The Avengers in the Veracity Trap Review

 

Story: Chip Kidd

Script: Chip Kidd with Michael Cho

Artist & Colorist: Michael Cho

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Publisher: Abrams ComicArts

Price: $25.99

Release Date: August 5, 2025

 

When the Avengers pursue Loki, their journey takes them to Asgard. Loki commands a legion of monsters. But why has he drawn them from the far reaches of the galaxy? The Hulk advises less contemplation and more smashing. Iron Man agrees and uses his transistor power to attack the monsters. Can Captain America, Iron Man, Giant-Man, the Wasp, and the Hulk breach his defenses? And where did Thor disappear to? Let’s leap into The Avengers in the Veracity Trap and see!

 

Story

After discovering a powerful new realm, Loki establishes a base in an ancient temple on Asgard. There, he builds a transportation device to this other dimension. After Thor breaches the temple, he tries to destroy the portal. But when Mjolnir vanishes, Thor must enter the glowing ball of energy to retrieve it. In Chip Kidd and Michael Cho’s story, Thor returns defeated. Although he carries his beloved hammer, he lacks the will to wield it. Instead of discovering Thanos and a Chitauri battle fleet in this other realm, Thor learned that everything he believed was a lie.

 

Like Kwaku Anansi, others regard Loki as a trickster god. What Loki calls stories, others regard as lies. So Loki builds his Veracity Vortex to trap his brother with a different kind of truth. Thor cannot perceive this truth with his senses or measure it with Shellhead’s scientific equipment. Instead, Thor grapples with the power of belief. In The Avengers in the Veracity Trap, Thor encounters a realm where people believe his world is irrelevant. The people there regard their world as the sole reality. And when they think of Thor and his friends, they view them as cultural artifacts like Santa Claus, best abandoned to meet the demands of adulthood.

 

The Avengers in the Veracity Trap is a fast-paced story that celebrates how comic books contribute to our culture. The book compares the process of creating and producing comics with their impact on us. While reminding us of the importance of ideas, Chip Kidd and Michael Cho’s story also reminds us that stories define us. We can allow others’ stories to limit us. Or we can harness our imaginations to live stories that no one else could ever have imagined.

 

Art

Michael Cho evokes the look of early Marvel comics with Jack Kirby-style monsters. The Avengers and Loki also adopt a historic appearance. While setting the story in the present day, we see Michael Cho drawing at a drafting table. Chip dresses in a timeless style as he studies Michael's latest page of Bristol paper. While the settings on Asgard remain rooted in the 1960s, the design and furnishings in Michael’s studio seem suited to any era. Yet when the creators separate, they communicate via cellphones in The Avengers in the Veracity Trap.

 

Michael Cho also evokes the four-color era as he presents his characters in double-page spreads, splash pages, and multi-panel pages. While generally following a linear flow, he occasionally arranges the story across pages. A rainbow flashes across characters as they lose or regain color as they travel between the Marvel Universe and our own. Yet the circles of color that surround the characters in the vortex remind us of the infinite worlds of the multiverse.

 

Joe Caramagna conjures uppercase black letters into white and ivory dialogue balloons. The words grow bold for intonation, swell for raised voices, and rarely shrink. Every Marvel hero and villain receives a pinup-style splash page with a stylish, colorful introduction. (Except Ulik. Alas, poor Ulik!) Sound effects enhance battles, interdimensional travel, and a giant whose footsteps herald a metal-faced doctor (and a Thurian Age sorcerer). Thanks to Abrams ComicArts and Superfan Promotions for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

People often see the world from their perspective and regard anything that disagrees with their views as a threat. When the Avengers encounter our universe, they discover a realm where they are fictional heroes, controlled by writers and artists. Each protagonist shines when they combine their abilities to escape The Avengers in the Veracity Trap.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my preview of The Avengers in the Veracity Trap. 

