Is This the Return of Jean Grey?

Ever since the Phoenix's involvement was revealed in Avengers vs. X-Men, we all thought the same thing: is Jean Grey going to come back? While Marvel hasn't given a definitive answer, they have said not to expect AvX to end like we think it's going to... which would be with the return of Jean Grey.

And though she's been spotted as a cast member of All-New X-Men, that's a young Jean that's time-traveled to the future. But with the end of AvX fast approaching, Marvel has revealed a new teaser that is a little more definitive:

Sure, it could be Hope. I guess. But Hope doesn't have long billowy hair like that. This is obviously meant to evoke imagery of Jean, and if they pull a fast one and have it be someone else, well, that'd just be lame.

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on IGN. He's accepted the fact that no one stays dead in comics.

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com

Pilot Ordered for ABC's Joss Whedon Marvel TV Series - And it's S.H.I.E.L.D.

We now know what the big Marvel TV series is that Joss Whedon is helping bring to ABC, which is set inside the Marvel Cinematic Universe and tied into the Avengers – It’s S.H.I.E.L.D.

Deadline broke the big news, revealing S.H.I.E.L.D. has officially been given a green light for a pilot by ABC. Whedon will co-write the pilot and possibly direct it as well. Writing with him will be his brother, Jed Whedon and Jed’s wife, Maurissa Tancharoen. Jed Whedon and Tancharoen wrote Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog with Joss Whedon and were most recently writers on Spartacus.

Executive producing along with the Whedon brothers and Tancharoen will be Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb and Jeffrey Bell. Bell is another former Whedon collaborator, having been the showrunner on Angel in its final seasons - making it likely he could serve as showrunner on S.H.I.E.L.D. if it gets a series pickup. (Whedon will be a bit too busy prepping Avengers 2 to serve in that capacity, one would assume)

With the pilot already greenlit, it’s looking very possible that S.H.I.E.L.D., should it get a series order (and it has to... right?), would be on the schedule for fall 2013.

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com

X-Men Legacy #272 Review

Technically X-Men Legacy can still be considered a tie-in to Avengers vs. X-Men, if only because it's still taking place concurrently with the events of that series. But Christos Gage has plucked Rogue away from the battle and placed her in a "fish out of water" scenario on an alien world. At this point I'm growing weary of excess AvX tie-in books, so this arc is a breath of fresh air, pointless as it may be in the long run.

Rogue became acquainted with the Thundercats-esque Vray last time, so this issue switches things up by making her a prisoner of the insectoid Hive instead. Basically, this arc is Rogue's chance to play John Carter of Mars and use her great powers save an entire planet from a devastating war. The only snafu is that her borrowed Ms. Marvel abilities have run out.

I'm enjoying the fun, almost pulpy tone of this arc. The John Carter comparison is apt, as Gage is busy merging the X-Men franchise with a more old-school brand of science fiction than the norm. And fortunately, issue #272 is less burned by unnecessary narration than #271 was. While there's a bit too much dialogue at times, this still makes for a smoother reading experience. Gage seems intent on using both factions and their opposing philosophies to comment on Rogue's own troubled psyche. However, the connection is a bit too weak and tenuous to succeed. This is a fun, adventurous conflict that doesn't function on the deeper level it seems to strive for.

Rafa Sandoval returns to the series for this arc, and unfortunately his pencils are mixed once again. His work is more detailed than before, and he delivers some engaging action scenes and general design work. However, Sandoval's chronic problems with female hair remain, and his tendency to reuse facial expressions and poses can be aggravating.

We now know Gage's run will be ending shortly. Unfortunately, that fact may be the biggest flaw with this whole arc. With so little time left, is it really worth ignoring the rest of the Legacy cast for what is ultimately a fun but forgettable field trip?

