Avengers vs. X-Men #9 Review

Marvel Comics
Avengers vs. X-Men #9 Review
By Andy Frisk
August 1, 2012 - 18:30

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and Jonathan Hickman
Penciller(s): Adam Kubert
Inker(s): John Dell
Colourist(s): Laura Martin with Larry Molinar
Letterer(s): Chirs Eliopoulos
Cover Artist(s): Jim Cheung, Mark Morales, Justin Ponsor
$3.99 US

During an attempt to rescue their fallen friends from the clutches of Magik's Limbo on Earth prison, the final remaining members of The Avengers, along with Prof. X, barely manage to escape with their lives while Spider-Man provides them a diversion with his most potent weapon: his mouth. Talking Colossus and Magick into battling each other, Spider-Man might have gained the upper hand on his foes, but the end result might be even worse...Meanwhile, more and more of the X-Men are beginning to see the corrupting power that the Phoenix force is having on the Five and are beginning to defect back to the Avengers' side.

Giving Spider-Man, Marvel Comics' other standout silver-screen hero of 2012, the focus this issue helps to bring some balance and levity to a cross-over event that is beginning to drag on too long. Since we all know pretty much what the outcome of this fight will be, i.e. Uncanny Avengers, a creative team shake ups, Waid on Incredible Hulk, Aaron on Mighty Thor, and a new birth for the Marvel U that is fervently NOT a reboot, but a "re-introduction," I'm ready for it to wrap up. Sadly, we've got a few months more to go before we get to the new books (I really can't wait to read Aaron's take on Thor and Waid's take on Hulk).

Adam Kubert's pencils on this issue are great as always. Anything Kubert draws is great. He doesn't skimp out on the task either. With the exception of a few well drawn splash pages, he packs most pages with plenty of panels. I was kind of hoping that we'd get a few more issues out of Copiel though...

Better than anticipated, but way longer than desired, Avengers vs. X-Men isn't a bad crossover. It's just a bit to long of a crossover. Honestly, the best stories involving the conflict aren't to be found in the pages of the main event's title, but rather in the other regular titles like Uncanny X-Men and The Avengers. Even so, I'm more than ready for the ReEvolution of Marvel NOW! to begin.

Rating: 7.5/10