West Coast Avengers [2024] #7 - Marvel Comics

WEST COAST AVENGERS No. 7, July 2025

Predominantly focusing upon Killerwatt’s origin story and subsequent poor relationship with his physically abusive father, Gerry Duggan’s script for Issue Seven of “West Coast Avengers” definitely does not contain the much-hyped punch-up between Tommy and Wonder Man which this comic’s Ben Harvey-sketched cover misleadingly implies. Indeed, after a very brief exchange of cross words the pair actually appear to form a seemingly perfect friendship, with Simon Williams even deciding upon the spur of the moment to visit the reformed villain’s ‘Old Man’ when the super-hero learns that the somewhat repentant parent is a long-time fan of his.

But that doesn’t mean for a moment that this twenty-page periodical’s plot isn’t a riveting read, as its mixture of genuinely heart-warming goodness and distinctly dark physical violence – courtesy of a deranged Ultron slaughtering as many of The One’s cybernetically enhanced disciples as he can get his cruel claws on – is incredibly well-penned; “My friend missed a check-in, and there was just a very loud boom -- even for Downtown L.A.”

Furthermore, the American author’s handling of the former Masters Of Evil member turned actor is rather cleverly done, marking Williams out as a sincere, caring protagonist, who actually has a heart of gold beneath his ‘Big Screen’ bluster. This calm approach to life also provides the comic with a neat, noticeable contrast when compared to the sheer terror experienced by the likes of Spider-Woman when she unknowingly stumbles upon Ultron’s latest killing spree, and actually heightens the sense of fear emanating from the scenes set inside The One’s Church as everyone inside is quite literally torn asunder.

Danny Kim also appears to be in good form pencilling this publication’s layouts, and somehow manages to show just why an adolescent Tommy grew up to become the despicable Killerwatt within the space of just a half-dozen ‘flashback’ panels. In addition, the terrified look upon the faces of all the cyborgs fleeing for their lives as Hank Pym’s homicidal creation mutilates their android frames is first-rate, and really helps sell the notion that despite being formidable physical specimens in their own right due to their mechanical bodies, these hapless followers of a false god are still mere fodder before the murderous might of an utterly mad Ultron.

The regular cover art of "WEST COAST AVENGERS" #7 by Ben Harvey