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com

Check Out a Deleted Scene From The Avengers

The Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One Blu-ray box set and The Avengers Blu-ray are just over one month away. In anticipation of this massive release, Marvel/Disney have been slowly unveiling little teases to keep fans enticed, including a sneak peak at the new Marvel short, Item  47:

Today, another tease popped up on EW in the form of an extended scene. You may recall that odd exchange between Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and the security guard (played by the legendary Harry Dean Stanton) following the action set piece on the hellicarrier in which Banner "Hulked" out. It should come as no surprise that this exchange originally lasted a little longer. Take a look:

What do you think? Good call that they deleted the scene, or bad call? Sound off in the forums below.

"Enough! You are, all of you, beneath me! I am a god, you dull creature, and I shall not be bullied..." Become a friend of R.L. Shaffer on Twitter, Facebook or MyIGN for quotes, rants, reviews, news and more!

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com

Comic Book Reviews for 8/15/12

Everyone's favorite Watchmen loony finally makes his debut in Before Watchmen this week, and we're happy to report that the initial results are promising. Meanwhile, Avengers vs. X-Men loses its steam, Batwoman returns to form, Saga continues to kick ass, and the latest issue of Wonder Woman blows our minds.

DC COMICS

Batwoman #12

Written by J.H. Williams III & Haden Blackman | Art by J.H. Williams III

"A number of changes have occurred since you last read a Batwoman comic: J.H. Williams III is back on art, the format is back to a relatively linear format, and Wonder Woman is featured prominently. I would have expected each of those changes to benefit the book, but, together, they push the book to its best form thus far." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

9.0

Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1

Written by Brian Azzarello | Art by Lee Bermejo

"Poll a group of Watchmen fans on who their favorite character is, and chances are the majority will answer "Rorschach." There's something endlessly appealing about the dark, twisted vigilante who sets out to solve the world's ills with his fists. No doubt many writers would have jumped at the chance to pen the further adventures of Rorschach, but DC opted for the writer perhaps best suited for his bloody, grimy, nihilistic world -- Brian Azzarello. Unsurprisingly, Azzarello quickly and comfortably settles in with the character in Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Birds of Prey #12

Written by Duane Swierczynski | Art by Cliff Richards

"Birds of Prey #12 isn’t brimming with forward progression or even notable character work, but it does pack plenty of pleasing action into its 20 brisk pages. Cliff Richards handles art duties here, and though many backgrounds are scarce and rely on the hues of Gabe Eltaeb, his figure work is detailed and his facial emotions are impressive. The action flows gracefully from panel to panel, with Richards ensuring a wide variety of blocking for the numerous action sequences and detailing each punch for maximum impact. Of particular note is a battle with on again-off again teammate Poison Ivy, which when coupled with Eltaeb’s fantastic green tones, gives us an aesthetically pleasing and dynamic action sequence." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

Catwoman #12

Written by Judd Winick | Art by Adriana Melo

"If Red Hood and the Outlaws was a critically maligned book that managed to make some crucial improvements over the first year of the New 52, Catwoman has mainly been spinning its wheels. Like Red Hood, the rampant sexuality is no longer the concern it once was. But unlike that series, Catwoman has failed to develop a sense of forward momentum or the crucial character relationships needed to keep readers invested over the long run." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

5.0

DC Universe Presents #12

Written by Fabian Nicieza | Art by Jorge Jimenez

"After a fascinating and inspired arc about Vandal Savage, DCU Presents #12 cheapens the very prospect of this series by turning it into an unnecessary tie-in to Teen Titans, a book so overwritten itself that you’ll be stunned to learn that it needed more words elsewhere to paint the whole picture. This issue opens with a straining exposition dump – really just a recap page in disguise – and then launches into a high-octane story about Kid Flash fighting dino-teens. The premise is fine and good; unfortunately the issue itself is a one-way ticket to 'Check out Teen Titans #12'-ville, resolving nothing and leaving you empty." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

4.5

Green Lantern #12

Written by Geoff Johns | Art by Renato Guedes & Jim Calafiore

"The Blackest Night event is a personal favorite of mine, so I was trepidatious when a Black Lantern ring popped out of Black Hand’s mouth, threatening to spoil the epic story that had already come to a fitting conclusion years ago. Geoff Johns has stymied my fears by choosing to put a new spin on Black Hand’s purpose in a way that severely shakes up Hal Jordan’s status quo. You’ll never guess what he’s going to be the 'greatest' at this time." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Green Lantern Corps #12

