Avengers vs XMen #12 Review

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Avengers, Avengers vs X-Men, AvX, Dark Phoenix, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers vs. X-Men #12

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

When Iron Man’s Phoenix Killer super weapon inexplicably divided the Phoenix Force between the X-Men: Cyclops, Colossus, Magik, Emma Frost, and Namor, they became hosts for the imperious cosmic energies. Together they set out to create a better world as The Phoenix Five, but for all their good intentions, they gradually became corrupted by the Phoenix Force. Working together again, The Avengers and X-Men managed to defeat all but Cyclops and Emma Frost, leading to a fatal showdown between Professor X and Cyclops on the shores of Utopia. Confronted by overwhelming odds, Cyclops steals Emma’s Phoenix energies and kills Professor X. Horrified by what he has done; Cyclops surrenders his humanity and becomes The Dark Phoenix…

Avengers vs. X-Men #12 open with a flashback set in K’un Lun, 72 hours before the death of Professor X, as Tony Stark informs Captain America and the assembled members of both teams that they have exhausted every scientific possibility of combating the Phoenix Force. Instead, Stark suggests that  Hope and The Scarlet Witch are the key to defeating the Phoenix Force, and that together they will act as a conduit for their combined knowledge of science and mysticism. Captain America is uncertain that Stark’s plan will work, and his doubts are confirmed when Hope turns on Wanda, blaming her for changing the world with her chaos magic and ruining her life…

Avengers vs. X-Men #12 open with a flashback set in K’un Lun

Meanwhile the battle rages on in the present as Dark Phoenix rises over Utopia and embarks on a wave of destruction across the world. The Cuckoos relay Cyclops path of wanton fury to Captain America with Cerebra as he circles the globe causing tidal waves, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and fire to rain from the sky. The combined might of The Avengers and The X-Men can do nothing to stop Dark Phoenix, at best they can only help try and save the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, and are helpless to halt Cyclops’ rampage as the world burns around them.

As Cyclops flies into the sky above Tibet, intent of vaporising the world from orbit, Captain America finally orders Stark to put his plan into action. Iron Man puts out a desperate call to anyone who can force Dark Phoenix back down to Earth. Nova responds and smashes Dark Phoenix into a Tibetan mountainside where Hope and The Scarlet Witch are waiting to strike. They attack Cyclops on both fronts, Wanda’s Hex blasts causing Scott unbearable agony while Hope mimics The Scarlet Witche’s powers and channels it into the Chaos Fist. The Avengers renew their assault as Dark Phoenix begins to falter. Scott’s life flashes before his eyes, renewing his rage, but as he prepares to strike back Hope and Wanda use a mystical image of Jean Grey to distract him long enough to draw the Phoenix Power from his body. The Phoenix Force bonds with Hope, transforming her into The While Phoenix. Hope takes off and repairs all the damage done by Dark Phoenix, but before she can be corrupted by the Phoenix energies Wanda persuades Hope to let her help her relinquish the power – thus realizing the prophecies of The Book of the Fallen; transmuting their combined power into a wave of energy that restores the natural order to create new Mutants all over the world once more.

With the crisis over, Captain America visits Cyclops in his Ruby Quarts prison cell as he awaits the trail for his crimes against the world. Both team leaders admit their failings, but Captain America is furious when Scott deems the outcome a New Age for The X-Men and The Avengers. As we learn that the renegade members of the Phoenix Five are now in hiding, the X-Men and Avengers begin to look towards the future: Wanda and Hawkeye discuss Cap’s plans for a new team of Uncanny Avengers, Thor offers Nova the chance to become an Avenger, and on the shores of Utopia a young woman called Hope Summers takes one last look before soaring into the air on a jetpack to greet a brand new day…

Hope turns on Wanda, blaming her the Phoenix’s return

Avengers vs. X-Men #12 sees Jason Aaron bring this seasons Marvel epic to a close with considerable style and flourish, no mean feat after last issues shocking demise of Professor X. Instead of throwing us straight into the final conflict with Dark Phoenix, Jason Aaron interspaces this titanic battle with a number of flashback sequences featuring Hope and The Scarlet Witch. The initial flashback is perhaps the most startling, when Hope turns on The Scarlet Witch, blaming Wanda’s actions during House of M (2005) for instigating the Phoenix’s return – and its attempt to undo the damage that Wanda inflicted on Mutants when she warped reality and declared: “No more Mutants!”

Adam Kurbert and John Dell covey the vast, global scale of Dark Phoenix’s attack on the world with an invigorating layout, all generously interwoven with the flashback sequences. It almost feels like the action is secondary to these small, yet defining character moments for Hope and Wanda. Its great to finally see them taking centre stage, particularly when Captain America makes Hope realizes that even if they defeat Cyclops – she may very well become the greatest threat of all when the Phoenix Force attempts to bond with her once more.

The final battle is a ferocious round-the-world slugfest that sees The Avengers and X-Men barely able to hold their own against Dark Phoenix. It is only when Scott is weakened by the fevered remains of his latent humanity, and The Avengers relentless assault, that Hope and Wanda are able to blindside him with the illusion of Jean Grey. However, when Hope becomes the White Phoenix AvX #12 momentarily reaches for the re-set button – as Hope flies around the world and undoes all the damage that Scott caused as Dark Phoenix. Again, the fleeting moment of clarity comes when Wanda gets Hope to let go of the Phoenix Force, and together they restore the natural order – using the rampaging Phoenix energies to enable Mutants to be born into the world again.

Hope and The Scarlet Witch are waiting to strike

For me, one of the best moments in this entire series comes when Captain America visits Cyclops in his Ruby Quartz prison. Here both leaders admit they have made grave mistakes, but Cap’s misgivings for failing to help Mutants are more than outweighed by Scott’s unwavering belief that his actions helped to make a better world – even though he effectively played Russian Roulette with the fate of the entire planet and killed Professor X.

