Champions #5 Review and *SPOILERS* - Marvel Monday

More Like Gwenpions. Am I Right?...

Written By: Mark Waid
Art By: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Edgar Delgado
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 1, 2016
Publisher: Marvel

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Champions has failed to reach the same amount of quality that the very first issue did. That said, it is still one of my most looked forward to comics each month. While it’s not the best comic I read, it’s still pretty damn good and I absolutely love the team that we’ve got for this book. Now, as the cover suggests, it would seem that Gwenpool will be making an appearance in this issue. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Gwenpool book but I’m a little worried about how she is going to fit into this book. I doubt she will be a continued part of the team but what role will she play in this issue? Let’s jump right in and find out.

Our issue begins with a scene of a mosque burning to the ground. The police and fire department are on the scene but it seems that they aren’t doing anything about the situation. The local sheriff is keeping them back from doing anything. Suddenly a loud sound comes from the building and out come the Champions, carrying a couple of people who were trapped in the fire. After the people have been saved the local deputy steps up and has the fire department do their job. The Champions let them do their jobs as they confront the sheriff. Since he has taken over as sheriff, hate crimes have grown in number tremendously. The sheriff simply ignores them until Viv Vision comes out of the fire carrying the remains of a bomb of sort. From the pieces she found, she concludes that it was a bomb confiscated by police not so long ago.

The sheriff attempts to steal back the parts but the Champions keep him back. After he eventually leaves, the Deputy promises to look into the evidence personally to make sure those guilty are held accountable. This is when Nova notices a figure in the crowd and suddenly flies off toward them. The figure in the crowd turns out to be Gwenpool and she grabs hold of Nova as explosions go off, destroying police cars. The cops turn on the Champions who quickly make their exit. After finds a safe place the Champions question Gwenpool. She tells them that she believes the police to be a secret paramilitary group but she has no real evidence. Ms. Marvel reminds her that sometimes the bad guys are just people. They don’t have to be supervillains or paramilitary groups.

The Champions spend the next day protecting some people and stopping some hate crimes. 

Gwenpool joins the team for this but it would seem that she just isn’t a very good fit. After another argument, the team decides to make a trip to the police station. While there, they visit the Deputy who attempts to stall them. However, Viv uses her powers to find out that the investigation into the evidence is done and that the finger points right at the sheriff. The deputy informs them that it’s all for naught though as even if he presented the evidence, his followers wouldn’t believe it and the deputy would lose his job because other cops would refuse to work with him. The Champions make their way to the roof to watch over the protest. Meanwhile, the sheriff speaks with the deputy and spews some hate speech about our heroes. This leads to the deputy finally choosing to do what’s right. He steps outside with a megaphone and addresses the crowd. The Champions decide to jump down and make sure the crowd doesn’t get violent after the deputy talks. This is where the issue leaves us.

I like the Champions and I like Gwenpool but these are two things that should not mix. I like that this issue is attempting to address some of the big issues facing our country today too but most of this issue is bogged down by Gwenpool and the Champions arguing. They have the same argument like three different times. What Hastings has done with this character in her solo series is amazing but I just don’t see any of that in Mark Waid’s interpretation. This is a bad issue and I pray to God that Gwenpool does not remain on this team. Champions was on the upward climb in quality and now this issue sends it plummeting back down once again.

Bits and Pieces

Some things just don’t mix well together and are best kept apart. Like ice cream and cheese. This is the case with Gwenpool and the Champions. Good on their own, but together they make a low quality comic. I’m a big fan of Mark Waid, but I’m not sure he knows enough about Gwenpool to properly write her like Hastings does. This issue is a mess because of her presence and the issue feels almost redundant at times. I like that the issue is trying to deal with some current events but overall, it’s a waste of time.

4.0/10