Avengers VS X-Men: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Jonathan Hickman, Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales, Laura Martin, Chris Eliopoulos, Jim Cheung, Justin Ponsor, Sara Pichelli

Holy crap this was the BEST issue yet. THE BEST. Bendis does a fantastic job of setting up the final chapters to this epic brawl, and he does it with such style and blockbuster action that I can’t help but picture it up on the big screen in my head. And Coipel is back! OH MY GOD COIPEL IS BACK!! This is just every single reason in the world to celebrate. I was so sick of sub-par art styles on this title. Coipel is the only guy for the job.

The Avengers are desperate. Hrm, just like in the movie? Yup. So desperate are they, that they turn to another ex-hero as a last resort. A man so troubled and so removed from everything that it takes a very heartfelt plea from Cap to bring him in.

“Hulk will smash for you.”

Good god. We’re only two pages in and already it’s amazing. Following this, the X-Men JOIN the Avengers! Bobby Drake gives his own heartfelt plea - though shirtless, mind you, because it’s Bobby - to Xavier. He says that Scott’s unstoppable and that the X-Men don’t agree with him anymore. Xavier understands, and they decide to lead the assault.

What happens next is the GREATEST. REVEAL. I’VE EVER SEEN. IN A COMIC. EVER.

I won’t spoil it. But the Xavier arrives at Utopia with the Avengers and it begins. There’s some fantastic dialog in this issue, with hilarious one-liners. Like Storm’s, “Emma…something I’ve always wanted to say to you…” before striking her with epic lightning — and Hawkeye saying Scott’s going to kill him after shooting him with an arrow.

There are also a lot of great character moments of awesomeness as everyone starts ganging up on Scott (about time). I was smiling the entire way through. Giggling like an idiot. Loved it.

Knowing about the iconic character death going into this issue, I dove in expecting it to be SO many different people. There’s so much action, with EVERYONE being brutally attacked, that you have no clue who it’s going to be (unless you’ve read the spoilers). No worries, I won’t say a word. But it did shock me. I was quite upset.

It was a very tragic death, especially when you consider the history there behind the characters. It’s just really, really well done. Unlike Bendis’ Ultimate Spider-Man death. Blech. This was much, much better. And the rage that follows in that character’s death is absolutely outstanding.

The last page. Is. BREATHTAKING. Incredible! Fantastic artwork by Coipel, and colors by Martin. Just outstanding. I couldn’t get enough of this issue.

Avengers VS X-Men #11, the verdict: FINALLY this thing has LEGS. Finally, it’s GOING somewhere! And I LOVE the direction it’s going!! I had no idea I’d be this ecstatic. I had no idea what to expect out of this ish. And, I’ll tell you, I’m so glad I read it. I’m so glad it’s a part of my mind-brain now. I was told that, to really, fully appreciate this issue, I should have read “New X-Men” from the late 90s…but I haven’t. But someday. Perhaps if you have, you’ll enjoy this ish even more than I did.

UNF that variant cover!!

(Photo Source: Emma Frost Files)