So, after twelve issues, can Avengers vs. X-Men be declared a success? Well, not quite. It is most certainly better than last years lamentable Fear Itself, but there can be no escaping the inconsistencies apparent in the tone of AvX. After an explosive start it struggled to find itself for a few issues, the advent of the Phoenix Five set the title back on course, and it has steadily built to an exciting finale in AvX #12. Only now, after the dust has settled over the battlefield, can we really judge if AvX has changed the Marvel Universe to any significant degree. It might not be heralded as one of the best Marvel crossovers in recent years, but I feel that it has at least gone some way to living up to all the hype and fan expectations. I for one have enjoyed the series, and have had a great time reviewing each issue, and I like to think that the final page of AvX #12 offers us all a little piece of hope for the future…

Avengers vs XMen #11Review

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Avengers, Avengers vs X-Men, AvX, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers vs. X-Men #11 Review

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

The Mighty Avengers have succeeded in defeating three members of the Phoenix Five: Namor, Colossus, and Magik. But their victories have left many Avenges seriously wounded, Wakanda has been all but destroyed, and the last remaining hosts of the Phoenix Force – Emma Frost and Cyclops – are now more powerful than ever. Cyclops then attacked the Avengers in K’un Lun, determined to force Hope to return to Utopia, but Hope used her new power – The Chaos First – to punch the X-Men’s leader all the way to the moon!

Having witnessed how unhinged Emma Frost has become on Utopia, torturing the X-Men and subjugating them to her omnipresent will, Magneto decides to send out a telepathic cry for help to the one man who might be able to save the world – Professor Charles Xavier.

After Captain America makes an appeal for help from the Incredible Hulk we learn that the Avengers and the X-Men have set aside their differences and decided to unite with Professor X to bring an end to the threat posed by Cyclops and Emma Frost. Rogue is the last ember of the X-Men to join Xavier in Wisconsin, she is unsure what reception she will receive, but is soon welcomed back into the fold by Professor X before the task force he has assemble with the Avengers and the X-Men makes ready to depart for Utopia.

The Avengers and the X-Men have set aside their differences

Cyclops and Emma are now almost consumed by the power of the Phoenix Force as they survey all they have achieved from the gleaming towers of Utopia. This floating citadel was once the culmination of a dream made a reality, now it is a tomb of despair and greed, as its two rulers grow uneasy with the pitiful world they now rule over. Intoxicated by the limitless power they each possess, but also secretly crave to wield only for themselves. Sensing Professor X’s presence, Cyclops orders Emma to remain behind while he confronts his former teacher on the shores of Utopia.

Scott’s overconfidence is almost his undoing as he argues the merits of his new vision of Xavier’s dream, especially when he realizes that Xavier has shielded the Avengers and X-Men from his mind, but he is too late to repel their attack. Emma Frost rushes to help as Cyclops is floored by the combined might of The Scarlet Witch and Professor X, but she is felled by The Incredible Hulk. The Avengers press home the advantage, Magneto takes the full force of Cyclops’ counter attack, Thor is also brushed aside as Scott regains his strength, but he is distracted enough for one of Hawkeye’s arrows to streak though the chaos and find its mark. As Ice Man batters Cyclops to his knees Professor X tries to shut down Scott’s mind. In a last desperate bid to survive, Cyclops attacks Emma and steals her Phoenix energies – absorbing the full power of the Phoenix! He rises from the inferno of his rebirth and attacks Professor X, killing him outright in seconds, before transforming in front of Hope’s horrified gaze into the ultimate incarnation of fire and life incarnate – The Dark Phoenix!

Cyclops is now consumed by the power of the Dark Phoneix

We have seen some titanic battles during the course of Avengers vs. X-Men, yet none of them can hold a candle to the events that transpire in this penultimate issue. Brian Michael Bendis helms this outstanding foray into the darkest days of the Avengers and X-Men, united at last, nothing can really prepare you for the shocking conclusion of AvX #11. There have been rumours circulating about a “death” of a major character in this series for some time now, but the fact that it was Charles Xavier really took me by surprise. In some ways it almost mirrors the Professors last near fatal confrontation with the Phoenix, when he defeated Jean Grey after she became Dark Phoenix after being brainwashed by The Hellfire Club in Uncanny X-Men #136. Back then Jean actually helped him in their psychic duel, here he faces the young man who was like a son to him, and Scott Summer’s – although not an experienced telepath – is one of Xavier’s most exceptional students. Scott is like an angry son confronting a vexed father who is trying to set him back on the straight and narrow, no quarter is given, and none taken. Only when he has killed Xavier does he show any sign of remorse or regret; but that is soon swept away – along with his humanity – as he surrenders himself to the vast cosmic energies surging within him and becomes Dark Phoenix.

This action paced issue of Avengers vs. X-Men is superbly drawn: Oliver Coipel’s pencils are well complemented by Mark Morales inks, while the jaw dropping battle sequences are lavishly coloured by Laura Martin. There are times when the Phoenix energy almost seems to sizzle from the pages of AvX #11 as Scott and Emma fight the combined forces of the Avengers and X-Men. Its great to see The Hulk and Wolverine performing a “fastball special”, a momentous event in itself, and yes, Wolverine does get deep fried by a Phoenix blast again! I’m beginning to lose count of how many times Logan has had to regrow his flesh. Captain America has put together a crack squad to take on Cyclops, who he wisely perceives to be a greater threat than Emma, and his tactic of employing all the heavy hitters from both teams to wear Scott down almost works when Hawkeye’s arrow nearly takes him out.

Now that Cyclops has been transformed into the Dark Phoenix its beginning to look like there is no force on Earth that can stand against him, except for perhaps Hope, once chosen as the savour of Mutantkind, she now holds the fate of the world on her young shoulders.

Cyclops killls Charles Xavier!

