Comic of the Week: Dark Avengers: Ares #3

Everyone was talking about Blackest Night #6 because it was a great title. I agree. I think it was phenomenal. However, there was this other title that just really got to me. It could be because Ares, the god of war, has been skyrocketing in popularity since the days of the Iron Man-led Mighty Avengers and that I think he’s a great character. It could also be because I’ve been playing a lot of Modern Warfare 2 lately. Either way, this week’s comic of the week is Ares #3.

Ares #3 is a fantastic mixture of elements of brotherhood, drama, and a ton of badassery.

Written by Kieron Gillen
Pencilled by Manuel Garcia
Inked by Stefano Gaudiano and Matthew Southworth
Colored by Jose Villarrubia

The story, since issue #1, was painted beautifully with all the badassery an Ares title deserves. I loved the direction of the story, I loved the ridiculousness and the over-the-top shenanigans Ares and his soldiers go through. I most especially loved the supporting cast. This was, essentially, a story about Ares, told by one of his soldiers. In effect, it really is a story about the soldiers under Ares’ watch. The narration was superb.

If it’s badassery you want, Ares #3 has it in spades. Nothing like martyrdom for one’s good, yeah?

I’m a huge fan of the art on ths mini. It’s not shiny at all, but not overly very grimy either. I love this style. I love Stefano’s inking style.The pencils are consistent and the are nice and earthy and fiery and bold. It’s fantastic animalistic testosterone-pumped eyecandy.

Ares has really come into his own. In my eyes, the three big gods of the Marvel Universe are Thor, god of thunder - the diplomatic, classy and dignified warrior with a mean streak, Hercules, prince of power - the jolly, beer chugging womanizer of a demi-god, and Ares, god of war and all things bad ass, with loyalties to no one but himself and his family.

Ares #3 gets four and a half Kratoses. A good god of war deserve four and a half ones.