Welcome back, True Believers! I just posted my review of the fantastic Avengers VS X-Men #7. Click the link for the review of the individual issue, but in short: it’s good. Really good. It’s taken the series a bit to build up steam, but now it’s going full speed ahead, and I have been really enjoying it. It’s like this story of the Phoenix Five was what Marvel really wanted to tell, but they had all the initial build up to get through. I don’t think anyone really expected them, but I do love the dynamic the Phoenix Five brings to the whole Marvel world. For so long, the mutants have been the endangered species, separate from the rest of the world, now they essentially rule it.
When I first started reading A VS X, I don’t think I (and most people) realized how much of a world changer it would be. I expected an event like The Civil War or Fear Itself, a large event, but relatively contained to itself and the tie-ins, and when the story was done, most would return to normal. This doesn’t really seem to be the case. It’s hard to say what significant character changes will occur, but Marvel has announce a few of the new comics that will be debuting this Fall/Winter.
The first one that caught my eye is Uncanny Avengers, written by Rick Remender (Uncanny X-Force) and illustrated by John Cassaday(Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men). A crossover of sorts between the Avengers and the X-Men. The initial line up appears to be Captain America, Wolverine, Scarlet Witch, Rogue, Thor and Havok. An interesting crew, to say the least. I like the idea of crossing over the two, and most of you know Remender is one of my favorite writers. We’ll have to wait until the fall to see what happens, but I am hopeful.
Next we have a new Avengers title from Jonathan Hickman. This one also looks to contain both X-Men and Avengers (and raccoons). This will come out twice a month, and looks to be a very large and exciting roster. I have to trust Hickman, though. He has turned out to be one of the strongest writers Marvel has on staff. Purportedly, he has outlined up to issue #63 so far. So hopefully this one will be an exciting title to pick up twice a month. One character I’d like to draw your attention to in the above picture, at the top right in the black and yellow jumpsuit behind Nova. That’s Jean Grey, not back from the dead, but timetravelled from the past. Which leads to the last of the new announcements. All New X-Men by Brian Michael Bendis. The story of Bendis’ new X-Men is that the original X-Men are brought forward to the present and see what they will grow up to be. A rather interesting idea, and I’m looking forward to see how that plays out. Three new exciting runs, for something to look forward to after Avengers VS X-Men.
This won’t be a reboot of the Marvel Universe (like DC’s new 52), but a continuation of the ongoing story. A story that has been a LONG time in the works. This started with Avengers Disassembled, then House of M, Avengers Children’s Crusade, Messiah Complex, Second Coming, Generation Hope. It’s been a long time coming, and honestly, it’s been a fantastic ride. It’s really quite impressive how far back this story goes.
Lastly, I don’t want to forget to mention that Age of Apocalypse #5 drops this week, and it is a great read. I really do love this series, and I hope it continues on for a quite a while. In this issue, Jean gets some field time, after some training tips from Horror Show, Deadeye and Fiend. She and Prophet face off against Quentin Quire in his first AoA appearance. As annoying as ever, he is actually insane, not just crazy like in the 616. Art continues to be very strong, although different from before. Next month looks to bring back Colossus. Should be awesome, can’t wait!
Until next week, True Believers