Written by Peter Tomasi | Art by Fernando Pasarin

"The quality of this story by Peter J. Tomasi is debatable. As far as pacing, character development, and fan-pleasing moments go, I would consider it high quality. But when you turn an eye to the story arc being told, it fails miserably because it forgets about why the story was told in the first place: John Stewart murdered one of his fellow Lanterns and he must answer for his actions. This series has been one of the stronger Green Lantern titles, so it’s all the more shame that this story didn’t come to any sort of conclusion on the matter." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

5.5

Nightwing #12

Written by Kyle Higgins | Art by Andres Guinaldo

"Between the Dick Grayson-related revelations that came out of Night of the Owls and various other elements Kyle Higgins has seeded over the past year, Nightwing has a lot going for it. Unfortunately, the series too rarely seems to nail the execution. Issue #12 is another frustratingly uneven installment that nonetheless suggests some pretty cool things are coming on the horizon." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.5

Red Hood and the Outlaws #12

Written by Scott Lobdell | Art by Timothy Green II

"Red Hood and the Outlaws has been chugging along for a year now, and this is one New 52 series where it's particularly interesting to examine its evolution over the past 12 months. If not without its problems, the book has nonetheless addressed a number of troubling characterization problems and proven that there's a place for a ragtag team like the Outlaws in the New 52." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

Supergirl #12

Written by Mike Johnson & Michael Green | Art by Mahmud Asrar

"It’s been nearly a year since Supergirl and Superman first battled in Supergirl #2, but their reunion in this issue is significantly calmer. More importantly, we can feel the immense amount of progression that Kara has made since her arrival on Earth. She might not be able to speaking English yet, but the growth of her powers and acceptance of her loss are truly endearing and the writers play that up to the fullest in this issue’s opening conversation. Her distrust of Superman, while somewhat understandable, is growing a bit thin, but if the discovery at the end of this issue is any indication, that’ll soon be put to rest." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Wonder Woman #12

Written by Brian Azzarello | Art by Cliff Chiang

"Brian Azzarello just made me a Wonder Woman fan for life. By dating this story just enough to let him play around with the origin of her powers, and reveal some new ones, Azzarello has given meaning to aspects of Wonder Woman’s character that have long been taken for granted. Flight is so commonplace in superhero books that it’s easy to forget its symbolic importance, as well as the rush of adrenaline that comes when your new favorite hero does it for the first time." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

9.5

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com

Avengers Academy #35 Review

With the first issue of Final Exam,"Christos Gage quickly and successfully transitioned Avengers Academy away from the Avengers vs. X-Men conflict and back towards more internal matters. Jeremy Briggs is back, and he comes bearing tantalizing promises of a world where only the most deserving of heroes are allowed to have powers. Issue #35 focuses on two splintered factions of Academy recruits -- those who have bought into Briggs' vision, and those who are on the receiving end of his wrath.

Both halves of the story offer plenty of juicy material for longtime Academy readers. On one front, Haz-Mat and Mettle are making the most of their newly human states, even as a chronic lack of privacy proves to be their newest foe. These scenes hit all the right emotional notes, particularly late in the issue as Gage throws the inevitable wrench in the works. Equally appealing but more dramatic are the scenes following the renegade teens, most of whom are suffering the debilitating effects that come with sudden power loss. X-23 and White Tiger shine in particular this month. Gage just seems to understand Laura in a way too few X-writers have over the years.

Unfortunately, this issue does take one major step back in terms of its portrayal of Briggs. I noted in my previous review my appreciation that Briggs wasn't cast as an overt villain, but merely a figure with murky intentions. Unfortunately, that sense of uncertainty begins to fade away now, and he becoems less interesting as a result.

