Review: Avengers vs X-Men #6

Script: Jonathan Hickman

Pencils: Oivier Coipel

Issue 6 opens ten days after the events at the end of #5 on the Moon. The Phoenix Five (Cyclops, Emma Frost, Colossus, Magik and Namor) have spent the time re-shaping the planet with their new cosmic powers. Unstoppable with the Phoenix Force at their disposal they have been combating poverty, war and hunger across the globe. Meanwhile, Earth’s leaders and the Avengers are deeply concerned by the complete absence of any checks on the X-Men’s new power.

Warning: Spoilers follow.

So far this issue, and the story in general, is shaping itself into a fairly stock standard ‘power corrupts and total power corrupts totally’ sort of story. One would hope that the creators have some interesting twists on this familiar trope in store for us or this mega-event is about to become very dull indeed.

With all the best intentions the X-Men are happily dictating to the planet in general, safe in the knowledge that nobody can do anything to stop them. Scott still has a chip on his shoulder roughly the size of a small planet that is clearly affecting his ability to see his decisions from the perspective of the rest of humanity. Despite having let the Phoenix Force slip through her fingers when the time came, Hope remains connected to it, and now admits that she regrets not stepping up when she had the chance. Scott’s attitude towards her has deviated rather abruptly. Gone is the caring father figure who wanted to support her destiny and protect her. In their one interaction here he is dismissive, superior, and even makes it clear that he now feels she is unworthy of the Phoenix. Harsh.

Meanwhile, the Scarlet Witch is having visions of impending doom and seems poised now to enter this fray in order to try and prevent disaster. Having not followed the Avengers side of this event I haven’t seen much of the Scarlet Witch since issue 0 so it’s good to see her getting involved in the main storyline at last.

Verdict: Currently this event has all the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the side of the head and looks set to go through the paces of a thoroughly unoriginal series of themes and events. One can only hope that the writers have something fresh and new for us to mitigate what is shaping up to be a fairly disappointing second half to this mini-series. 5/10

Bernice Watson