Avengers (Vol. 4) #24

Background

Norman and his new friends had the Avengers and the world on the ropes, but they've managed to free themselves and are ready to rumble. Norman is still confident of his victory though.

Story Details

After last issue, Storm, Iron Man, Red Hulk, Quake, Hawkeye and Spider-Woman are facing off against a powered up Norman and his similarly powered Hand ninjas. Norman had managed to blackmail the government so that he is now 'apparently' in the right and empowered to arrest the Avengers.

Red Hulk punches Osborn punches Osborn. Osborn shakes it off and Hulks out himself! A flashback reveals that AIM scientists have given Norman super-adaptoid powers. The only apparent limit to the powers is if Norman loses control after absorbing too many powers.

The battle plays out, Norman seems unstoppable, until basically every Avenger piles on land lets their power be absorbed. Norman's powers are overloaded by this influx of powers and he is defeated.

In the wrap up, we see Madame Hydra was using Norman and has taken the technology he used to make Hydra more powerful.

General Comments

On okay, if predictable finish to this storyline. I feel a bit ripped off though, I was hoping for more and at least something unexpected to happen, but in the end, things played out as usual, with Norman defeated and the status quo back.

Acuna's art is great for the most part, but after Norman hulks out, he just looks silly. Purple with white undies? The panel where Storm floats Osborn out of the building looks particularly ridiculous. Meanwhile, Acuna's work on facial expressions are awesome.

This whole storyline, at the end of the day, just seems to be about Bendis trying to wrap up his work on Osborn before leaving the title.

Overall Rating

Not bad, but feels too run of the mill.