Teenage superheroes are still against the law… Now Roxxon has the answer: Chaperone Robots! Your Major Spoilers review of Champions #9 from Marvel Comics awaits!
CHAMPIONS #9
Writer: Danny Lore
Artist: Luciano Vecchio
Colorist: Federico Blee
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Editor: Alanna Smith
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 8, 2021
Previously in Champions: The Champions’ commitment to destroying Roxxon from within faces its ultimate test, as Kamala is asked to speak for the company in front of a global audience. How far will Ms. Marvel go to destroy the corporation that almost ruined her life?
And what will it cost the rest of the Champions?
UNDERCOVER WITH THE ENEMY
Last issue ended with the Champions undercover mission in jeopardy, as Roxxon bigwig Miriam Blakemoore was seconds from discovering Viv Vision… until Ms. Marvel stepped in. Having caught Miriam’s attention, Kamala quickly makes up a lie about wanting to work with Roxxon and proves her commitment to her internship, only to have Blakemoore turn it around on her. If Kamala wants her place in the program back, she has to make a public speech endorsing the new Roxx On! social media app. Worse still, most of the team won’t be able to help her, as both Miles “Spider-Man” Morales and Sam “Nova” Alexander will be working to record the meeting. Once she takes the stage, though, Kamala goes off-script, and Roxxon’s technicians find that their audio system is out of their control, thanks to Viv and Ironheart. When Miriam calls in her secret costumed squad to stop Kamala, they are quietly brought down… by The Wasp! And Brawn! And Pinpoint! As Kamala’s speech turns into an announcement of The Champions’ own new app (with 100% less data stealing), the forces of C.R.A.D.L.E. swoop in…
…only to find a human chain of teenagers keeping them at bay.
DID NOBODY LEARN FROM THE SENTINELS?
I have to admit, the last third of Champions #9 makes me very happy, as it not only features the repeal of Kamala’s Law, but the return of the team’s full roster for the first time in forever. Add in Kamala’s inspiring speech (and the response of the inspired audience TO that speech) and this issue serves as a long-overdue feel-good moment for the team. I know that Outlawed! was only a little more than a year ago, but this plotline has overstayed its welcome for me as a reader. The art in this issue is a reminder of how good Vecchio is as an artist, especially in the moments where the jubilant heroes of the Marvel Universe cheer the end of the law, while the members of C.R.A.D.L.E. are disbanded in disgrace. (Robbie Baldwin should never have been part of that mess, you guys. Speedball is better than that.) Of course, the cliffhanger ending where a rogue Roxxon jerk activates the evil robots anyway promises a big ol’ fight next time around.
BOTTOM LINE: NOW *THAT’S* A CLIFFHANGER
Honestly, the only real complaint that I have about Champions #9 is that it feels like a build-up to a final issue extravaganza (and I can’t find anything solicited after issue #10 next month) which will be a real shame, as this issue is a beautifully-drawn and skillfully written comic book that puts the spotlight on the heroes who should be the future of the Marvel Universe, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. If this book is about to end, at least it’s going to go out on a really strong note.
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CHAMPIONS #9
The end of Kamala's Law is enough for me, but this book pulls it off with joy, aplomb and some really good art. Add in the return of some long-missing members, and it's a winner even with the big cliffhanger ending.
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