Andrea Di Vito steps in for Tom Grummett this month. While it's disappointing this arc won't have one, consistent penciller, Di Vito handles the characters well and delivers a bit more detail and depth in his panels than Grummett's issues had been offering. What the issue lacks in style it makes up for in good, solid storytelling.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com

Avengers vs. X-Men #10 Review

Avengers vs. X-Men #9 was easily one of the high points of what has been a frustratingly uneven event overall. Unfortunately, that burst of improvement turned out to be short-lived. Issue #10 loses much of the momentum that had been built up coming into Act 3. This is one of those chapters that makes you wonder whether Avengers vs. X-Men really needed 12 issues to be told in the first place.

With all but two of the Phoenix Five out of the picture, issue #10 narrows its focus down considerably. Cyclops' one-man assault on K'un-Lun is the primary focus, while Emma's descent into Phoenix-induced madness and Xavier's attempts to undermine his former pupils are briefly touched upon. It's a shame these latter two plot points aren't explored more heavily, as they're far more interesting than Cyclops' rampage. Emma in particular is the most fascinating of the Phoenix Five in terms of how her possession is affecting her. I wish the series would provide her with a little more screen time.

The real problem with this issue is that Cyclops' battle just isn't very interesting. As powerful as the character is right now, there should be ample opportunity to depict heroes making heroic sacrifices and struggling against insurmountable odds. Jason Aaron did an amazing job with Spider-Man in that regard last time. Unfortunately, Ed Brubaker doesn't do the same with characters like Iron Man and Thor. Too much of this issue is merely a series of brief encounters. Cyclops encounters resistance, dispatches it, delivers a bit of Phoenix-y bravado, and moves onto the next target. There's surprisingly little sense of urgency or importance to anything. The entire issue reads mainly like a stall tactic, biding time until the true final showdown.

Again, this issue lacks emotional weight because Brubaker doesn't dig into any of the characters. Where there's generally been a Wolverine or Spider-Man or Black Panther to provide some sense of context and perspective to the conflict, issue #10 only has Hope. And unlike her material in New Avengers, Hope is never presented in a way that allows readers to properly latch onto her. Her mindset and her reaction to the transformation she experiences her are ignored. It's this lack of emotional depth that so often ensures that event comics are less enjoyable than their more significant tie-ins.

Another drawback to issue #10 is that Adam Kubert's artwork suffers a bit compared to the previous few chapters. Kubert's flair for dynamic, dramatically framed action isn't as apparent this time. The clashes between Cyclops and his foes are generally no more visually interesting than they are from a storytelling standpoint. There are exceptions, though, particularly when Iron Man charges into the fray. But often, it's Laura Martin's coloring and the way she depicts the clashing energies and magical auras of the various combatants that impresses more than the pencils. Kubert's facial work is also wonky at times, and some of his female characters take on a decidedly masculine look.

I had hoped issue #9's strong showing meant we could expect a rousing finish to Act 3 and AvX as a whole. That didn't prove to be the case. However, there is still hope that this chapter was merely one last, unnecessary pit stop in an overly drawn out conflict, and that the remaining two issues will pick that lost momentum back up again.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com

DeConnick and Caselli Assemble the Avengers

Unsurprisingly, the Avengers line is a major part of the upcoming Marvel NOW! relaunch. We've already heard announcements about Jonathan Hickman spearheading new volumes of both Avengers and New Avengers and Rick Remender launching a new series called Uncanny Avengers. But at least one currently ongoing Avengers title will be sticking around post-relaunch. Last week, Marvel released a new teaser image revealing that Kelly Sue DeConnick and Stefano Caselli will be taking over Avengers Assemble after current creative team Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley wrap up their eight-issue storyline.

Marvel held another Next Big Thing press call today to shed more light on the announcement. In attendance were DeConnick, editor Lauren Sankovitch, and Marvel Senior Editor Tom Brevoort. Caselli was initially looped in as well, but was unfortunately disconnected before the interview began.

The editors kicked off the call by discussing why this new creative team was selected. Sankovitch said, "We knew Brian was coming off the book. We were looking around and asking who had an interesting voice that we wanted a bigger opportunity to work with on a larger stage. We loved the preliminary stuff we had seen from Kelly Sue on Captain Marvel and her villain team-ups in Osborn and other stuff she's done around the office. We thought this would be a really great opportunity to get to work with her, and also to get some lady power in the Avengers lineup."