Avengers vs. X-Men #11 has been the most enjoyable issue so far in this big season event. Although the series may have taken a few issues to find its feet, now that we can almost see them conclusively as a whole, this storyline has really managed to build on its somewhat flimsy premise and become something quite remarkable. The final conflict is set, and as the Dark Phoenix rises over the Marvel Universe once more only the combined strength of the Mighty Avengers, The Uncanny X-Men, and Hope Summers now stands in its way of  complete universal domination.

Avengers vs XMen #10 Review

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Avengers, Avengers vs X-Men, AvX, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers vs. X-Men #10 Review

Review by Paul Bowler

AvX #10 Bradshaw Variant

With the help of Storm and Professor X, the Avengers mount a daring rescue mission to free their fallen comrades from the hellish prison Magik has created within a volcano in the Verkhoyansk Mountains of Russia. The Avengers breach the defences of the Limbo realm and save their friends, beating back the hordes of lethal Hell Worms, but as Colossus and Magik block their escape route Spiderman valiantly faces the Mutants alone to give the Avengers time to escape to K’un Lun.

Spiderman is beaten to a bloody pulp by Colossus, yet his quips and banter are enough to turn the siblings against one another, and as Magik and Colossus fight their powers cancel each other out – causing the Phoenix Force to leave their bodies. Having left Emma Frost struggling to control the dark side of her Phoenix Powers in Ethiopia, Cyclops soars across the world to K’un Lun where he appears in the sky, demanding that Hope returns to Utopia!

With time now rapidly running out for the Avengers as Cyclops attacks their stronghold in the mystical city of K’un Lun, it falls to Iron Fist to hold off the X-Men’s leader to buy Hope enough time to flee and get help from The Thunderer. As Iron Fist falls before Cyclops might Iron Man enters the fray, but even his armoured form is unable to withstand the devastating onslaught of the Phoenix Force. Back at the Verkhovansk Mountains in Russia Captain America’s team tend to Spiderman’s wounds, but as they prepare to teleport back to K’un Lun,  Professor X decides to remain behind – determined to do what he can to help free Emma and Scott from the dark influences of the Phoenix Force.

Iron Fist helps Hope as Cyclops attacks K’un Lun

In K’un Lun Hope has found the Thunderer and together they ride the fabled dragon Shao Lao to attack Cyclops. This creature is the source of K’un Lun’s power, carrier of the Iron Fist energy, and its flaming breath is enough to bring Cyclops to his knees – but the beast is young; and unable to fend off Cyclops’ counter attack. When Cyclops tries to take Hope she suddenly unleashes the power she has unwittingly absorbed from the Dragon and knocks Scott senseless. As she tries to escape Hope runs into the Scarlet Witch and the Avengers. Wanda uses every reserve of her power to fight Cyclops but this time her hex energy is no match for the enraged Mutant, but as all seems lost, Hope steps in and uses the power she has also absorbed from Wanda – combined with the Chaos Fist – to deflect Cyclops’ attack and blasts him away in a ball of searing agony that teleports him into the surface of the moon.

All the remaining X-Men on Utopia have now been broken to Emma Frosts will; even Magneto has been forced to succumb to her omnipotent power. Yet as the Watcher silently observes Cyclops return to Earth, the master of magnetism issues a desperate telepathic plea for help to his old friend Charles Xavier…

Writer Ed Brabaker ramps up the action in Avengers vs. X-Men #10 as Hope Summers finally confronts Cyclops in a battle that will prove to be the biggest turning point in the series to date. It has been a long time in coming, but it would seem that all of Hope’s training in K’un Lun has finally paid off. Having been sidelined for the last few issues by the Scarlet Witch, it’s good to see Hope taking centre stage in this series again…

The fight scenes are superbly choreographed by Adam Kubert pencils and John Dell’s inks, although the battle initially feels a little one sided, you get a sense of just how the Phoenix Force has managed to corrupt Scott and the terrible lengths he is willing to got to in order to see his vision of Xavier’s dream enforced upon the world.

It is perhaps Emma Frost’s subjugation of the X-Men still on Utopia that is the most disturbing aspect of this story. While Cyclops has still managed to hold onto some semblance of his ideals, Emma has given herself to the dark side of the Phoenix Force, and it is quite shocking to see her humiliate Magneto and her fellow team mates.

Iron Man vs Cyclops!

Avengers vs. X-men Infinites #10 is also available to digital customers. This digital tie-in uses animation to enhance the comic book experience. In a story Ed Burbaker and Mark Waid we get to see Iron Man, Beast, and the Scarlet Witch as they run complex virtual reality simulations to find out if it would be possible to take out the hosts of the Phoenix Force. The art and animation is as fluid as you might expect from the format, and this instalment provides more background to Hope’s training in the events leading up to Cyclops’ attack on K‘un Lun..

Avengers vs. X-Men #10 certainly appears to set up a final struggle for power in the ranks of the X-Men as Cyclops and Emma look set to battle for control of the Phoenix Force. Now that Hope is ready to realize her destiny, the final battle is almost upon us, and AvX looks set to deliver a thrilling conclusion to this action packed series.

Avengers vs XMen #9 Review

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Avengers, Avengers vs X-Men, AvX, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers vs. X-Men #9

Review by Paul Bowler

After deciding to take matters into his own hands, Namor King of Atlantis goes against Cyclops orders and launches a devastating attack on Wakanda. With only moments to spare, Hope manages to escape through a portal to K’un Lun with Wolverine – closely followed by Iron Man and the Thundered – leaving Captain America and his fellow Avengers to face Namor. They fight bravely, suffering terrible injuries in the process, but are ultimately no match for the Phoenix empowered Altantian. Fortunately the battle weakens Namor enough for the Scarlet Witch to strike back and defeat him.

The Phoenix Five arrive in Wakanda by Siege Courageous as Namor falls. The Avengers look on in horror as the Phoenix Force tears itself free of Namor, its power fluctuating and dividing, before it rise up into the sky to bond with Cyclops, Emma Frost, Magik, and Colossus. Realizing that these four X-Men are now even more powerful, Captain America orders the Avengers to retreat. They escape by teleporting through another portal to regroup with the others in K’un Lun and tend their wounded. As the members of the Phoenix Five bask in the energies they have absorbed from Namor, Professor X confronts them telepathically and issues Cyclops an ultimatum.

