I think I know why "Chaos" isn't sitting all that well with me. Bendis is taking a more realistic approach not to the super-hero action, but to how the characters react to it. The problem is that one gets the impression that this is the first time these men have had to deal with such an overwhelming and devastating crisis. That robs the story of a good deal of its drama. Everything crumbles apart too quickly, too conveniently. There are elements that I really enjoyed here, though, not the least of which is the art. Finch's linework succeeds where Bendis's script fails, as it conveys the intensity and crucial nature of this turning point for the heroes.
She-Hulk continues on her uncontrolled rampage in New York City, and it's up to another one of the Avengers' heavy-hitters to stop her in her tracks. That gives the heroes a bit of a breather and a chance to regroup at a city hospital, where far too many teammates occupy ICU beds and slots in the morgue. The remaining members -- Captain America, Iron Man, Hawkeye, the Falcon and Yellowjacket -- gather to figure out what's happening to the Avengers, but hurtful words and mistrust finish the job that the Ultrons and other threats began only hours earlier: the end of the Avengers.
The strongest visual in the book is Finch's vision of a hulked-out She-Hulk. The more monstrous look for the character and the elimination of any trace of femininity drive home how horrible such a development is in the world of the Avengers. I also love how D'Armata's dark colors reinforces the ugly and critical nature of the action. Finch also boasts a cool interpretation of Iron Man. Where the art slips, though, is in the artist's depiction of the character's faces. Aside from hair and eye color, they're interchangeable. There's no variety to facial structure.
AS good as the She-Hulk sequence looks, it's not quite as compelling as it should be. The reason: it wasn't that long ago when she ran amok in "The Search for She-Hulk." I also find it unsettling that none of the female members are left for the emotionally charged meeting of minds that serves as this issue's focal point.
Speaking of which, the recriminations, confusion and even desperation of that scene captures the sort of feelings the reader might experience if placed in a similar situation. There's a regular-guy tone to the script and characters' behavior. The thing is... these aren't regular guys. They've been through this sort of thing before, and the eruption of mistrust doesn't work for me. I did, however, really appreciate how the Falcon is portrayed in this issue. He's not as deeply connected on a personal level to the Avengers, so his more level-headed attitude here works.