Avengers Assemble #9 cover

Brevoort elaborated on the direction the series will take after Bendis' departure. "Really, Avengers Assemble will continue on in much the same vein it has been for the eight issues it will have existed up to this point. It's featured primarily quintessential Avengers -- primary Avengers. We'll probably pick some other characters up as we go and based on the demands of the story. We'll be telling tighter, more concise, "get in and get out" sorts of stories. Pretty much [three and four-issue arcs] at most. The focus will probably be more on the classic, public Avengers -- the movie Avengers, so to speak -- as Assemble has been up till now. Basically, it's all about making a big impact in a short amount of time."

While DeConnick was hesitant to reveal any specific villains her team will be facing, she did reveal the initial lineup for the first arc -- Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Spider-Woman, and Captain Marvel. Regarding Carol Danvers, DeConnick said, "You might know this --  I have a certain affection for this character. And I decided, 'Well, if I'm deciding, there will be a slot available for her as well.'" Additionally, Black Widow will be returning to the series after the first arc. DeConnick also noted that some familiar faces like Wolverine and Spider-Man will have small roles in early issues.

DeConnick talked about her take on the team. "I pitched this as the AC/DC Avengers, the sort of short rock classic Avengers. When I went to see the movie... I managed to keep it together until that point when Iron Man flew onto the screen and AC/DC started cranking, and then I was literally bouncing up and down in my chair and clapping. That is the moment I'm writing for. I want that rock anthem, super exciting, 'bounce up and down in your chair' moment." DeConnick also noted that she hears the voices of actors like Robert Downey Jr. in her head as she writes the characters, though whether that comes across on the printed page will be up to readers to decide.

Later, DeConnick elaborated on the themes she intends to explore. "I'm interested in them as celebrities. I'm interested in how you work being a hero and a celebrity -- how that status works for them. I'm interested in new media ideas, as well, and I'm trying to weave a little of that through... The Avengers in the age of the Internet -- how does that affect their public personas? And the ideas of evolution and transformation and the different ways that these people look at the future. These are ideas that come up a lot in the first arc."

DeConnick also responded to the notion that she's only the second woman writer (after Ann Nocenti) to write an ongoing Avengers series. "I don't want to represent all women in comics, particularly because I blow things sometimes. I hope that I'm always trying so hard that my reach will sometimes exceed my grasp. And because of that, I don't want that to reflect that 'Oh, see, women can't do that.'" Brevoort elaborated, "It's a nice factoid for people who care about that sort of thing. But I didn't hire a woman to write Avengers. I hired Kelly Sue to write Avengers. And I hired her the same way I hired everybody in the past and will hire everybody in the future -- based on who I thought could get the job done and other examples or work that I've seen and my own gut instinct."

DeConnick and Caselli will begin their run with Avengers Assemble #9 in November. Stay tuned to IGN Comics this week for more announcements and the full lineup of November solicits.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and various other IGN channels. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com

Comic Book Reviews for 8/1/12

This week in comics: Avengers vs. X-Men gets its groove back, the Swamp Thing/Animal Man crossover begins, iZombie comes to a close at Vertigo, Deadpool kills the whole Marvel Universe, Marvel goes all "Before X-Men" with The First X-Men mini-series, and Hawkeye gets a brand new solo series.

DC COMICS

Action Comics #12

Written by Grant Morrison | Art by Various

"Grant Morrison recently confirmed that he won't be continuing his Action Comics run beyond his initial 16-issue plan. That news casts a large shadow over issue #12. Like the rest of this story arc, there are both successes and missteps to be found, but the prevailing question now becomes 'How can Morrison properly wrap up such a wide-reaching story in a mere four issues?'" -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

Animal Man #12

Written by Jeff Lemire & Scott Snyder | Art by Steve Pugh

"With any episodic story there inevitably comes the 'recap' installment where the characters spend a majority of the issue reflecting on the past and little else. Luckily, Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder sidestep the painful parts of this necessary evil and add in just enough new content to set up for the long-brewing Rotworld storyline." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.5

