Uncanny Avengers: The Man Who Fell to Earth (Comics) | Review

The Unity Squad barely survived their first mission together. Now they're about to face something far worse: editorial mandates forcibly pulling them into Pleasant Hill's Standoff event before Hank Pym returns from space as something neither man nor machine.

Gerry Duggan (Infinity Wars, Punisher Kill Krew) delivers the second arc that feels like two volumes stitched together. The first two issues drag the squad into Standoff, a Marvel-wide event about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret prison where Kobik, a sentient Cosmic Cube fragment, transforms super-villains into ordinary citizens.

It forces the team through crossover obligations before delivering character-driven storytelling. Then it pivots to its actual story: Hank Pym's return after merging with Ultron in Rage of Ultron, creating a bio-mechanical hybrid wrestling with conflicting personalities sharing one body.

The Man Who Fell to Earth collects Uncanny Avengers issues seven through twelve, beginning with the team responding to Steve Rogers' call in Pleasant Hill, Connecticut. The Unity Squad encounters dual Maria Hills, one genuine and one manipulated by Kobik's reality-warping powers, leading to confusion between Avenger teams.

Kobik traps both squads inside Pleasant Hill, transforming them into ordinary citizens. Deadpool becomes a sheriff, Rogue runs a diner, both losing awareness of their identities. The mind-wipe scenario resolves within two issues as Standoff's broader event demands forward momentum.

Pleasant Hill detour feels obligatory rather than organic. Duggan injects character moments– Deadpool handles responsibility as sheriff, Rogue's transformation highlights exhaustion with superhero life– but crossover constraints prevent meaningful development. The team escapes and the volume rushes toward its actual premise.

Issues nine through twelve shift gears entirely, focusing on Hank Pym's return to Earth as a merged Ultron-Pym hybrid following Rage of Ultron. Pym appears separated from Ultron's consciousness, wearing his creation as a sentient exo-suit seeking reconciliation.

The Unity Squad approaches this reunion with skepticism. Cable questions whether Hank truly controls this or if Ultron manipulates them. Quicksilver voices concerns about trusting someone who merged with Earth's deadliest threat. Steve Rogers wants to believe in redemption but knows Pym's history complicates everything.

Duggan excels when focusing on the emotional weight of Pym's return. Janet's conflicted feelings create genuine tension– she wants to trust Hank but knows Ultron's malice lurks beneath. The Wasp's scenes with Pym deliver the volume's strongest character work.

The volume takes a darker turn when Pym's behavior becomes erratic. Small inconsistencies pile up. His speech patterns shift. Moments of rage break his facade. The Unity Squad realizes Ultron never relinquished control– he learned patience, using Hank's memories to manipulate their trust while positioning for larger schemes.

Gambit appears when Ultron-Pym attempts to access technology that could amplify his power. The Ragin' Cajun's inclusion feels fanservice-driven, though his banter with Rogue provides welcome relief during heavy sequences. His presence hints at future team dynamics.

The confrontation escalates when Ultron drops his facade, revealing his true intentions. The Unity Squad faces the horrifying reality that Hank Pym might be permanently lost inside Ultron's consciousness, aware but unable to stop his creation's actions. Vision arrives, his connection to both adding emotional complexity.

The volume resolves with the team forcing Ultron-Pym into a desperate situation. Rather than destroy him– which would kill any remaining piece of Hank– they trap him using Scarlet Witch's reality-warping abilities. The solution feels temporary, acknowledging Ultron always returns.

Janet's farewell to Hank provides the volume's emotional core. She acknowledges the man she loved might be gone but refuses to give up on him. It's a bittersweet conclusion respecting their complicated history. The scene lands because Duggan lets it breathe without rushing.

Ryan Stegman (Inhuman: Genesis, Inhuman: Lineage) handles artwork for Standoff issues with signature exaggerated expressions. His work shines during action but struggles with quieter Pleasant Hill moments demanding restraint. Transformation sequences showcase his range, though inconsistent layouts muddy narrative flow.

Pepe Larraz (Avengers: No Surrender, Inhuman: AXIS) takes over for Hank Pym arc and elevates the volume's visual storytelling. His cleaner linework brings nuance to emotional beats. Larraz's Ultron-Pym design brilliantly conveys the hybrid nature through subtle facial expressions.

The transition between artists within a single volume creates visual whiplash, though the tonal shift makes it less jarring. Richard Isanove's coloring maintains consistency, using warmer tones for flashbacks and cooler palettes when Ultron dominates. His choices help readers track emotional states even when art styles change.

Duggan's writing improves when freed from crossover constraints. Pleasant Hill issues feel rushed, cramming editorial beats. Once focusing on Pym's return, Duggan demonstrates understanding of these characters, particularly in Janet and Hank scenes crackling with history.

The Man Who Fell to Earth suffers from structural problems beyond Duggan's control. Marvel's decision to interrupt the Unity Squad's momentum with crossover participation weakens coherence. The Standoff issues feel like filler, delaying the story about Hank Pym's return and the team's struggle with trust and redemption.

Once committed to its premise, the volume delivers compelling character-driven storytelling. The Hank Pym arc explores identity and whether someone fundamentally changed can come home. Duggan avoids easy answers, presenting heroism as accepting painful realities.

Pepe Larraz's artwork during the Pym issues elevates material that could have felt repetitive given Ultron's frequent appearances. His visual storytelling makes emotional beats land with impact, particularly during Janet's scenes with Hank where expressions convey years of history without dialogue. The art sells the tragedy beautifully.

The volume's connection to Rage of Ultron enhances the reading experience. Duggan provides context for new readers while rewarding those familiar with Remender's novel. This continuation addresses the unresolved cliffhanger while pushing Hank into new territory.

Uncanny Avengers: The Man Who Fell to Earth collects issues #7-12 of Gerry Duggan's 2015– 2017 run, following the fallout from Standoff and the fractured state of Unity Squad. Readers can find it in trade paperback format from Marvel Comics, as well as digitally on Amazon Kindle, ComiXology and Marvel Unlimited platforms.