We’ve come to expect this kind of thing from Loki. But %#*^-ing Norman Osborn? Where the Hell is Spider-Man?

Got to give Mighty Avengers #33 its due, it’s a lot of fun. Rarely does one find such a broadly-telling, fairly self-contained comic with such a fun premise.

The stolen/dual identity Dark Avengers and the slightly over-amalgamated Mighty Avengers getting “Reality Punched” by the Cosmic Cube-powered Absorbing Man. Seriously, how fun is that? But the real contest here is between the leaders of these respective teams, a test of powers and intellect as they grapple with the question of the Absorbing Man combined with this most overpowering of Deus Ex Machina. What happens to the Absorbing Man’s Ball and Chain when he becomes one with the Cosmic Cube?

This comic is a great, action-packed example of long-term comic synergy at its best. Old and new characters meet and greet for the first (or most recent) time. Old and new story elements meet and recombine in new ways, and as always – Loki is there to throw a wrench in the works to re-tool the whole lot.

COVER BY: Khoi Pham
WRITER: Dan Slott
PENCILS: Khoi Pham
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics
COVER PRICE: $2.99
ON SALE: 01/20/10