“AVENGERS VS X-MEN” – MARVEL TPB (2012)
As a lover of Marvel’s superhero teams, the 2012 crossover event of “AVENGERS VS X-MEN” was a dream come true for me. And I can confidently say that this comic book series exceeded all of my expectations.
From the very beginning of the first act “It’s Coming” the story is gripping and intense. The Phoenix Force, a powerful and dangerous alien entity, crash-lands on Earth, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. The tension and stakes are high, and the story is masterfully crafted, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The characters are incredibly well-developed, each with their own unique motivations and personalities. As The Avengers and X-Men clash in an all-out war, it’s easy to root for your favourite heroes, and the action scenes are intense and dynamic. The artwork is fantastic, with vibrant colours and dynamic panel layouts that bring the story to life.
The second act of the series, “No More Avengers,” takes the story to even greater heights. The Phoenix Five, a group of mutants who have gained immense power from the Phoenix Force, begin to reshape the world according to their own will. The Avengers must stop them, but find themselves outmatched at every turn. Hope Summers, a young mutant who holds the key to stopping the Phoenix Five, is sent to K’un-L’un for training under the tutelage of Spider-Man.
As the tension builds to a climax, The Avengers must rescue their captured comrades and face off against the Dark Phoenix in a thrilling showdown. The conclusion is both satisfying and unexpected, with twists and turns that will leave readers reeling. The lesson of this story is really very simple: “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. The after-events of this twelve-issue crossover would set in motion the formation of a Unity Avengers/X-Men team – founded to try to calm tensions, not only between the two teams, but of the watching world populace too.
Overall, “AVENGERS VS X-MEN” is a must-read for any fan of superhero comics. The story is complex and engaging, the characters are well-developed and fully realized, and the artwork is stunning. It’s a truly epic tale that combines two compelling storylines into one unforgettable series. Marvel really outdid themselves with this one, and I can’t recommend it enough.
The series is available as an epic trade paperback (TPB), from which I have written this review. The story arc was written by: Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, Ed Brubaker, and Jonathan Hickman. The artists involved were John Romita Jr, Adam Kubert, and Olivier Coipel.