Review: Wonder Woman Volume 3, Iron

When Zola's baby is kidnapped, Wonder Woman embarks on a quest to rescue her friend's child. On her journey, the Amazing Amazon must seek out her fellow demigod brothers and sisters for assistance. Unfortunately, not all of her siblings are eager to help.

Wonder Woman Volume 3: Iron collects Wonder Woman #0, 13-18 written by Brian Azzarello, with art by Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins.

Proceeding the events of the previous issues, Hera has been stripped of her powers and Zola's child has been taken from her care. This creates a new dynamic for the title and sees Wonder Woman's supporting cast growing to include the disgraced goddess, as well as the siblings Diana meets in her quest to save Zola's baby. As always, Azzarello's dedication to developing his characters is incredibly strong and we get to see quite a few interesting creations show up because of this. That said, the true scene stealer ends up being Hera. Her interactions with Zola are hilarious to say the least. This new dimension to Hera is fantastic and the goddess among men bit is quite effective. The inclusion of Orion is also a smart move on Azzarello's part. He acts as a great foil for Wonder Woman and his love interest potential is a bonus.

Beyond the wonderful dialogue and the stellar character development, this collection features a sweeping narrative that takes Wonder Woman around the world. From Palestine to Antarctica, Azzarelo takes his readers on an epic adventure befitting of the Amazing Amazon. The story itself is splintered between the squabbling amongst the Greek Gods following Apollo's usurpation of the throne, the introduction of the villain known as the First Born, and Wonder Woman's search for Zola's child. It's an incredibly complex narrative that is chalk full of tension and conflict. Aside from the fights against insect creatures and ice monsters, it is Wonder Woman's dispute against Hermes that stands as the most memorable fight. Beyond its fantastic choreography, the battle is bittersweet due to the trust Wonder Woman once placed in the messenger god.

Wonder Woman: Iron does not disappoint. It is a brilliant continuation of Brian Azzarello's run, featuring stunning character designs and impeccable characterization. He has such a firm grasp on the character and his quirky supporting cast works to endear readers to his unique take on the Amazing Amazon. For fans of Wonder Woman, this is one collection you won't want to pass up. Cliff Chiang and Tony Akin's art is great, while Azzarello's writing is both cohesive and engaging.

Rating: A

Top 5: Most Underrated DC Comics Characters

When it comes to fierce and fabulous superheroines, DC Comics is home to some of the biggest names around. From Wonder Woman to Batgirl, the publishing giant has had tremendous success with its leading ladies. Even still, there are many heroines who go unnoticed by general audiences. Whether it's due to their lack of appearances in adaptations or development in the comics, these women could use a major boost from the powers-that-be.

Below are the top five most underrated heroines at DC Comics. These fives ladies deserve their own books - stat!

05. Mera

As Aquaman's better half, Mera is a water-wielding warrior whose impetuous nature and loyalty make her a fearsome opponent. She is the exiled Princess of Xebel who abandoned her kingdom after falling for the handsome King of Atlantis.

For years, this red-headed siren was treated as little more than a supporting character for Aquaman. With her unique set of gifts and her unpredictable temperament, she is a compelling individual whose lack of promotion is rather surprising. Thankfully, events such as Brightest Day and the companywide initiative known as the New 52 have renewed interest in Mera. With DC Comics' current investment in the Aquaman franchise, things are looking up for the emerald-clad heroine. 

04. Big Barda

As her name might suggest, Big Barda is a tough and aggressive fighter who abandoned her homeworld of Apokolips to live in suburban bliss with her husband on Earth. Nevertheless, trouble seemed to follow the couple wherever they went and they were occasionally pulled back into the fray as superheroes.

Much like Mera, Big Barda has long lived in the shadow of her husband. As Mister Miracle, Scott Free received top-billing while Barda played second-fiddle. Despite stints on the Justice League and her involvement with the Birds of Prey, the spotlight still seems to elude this warrior. DC Comics would do well to give Barda her own book. She could traverse the galaxies atoning for her past sins with her quirky husband, sort of like an intergalactic version of Xena: Warrior Princess.

03. Vixen

Mari McCabe is a former supermodel turned superhero whose exploits have led to a membership with the Justice League. As Vixen, she has the ability to channel the ability of any animal imaginable, making her one of the most versatile superheroes around.

