Avengers Vs. X-Men #2

June 5, 2012

Title: Round 2

Story: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman, Matt Fraction
Script: Jason Aaron
Pencils: John Romita Jr.
Inks: Scott Hanna
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Colors: Laura Martin
Cover Art: Jim Cheung & Laura Martin
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics

With the Phoenix Force returning to Earth, Hope Summers seems to be the logical candidate for its chosen host. The Avengers have come to Utopia so that Captain America can ask Cyclops to turn the girl over into their custody. Cyclops isn’t having any of that, though, and this issue, war breaks out.

This issue is almost entirely action – it’s the Avengers vs. the X-Men, just as the title of the book promises. On that front, at least, it delivers. There’s a lot of fighting and a lot of property damage and a lot of hero-on-hero violence as the characters draw their sides and decide quickly who’s going to fight who. Some of this is fairly logical – Doctor Strange battling Magik, for instance, or Quicksilver heading straight in to trade blows with his father, Magneto.

The problem is still that the whole book is lacking in logical sense. Cyclops seemed ready for a fight long before Captain America arrived, and the rest of the X-Men with him. Captain America came in with an entire helicarrier full of Avengers. The thing that just doesn’t make sense, though, is why. Given the number of times these characters have worked together in the past, the notion that these two heroes would go in expecting a battle, having basically decided that negotiation is not an option, is absurd. There’s never any chance that this issue could be talked out, because Captain America comes in with his big guns and Cyclops is already waiting to throw a punch from the moment he arrives. This issue, which basically just follows the violence, is notable only for a pretty effective scene where it becomes clear exactly what Wolverine’s priorities are. Although he’s not the only character to have a foot in both the Avenger and X-Men camps, he’s probably the most interesting one, and it’s not hard to see this entire miniseries shaking out to be the ultimate Wolverine showcase.

John Romita Jr., as I’ve said before, is a strong artist, but not particularly suited for large-scale cosmic events like this one. He’s more of a street level artist, and the way the moments of big power fall flat here makes that clear.

After two issues, I already feel like this miniseries – one I hoped would escape the problems of Civil War, is simply doomed to repeat them.

Rating: 6/10

New X-Men (2004 Series) #37

April 9, 2007

Quick Rating: Good
Title: The Quest for Magik Prelude
Rating: T+

Does Blindfold sense Magik’s return?

Writers: Craig Kyle & Chris Yost
Pencils: Skottie Young
Inks: Sean Parsons
Colors: Skottie Young & Jean-Francois-Beaulieu
Storybook Page Art: Niko Henrichon
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Nick Lowe
Cover Art: Niko Henrichon
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Well, her brother’s alive again, I guess it was Magik’s turn. On an ordinary evening at the X-Mansion, several of the young heroes are entertaining each other by telling stories. When it’s Blindfold’s turn, though, she begins to describe a tale from the X-Men’s past – that of Illyana Rasputin, the girl called Magik. And the story doesn’t end with her demise.

There’s good and bad in this issue. The good is in the presentation. If they’re going to do a Magik storyline, it’s best that they give newer readers a solid recap on her past, and as recaps go, this one is pretty strong and fairly entertaining. The problem is that the issue is literally nothing but recap. Until the last page, there’s not really any plot progression. Well, there’s a strange scene involving Josh and the Cuckoos sneaking into Hank McCoy’s bedroom, but that’s just kinda disturbing.

The artwork is another strong point. Skottie Young does the basic scenes, and he does a fine job that’s well in keeping with the tone of the series. Niko Henrichon’s artwork, however, is really a standout in this book. Henrichon provides the art for the “storybook” scenes, and does a GREAT job. These pages would be perfectly in keeping with a beautiful fantasy comic book – lush, rich and enchanting.

The story is just okay, although I’m really burned out on all the resurrections we’ve seen lately. (What happened to “dead means dead?”) Still, if it gets us more Henrichon artwork, I’ll take it.

Rating: 7/10

Exiles (2001 Series) #57

December 31, 2004

Quick Rating: A Qualified Good
Title: Bump in the Night Conclusion

A secret held by an Exile could spell the end for Zarathos!

Writer: Tony Bedard
Pencils: Jim Calafiore
Inks: Mark McKenna
Colors: JC
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Mike Marts
Cover Art: Jim Calafiore
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The “Bump in the Night” storyline comes to its conclusion, and it’s one I have to admit I have my qualms about. On the plus side, Tony Bedard has finally brought this story around to the point where the Exiles themselves are critical to the plot and not just playing placeholder roles that could be assumed by virtually any superhero team in existence. The problem I have is with what seems to be something of a deus ex machina revelation about one of the characters that brings us to the climax and sets up the next storyline. On the other hand, I haven’t been reading this title since day one, so it’s possible that what struck me as a god in the machine is actually a plot point that’s been introduced before, and we just got a reminder of it this issue, and it’s that uncertainty that keeps me from judging more harshly.

The Exiles, as we recall, are on a world where Kulan Gath succeeded in transforming Manhattan into a medieval dictatorship, only to be overthrown by Zarathos, the demon that once formed Ghost Rider. The Exiles, along with Spider-Man and Magik, planned an assault on the demon last issue, only to be betrayed at the last minute. This issue is heavy on the action and the fantasy elements, and it wraps up with a very original interpretation of the Tallus’s stated mission and a big change for one of the characters that promises to have a major impact in the next storyline.

Jim Calafiore’s art, as always, is solid. He gets to do a lot of big, hairy monsters this issue, and he’s got a good feel for ‘em. I also must say, I really like his interpretation of Beak, who seems to slowly be coming into his own. One of the big complaints I’ve read about this run is that Bedard added the character to this title and then did nothing with him – I think it’s more a case of him using him very slowly. I hope he gets a chance in the spotlight soon.

Eventually I hope to fill in my early run of Exiles through trade paperbacks, but until then, I won’t know if the angle brought up in this issue is new or not. It’s not bad. I just wish I’d had the knowledge to see it coming.

Rating: 7/10

Exiles (2001 Series) #56

December 16, 2004

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Bump in the Night Part II

The Exiles and their unlikely allies plan their assault on Zarathos.

Writer: Tony Bedard
Pencils: Jim Calafiore
Inks: Mark McKenna
Colors: JC
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Mike Marts
Cover Art: Jim Calafiore
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The Exiles have landed on a world where the evil sorcerer Kulan Gath’s scheme to turn New York into a medieval island worked too well. Gath was deposed by Zarathos, the demon who once formed Ghost Rider, and the Exiles have to work with Spider-Man, Magik and Gath himself to save this world… by putting Gath back on the throne.

That’s the setup from last issue. This issue, being the middle part of a three-part storyline, is long on setup. Much of it is taken up by planning by both the heroes and villains of the piece. At the end, we get a nice action sequence rife with battles, betrayals, superheroes and swordplay. It’s fun.

But it’s just fun.

Tony Bedard’s work on this title has slowly improved as his tenure has worn on, but it still hasn’t quite hit the crest of going from just a good, fun title to being something to get excited about. It’s a lot of fun to see the heroes in such bizarre settings – that’s part of the appeal to begin with. I can’t help feeling that it’s missing just a little something more, a little push to make it a really excellent comic.

The push is not needed in the art department, fortunately. Jim Calafiore and Mark KcKenna have a task, redesigning so many characters, but they do it with ease. The first page is a great, striking image, even though people who read the issue should immediately understand that it isn’t as it seems, and all-around, it looks very good.

Exiles is a decent title. I like it. But I want to love it, and it’s not quite there yet.

Rating: 7/10