Avengers, Volume 4: AVX

 

 Having read quite a bit of Bendis' post-AVX X-Men titles, I was already quite familiar with the events of that massive crossover event. So, this volume wasn't something I was afraid that I would be lost reading. Normally, I'd wait to read the crossover event first but I really wanted to get my hands on volume 5 and 6 of this Avengers series real soon. 

   Often when a book features tie-ins to a crossover event, they have very little to do with the actual event that they are referencing. That's not the case here as the fight between mutant and Avenger is rendered in exciting four-color action. 

   In this volume, the Phoenix force is back and it's heading to earth. The X-Men feel that this is a sign of the restoration of mutant race decimated by the Scarlett Witch during the House of M event.The Avengers, recalling previous deadly encounters with the Phoenix Force, are preparing for the worst and are looking to take the entity out before it hits the earth. So when a space mission to intercept the Phoenix goes wrong, Earth's Mightiest Heroes learn that they've got a mole working for an even bigger intergalactic threat.

    Another masterpiece by Bendis. These issues help to fill in important gaps that the AVX miniseries couldn't devote appropriate time to. (Okay, I'm guessing here since I've not read AVX but based on previous experiences with this sort of thing, I feel confident in my assessment.) The plotting was quite good and the art was excellent. It had an almost painted quality that made the characters look realistic and gritty. 

    Now if I just can get my hands on AVX... 

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

New Avengers, Volume 4 (AVX tie-in)

   This volume of New Avengers takes place during the Avengers Vs. X-Men crossover event from 2012. Most books, that are tied into a crossover miniseries such as AVX, are considered filler just to make an extra buck. The theory is that if you slap the name of the crossover on the cover, then fans are going to swoop up and buy everything labelled as such, even if the reader has no interest in the title or characters involved. More often than not, the supposed supplemental crossover title has little to nothing to do the miniseries in question.  For many fans, this is the norm and it's an infuriating waste of time and/ or money!

   

   This volume is actually different from the norm!

    In volume 3, Jessica Jones took her baby and left the New Avengers, fearful for its safety. Now Luke Cage must decide where his allegiances lie- with his team or his wife and child. Meanwhile, Captain America has called upon the New Avengers to assist with the Avengers in the coming crisis- the return of the Phoenix Force! 

    

    The X-Men believe a young girl with fiery red hair is destined to become the next Phoenix and lead the mutant race into an era of prosperity. The Avengers fear that she may go all "Jean Grey" and destroy the earth. Added to the mix, the monks of the Order of the Iron Fist think she could be the next Iron Fist and is meant to defend the Earth from the Phoenix or an entirely different force of evil all together.

     The best thing about this book is that it does a very good job keeping the reader informed of the goings on of the AVX miniseries. After about 4 issues of a chronological progression of the storyline, the time line jumps. In one issue, Captain America summons the Illuminati in hopes of swaying X-Men ally Prince Namor to the Avengers side. Then there's a trippy single issue tale about the captivity of several New Avengers in the throes of the X-Men. The final story takes place days after the climax of AVX. It has an X-Man in custody and the New Avengers having to protect him from the holy rolling, mutant-hating Purifiers. 

 

    That story will culminate with Cage deciding once and for all where his loyalties lie. His decision will impact the future of the team. More importantly, it's going to have me rushing to the library for volume 5. Now if I can only get my hands on the AVX miniseries...

    Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.