AvX #9 joins the story eight days later in K’un Lun as the Avengers have set out to rescue their team mates who have been captured by the X-Men, leaving Spiderman to oversee Hope as she continues her training – offering what advice he can. The Avengers return through a mystical portal, having failed miserably in their mission, and bring news that Thor has also fallen in battle and been captured by Magik and Colossus. While the Avengers treat their injured, Tony Stark continues to struggle to understand how the Phoenix energy, Hope’s Mutant abilities, Wanda’s Hex Magic, and the Iron Fist all fit into the grand scheme of things.

Colossus & Magik defeat Thor!

Colossus and Magik imprison Thor in a volcano in the Verkhoyansk Mountains of Russia along with the other fallen Avengers, binding them all within the pocket dimension of Limbo that Magik has created to form a prison filled with deadly Hell Worms. Sickened by how the Phoenix power has corrupted the Phoenix Five to the point where she hardly recognises them any more, Storm travels to Waknda to enlist the help of her former husband T’Challa, only to learn that their marriage has been annulled. Putting aside their personal differences for the time being, Storm decides to help the Avengers mount a rescue attempt, and together they meet with Professor X at the volcano in Russia.

With the help of Dr Strange and Professor X the Avengers manage to breach the magical defences and free the captives from the Hell Worms, but as they try to escape they are brutally attacked by Colossus and Magik. In a bid to buy the Avengers more time, Spiderman bravely takes on the two X-Men single-handedly to cover their escape, and takes a terrible beating in the process. He may have been battered to within an inch of his life by Colossus, but Spiderman’s banter is enough to turn the two Phoenix Powered siblings against each other – resulting in the Phoenix Force vacating its hosts as they fall.

Emma Frost struggles to control her newfound power as it begins to rage out of control. She meets with Cyclops in the Danakill Desert in Ethiopia, but even though she reveals Hope’s location to Scott, he offers little sympathy for her plight – flying off to K’un Lun and leaving her to succumb to the terrifying power now at her disposal. As the Avengers return through the portal to K’un Lun, Cyclops materializes overhead, more powerful than ever, and determined to make Hope return to Utopia.

Avengers vs. X-Men #9 is one of Jason Aaron’s most action packed issues yet, it opens with an eerie Lost style flash-forward as Spiderman is punched senseless by Colossus, jumping back to recount the events that will lead to the web headed hero making his valiant sacrifice. With the Avengers taking such heavy losses, Wakanda in ruins, and even Thor defeated, this issues is perhaps the bleakest yet for the Avengers. Its nice to have an issue that allows Spiderman to play a more pivotal role, he has been somewhat overlooked so far, and he has some great scenes with Hope where he helps her understand what it means to be an Avenger.

Spiderman takes a savage beating from Colossus

This issues action set-pieces are once more provided by Adam Kubert on pencils and John Dell’s inks. We are treated to page after page of stunning locales around the marvel universe as the story unfolds, from the majesty of K’un Lun to the ruins of Wakanda, the pace never lets up, right up until the Avengers daring raid on the volcano leads to Spiderman’s terrible beating, AvX #9 hardly gives the reader to pause for breath.

One aspect that dominates AvX #9 is the way the remaining members of the Phoenix Five have succumbed to the darker sides of their nature, particularly Emma Frost who is coldly rebuffed by Cyclops and vents her fury on a pilot who one accidentally killed a mutant and failed to report it – Emma plays judge jury and executioner and fries his mind as he sits eating lunch with his family! It seems ironic that Emma has not been able to cope as well with the Phoenix Power as Cyclops, especially considering that Scott has no telepathic abilities, her fall from grace looks set to be the most horrifying of all the X-Men – easily eclipsing the way Magik and Colossus seemingly cancelled each other out after being ticked by Spiderman. It is Cyclops unwavering skills as leader, together with his determination to see his Pax Utopia enforced, that has so far kept his emotions in check. Now that Scott and Emma are the last hosts for the Phoenix Force things look worse than ever for the Avengers, unless the absolute power they now wield ultimately proves to be their downfall.

Avengers vs. X-Men #9 sees the series really starting to kick into high gear as the plot begins to build towards the final issues. AvX #9 has some of the most stand out moments so far in the series, and looks set to provide many more as Cyclops prepares to attack K’un Lun.

Avengers vs X-Men #8 Review

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Avengers, Avengers vs X-Men, AvX, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers vs. X-Men #8

Review by Paul Bowler

The Avengers have paid a heavy price for defying the will of the Phoenix Five, with all of their facilities closed down by the X-Men and Hawkeye seriously injured, Cyclops’ declaration of “no more Avengers” looks like it may be about to become a reality. In a bid to give Tony Stark and T’Challa more time to work on his Phoenix Killer, and keep Hope’s presence a secret in Wakanda, the Avengers use hit and run tactics to keep one step ahead of the X-Men. However, their plan to use magical decoys of the Scarlet Witch to confuse the Phoenix Five backfires when Namor battles the real Wanda Maximoff over the Pacific Ocean, and is easily repelled by her powers.

Humiliated by his defeat and the capture of Transonic, Namor is frustrated by Cyclops’ unwillingness to instigate further bloodshed. After a passionate tryst with Emma Frost, Narmor learns that she secretly knows where the Avengers are hiding – but has yet to tell Scott. Namor travels to Wakanda, determined to wipe out the Avengers once and for all, and his attack comes just as Wolverine and Hope are about to depart through Thunderer’s portal to the mystical city of K’un-Lun.

