Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #3 Review


Will Act I of AXIS end better than it started? Read on to find out.

The official description from Marvel:

ACT I: THE RED SUPREMACY
• With the heroes lost, the world’s fate lies in the hands of the vilest syndicate known to man.
• Scarlet Witch is forced to join Dr. Doom, the man who unleashed her power to cause M-Day, or she will watch those she loves most die.
• The return of one of the Marvel Universe’s great villains!
• An Avenger quits, a heart is broken, and the world as we know it is gone.

AXIS #3 variantAvengers & X-Men: AXIS‘ first two issues can be summed up in one word, disappointing. Though the final part of Act I: Red Supremacy doesn’t improve things much, making things worse in certain areas, it is the tiniest of steps in the right direction. Though once again it feels overcrowded, and at times ill thought out, the energy is certainly there, with the ending certainly leaving enough to set tongues wagging.

Rick Remender may have done an amazing job setting this tale up in the pages of Uncanny Avengers, but he’s certainly struggling to translate that into a worthy event. Though we’re only a third of the way through this series, it already looks to be one that’ll be placed alongside the likes of Age of Ultron, as utterly disappointing. Remender does however show why he did such a great job on Uncanny Avengers, with the dialogue shared between the X-Men and the Avengers in the final part of this chapter, undoing everything that the fight against the Red Onslaught built.

Leinil Francis Yu takes over the art duties for this issue, and straight away he falls into the same trap that Adam Kubert did. Which is there’s simply too much going on. Remender being a former artist himself should know that overcrowding is a burden, and when you have such a talent like Yu, this can really turn his work into something disappointing. In the more open panels however Yu does show his worth, creating some fabulous visuals filled with emotion. The inks of Gerry Alanguilan and colours of Matt Milla, Laura Martin and Edgar Delgado also work wonders, with the latter giving a dark, yet sleek finish.

Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #3 doesn’t do much for the event, but if nothing more it does leave us something to think about, with the final developments being very intriguing. This doesn’t however overlook the fact that this issue is overcrowded, and that the fight against Red Onslaught ended in a disappointing fashion. It does however do enough to come recommended.

OUR RATING
6.5
  • + Final sequence leaves me eager for Act II.
  • + Leinil Francis Yu does a wonderful job on art.
  • - The battle against Red Onslaught ended poorly.
  • - Once again this story feels overcrowded.

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