First of all, I will always use the legacy number when available. I absolutely hate relaunches and if I can reference a series while ignoring the constant relaunches the Big 2 are complicit in, I will. This is and will always be Avengers #694.
With that out of the way, how is the issue? Very good, actually. McGuinness gets top billing, but I see very little of his work here - only if I look really hard. Paco Medina does an amazing job and their styles are so similar, that it all blended together for me. I love the cartoon style at play here. It reminds me of the late great Mike Wieringo, who I still miss very much. I am so glad this style is alive and well after so many dark and gritty renditions of these characters.
One feature of comic books that I think is often overlooked in review is pacing. How does it read? If the most breezy Daniel Way comic is one end of the spectrum and Alan Moore is on the other, I would say this one is pretty solidly in the middle. I realized about three quarters of the way through that the issue wasn't finished yet and I found that comforting. It had just enough to make it feel like a full meal.
The plot has been a bit confusing in this story arc. For instance, why in the hell do they keep referencing the "Final Host", but not showing a single Dark Celestial. Is it multiple? I've never heard host referred to in the plural and I find it confusing every time they do it. I am sure there will be a good explanation for it eventually. Thankfully, we get more clarity on what is going on with the Celestials. Though whomever thought this arc would lead to the return of the Eternals was dead wrong (pun intended).
To be honest though, I am getting tired of these stories that reveal the truth about the past and bring something that is impossible to beat - only to be eventually defeated anyway. Like, can't we just move forward and introduce new characters without them having a reason to be away and dormant for long periods of time? There are only so many times you can go to that well before it runs dry - I am looking at you Bendis!
Anyway, I enjoyed it. Great art and pacing, some great moments for She-Hulk who I find compellingly sexy. Hey, what can I say....I like 'em thick.