The action comes thick and fast in Avengers vs. X-Men #8 as Namor and his minions begin their assault on Wakanda. After Iron Man and Thunderer follow Wolverine and Hope through the portal to K’un Lun, with Stark urging Cap to use their “secret weapon” before closing the portal to prevent Namor following them, Captain America, Black Panther, and Iron Fist are left to defend T’Challa’s kingdom as a huge tidal wave crashes into the city. Fortunately the rest of the Avengers arrive in time to help defend Wanakda: but even a combined attack by the Red Hulk, Vision, Dr Strange, Thor, and the Thing cannot contain the Phoenix Empowered King of Atlantis. He snaps Red Hulk’s arm like a twig and unleashes a devastating Phoenix blast that leaves the Avengers reeling. Thor fires a volley of lightening, distracting Namor long enough for The Scarlet Witch to strike, and it is her power that ultimately defeats Namor.

Having watched the battle from Utopia the rest of the Phoenix Five arrive by Siege Courageous as Namor’s Phoenix energy seemingly rejects him, tearing itself free of its host, to merge with Cyclops, Emma Frost, Magik, and Colossus. While the X-Men bask in the glory of their new powers, Captain America uses a teleportation device Stark had given him to open another portal to K’un Lun. The Avengers escape to join the others, leaving the Black Panther alone, his homeland in ruins, as the X-Men hover overhead. But before they can act, Professor X contacts Cyclops telepathically, warning his former students that they must end this madness, or he will do it for them!

Brian Michael Bendis handles AvX #8’s action packed smack down between Namor and the Avengers with ease, with a number of characters jostling for space, he does a fine job of driving the plot as events dictate. This is the Avengers most desperate hour yet, with desperate times calling for desperate measures, and it takes the combined efforts of the mighty Avengers most powerful members to weaken Namor enough for the Scarlet Witch to deal their first decisive victory.

With Adam Kubert on pencils and John Dell’s inks, the ferocity of Namor’s attack on Wakanda is stunningly realized – perfectly capturing the scale of this immense battle. This is the first time we have really got to see the Avengers take on one of the members of the Phoenix Five; the battle is furious and brutal, especially when Namor savagely breaks the Red Hulk’s arm!

The Scarlet Witch is still the Avengers ace in the hole when it comes to fighting the Phoenix Five, Wanda is beginning to play a much more pivotal role as Hope sidelined for much of this issue in K’un Lun, its good to see the Avengers finally gain some ground against the X-Men after being on the ropes for a couple of issues. The fact that the Phoenix Force seemed to reject Namor is perhaps this issues most startling revelation. It certainly make you wonder just who is controlling who when it comes to the Phoenix Force, which makes Scott’s assumption that they can wield this cosmic power and use it to reshape the world something of a misnomer. The Phoenix Force has an insatiable appetite for the raw emotion of its hosts, and its beginning to feels as if it is starting to play the members of the Phoenix Five off against each other.

A thoroughly enjoyable and action packed issue, this issue has a really epic feel to it now that the stake have risen so high. While the Avengers are regrouping in K’un Lun, Avengers vs. X-Men #8 draws to a close with Cyclops, Emma Frost, Magik, and Colossus facing the telepathic warning form Charles Xavier to cease and desist, or face the consequences. This ultimatum has been a long time coming, but we are left wondering if Professor X’s intervention will mark a significant turning point in the conflict or become a terrible portent of the onslaught to come…

Avengers vs XMen #6 Review

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Avengers, Avengers vs X-Men, AvX, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers vs. X-Men #6

Review by Paul Bowler

 

Still believing that she would be able to control the Phoenix Force, Hope Summers enlisted Wolverine’s help to steal a rocket and intercept the cosmic entity on the blue area of the moon before it reaches Earth. Hope is horrified to find the Avengers already waiting for her on the lunar surface, and is even more shocked to learn that it was Wolverine who betrayed her. Fortunately Emma Frost has telepathically intercepted Wolverine’s intentions with Cerebra, allowing Cyclops and the Extinction Team to teleport and intercept the Avengers on the moon before they can take Hope into custody.

As the Avengers and X-Men slug it out, Iron Man flies into the path of the Phoenix Force in his gigantic Phoenix Killer battle suit, unleashing a volley of powerful disruptor beams that seemingly disperse the Phoenix energies – sending a devastating shockwave over the blue area of the moon that brings the conflict between the two teams to an abrupt end. The Avengers regroup and are horrified to see that the Phoenix Force has somehow been fragmented by Iron Man’s super weapon, and that Cyclops, Magik, Colossus, Namor, and Emma Frost are now possessed with the cosmic energies of the Phoenix itself! The Avengers can offer no resistance and are forced to watch helplessly as the Extinction Team take Hope and fly back to Earth.

The second act of Avengers vs. X-Men begins in earnest as writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Olivier Coipel take the helm of AvX #6, picking up the story some 10 days after the Extinction Team (Or Phoenix Five as they are now known) have returned to Earth. Having rebuilt Utopia as a vast gleaming metropolis, Cyclops, Emma, Namor, Colossus, and Magik have now used the vast power of the Phoenix at their disposal to change the world at will: removing famine and drought from the Horn of Africa and the Taymya Peninsula, drawing new springs of water up from the Aleutian Trench to end water shortages and irrigate crops, and even harnessing a clean and limitless power source in the Gobi Desert to provide free energy for the whole world.

Professor X arrives by shuttle craft at Utopia and is greeted by Magneto. Together they stand in awe of what their former students have created, before Xavier meets with Cyclops to discuss the effects of his actions. The Professor is astounded by what Cyclops and his X-Men have done, he does his best to try and make Scott see how the actions of the Phoenix Five have robbed humanity of its right to choose its own destiny – but he is rebuked by Cyclops who states that what they have done is merely strived to make Xavier’s lifelong dream a reality.

