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The Avengers face off with the X-Men in Avengers #21 by Jed MacKay, Valerio Schiti, Federico Blee and Cory Petit from Marvel Comics.
MacKay’s Avengers
The current Avengers run has been a wild ride of battles, events, and close calls. At first, all started with Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel. As the Avenger’s chair, Carol handpicked the heroes she wanted for the team. Iron man, Captain America, Black Panther, Vision, Scarlet Witch and Thor. Since their first mission, the Avengers have been on a countdown of sorts.
Kang the Conqueror shared a warning with the heroes about their future. The Avengers are destined to face the Tribulation Events. First, it was the Ashen Combine. A group of world conquerors who arrived to cause chaos and test the resolve of earth’s mightiest heroes.
Most recently, the heroes went up against Varnae. An ancient vampire who unleashed the Blood Hunt event. Varnae had taken over Blade, the day-walker. As a result, the entire world descended into darkness. To summarize, it took the efforts of many heroes around the world to stop Vernae.
MacKay’s X-Men
The mutants all over the world splintered in many directions in the fall of Krakoa. No nation, no home, no X-Mansion and no X-Men. No one to speak up for mutants anywhere. Consequently they were once again protection-less from the prejudices of humankind. However, former leaders began joining forces and making alliances along the way. For example, Emma Frost with the exceptional X-Men in Bridgeport, IL. Also, Anne Marie with the Uncanny X-Men in Haven, LA.
In the same way, Cyclops decided to assemble his own team. Along with Max Eisendhart, Scott Summers made the decision to establish a new mutant headquarters in Merle, AK. Thus, Mackay’s X-Men roster is composed of Juggernaut, Beast, Kid Omega, Magik, Psylocke, Temper, Glob and Magneto.
Although they have faced assimilating issues with Merle locals, their efforts are focused outside of their new town. Cyclops and company discovered a wave of new mutant genes activating around the States. Naturally, the X-Men’s mission is to be the first on the scene to ease those new mutants into their new life.
*Spoilers for Avengers #21 ahead*
AvX Round 2
Currently, Thor left the Avengers so he could focused in clearing his name. Prior to this issue, Thor was framed for murder by Ario Dagger and Enchantress. So, down one god of thunder, Sam Wilson recruited Ororo Monroe to the Avengers. With Storm on the team, the Avengers replenished Thor’s loss. While Black Panther is on a mission to free prisoners inside a pocket dimension, the Avengers decided pay a visit to the X-Men in Merle, AK.
The solicitations along with the cover art were reason enough to give pause to Marvel readers. Because these two teams have a shared history of being at odds. For instance, the X-Men avoided the Civil War by turning down Iron Man’s recruiting efforts.
Furthermore, the Avengers vs X-Men all-out war left a huge wedge between camps. Although, the Avengers did rallied against Orchis to save mutants lives around the world recently. There is still unresolved drama between these two organizations.What could the Avengers possibly want from the X-Men now?
Game Day
It was quite dramatic of MacKay to have Carol Danvers called out the X-Men to meet the Avengers outside. Everyone was standoffish, the X-Men looking down from the factory and the Avengers lined up outisde. Felt like another war was going to break.
Carol and Scott got all over each other’s personal space. Just to embrace each other in a very chummy hug. Despite the misleading solicitations for this issue, this was a friendly visit by the Avengers.
In fact, both camps spend the day playing America’s favorite pastime. All these heroes put their skills to the test in a game of baseball. Both teams showcased how competitive baseball can be when you have super-humans involved. In the end, they settle for a tie since Juggernaut lost the last baseball they had.
Following the baseball game, they proceeded to let their hair down in the factory. Where the mutant Blob awaited with a feast. Eventually conversations turned from casual talks to bonding experiences. Which was the whole reason for the visit, to strengthen and unite the Avengers and the X-Men.
How about the Art?
This comic book could not look better, even if they tried. The intense portrayal of all the characters in the beginning by Valerio Schiti really had me going. I actually believed this was going to turn into a brawl. Schiti goes from intense, to fun and energetic with the baseball game. Finally, from fun and energetic to relaxed and wholesome.
That’s quite the range for a 32-page count story. Federico Blee breathed life to this story with the coloring. The outdoor scenes felt cool and breezy. While the indoor scenes felt warm and real mellowed. Last but not least, Cory Petit really helped set up the bait and switch with the lettering in the very first page.
I give this issue a 10 out of 10
I can understand if people are disappointed with the bait and switch. Maybe you came to the issue to see the heroes go at each other’s necks for previous transgressions. After all that’s what was advertised. However, I think Jed MacKay was on to something when he allowed these camps to have this moment of fun camaraderie and unwinding.
Jed MacKay’s toy box
Without a doubt, the Avengers and the X-Men will go back to their regular schedules and take on the evils of the world and beyond that. But just for a moment in time, they get together by choice with the full intent to close the gaps and unite. No end of the world in sight, no common enemy to fight, just for a consolidated front for the future.
Seemingly, MacKay gets all his toys together and aims to accomplish what Bendis tried in New Avengers #7 (Marvel Comics 2005), but failed. Back then, 7 leaders from different camps, came together to pull together resources and manpower to defend the world in secrecy. Hopefully this alliance can be successful where the Illuminati failed.
