MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: AVENGERS #45 REVIEW (KING IN BLACK TIE-IN)

The war is over, and Earth has finally won the long, bloody battle. Knull’s symbiote army and his space dragons have been fought off and repelled by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the rest of the Marvel Universe. I, for one, am a huge fan of aftermath stories, whenever it comes to major comic book events. I get a unique kind of thrill learning about what happens right after a huge main event like “King in Black.” And this chapter in the Avengers series sets up a perfect transition from the end of the war to the next big threat. Dracula and his army of vampires helped the world defend itself against Knull. And even after their aid, they were attacked and killed by Blade… and that made them furious, but it also gave them a new card to play at the table. But now they want to have their own nation, and they want to be protected for their… good deeds.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Avengers #45

STORY BY: Jason Aaron

ART BY: Luca Maresca

COVER BY: Cory Smith, Carlos Pacheco

THE AVENGERS JOIN THE BATTLE AGAINST THE KING IN BLACK!

The year’s most epic event explodes in the pages of AVENGERS. The vampire hunter Blade has been at the forefront of the fight against the dark symbiote god, but now he must pay a dark price that will change his world forever.

THEY WANT TO SUCK YOUR BLOOD!

PROS:

• I believe it was pretty clever how Dracula was playing and tugging at the emotional strings of the human race, comparing the vampires to the mutants. He angled the vampires as marginalized, persecuted, attacked, and feared in the similar strain of the X-Men. Dracula’s point was that he and his vampire army risked everything to help in the clash against Knull, so they should be repaid with their own nation, their own rights, and their own protection. Of course, as pointed out by the Avengers themselves, these vampires have been murderers for years and years. I think that is where the comparison to mutants runs dry. Personally, I do not think one good deed can wash away all their sins of the past just like that. And there truly is a reason for humanity to fear the vampires. These guys literally suck their blood for a living.
• But it was a chilling twist and turn where we switched from the very diplomatic and almost vulnerable Dracula on the TV screens to the vampire leader behind the scenes, where he had a human hooked up to a blood-machine, enjoying the taste of a real meal. Although the vampires were promised a nation, and a supply of blood, Dracula made it very clear that they will not simply give up on hunting humans.
• The reveal at the end was the perfect way to pave the way for a new chapter in Blade’s history. I am so excited to see Blade as the sheriff of the vampire nation. With him around, they are sure to be put on high red alert, 24/7. It’s not going to be easy, since the numbers game lies heavily with the blood-suckers. But if anybody in the world can put vampires in their place… if anybody can regulate Dracula and his activities… it is definitely Blade.
• I still got emotional seeing the Black Panther scene with his dad. It warms my heart witnessing Black Panther using both his head and heart as his dad taught him accordingly, showing care not only to this nation as a whole but even to kids who are sick and in need their own personal superhero. Wakanda Forever!

CONS:

• As this was an official ‘King in Black’ tie-in issue, I still was expecting a bit more direct connection or portrayal of the recent events. But apparently, this tale was put in place to show the world post-Knull, and it makes sense to finally move on. Now we can’t be sure if the new world is actually better after the symbiote invasion, especially if we have to worry about threats like Dracula and his vampire nation.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Blade will be soon emerging again in mainstream media, making his presence felt once again, and the world is asking for more and more of the vampire hunter. Technically, he will be doing some time away from the Avengers, as was mentioned to him by his allies, but at heart, he will always be one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. It will be fascinating to see how he acts as Sheriff of Vampire Town. Obviously, it will be a rough road ahead, as Dracula is not only powerful with his vampiric abilities, but he is also very cunning and sinister, one of the greatest villains of all time, of all history.