We join the Avengers some days later at Avengers Tower were Captain America receives a communiqué from Iron Fist and his team, who have just been dispatched to deal with The Electric Legion in Helsinki. However, the conflict they were engaged in abruptly cease when Colossus suddenly teleports in from a Siege Courageous and stops the battle by using an electric language to persuade the Legion to function as a power grid for Eastern Europe. Resigned to the Mutants relentless interference in global affairs, Captain America meets with Iron Man, Beast, Wolverine, and the Black Panther to formulate a plan of action. Logan naturally favours a more proactive approach, but Iron Man is reluctant to use the Phoenix Killer again in case it divides the Phoenix Force into even more Mutants. Sickened by what he hears his fellow Avengers planning, the Beast walks out of the meeting in disgust, suddenly no longer sure whether he wants a place on either team anymore.

As Hope struggles to come to terms with her rejection of the Phoenix Force, and the growing alienation Cyclops seems to have towards her, she begins to realise that there can be no reasoning with the Phoenix Five and their desire to reshape the world into a global Utopia. Meanwhile in Kun Lin, Lei Kung demands to see The Book of the Fallen. The elderly keeper brings him the ancient volume, and reads out a transcript of a much earlier account of the Phoenix Force: one where the Crimson Hand and the Iron Fist repelled the Phoenix of Life and Death.

The Avengers meet with the President at the White House after the Phoenix Five have stripped the world of its weapons and appeared before the United Nations; declaring that no more war or violence will be tolerated towards mutant or mankind, and that the world is now Pax Utopia. In a last-ditch attempt to restore some semblance of control, the Avengers make a covert attack on Utopia to capture Hope, but Cyclops and Emma Frost easily fend them off – making short work of even Thor and Iron Man. It is at this moment that the Scarlet Witch enters the fray – having witnessed a vision of the Phoenix vaporizing the original Avengers in the past – teleporting in to whisk Hope and The Avengers to safety. Hope says she wants to leave as Cyclops attempts to stop them by grabbing the Scarlet Witch, but he recoils in pain when his hand burns as he touches Wanda’s arm. The Scarlet Witch teleports everyone away as Cyclops realizes humanity will never accept them; coldly stating that it is time for change: “No more Avengers…”

Writer Jonathan Hickman opens the second act of Avengers vs. X-Men with a character driven opus that perfectly captures the tenuous state of unease that now stands between the people of the world and the Phoenix Five. In the space of a few short weeks Captain America and his fellow Avengers have had to stand idly by and watch as the Phoenix Five imposes its will upon the world. After five issues of relentless combat Hickman really begins to get to the core of the story, placing the characters front and centre, and making us hang on their every word as the global situation grows steadily worse.

One of my favourite scenes this issue is when Hope confronts Cyclops in Utopia. Although Scott says she is free to leave at any time, Hope tries to get him to see reason, that the Phoenix is a force that he can never hope to ever control. Cyclops then seems to taunt Hope with the Phoenix Force, tempting her with its vast power, only to cite her rejection of the cosmic entity as the reason why he deems her unworthy of claiming her birthright. Having been at the centre of the story for so long Hope now finds herself an outcast by those who sought to protect her, leaving her increasingly isolated, and perhaps even a little afraid for her own safety. It’s a marvellously understated scene, one that causes Hope to reassess her role, and which culminates with the young mutant seizing her chance to escape with the Avengers when the Scarlet Witch intervenes.

This issue also delves deep into the legends foretold by the Book of the Fallen. These long-lost legends give significant credence to the reasons why Iron First’s hands burn when he is near any member of the Phoenix Five, and the fact that Cyclops was unable to touch the Scarlet Witch without burning his own hand. Not the most subtle of plot devices I’ll grant you, but with it Hickman further fires the imagination when Wanda has a vision of the original Avengers being destroyed by the Phoenix – an act that Cyclops vows to make a terrifying reality.

For many John Romita Jr‘s artwork has been something of a deal breaker when it comes to Avengers vs. X-Men. Personally I have really enjoyed Romita’s run on AvX, but I think there will be a lot of people who will welcome Olivier Coipel debut on the series. Copiel effortlessly captures the majesty of the gleaming towers of Utopia and the worldwide scope of Pax Utopia. Laura Martin’s colours and Mark Morales inks are a perfect match for Copiel’s work, easily lifting the artwork in this issue of AvX to a whole new level of excellence.

Avengers vs. X-Men #6 delivers a fantastic new direction for the series, giving the characters a fresh impetus, and allows the plot to take some time out to deal with individual stories on a more personal and emotional level.

If that wasn’t enough Avengers & X-Men action for you, the digital version of AvX #6 includes Avengers vs. X-Men Infinites #6 In a Handful of Dust – a brand new tie-in that utilises the full potential of the digital medium. This small, yet insightful little tale by Mark Waid, Yves Bigerel, and Carlo Barberi shows the difficulties Cyclops encounters as he tries to block out the thoughts and feelings of everyone in Utopia. Struggling to screen out the bustling community, Cyclops makes in impromptu visit to the blue area of the Moon, wandering aimlessly until he finds himself in the ruins of the ancient alien city where his first love, Jean Grey, sacrificed her life to prevent herself reverting to Dark Phoenix.

Scott uses the Phoenix Force to recreate Jean’s essence from his own psyche, animating the moon dust where she fell into a physical construct, and together they discuss the true nature of the Phoenix. This story might also give credence to the much rumoured return of Jean Grey herself, as she, more than anyone, understands the true nature of the Phoenix. In a Handful of Dust is a wonderful aside to the overall story, offering a rare chance for Cyclops to cast off the shackles of leadership and express his innermost feelings, as well as providing a showcase for this new format – and enhancing the story with understated flourishes of animation.

Avengers vs. X-Men #6 is by far the best issue in this series to date. The story really seems to be evolving into something much bigger than its original premise, add to this the extra value offer by Infinites #6 and you have a first class package that is shaping up to be one of Marvels best crossover events in recent years.

Avengers vs XMen Issue #5

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Avengers, AvX, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers vs. X-Men #5

Review by Paul Bowler

As the battle between the Avengers and X-Men rages all around her on the lunar surface, Hope unleashes a blast of her latent Phoenix power. With both teams momentarily stunned she begs Logan to honour the pact they made in Antarctica, to kill her now before she is overwhelmed by the imminent arrival of the Phoenix Force. Knowing that he might never get another chance, Wolverine launches himself at Hope but his attack is blocked by one of Cyclops optic blasts.

