Review by Frank Plowright

While Jason Aaron’s Avengers is underpinned by a strong central concept, never dips below average, and eventually flourishes, it remains an inconsistent experience well into the run. This combination of what in paperback was Challenge of the Ghost Riders and Starbrand Reborn supplies the weakest moments overall during the first of two stories.

Ghost Rider’s induction into the Avengers was controversial, yet also a definitive statement of horror now being part of the Avengers’ world. It can work well as in Vol. 2’s Dracula sequence, and Robbie Reyes as the ordinary eyes through which the magnificence of the Avengers is seen also hits the spot. However, the constant danger of a demonic manifestation is overplayed here, and it also provides a steep learning curve for Avengers readers who’ve not previously taken an interest in Ghost Rider’s solo titles. Those who have can appreciate how smoothly Aaron incorporates the history, but the Cosmic Ghost Rider also puts in an appearance. Marvel writers seem to love this alternate reality powerhouse introduced as a foe for Thanos, but here he’s space filler. On the positive side, Aaron supplies a great world weary Daimon Hellstrom.

Encouragingly, the entire Ghost Rider spotlight is drawn by Stefano Caselli who’s stepped things up a notch from his brief contribution to Vol. 2. His version of Hell, as predominantly coloured in red by Jason Keith is suitably foreboding, and his cast are expressive. The following Starbrand story is a rare example of multiple artists working on successive chapters not making a great deal of difference. It’s started by Ed McGuinness in full power mode, and the plot and pacing lend themselves to the remaining artists just following his lead.

Starbrand has featured in the interludes showing a team of Avengers at the dawn of time without making an appearance in the present day continuity. That’s explained by Aaron as being down to the necessity of a new Starbrand manifesting, and due to their potential power levels that’s not something other galactic powers want to see. Aaron supplies ethical arguments along the lines of one death possibly preventing millions, and as it applies to Starbrand anyway, Aaron uses transformation as his theme. The result is considerably more entertaining than the first half of this collection.