Batwing #12

Written by Judd Winick | Art by Marcus To

"Hit the panic button, folks, because Batwing is officially in trouble. I get the idea. Really, I do. Justice League International could benefit from tapping into other books’ readerships. David Zavimbe is from Africa. Stick the JLI into Batwing, and both titles do better, right? Not really." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

5.5

Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #2

Written by J. Michael Straczynski | Art by Andy & Joe Kubert

"Aside from Silk Spectre, Nite Owl might be the Watchmen character best suited for an extended origin treatment. After all, Nite Owl is essentially equal parts Blue Beetle and Batman held together by a glue of sexual dysfunction. Unfortunately, issue #1 did too little to realize that potential, as it powered through Dan Dreiberg's early years and all the way up to his early team-ups with Rorschach. Where is there left for the series to go from there?" -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.5

Detective Comics #12

Written by Tony Daniel | Art by Tony Daniel

"Way to prove me wrong, Mr. Daniel. In my review for Detective Comics #11, I expressed my satisfaction with the depth given to Mr. Toxic. I was hopeful for a closer look at the emotions driving Mr. Toxic’s desperate quest in issue #12. I was expecting an open-ended portrait of a conflicted new villain. I was wrong." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

4.5

Dial H #4

Written by China Mievelle | Art by Mateus Santolouco

"One of the goals of the New 52 relaunch was to offer more bold and unique series outside of the usual superhero crowd. For whatever faults it might have, Dial H is never guilty of being familiar or formulaic. If anything, its weirdness has been a hurdle to overcome. Luckily, China Mieville's opening arc has progressed to the point where it's easier to see past the surreal nature of the writing and appreciate the characters." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.5

Earth 2 #4

Written by James Robinson | Art by Nicola Scott & Eduardo Pansica

"The most alluring feature of Earth 2 is how it continues to build its unique world and introduce old characters in new ways. I never thought the Atom would win me over, but here I am rather impressed with his impactful debut. While there are a few other good moments in this issue, a lack of elegance in the transitions and dialog stop this from being the standout title it could be." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

G.I. Combat #4

Written by Various | Art by Various

"For better or worse, G.I. Combat #4 offers little change over the previous issues. The series is still you best outlet for man vs. dinosaur mayhem, and its revamped take on Unknown Soldier is becoming comfortably decent, if not spectacular. As far as whether this book has more long-term potential than Men of War, that still remains to be seen." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.0

iZombie #28

Written by Chris Roberson | Art by Mike Allred

"After just over two years, it’s time to say goodbye to Gwen, Spot, and the rest of the inhabitants of Eugene, Oregon. This issue marks the conclusion to iZombie, and rather surprisingly, Chris Roberson and Mike Allred manage to wrap up the many plot threads and deliver a satisfying, if bittersweet, end. Though the arc has felt somewhat truncated over the course of the last few issues, this installment takes its time to deliver the necessary send-off to the many characters we’ve come to love over the course of 28 issues." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Red Lanterns #12

Written by Peter Milligan | Art by Miguel Sepulveda

"This issue of Red Lanterns looks amazing thanks to Miguel Sepulveda’s incredible artwork along with Rain Beredo and Santi Arcas’s superb coloring, but Peter Milligan’s script is all over the place. He has a compelling story that has the characters in interesting situations -- Atrocitus faces his vengeful first Red Lantern and Bleez is tempted to become a Star Sapphire -- but his overdone dialog makes it an ungraceful affair. If anything, Milligan provides several large plot twists that bring the first year of Red Lantern stories to a mostly solid conclusion." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.0

Stormwatch #12

Written by Peter Milligan | Art by Will Conrad & Julio Ferreira

"When the New 52 revamp of Stormwatch was revealed, many fans questioned the purpose of including Martian Manhunter. Was this series anything more than a consolation prize for J'onn losing his Justice League founder status? Flash forward a year, and now the thought of J'onn leaving this quirky team is a depressing one. Issue #12 serves as a proper sendoff for the hero even as the book looks forward to the future." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