The Avengers in the Veracity Trap! Preview

 

Abrams ComicArts featured this during their panel at San Diego Comic-Con. The writer and artist were both there, and they made the story sound super-fun! Thankfully, they sent me a copy so I could tell you about it! Here's all the info from Abrams ComicArts:

 

The Avengers in the Veracity Trap!
By Chip Kidd

Art by Michael Cho

Abrams ComicArts | August 5, 2025

U.S. $25.99 | CAN $32.99 | U.K. £18.99
Hardcover | 64 Pages

8.5 x 11 Inches | Full-color illustrations throughout

Hardcover ISBN: 9781419770678 

Abrams ComicArts and MarvelArts to Publish The Avengers in The Veracity Trap

Loki Goes Toe to Toe with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Original Graphic Novel from Chip Kidd and Michael Cho

Following Alex Ross’s Award-winning, bestseller Fantastic Four: Full Circle, Abrams ComicArts is continuing its MarvelArts line with The Avengers in The Veracity Trap, an original graphic novel from Eisner Award winner Chip Kidd and acclaimed artist Michael Cho. The mind-bending, visually sumptuous saga will take the Avengers and the reader on an adventure that questions the very nature of heroism, villainy, and existence. 

The Avengers in The Veracity Trap begins with an epic battle in Asgard, as Loki, the god of mischief, comes into possession of a weapon of unimaginable power and assembles an army of otherworldly monsters in an effort to carry out his evil plans. Cue the Avengers—Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Giant-Man, and the Wasp—who meet this horrifying throng of beasts head-on as a thrilling, knock-down drag-out fight ensues.

But when the smoke clears, what appears to be a typically raucous comic book take-down is revealed to be something very, very different—and very, very terrifying. This discovery threatens to destroy the Avengers in a way that Loki or any other foe never has before. Because this time the enemy is . . . the Truth.

"Writing this book was really just an excuse to see Michael Cho depict glorious, epic, jaw-dropping sequential storytelling with these iconic characters that we love so much. He more than delivered." says writer Chip Kidd. "Oh, and it was also my ultimate comics ego trip, which Abrams and Marvel actually allowed me to take. I still don’t know why, but I am beyond grateful."

"I’ve always held a special spot in my super-hero loving heart for the Avengers, especially the early Marvel age comics they appeared in. is a tribute to the wonder, the delight, and the zany 'anything could happen!' spirit of those stories," explains Michael Cho. "Chip wrote a fantastic and heartfelt story and, in drawing this book, I tried my best to channel some of the energy and, especially, the joy that crackled from the pages of those classic comics."

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

Thanks to Abrams ComicArts and Superfan Promotions for sharing this preview with us.

 

Chip Kidd is an award–winning graphic designer, writer, and editor at large at Pantheon. A three–time Eisner Award winner, he has written and designed more than a dozen books on comics, including Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts, Shazam! The Golden Age of the World’s Mightiest Mortal, Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross, and Marvelocity: The Marvel Comics Art of Alex Ross. He lives in New York City

Michael Cho is a cartoonist and illustrator based in Toronto, Canada. These days you can see his art on comic book covers for Marvel, DC Comics, and other companies. He’s also drawn for Star Wars, Star Trek, Fortnite, Disney, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and even the Joe Biden presidential campaign. Along the way, Cho has won a few awards for his work and published an art book of his drawings, Back Alleys and Urban Landscapes, with Drawn & Quarterly in 2012. His first graphic novel, Shoplifter, was published in 2014 by Pantheon and was a New York Times bestseller.

Founded in 1949, ABRAMS was the first company in the United States to specialize in publishing art and illustrated books. The company continues to publish critically acclaimed and bestselling works in the areas of art, photography, cooking, craft, comics, interior and garden design, entertainment, fashion, and popular culture as well as narrative non-fiction and new works of fiction for adults; children’s books ranging from middle grade to young adult fiction to picture books to board books. ABRAMS creates and distributes brilliantly designed books with the highest production values under the following imprints: Abrams; Abrams ComicArts; Megascope; Surely Books; Abrams Image; Abrams Press; The Overlook Press; Cernunnos; Cameron + Company; Abrams Books for Young Readers; Amulet Books; Abrams Appleseed; and Magic Cat. ABRAMS also distributes books for Booth-Clibborn Editions, Alain Ducasse Édition, Èditions de La Martiniére, Editions BPI, Global Golf Group, Lucky Spool, Milky Way Picture Books, The Museum of Modern Art, SelfMadeHero, Tate Publishing, V&A Publishing, and The Vendome Press.

For another great book from Abrams ComicArts see my preview of The Red Badge Of Courage Graphic Novel.

