Avengers Vs. X-Men Round Two Comic Book Review

Article by FisterRoboto of lefthandhorror.com

Story: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman and Matt Fraction
Script: Jason Aaron
Pencils: John Romita Jr.
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colors: Laura Martin
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Art: Jim Cheung & Laura Martin
Variant Cover Art: Nick Bradshaw & Marte Gracia
Published by: Marvel Comics

$3.99

Round One left us at the beachfront attack on Captain America. Round Two jumps right into the fight. Any apprehension I’ve had regarding this massive Marvel event has been blown to smithereens.

This is Marvel history unfolding a panel at a time; the two biggest and best teams ever assembled going toe-to-toe. There is no shortage of action either, this issue is nothing but. The narrative that goes along with this first epic fight is amazing in and of itself. My faith in this creative team is through the roof now. I had a good feeling, but comic fans need hard evidence. We get let down too often.

Namor vs. The Thing, Iron Man vs. Emma, Red Hulk vs. Colossus, etc. The entire issues showcases these major powers hitting each other full-force and the kid gloves were never even donned.

The Avengers are determined to get Hope into protective custody, and the X-Men, of course, aren’t going to let that happen. In the process we have the pleasure or maybe rather, the displeasure, of seeing bones broken, noses smashed, marriages dissolved, and old, old friendships ripped asunder in what I feel is some of Marvel’s best storytelling. When you have a laundry list of Avengers events to hate or appreciate, you’re right to be nervous. This is turning into a Civil War level of awesome. I don’t see how fans of either team can be disappointed. I love the X-Men, but Steve’s move to approach Scott at Utopia was more than justified. Summers is a dick through and through, but I think this arc is going to put him in a dark place when all is said and done.

Every panel is full of not only action, but emotion. Even with Cyclops starting this fight, you get the feeling he, along with mostly everyone else involved, would have preferred it never occurred. The pain and unrest of having to firmly pick a side is what drives this amazing issue. The stakes have never been higher and every character feels it.

Hope clearly isn’t going to be shackled and moves a step closer towards her destiny. Logan, as his character demands, is the first to get close to Hope. Things don’t go well for him, but we knew no one was going to stop her this early in.

I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this issue. Is an issue every two weeks enough? I could go weekly and still need more.