With the preparations for the gargantuan Phoenix Killer complete, Giant Man helps Tony Stark into the massive craft as he engages his Iron Man armour. As he readies the vessel for launch the ferocious battle between the Avengers and X-Men on the moon comes to a head: Red Hulk and Colossus are at each others throats, Namor and The Thing clash bitterly, Emma Frost trades insults with Hawkeye, and Magik takes on the Black Widow – but it is the moment when Wolverine slashes Cyclops with his claws that sees the battle really begin to shift in the Avengers favour.

The effect of the Phoenix Force is now being felt world wide as Stark blasts off  to confront the entity in space, Professor X almost collapses in agony in Spain, while the Scarlet Witch recoils in horror at what her powers enable her to witness. Bleeding profusely from his wounds, Cyclops valiantly stands his ground by Hope’s side, even though his team is now hopelessly outnumbered now that the Avengers ranks have been boosted by the arrival of the Outer Space Away Team.

Stark intercepts the Phoenix Force and fires the Phoenix Killers disruptor beams into the heart of the flaming construct. The Phoenix Force is consumed in a violent explosion that sweeps out across the moons surface, caught off guard; the Avengers quickly succumb to the fiery shockwave. After the dust settles Captain America and his battered team mates are confronted by an astonishing sight – the entire Extinction Team who have been possessed by the Phoenix Force! Unable to offer any opposition, Captain America and his fellow Avengers can only watch helplessly as the cosmic powered X-Men snatch Hope and fly back to Earth.

Matt Fraction takes over writing duties this issue to bring this first act of Avengers vs. X-Men to a close. Instead of concentrating on the all out action that has dominated the series so far, Fraction instead chooses to tell the majority of the story through Hope Summers narration. This is a nice touch by Fraction and enables the writer to really get under the characters skin, something that this series had yet to really achieve. It’s interesting to see the battle play out from this young mutant’s unique perspective, and the way that Hope slowly begins to realize the enormity of the task before her – while comparing herself to a nuclear bomb – is really quite unsettling.

The smaller cast of characters also provides great opportunity for John Romita Jr to round up this first act of this ambitious crossover in style, delivering what is arguably some of his best work on Avengers vs. X-Men so far – all nicely complemented by Scott Hanna’s inks and Laura Martin’s colours. The standout moment this issue has to be the savage fight between Wolverine and Cyclops. It’s their first real confrontation since the events that split the X-Men in the aftermath of the Schism, and it’s one that has been long overdue.

Avengers vs. X-Men really seems to be hitting its stride as this first act comes to an end. This issues shock twist, which sees the catastrophic effects of Stark’s super weapon inadvertently infusing Cyclops Extinction Team with the Phoenix Force, is the perfect impetus the series needs to maintain this momentous storyline into its second act. So far AvX has traded on its big action set-pieces to keep people coming back for more, now it needs to realize its potential, build on its initial success, and deliver a suitably epic finale.

Avengers vs XMen Issue #4

Tags

Avengers, AvX, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers Vs. X-Men #4

Review by Paul Bowler

 

Having been thrown from a plane by Captain America and stranded in Antarctica, Wolverine has already begun the long trek back to civilization across the Artic Tundra, strapping the corpse of a Polar Bear to his back to protect himself from the elements. After following a trail of beer cans in the snow, Wolverine stumbles upon Hope’s aircraft. Hope has been waiting for Logan. Hope convinces Logan to help her break into AMI Worldworks and steal a rocket so they can rendezvous with the Phoenix Force on the moon, where she intends to use the Phoenix Force to reignite Mutantdom.

As Wolverine and Hope make their uneasy pact, the Avengers Outer Space Away Team has confronted the Phoenix Force on the inner rim of the Eridanian System. With his comrades fallen in battle, Thor now stands alone against the might of the Phoenix…

Back on Earth multiple teams of Avengers and X-Men have now converged at five separate locations around the world in search of Hope: Storm and Black Panther clash in Wakanda, old rivalries between Namor and The Thing resurface in Tabula Rasa, Latveria sees Daredevil and Spiderman struggling to hold back  Colossus, Hawkeye and Angel face off at the base of Wundagore Mountain as Ice Man runs rings around the Red Hulk, and Captain America leads his team to victory against Gambit and his fellow Mutants in The Savage Land.

While Cyclops’ team has regrouped at a Hellfire Club Safe House so Emma can use her telepathic powers to hijack Cerebra (After taking control of Toads mind) at The Jean Grey School of Higher Learning to monitor the combat from afar, Iron Man has returned to Avengers Tower to begin building a Phoenix Killer Weapon. Just as they begin to discuss the merits of Stark’s super weapon, Cap gets a mysterious communiqué that reveals Hope’s location. The Avengers withdraw; unaware that Emma Frost has telepathically intercepted Hope’s position.

Having stormed AMI Worldworks, Wolverine and Hope take a rocket and set course for the artificial Skrull environment on the Blue area of the Moon. Hope is shocked to find the Avengers waiting for her! It was Wolverine who called Captain America in The Savage Land, betraying her trust, and her intentions to his fellow Avengers. Before the Avengers can take Hope into custody, Magik teleports the X-Men to the Moon, but as both teams begin to square up to one another Thor suddenly crashes into the Moons surface – leaving everyone stunned as the terrifying spectacle of the Phoenix Force rises above the horizon!

Jonathan Hickman helms this fourth issue of Avengers vs. X-Men, and skilfully plays on the fledgling trust building between Wolverine and Hope. With the conflict taking place on a global scale this issue could easily have left the reader feeling a little short changed, but Hickman’s tight plotting and John Romita Jr artwork successfully gives you an overall view of the action whilst simultaneously building up to the climatic scenes on the Moon.