Swamp Thing #12

Written by Scott Snyder & Jeff Lemire | Art by Marco Rudy

"Forget Avengers vs. X-Men and forget Trinity War. The only crossover I’ve genuinely been looking forward to (post-Omega Effect, that is) is Rotworld. Animal Man #12 kicked off the prologue chapter that continues here in Swamp Thing #12, and the two issues rely on one another pretty heavily. If you’ve been reading both books, I would say Animal Man #12 is less important to the Rotworld story so far, though it does depict the first meeting of Buddy Baker and Alec Holland. Swampy #12, however, holds the fun stuff as we get to see just what kind of desperate scenario these two characters have gotten themselves into." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com

Avengers vs. X-Men #9 Review

If there's a trend with Avengers vs. X-Men, it's that every act seems to peak at the very beginning. Issue #9 is a rousing start to the third and final act, easily rivaling Jonathan Hickman's AvX #6 as the strongest chapter of the series to date. Jason Aaron manages that all-too-rare balance of character drama and spectacle that most event comics are sorely lacking.

There isn't a terribly distinct transition between acts as there was with issue #6. As issue #9 opens, the Avengers are still on the run from the Phoenix Five (or Four, now that Namor is out of the picture) and hiding out in K'un Lun. The situation has grown more desperate, however, now that a good portion of Captain America's team have been captured by the X-Men. There's a real sense of desperation to the conflict as the Avengers realize they've completely run out of options beyond placing all their faith in the unknown factor that is Hope. Meanwhile, the dissension among the X-Men is also growing. Aaron explores how characters like Storm and Xavier react to the darkening conflict, and also the losing battle each of the Phoenix Four are facing in maintaining control.

One of the reasons issue #9 works so well is that it addresses many of the recurring complaints about the event. As mentioned, we finally see how characters like Storm are responding to the growing instability of the Phoenix Four. In general, Aaron is able to present more even-handed views of both sides of the conflict. It's difficult not to sympathize with the Avengers at this point, desperate and battle-weary as they are. But he also spends time on each of the Phoenix Four, showcasing just how precarious their mental state is and reiterating the idea that, on a fundamental level, these characters are simply doing what they feel is right. Aaron shows an especially deft hand with Emma Frost, who struggles harder than anyone to keep the Phoenix's influence at bay.

As the cover suggests, Aaron also shifts to Spider-Man as the sort of "man on the ground" figure for this issue. That role has regularly bounced between characters like Wolverine, Black Panther, and Beast throughout the series, but Spider-Man is used more effectively and more heavily in that capacity than anyone. The script highlights the drama of Spider-Man's situation by opening in the midst of a battle and then shifting back several hours. We get to see Spidey settle uncomfortably into his Uncle Ben-style mentor role with Hope and then prove why he's the greatest hero in the Marvel Universe as he confronts two insurmountable foes. Suffice it to say, this issue makes Spidey's infamous brawls with Morlun look like mere sparring matches.

There are a couple weak points to the script. Though the Avengers score a much-needed win for once, their method of victory is a little silly and overly convenient. There's also a scene between a certain X-Man and certain Avenger that reads more like editorial mandate rather than a necessary piece of the AvX equation. This scene would probably have been better saved for a different book. Still, Aaron writes the interaction well despite the odd circumstances.

Adam Kubert delivers some gorgeously detailed and vibrant artwork in his second installment. Having collaborated with Kubert before, Aaron seems to know how to best put the artist to use, and there are plenty of dynamic camera angles and surreal, dark imagery to go around. Visual highlights include Cyclops and Emma's private meeting in a sweltering desert and the clandestine rescue operation in the mountains of Siberia. Unfortunately, the inking holds the issue back a bit, as the line work sometimes becomes unnecessarily flat and heavy.

At its best, AvX manages to deliver on all the hype Marvel has placed on it. As we near the finish line, I can only hope that this renewed momentum means the event will remain at its best through the home stretch.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and various other IGN channels. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com