Time Runs Out begins as a resounding success.
As for the volume itself, it is a fantastic setup for the upcoming event and an engaging story in its own right. Although Steve's old age, Sam Wilson as Cap, Thor's transition to simply being Odinson, and the breakup of the Illuminati are all fairly confusing shifts that have occurred outside of Avengers/New Avengers, Hickman still delivers a strong continuity through Sunspot, Smasher, Cannonball, and the other "second string" Avengers. It is these characters that have served to facilitate the stronger emotional arcs throughout Hickman's run, and they haven't been left in the lurch here.
Hickman creates a strong sense of urgency, avoids tripping on the broader shifts in Marvel continuity, and manages to craft engaging plot questions that are intermittently resolved even within this particular volume. By shifting the focus from ideological conflict (I mean, really, what exactly is the ideological distinction between SHIELD's Avengers, The Cabal, and The Illuminati? It's getting messy) to emotionally intended plot beats, Hickman even manages to shake off the pretension of his New Avengers run up until this point. Time Runs Out begins as a resounding success.