This issues most startling moments come when Thor valiantly battles the Phoenix Force in deep space after his fellow Avengers have fallen. The look on Thor’s face as he watches the Phoenix Force devour a planet to replenish its energy is one of awe and fear, a rare thing indeed for the God of Thunder. Seeing Thor utterly defeated by the Phoenix and sent hurtling into the lunar surface is also a genuinely shocking moment for this series.

But it is Logan’s betrayal of Hopes confidence to Captain America that really leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. I have always considered Wolverine as one of the most loyal X-Men, but after giving away Hope’s intended destination to Captain America he has committed the ultimate act of betrayal, and I don’t really see how his fellow Mutants will ever be able to fully trust him again. It’s a defining moment for Avengers vs. X-Men, and it will also be one that I feel will have long lasting repercussions for Wolverine when this current crisis is over.

Gambit may have been defeated a little too easily by Captain America for my liking, but overall Avengers vs. X-Men #4 is another fantastic instalment in this series, and the cliff-hanger ending is one of the best yet!

Avengers vs XMen Issue #3

Tags

Avengers, AvX, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers Vs X-Men #3

Review by Paul Bowler

After Hope was momentarily touched by the Phoenix Force Wolverine suddenly found himself missing a few layers of skin after the young mutant attacked him as she made her escape. Logan awakes in agony, his flesh still regenerating, only to discover that the X-Men have inexplicably surrendered to The Avengers. With the battle for Utopia seemingly over, Iron Man voices his concerns to Captain America over his decision to incarcerate the X-Men – pointing out that they are infringing their captives rights in much the same way as Civil War once did for The Avengers.

Having escaped to San Francisco, Hope sets about building a portable device that will prevent Cerebra from tracking her – effectively scrambling her actual coordinates with the conflicting readings from five separate locations around the world. Back on Utopia the mutant Illyana returns in the guise of Dr Strange and successfully frees the Extinction Squad of X-Men and uses her teleportation powers to whisk them away to safety. The X-Men are quick to capitalize on their head start over The Avengers, alliances are forged and broken on each side as divided loyalties hang in the balance, and soon both teams are scouring the globe in search of Hope.

The standout moment this issue comes after Captain America and his team take off in a plane to begin their search for Hope. Now that he knows Wolverine planned to kill Hope, Captain America confronts Logan, which leads to an epic no-holds-barred fight between Mutant and Avenger. The savage battle ends with Captain America smashing Wolverine in the face with his shield and throwing him out of the plane in mid-flight!

Three issues in and it falls to Ed Brubaker to assume the writing duties of this more low key issue, with much of the intergalactic backdrop concerning the approaching Phoenix Force sidelined as Wolverine takes centre stage. It’s a nice change of pace after two issues of grandstanding and bawling, and Brubaker does well to hold the story together – making the most of this lull in the action to flesh out the characters and rein in the massive story arch. For the most part he is successful, but as is the nature of such expansive crossovers, you are left feeling that you are not seeing the whole picture. Avengers Vs X-Men #3 is now very much a part of a much wider story, and it will inevitably leave some of the plot strands to develop in the relevant Marvel titles involved.

The art by John Romita Jr also seems to benefit from not having so many characters jostling for space on the page, lending himself to a more refined layout than the previous two issues, and he really manages to capture the savage ferocity of the fight between Captain America and Wolverine – which in turn proves to be one of the most exciting skirmishes yet.

Avengers Vs X-Men #3 might not have the powerhouse spectacles of the series opening instalments, but it sets the scene nicely for the next round of worldwide showdowns between the Avengers and X-Men!

Avengers vs XMen Issue #2

Tags

Avengers, AvX, Marvel, X-Men

Avengers Vs X-Men #2

 Review by Paul Bowler

 Having refused to hand Hope over to Captain America on the beach of Utopia, Cyclops blasted the star spangled Avenger with his optic beams, setting the scene for Avengers vs. X-Men #2 which opens as the battle between Earths mightiest heroes really begins in earnest. The Avengers launch a full scale assault against Utopia, but the X-Men’s opening salvo sees Magneto hurling Colossus at the Helicarrier, dealing the massive craft a crippling blow.

The earth shattering action that follows is staggering as Mutants and Avengers clash, with Iron Man squaring up to Magneto and Colossus taking on the Red Hulk being just a few of the highlights as the conflict escalates. One of the most iconic clashes is between Namor and the Thing, and it’s great to see these two old rivals knocking lumps out of each other. Utopia proves not to be the only battleground when Dr Strange and Magik take their fight into limbo in a startling tour-de-force of mystical combat. Meanwhile the impasse between Captain America and Cyclops continues to play out, and the situation is compounded further by Wolverine’s awkward stance in the conflict which sees him labelled as a traitor by his fellow X-Men.

Amidst the chaos Hope struggles to come to terms with her role as the Mutant Messiah and what the impending arrival of the Phoenix Force will mean for the world, a fate which is tantalisingly reflected in the Scarlet Witch’s bizarre dream journals. Indeed, by the time Wolverine’s hidden agenda is revealed – to kill Hope and avert the impending disaster – and Thor prepares to face certain destruction with his Deep Space team, you will be left eagerly awaiting the next issue.

Jason Arron does a fine job of ensuring Avengers vs. X-Men #2 is every bit as exciting as the first issue, boldly capitalizing the full potential of this series as the plot begins to set up the various points at which this massive event will start to spill into the other titles involved in this crossover. The spectacular action set-pieces are rendered impressively by John Romita Jr, perfectly conveying the urgency and power of each titanic confrontation.

At the moment it is hard to really place your allegiance with either side, unlike Civil War and Fear Itself, AvX is not so clear cut at the moment. Characterization can suffer a little in big crossover events, particularly when such a huge cast is involved, but I feel that after the dust has settled over the battlefield of issue #2 the story will have a chance to flesh out all the major players. Avengers vs. X-Men is already turning out to be a fantastically engrossing comic book event, with the promise of even bigger and better skirmishes still to come.