In this review of Avengers: Armageddon #3, an Avenger defects to join David Colton’s crusade in changing the world through force.
AVENGERS: ARMAGEDDON #3
Written by: Chip Zdarsky
Art: Ario Anindito
Main Cover: Dike Ruan
Variant Covers: Ario Anindito, Phil Noto, Taurin Clarke, Stefano Caselli
Page Count: 24 pages
Release Date: August 19, 2026
This review contains spoilers
Avengers Armageddon #3 is the summer blockbuster’s best issue yet. We receive the revelation that David Colton has made it a goal to take all nukes and toss them into the sun. He’s successful so far in numerous countries. Secretary Riani is very much against the idea of human lives being so dependent and contingent upon the decisions of superhumans, especially one like Colton.
The Avengers discuss the implications of Colton’s power and actions, coming to the conclusion that he must be stopped. Wolverine and Bucky Barnes go to stop Colton. Their talk attempts fail, and Barnes supports and joins Colton’s crusade. Colton easily beats Wolverine and Barnes gives him the location of off-book American bases holding nukes.
Back at the base, Reed and Tony discuss Doom’s predictive technology weapon. The device operates by creating a parallel universe within itself and playing out the scenario to portray the absolute outcome. Tony struggles with the morality of destroying the lives in these created universes, but he’s interrupted by Colton throwing Logan through their roof. He crushes Iron Man’s helmet and takes Doom’s technology because he does not trust Stark to heed his own ethical restraints.
He and Bucky go on to disable more nukes when Captain Marvel arrives to try and stop them, but she’s easily put down by Colton.
Glimpsing at Russia, the Winter Guard manipulates Thunderbolt Ross into joining their side by reminding him how he has no home left after the Americans reject him. They create a common ground in that both will be destroyed by Colton if they don’t team up to stop him.
At S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ, T’Challa confronts Nick Fury on providing the Americans with the technology to severely damage the Red Hulks, wondering which other superheroes he has such tech for. Fury doubles down and says the “H” in S.H.I.E.L.D. now stands for “Human”, believing humans need to take back control from the superhumans. Their conversation is interrupted by the revelation that Russia still has nukes and they’ve sent them towards North America, beginning World War III.
Analysis
Avengers: Armageddon #3 was a banger and probably my favorite Marvel comic from the whole year. Its greatest strength was juxtaposition and framing. It was Reed and Tony discussing Dr. Doom playing God, right before Colton annihilates them and tells them how to act. It was Spider-Man and the Human Torch discussing the level of restraint superpowered individuals should have, as Human Torch tosses Peter’s signature motto of responsibility at him. It was the Red Hulk’s dejected look at losing his home while kneeling on the snowy Russian climate. It was Nick Fury stating humans need to be the only ones in charge, seconds before Russia’s human leaders launch World War III.
Chip Zdarsky’s writing about the illogical nature of human decisions, their weight, and the responsibility that follows after has caught my eye since his work on Daredevil. Zdarsky extends that nuance here, all throughout Avengers: Armageddon #3, which debates the existence of superhumans within a democratic world, one that didn’t elect them to make decisions.
On the topic of democracy, the panel where Colton flies Wolverine into space to knock him out features his old Captain America shield falling into the barren ground. I found the symbolism well-done and extremely fitting, as Colton’s demeanor and deeds suit a man who no longer cares for democracy. It also symbolizes the loss of Steve Rogers, highlighting how much the Avengers need his decision making. He’s a character who doesn’t lean heavily on the complex decision-making that creates problems. He simply tries to maneuver towards what he feels in the most bare sense, is right.
The art is stellar and you feel the speed with which characters like Colton and Danvers fight. Some of the maneuvers Colton applies are genuinely terrifying, like the scene where he suffocates and crushes Tony’s helmet. It was very reminiscent of the scene from One Piece’s Dressrosa Arc, where Sabo nearly destroys the skull of Vice Admiral Bastille. If Colton applies a bit more weight? Tony’s life is over. He decided to hold back and spare his life, and that raises the stakes of just how the Avengers will stop the powerful madman.
Final Thoughts
A fantastic continuation and the best issue yet, Avengers: Armageddon #3 employs well-thought out nuance in the debate about the world’s compatibility with superhumans.
