Marvel Comics has created an expansive, incredible universe filled with some of the most iconic characters and beloved stories. There are countless pages of comics for fans to enjoy but every now and then, a single panel stands out in our memories. Whether it’s the incredible artwork, a major reveal or moment in a story or even just a really funny line from one of Marvel’s more comical characters, some comic panels just deserve to be recognized.
With that in mind, I want to take a look at some of my favorite comic panels. Each week, I will select one panel from a new Marvel comic as a “New Favorite” and one panel from an older comic as a “Classic Favorite” and provide some context as to why those two panels are so great. Sometimes I might get a little loose with what I consider a “panel,” because comics tend to play by their own rules. But at the end of the day, we’ll have two glimpses of two great Marvel comics, one old and one new.
So without further ado, here are my picks for this week’s top Marvel Comics panels:
Classic Favorite: “New Avengers #13” (2004)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: David Finch
After the Avengers reassembled, they were dealing with far more than they even knew. Luckily, they got some help from a mysterious ally. The Ronin returned ot handle some business with Madame Hydra, only it wasn’t Clint Barton behind the mask.
This panel is great because it comes at the end of an arc which saw the Avengers getting help from Ronin for three issues without really knowing who it was. When she finally removed her mask and revealed that she was Echo, it was one of those exciting moments that make comic fans sit up in their chairs.
The panel itself is very simple, but its impact on the story is anything but. This is Echo’s introduction into the Avengers and it comes at a time in which they’re about to need all the help they can get. Captain America knows something weird is going on and, as it turns out, they are unknowingly on the doorstep of “Secret Invasion.”
New Favorite: “Spider-Woman #18”
Writer: Karla Pacheco
Artist: Pere Perez
With the heroes in New York being outlawed by Wilson Fisk, times are hectic for some of our favorite characters in the Marvel Universe. That includes Jessica Drew who finds out first-hand what Fisk is willing to do to get superheroes off of his streets. Unfortunately for her, things are about to get even more complicated when a certain shapeshifter from her past returns.
“Secret Invasion” is one of the most beloved Marvel Comics story arcs of all-time and both Spider-Woman and the Skrull Queen Veranke were major players in that story. With such a grounded story going on currently with “Devil’s Reign,” it was quite a surprise to see this character’s return now.
In fact, that is quite an understatement. Yes, given the context of the story, Veranke’s return is unexpected. But it’s what her return potentially means that is so much more exciting. How long has Veranke been around? Does this mean the Skrulls are back in full force? Spider-Woman is going to have her hands full and this might be even bigger than that.
You can check out “Spider-Woman #18” now.
Be sure to check back next week for more of my favorite Marvel Comics panels.