Written by: Rick Remender
Art by: Adam Kubert
Publisher: Marvel
Axis just keeps getting better and better.
While the first issue of Axis set the tone, characters, and events to follow throughout the series, issue two delves into the deep intricacies of the characters present, mainly Iron Man, Cyclops, and Havok. One of the best aspects of this event is it’s clever and delicate balance of the complicated intricacies of the story and the simplicity present in the important matters at hand. While Axis itself serves a culmination of everything that has been building up since Marvel Now began, it remains an incredibly accessible read with how easily understandable the conflict itself remains. Simply put, it’s the Avengers and the X-Men teaming up to fight an insurmountable evil present in Red Onslaught. However, this does not mean that Axis is dumbed down in any way, shape or form.
Remender allows this complexities of this series exist in it’s main protagonists, allowing the buildup of conflicts and emotions that has been building since Marvel Now’s inception come to a complete head in this series. We see both Summers brothers (Havok and Cyclops) emotional arcs come full circle, as both of their character arcs have mirrored each other but on opposite ends of the spectrum. Pre-Axis, readers saw Havok take Cyclop’s role as unified leader of the pro-human integration sect of mutants and inversely, Cyclops t0ok a turn towards the Magento-end of the spectrum. Maybe Rememnder recognized this as Axis is supposed to allow the inverse personalities of the Marvel Universe flip sides, change alliances, and completey upset the status quo and nowhere is this more present currently in the series in the renewed brotherhood found in both Summer’s brothers. Seriously, it’s worth buying this series for as it can completely warm any jaded X-Men fan’s heart.
Iron Man is also completely characterized to perfection by Remender, defining him by his guilt in making the perfect killing machine of the upgraded sentinel that Red Onslaught has taken control over. Characterizing Iron Man as this guilt-ridden inventor portrays him in a more sympathetic light that is not present in many other depictions of the character. Adam Kubert’s pencils have greatly improved in this issue as opposed to last. Each hero is depicted in perfect, battle-worn glory which makes the reader feel the impact and stakes of the series. While some of his pencils seem a little rushed, this is entirely forgivable considering this series is releasing weekly.
Axis remains as one of my most hyped events this year and it has not disappointed in any way shape or form. See you next week, true believers.