Spider-Boy #13 Review

 

Spider-Boy #13 Review

Writers: Dan Slott

Artists: Paco Medina

Colorist: Erick Arciniega

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: Paco Medina & Edgar Delgado; Chrissie Zulo (The Thing); Josemaria Casanova (Kraven); Michael Cho (Design); Todd Nauck & Rachelle Rosenberg

Designer: Adam Del Re

Editors: MR Daniel, Kaeden McGahey, Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Ellie Pyle, Nick Lowe & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: November 27, 2024

 

Tabitha Briggs let her son don his costume to bask in the adoration of his fans. But Daredevil ruined Spider-Boy Day by demanding Bailey return a Hellfire Club trophy. Spider-Boy’s mentor didn’t realize he was being followed until Bullseye and Spider-Girl attacked. Can Spider-Boy and Daredevil reclaim the legendary Golden Fang of the Gaping Maw from Bullseye and Spider-Girl? And who is this young girl who knows that Bailey is Spider-Boy? Let's book a flight to Madripoor, thwip into Spider-Boy #13, and find out!

 

Story

Bailey's disobedience got him into hot water with Daredevil three years ago. Spider-Boy owes his mentor for training him to fight and control the sensory information flooding his brain from his additional spider-eyes. So, when Daredevil tells him the world's fate hangs on retrieving the Golden Fang that Bailey won by crashing a cage match, Spider-Boy climbs into the cargo compartment of a jumbo jet for the nineteen-hour flight to Madripoor.

 

Like Bailey Briggs, Makawalu Akana once led a very different life. But when her abilities manifested, she wanted to push her limits. Maka drew Bullseye's attention by displaying skills that most people train for years to master. Bullseye promised the Hawaiian girl the biggest challenge of her life if she helped him defeat Spider-Boy. But that was before everyone forgot about Spider-Boy. After Spider-Man restored Bailey to the Web Of Life And Destiny, Maka and Bullseye remember why they got together. They’re making up for lost time in Spider-Boy #13.

 

As in most Spidey stories, Bailey must choose between his everyday life and his superhero career. Worse, his mother feels guilty over abandoning him for years. While Tabitha Briggs allows him to be a superhero, she won't be happy about Bailey spending more days away from school. Bailey fears she will ground him for life for his unsanctioned flight, but he accompanies his mentor anyway. Unlike Bailey, Spider-Girl exhibits little concern for others in Dan Slott's story. Her ability to master any skill effortlessly insulates her from the need to connect with others. All Maka cares about is winning.

 

 

 

Art

Paco Medina compares the lives of those who work at the expense of others with those who work on behalf of others. Bulleye tilts his champagne flute to the flight attendant, and Spider-Girl listens to tunes while eating shrimp kabobs and a strawberry sundae in Spider-Boy #13. By contrast, Daredevil and Spider-Boy sit on the floor between storage containers, with no food service or in-flight movies. As a crowd surrounds Koa Iona with adoration and cellphones, the sports champion smiles at the ladies but frowns when Maka offers him a pen and notepad. Later, she raises a trophy above her head, evoking Spider-Boy when he grabs the legendary Golden Fang of the Gaping Maw in the Hellfire Club.

 

 

 

Erick Arciniega keeps red and blue foremost of Spider-Boy #13, as the dominant red of Spider-Boy's suit seems an homage to his mentor. Yet Bullseye and Spider-Girl's first meeting seems a nod to their target, as Maka wears a red swimsuit, and Bullseye wears a blue shirt adorned with his signature target logo. The yellow of Spider-Boy's visors makes its presence felt in Maka's business suit, the flight attendants' scarves, and the famous relic displayed in Bullseye's private jet. Even an airplane's landing gear produces yellow fire, which finds its partners in a torchlit fight club. Yet green dominates the arena as the master of ceremonies and the members of the Gaping Maw gather around the green receptacle of Bullseye and Spider-Girl's Golden Fang.