Vixen was one of DC Comics very first Black superheroes and continues to be one of their most enduring. Unfortunately, she's spent much of her publication history on the D-list, but appearances in Justice League: Unlimited and Batman: The Brave and the Bold have increased her visibility. While she may be more recognizable these days, Vixen still has a long way to go before she reaches the same level of acclaim as Storm or Black Panther. What say we make her a permanent fixture on the Justice League, hm? A solo series would be nice too.

02. Fire and Ice

One is a princess, the other a super spy. Beatriz da Costa and Tora Olaffsdotter, otherwise known as Fire and Ice, wield their abilities as members of the Justice League. The pair have one of the most widely recognized friendships in comics and are known for their opposites-attract sisterhood.

Fire and Ice have seemingly existed on the fringes of the DC Universe forever. Their appearances in offbeat and less mainstream material have earned them cult followings, so naturally they're still unknown to larger  audiences. Even adaptations have relegated them to background characters with limited dialogue. Not only would it be great if they were given greater prominence in the Justice League, but the pair would be excellent candidates for a humour-filled series following their exploits. It could be like Thelma & Louise. You know, if they had superpowers.

01. Donna Troy

Once known as Wonder Woman's teen sidekick Wonder Girl, Donna Troy grew up to be the galaxy-saving heroine Troia. Compassionate and full of heart, Donna was the glue that held the Teen Titans together and played the role of den mother flawlessly.

When it comes to getting the short end of the stick, Donna Troy is a poster child. While the modern Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark -- hiss!) has been adapted to television and has adventures in the New 52, Donna Troy has been relegated to publication limbo. Despite her integral role in the iconic New Teen Titans era and a tenure on the Justice League, Donna is regularly passed over for her successor and had the misfortune of being tied up in legal red tape when the Teen Titans cartoon was airing. It's sad to think that such an incredible character goes unnoticed by general audiences. Truthfully, she deserves a big push from DC Comics and has the potential to become a heroine in her own right much like Dick Grayson or Barbara Gordon. With that hair and chic costume, she's too stylish to stay D-list!

Top 5: Longest Running Female-Led Marvel Comics

While DC Comics has been busy blazing the trail with its long-running female-led comics like Wonder Woman and Birds of Prey, its rival Marvel has struggled to save its heroines from the cancellation heap.  From titles like Black Widow to X-23, most of Marvel's women fail to make it past two years of solo publication. Even still, there have been some superheroines that have managed to defy this and have gone on to have successful comic runs.

Below are the top five longest running comic book series starring women as published by Marvel.

05. She-Hulk, Volume 2

Lasted For: 38 Issues

As the Hulk's loquacious cousin, She-Hulk is no stranger to the solo hero circuit. She's had a handful of series and has proven to be a viable commodity for Marvel. The eponymous She-Hulk was her fourth series, but is one of the longer lasting ones.

Originally written by Dan Slott, She-Hulk followed the misadventures of the green-skinned heroine as she navigated the world of law and order. Over the course of its 38 issues, the series tied in with many of Marvel's most notable storylines such as "Civil War" and "Secret Invasion." Despite bringing aboard fan-favourite Peter David to write the book, She-Hulk wrapped up its run in the spring of 2009.

04. Dazzler, Volume 1

Lasted For: 42 Issues

Spinning out of her appearance during the iconic "Dark Phoenix Saga," Dazzler depicted the life and times of Marvel's most famous singer turned hero. It followed her ascension to superstardom and the many obstacles she had to surpass along the way. The series was brilliant mix of superhero action and soap opera drama, highlighting the character's turbulent family life and her constant struggle with the responsibility of being a mutant.

Even though the series concluded after only 42 issues, Dazzler continues to be one of the most iconic comic books of the 1980s and led directly into her becoming a member of the X-Men. Sadly, the character has fallen into the D-list since then and is in dire need of a boost in popularity.

03. Spider-Woman, Volume 1

Ms. Marvel, Volume 2

Lasted For: 50 Issues

It seems fitting that Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel would share the number three spot. In addition to their long-standing friendship, Jessica Drew and Carol Danvers debuted in solo series around the same time in the 1970s. While Carol's Ms. Marvel title was cancelled after two years of publication, Jessica's Spider-Woman ran for an astounding 50 issues. Not one to be outdone, Carol tied Jessica's record with her second Ms. Marvel series in 2006.

