There is no doubt that issue four of this seven issue mini-series is the best to date. Mix action with beautiful artwork and the hint of an old fashioned slugfest, and you have the makings of a highly entertaining read.
This series needed this issue like Donald Trump needs a hairstylist. While it wasn't sinking into "Chaos War" obscurity, it was teetering on becoming forgettable. Instead, Fraction treats us to a couple of big character developments, from a couple of heavyweight characters.
Artist, Stuart Immonen frames all of his pages beautifully, often using great looking overlays that cross into multiple frames. There are two side-by-side pages that are especially memorable, featuring the Serpent on one page and Odin on the other. Both appear to be addressing the reader personally. A very nice touch on the part of Immonen that is repeated several times throughout the issue.
Believe it or not, there are enough layers in this book that I think I am going to sit down and re-read it once I am done this review. This has not been a common theme for recent Fraction work. Issues such as Thor's prophecy, Odin's Final Solution for mankind, the fate of Bucky Barnes, Cap being back and Tony's struggle with old demons all set up the last page teaser, which features an upcoming slugfest between Thor and the a tag team featuring the possessed Hulk and Thing. Book Five is appropriately named, "Brawl!"
I suppose there are a couple of ways to look at the remaining time with this series. Either Fraction has three issues to really "hammer" this series home, or he has three issue to really mess it up. Let's hope it is the former. If this issue is any indication, we are in for a fun final ride!