VS #4

Writers: Rick Remender & Kaare Andrews

Artists: Brandon Peterson & Kaare Andrews

 

Red ninja vs Purple ninja. The best match thus far in the series, and what the whole thing should have been about. Great way to account for Psylocke's telepathy and bringing up her past as an assassin for The Hand. The dialog and inner monologue did wonders for the story. Unblemished art with fluid panels and popping colors. All in all, a fair outcome, and the first of its kind for the title. Will Psylocke become the third X-Man to question the madness of it all? Thor vs Emma Frost. Physically and verbally vicious, ruthless, and unrestrained; without any of the morals of the previous match, this one is about kill or be killed. The art is very unique, and makes the story seem as if taking place in the psychic plane or a dream realm. No characterization whatsoever, and truth be told, no rhyme or reason for the confrontation -unless it's tied to a yet unseen sequence in the main book; still, it was good.

VS. #3

Writer: Jeph Loeb & Christopher Yost

Artist: Ed McGuinness & Terry Dodson

The Rasputin siblings take the spotlight as they fight the Avengers on the surface of the Moon in two matches concurrent with AvX #5. Colossus' punch fest with The Thing was at least better than their respective previous episodes with Spider-Man and Namor. Ed McGuinness' artwork was fun to look at, and the inner monologue by Colossus gave some depth to the story. The Dodsons illustrate Black Widow vs. Magik, and that is the only good thing about this one. Illyana is not only a teleporter, but a sorceress as well, the Darkchylde from Limbo; so the only reason to confront her with a spy, who clearly has a different skill set, is the fact that both are Russian; and even that gets literally lost in translation. This mini is not absolutely irrelevant, but the fights should be offered as free, online incentives with the purchase of the main title, because at $3.99, it is hands down robbery.

VS. #2

Writers: Steve McNiven & Kieron Gillen

Artists: Steve McNiven & Salvador Larroca

Taking place in the middle of AvX #4, the confrontations in this issue are true head scratchers. Gambit's acrobatics and smart mouth seem entertaining enough until he charges Cap's uniform with kinetic energy and makes him explode. Why would he try to kill Cap, and how did Cap survive such an attack, we might never know. Steve McNiven's art, however, is splendid, along with John Dell's fine and detailed ink work.  In Latveria, a Juggernaut-ed Colossus has to endure Spider-Man's incessant jokes and sarcasm in what can only be described as an exasperating match. The humor angle was used and abused in this one, and its contrast with Colossus' current brooding, evilish self just did not play off well. Salvador Larroca's talent would have been put to better use on Spider-Woman vs. Dazzler, or Domino against Mockingbird. Not worth your $3.99.

VS. #1

Writers: Jason Aaron & Kathryn Immonen

Artists: Adam Kubert & Stuart Immonen

Magneto vs. Iron Man. Nice art and colors. Creative display of powers. Good to see that the rivals respect each other's abilities. Victory went to the right party given the circumstances. Namor vs. The Thing. Ben Grimm is always funny without being a clown. Thermal vents, treasure chests, and a giant monster-fish in the shores of Utopia? Channeling Jupiter's electromagnetic field sounds more plausible. Victory did not go to the right party given the environment in which it happened. Because dozens of tie-ins will not be enough, Marvel needed a companion mini-series to "expand" on the fights from the AvX. From the get-go the issue is clear: "You want plot? Look elsewhere, chum." Too bad they don't actually say where to look for the evasive plot. Page #1 is pretty much a disclaimer for "It's your money, we are not forcing you to buy it." The "AvX Fun Fact" boxes are a sad attempt at being cute. Save your $3.99 for something else.