As one of the deadliest sources of energy in the Marvel Universe, the Infinity Stones never stay away for long. In Infinite Destines, the Infinity Stones return once more and have gained their own sentience. Avengers Annual #1 by Jed MacKay and Travel Foreman brings the Avengers, aka Earth's Mightiest Heroes, into the story to confront this threat. The issue is a standalone adventure that contributes to a larger whole, making it easy for new fans to pick up while remaining an intriguing piece of a bigger puzzle for long-time Marvel Comics readers.
Avengers Annual #1 opens in a small diner, as a synthetic person is confronted by a group of angry truckers. The truckers are members of the Sapien League and don't like seeing aliens, mutants, or artificial life forms on their turf. Things turn violent as the synthetic person is forced to fight against the League to survive. Elsewhere, Captain America and Iron Man are discussing their recent run-ins with different Infinity Stone wielders when they are alerted to the presence of the Soul Stone, which has crash-landed in the middle of the Sapien League's battle. As the Avengers arrive to save the day, they realize that the danger has only just begun.
Avengers Annual #1 is written by Jed MacKay, who crafts an incredibly complex story. Primarily, this issue introduces the new Infinity Stone wielder, known as Multitude. While Multitude's origins may seem familiar, MacKay is able to given the character a strong perspective by posing philosophical questions that apply to all people. Beyond that, MacKay spends a lot of time playing with the relationship between Captain America and Iron Man. Fans rarely get to see the comradery between these two and it is endlessly fun seeing them banter about different breakfast foods. Who could possibly turn down a piece of bacon from Captain America himself? Comics like this showcase exactly why MacKay has become one of the fastest-rising writers in comics.
Joining MacKay is artist Travel Foreman, who wonderfully draws Avengers Annual #1. Foreman uses thin linework to give his panels as much detail as possible, with vivid character designs and unique building interiors. Avengers Mountain feels particularly comprehensive, as intricate patterns of wires line every inch of the walls and dining areas that support ferocious appetites. This creates a fun visual parallel with the simple and quaint diners found in Multitude's story. Foreman also makes the action feel massive. When Captain America and Iron Man arrive for a fight, Foreman depicts an epic contest of champions that proves worthy of the Infinity Stones.
Jim Campbell's colors are perfect in these panels, as the colorist is given the difficult task of depicting Multitude's powers without losing the details of the various characters involved. The radiant glow of Multitude's blasts changes the lighting of the entire scene. These colors are enhanced even further when paired with the dynamic lettering from Cory Petit, which forges a strong presence for Marvel's newest Infinity Stone wielder.
As with the other issues in Marvel's Infinite Destinies crossover, Avengers Annual #1 features an enthralling chapter in the Infinite Fury storyline. Written by MacKay with art by Juan Ferreyra, this final installment pits Nick Fury Jr. against Darkhawk. This is a thrilling read and is important for fans who are following Black Cat's clash with Fury in her own series. Ferreyra uses strong colors to achieve dramatic effects, such as when he uses a full-page splash to explain Fury's greatest fail-safe. These back-ups have been one of the highlights of Infinite Destinies and Ferreyra's art is a crucial part of their success.
Overall, Avengers Annual #1 is a fun read with a lot to love. MacKay's script is engaging, Foreman's action is epic, and Ferreyra's atmosphere is layered with intrigue. Infinite Destinies has been an exciting way to polish the Infinity Stones as they become the central focus point of MacKay's Black Cat series moving forward. As the scale of Avengers increases exponentially ahead of their massive 750th issue celebration, it is refreshing to have a self-contained story that all fans of Earth's Mightiest Heroes can enjoy.
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