With our heroes in need, can anyone rise to save the city from its rage?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Marvel:

• Red Skull and his S-Men move forward their take over of New York.

• A member of the Uncanny Avengers joins the S-Men!

• When the chips are down, the fight all but lost, one Avenger must rise and face the terrible might of The Omega Skull!

The fist arc for this unified squad of both Avengers and X-Men comes to a befitting finish as it offers a tantalizing preview for what’s to come.  From the first page to the last panel the creative team effectively and brilliantly uses all the players on their board to convey the darkness of the narrative and the light that could one day come from all this.  In short what we have is a really good comic that’s worthy of the legacy it now carries.

Rick Remender continues to spin his latest yarn as he slowly but surely marches toward what can only be described as an onslaught of emotional proportions. Similar to what he did with Uncanny X-Force and its inaugural volume this talented writer has seen fit to set the stage for grandeur in this series, it’s not as epic as say Avengers or New Avengers but what’s being dealt with here is just as significant if not more so.  At the very least that’s how the talented author honestly makes you feel.

The art by John Cassaday is once again simply outstanding.  Each proverbial pencil stroke offers a sleek exterior piloted by some decidedly smooth actions and reactions.  The end result is a tale that’s rendered with the care it deserves as each of these storied characters gets a close touch, some polish and of course just enough screen time to make it all work.  There were some minor moments where things looked a tad bit too stylized but these instances were few and far between.

Uncanny Avengers #4 is a prime example of how you dictate a new creative landscape in an old universe. Recommended.

4.5/5