Review of
Avengers (1963) #25
Published:
February 1966
Reviewer Rating:
Avg User Rating:
(2.85)
War for All Time
On paper, this should be a slam dunk: Doctor Doom, Latveria, and Marvels first real Avengers/FF style crossover energy. Doom is one of the greatest villains ever, and the idea of him luring heroes into his kingdom to prove his superiority is classic. The problem is that the execution never quite lives up to that promise.
There are strong elements here. Doom is suitably cruel, especially in the reveal that he manipulated two orphans into believing they had living family, all just to bait the Fantastic Four, pure, cold blooded Doom. The Latveria setting adds flavor, and the book continues to explore something the last stretch has been quietly building: Steve Rogers struggling under the weight of leadership. Caps desire for a life with roots lands well, and the teams constant questioning of his authority feels more tragic than annoying at this point.
But the story drags. Halfway through, the momentum stalls, and the rotating team dynamics are starting to feel more tiring than exciting. Doom himself is a mixed bag, iconic presence, great tech, but a plan that feels smaller than it should. Hawkeye briefly sending Doom packing is fun, but it also undercuts the menace a bit.
There are good character moments and flashes of greatness, but as a whole it doesnt justify the hype. A respectable chapter, just not a defining one.
Final verdict: 5.85/10
On paper, this should be a slam dunk: Doctor Doom, Latveria, and Marvels first real Avengers/FF style crossover energy. Doom is one of the greatest villains ever, and the idea of him luring heroes into his kingdom to prove his superiority is classic. The problem is that the execution never quite lives up to that promise.
There are strong elements here. Doom is suitably cruel, especially in the reveal that he manipulated two orphans into believing they had living family, all just to bait the Fantastic Four, pure, cold blooded Doom. The Latveria setting adds flavor, and the book continues to explore something the last stretch has been quietly building: Steve Rogers struggling under the weight of leadership. Caps desire for a life with roots lands well, and the teams constant questioning of his authority feels more tragic than annoying at this point.
But the story drags. Halfway through, the momentum stalls, and the rotating team dynamics are starting to feel more tiring than exciting. Doom himself is a mixed bag, iconic presence, great tech, but a plan that feels smaller than it should. Hawkeye briefly sending Doom packing is fun, but it also undercuts the menace a bit.
There are good character moments and flashes of greatness, but as a whole it doesnt justify the hype. A respectable chapter, just not a defining one.
Final verdict: 5.85/10
