Just like the main event, AVX vs. has had its ups and downs. Some of the fights have had controversial endings, such as Namor losing to The Thing while underwater. Hawkeye vs. Angel in AVX vs. 5 was particularly bad as Angel was written completely out of character. This issue however is nearly flawless, and is easily the best issue in the AVX vs. mini-series.
The first fight is between Hope and the Scarlet Witch, which took place in today’s Avengers vs. X-Men 12 in a flashback. Hope is understandably upset with the Scarlet Witch because of House of M, and the two of them start using chaos magic against each other. It’s a short fight with a couple good one liners, and they both stop before the chaos magic became yet another threat to Earth’s safety. The fight’s official winner is Hope, but only because she lands a cheap shot after they agree to stop.
The rest of the issue is a bunch of fights that each takes one or two pages. All of these are entertaining in their own way – most of them are hilarious as well. One fight solely consists of Cyclops and Captain America insulting each other, while another pits Toad and Jarvis against each other. Jeph Loeb actually wrote one particularly awesome page featuring Spider-Woman wrestling with various X-women. It shows that he still has some sort of talent, which makes “Sabertooth Reborn” all the more disappointing.
The last fight in particular is the best in this issue though. Pixie vs. Squirrel Girl makes fun of some of the controversial fights from the first act of the event – awesome. If these mini-fights are canon, then Pixie vs. Squirrel Girl is the greatest retcon I’ve ever seen. Basically, the two of them are playing with mind control dolls and they unintentionally affect the outcome for Iron Man vs. Magneto and Namor vs. The Thing. Special thanks to Dan Slott for that comedic gem.
The art in the main fight is good enough. The effects from the chaos magic are impressive, as is all the debris flying around. The open mouth expressions during the fight feel a little off, but otherwise I can’t think of any complaints. Every other fight has its own art style, and they range from very good to intentionally cute and/or goofy.
Even if you haven’t been reading Avengers vs. X-Men, this is a very entertaining issue. Every single fight scene is entertaining in its own way, and some of them make fun of the event itself. This comic is definitely worth at least one read, and it’s the only AVX vs. issue I’d fully recommend buying.
This was hilarious. Aaron’s Iceman vs. Iron Fist fight ended up being completely out of place, because he played it straight while all the others were comedic. But the others were hilarious.
Hope vs. Wanda was good. “No more nose!” Such a cheesy line, but it worked. And then sucker-punching Wanda and cheering her victory. I love Gillen.
Cap and Cyclops in a verbal smackdown was sheer genius. Props to Bendis for that one, because it was awesome.
Props to Loeb for Hawkeye dreaming about Spider-Woman fighting X-Women. That was really good.
The Science Battle was fun. Domino beating Red Hulk with one punch was great. Toad vs. Jarvis was cute.
And Squirrel Girl vs. Pixie was one of the greatest things ever. The art was adorable, and the story was funny. Referencing the silliness of the results of those two fights was great. Marvel needs to have Katie Cook do more of these sorts of shorts. I want her to do a Gillen-penned short featuring Squirrel Girl and Kid Loki. I think that would be one of the most squee-inducing things ever.
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This issue alone almost made the whole event worth it.
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The last page alone almost made the whole event worth it.
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