 

 

 

While Erick Arciniega lavishes a loaded palette on Paco Medina's attractive characters, costumes, and settings, Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase black lettering into white dialogue balloons. Words shrink for distant or lowered voices, embolden for intonation, and swell for volume. Giant, colored dialogue expresses an airport worker’s anger and Daredevil’s concern for his charge. Sound effects help us hear a cheering crowd and enliven Spider-Boy's fight with a young green-skinned protégé. Mahalo to Marvel Comics for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Spider-Boy #13 introduces a young Hawaiian mutant and several more superpowered youngsters. While Bailey doesn't learn how it could affect world events, he discovers the Golden Fang of the Gaping Maw's immediate purpose. After risking Tabitha Briggs' wrath, Daredevil must do something that goes against his sense of honor. Still, it's Madripoor, Daredevil. “When you’re here, anything goes!”

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

 

 

Amazing Spider-Man #55 Review

 

Writers: Zeb Wells

Artist: Emilio Laiso

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Editors: Kaeden McGahey, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe & C B Cebulski

Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz; Michael Cho; Donald Soffritti; Luciano Vecchio

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: August 14, 2024

 

The first time Peter Parker took out Shay Marken, Mary Jane's aunt Anna tricked him into a date with her favorite nurse at Ravencroft. Peter enjoyed their dinner but had to bail before dessert. The second time Peter stepped into the date knowingly, ditto. Did his second attempt express interest or an apology? Why should he try again? Is Shay even interested in him? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #55 and find out!

 

Story

Peter arrives late. He's surprised Shay waited. She wants to know why Peter arrived without shoes and with a black eye. He tries to palm her off by saying he has responsibilities to others. But Shay isn't letting him off that easy. Shay works in the Ravencroft Institute, after all. She knows what it means to devote her life to the betterment of others. Shay has seen how people's pursuit of wealth, fame, or whatever they valued turned them into villains.

 

In Zeb Wells' previous story, Kraven said his father feared the monster inside Spider-Man. Given what she deals with daily, Shay imagines the worst: Peter preys upon people's need for love and belonging. Late in Amazing Spider-Man #55, Peter Parker discovers a surprising symmetry with supervillains. Zeb Wells seems to ask if Kraven was correct. Is a man who regularly puts the needs of people he doesn't know over the people he has made commitments to a hero or a villain?

 

In its bid to defeat the Green Goblin, the Living Brain gave up everything it was to save Peter Parker. In Amazing Spider-Man #55, Peter must ask himself if Peter Parker was worth that sacrifice. Or was Peter only worthy of the Living Brain’s sacrifice because he was Spider-Man? The story makes for a brisk, thought-provoking read, alternately uncomfortable and charming. Given the series' history and title, it may only provide a glimpse of what could be. Or it might signal a new direction for our titular hero. One thing is unarguable. Shay understands that dating is hard. But Shay expects Peter to prioritize her and do his best for her.

 

 

 

Art

Emilio Laiso opens this issue with Spider-Man flying through the night. He looks lithe, fit, and elegant in his costume. When Peter reaches the restaurant, he finds Shay looking stylish and dressed to the nines. Yet Peter Parker arrives in casual attire. Unlike Shay, he has more than a few hairs out of place. His clothes cling to his limbs and torso as if he is out of shape, making you wonder how well Peter is attending to his fitness and how much of Spider-Man's appearance is due to the suit.

 

Compared with Shay, Peter looks awkward and childlike. Yet he gains the upper hand when he responds honestly and can't explain his tardiness. Shay momentarily relaxes. She knows employers often force employees to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements, and some personal issues must remain private. Peter is also masterful with the waiter. Yet Shay remains the dominant partner.

 

Bryan Valenza lavishes yellows and browns on the background behind Emilio Laiso's characters. The art exhibits a dreamlike luminosity outside and inside the restaurant. Much of Peter and Shay's conversation occurs in six- or eight-panel Old School page layouts. Highlights and shadows play across the couple's changing expressions. Shay rests a brown hand on the blue-white tablecloth when hope fades from her eyes. When Peter lays his hand atop hers, her flesh tones warm, and the tablecloth changes color to match Peter's hand.

 

Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase lettering into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. The fonts grow bold for inflection, swell for increased volume, and shrink for lowered voices. Jolting red letters accompany a closing door, suggesting the end of a chapter of Peter Parker’s life in Amazing Spider-Man #55. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Peter Parker always means well. But his friendships suffer, and every voyage across the sea of love ends in a shipwreck. In Amazing Spider-Man #55, Shay forces him to look into the mirror and reassess his life. Will his costume and Uncle Ben’s words always define him? Or could he become the Amazing Peter Parker?

 

Rating 9/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Amazing Spider-Man #46 Review

 

Writer: Zeb Wells

Artist: Carmen Carnero

Colorist: Marcio Menyz

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz; Michael Cho; Mark Brooks & Marcos Martin

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: March 27, 2024

 

Spider-Man cured Mary Jane’s aunt of Krakoan Derangement Syndrome. How is Anna spending her time in New York’s high-security Ravencroft Institute? And how is Peter Parker adjusting to life post-Gang War? Is he ready to start dating again? Let’s thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #46 and find out!

 

Story

Aunt Anna once frightened Shay Marken. Now, Mary Jane's aunt works in the greenhouse with William Baker. Anna gets along with the former Sandman and the other inmates. As a professional caregiver, Shay marvels at the villains' affection for Anna. In Amazing Spider-Man #46, Zeb Wells asks, Were the Beatles right? Is love all you need to reform villains?

 

Michele bumps into Peter Parker as he leaves his apartment. Tombstone’s lawyer accuses him of standing her up. Michele claims that he called her. Did she seek him out, then get cold feet? Or is someone messing with Peter Parker’s emotions? Peter hadn’t planned to see Michele again after their dinner date to discuss Randy Robertson and Janice Lincoln's troubled love life turned sour. But Tombstone vowed to destroy Spider-Man, and Michele is Lonnie Lincoln’s lawyer.

 

Although they had separated, Peter consulted Felicia Hardy, aka Black Cat, before dining with Michele. After his second consultation with Tombstone's lawyer, Peter meets up with Mary Jane. Although not present, Paul still stands between them. Could a Spider-Man and Jackpot team up cure the awkwardness both feel and forge a healthier relationship between them?

 

William Baker proves central to Amazing Spider-Man #46. Composed of particles of sand, the man is a gestalt entity. The former Sandman turned himself into Ravencroft Institute because he sensed a shift in his consciousness. William wants to wield executive power over his future and consign the Sandman to Carousel. Yet all the constituents of his consciousness must have their say. Could another invitation from the Sinister Six—and a reminder of their exhilarating exploits—prompt a referendum? William Baker's soul and the safety of New York await the outcome of his body's decision.

 

 

 

Art

While Mysterio, Vulture, Kraven, and Doc Ock frown, Electro smiles. Electricity crackles from his hand, and he plops his feet on the conference table before heading into the night. Peter Parker grabs his backpack and leaves his apartment. Michele hails him as he reaches the sidewalk. She props one hand on her hip and points at him with the other. With William Baker's troubled face on his mind, Peter's mouth opens. As Michele stalks off, he spies Mary Jane above him. Dressed as Jackpot, she watched the encounter from a fire escape.

 

Just as Aunt Anna brings smiles to everyone’s faces, Carmen Carnero shows how relaxed the inmates feel as they wish Anna goodnight. Then lightbulbs explode in Ravencroft Institute, and Shay shields Anna from sparks and broken glass. Spider-Man and Jackpot see a ball of energy crackle with lightning. 

 

 

 

Marcio Menyz paints a New York City street in blues, grays, browns, and greens. Jackpot’s sunglasses reflect her red hair and gray sleeves. Streetlights illuminate her face and make her red and gold suit shine. A blueish glow radiates from the fluorescent lights in Ravencroft's greenhouse. The air momentarily turns purple as gold and purple symbols appear on Jackpot's arms. Then her powers manifest, reflecting the gold and red of her uniform and evoking a member of the Sinister Six.

 

Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase black lettering into white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes through crackling light shows and shadowy encounters. The font grows bold for inflection and rarely shrinks. A Ding Ding rewards Jackpot’s anticipation. Electro howls as electricity surges through him. A Krak portends the voting results of William Baker’s consciousness in Amazing Spider-Man #46.

 

Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

After someone messes with his head, Peter Parker seeks to overcome the distance between him and Mary Jane. The inmates at Ravencroft Institute also face a dilemma. Is who they were who they wish to be? Or can kindness transform psychopaths? Heroes and villains ponder their identities, friendships, and futures in Amazing Spider-Man #46.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.