Spider-Woman told the solo adventures of Jessica Drew as she sought to create a life for herself in America. Early on the book focused on dark, magic-based foes, but would later become a more traditional superhero title.

Ms. Marvel spun directly out of Marvel's "House of M" event and dealt with Carol Danvers establishing herself as Earth's Mightiest Hero. In this ground-breaking series, Carol survived a superhero civil war, multiple alien invasions, having her identity stolen, and the schemes of the nefarious shapeshifter Mystique. This was truly one of Marvel's most remarkable titles and is one of my personal favourites.

02. The Sensational She-Hulk, Volume 1

Lasted For: 60 Issues

After a successful tenure with the Fantastic Four, John Byrne launched She-Hulk's second solo title in the late-'80s. Irreverent and sharply written, The Sensational She-Hulk was an astonishing series that broke all the comic book rules. For the first time ever, the character was aware of her status as a comic book superhero and frequently broke through the fourth wall to talk to the readers.

Following his departure from the title in 1993, The Sensational She-Hulk lasted only ten more issues before being cancelled. Well over twenty years later, this title continues to make waves due to its unique mix of slapstick humour and superhero action.

01. Spider-Girl, Volume 1

Lasted For: 100 Issues, Plus Two Special Issues

Marvel's longest running female-led title by a mile is the Spider-Man spin-off Spider-Girl. Written as an imagined future world for the web-slinger, this title placed Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson's daughter May Parker as the heir to the Spider-Man mantle. Lasting for a whopping 100 issues, Spider-Girl broke records and continues to be Marvel's most successful female franchise to date. Oddly enough, it also happens to be the only book on this list that exists outside of the company's mainstream universe.

Review: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal - Episode 4

A masquerade party is being held in honour of the arrival of Princess D in Japan and she'll be revealing her country's most precious treasure. Suspecting that she might be the princess they've been assembled to protect, the Sailor Guardians go undercover to investigate Princess D's party. Little do they know, their enemies also had the same idea. "Act 4 Dance Party -Masquerade" is a glamorous and fast-paced episode that works as yet another direct adaptation of the manga.

With three of the Sailor Guardians introduced, the dynamic of the show is slowly changing. The interactions between the characters are memorable and the differences between them are quite fascinating. Rei and Ami are taking to their roles quite well, with the former taking lead despite her annoyance at having to fight demons. Usagi is, as always, drawing the laughs. Her short attention span and lack of interest in her duties as a Sailor Guardian contrast beautifully against her new friends. One of the biggest flaws to the original series was how long it took to introduce these characters, so it's great that we're getting to see them interact early on.

Sailor Moon Crystal has been remarkably faithful to its source text thus far. This episode follows the plot line of the fourth act of the manga very closely and does so quite successfully. That said, we're starting to see a divergence in the narrative. In the manga, the villains are picked off at a rapid pace and act independently. The Shitennou, also known as the Four Kings, make their full appearance in this episode and are instead being set up as the Anti-Sailor Guardians. Here they are presented as a cohesive unit and act as an opposing force to the Sailor Guardians. It's a brilliant turn of events and helps this series to succeed where other versions have not.

Sailor Moon Crystal continues to impress and is beginning to show that it has some surprises in store. For the most part, this episode was satisfying to watch and highlighted the dynamic between the characters quite nicely. The only nitpick I have is the kiss shared between Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask at the end. While it's intended to be romantic, the kiss is non-consensual due to Sailor Moon being asleep at the time. Thankfully, Luna shows up and tells Tuxedo Mask to get his grubby paws off of her. For long-time fans of Sailor Moon, this episode will be familiar but has enough going for it that it won't feel like total deja vu. Not only that but fan favourite Makoto Kino (AKA Sailor Jupiter) makes a cameo at the end. Bring on the rain!

Review: All-New X-Men Volume 3, Out of Their Depth

When Mystique sets her sights on pulling off a series of high-stakes heists, it's up to the original X-Men  and their mentors to stop the shapeshifting femme fatale. On top of this, Jean Grey must find a way to control her growing psychic abilities and the X-Men do battle against the Uncanny Avengers.

All-New X-Men: Out of their Depth collects issues 11-15 of All-New X-Men, featuring writing by Brian Michael Bendis and art by Stuart Immonen and David Lafuente.

This volume is a total thrill ride from start to finish. It is the climax to the build-up that Bendis has been working towards from the very first issue of All-New X-Men. In these issues, we see the X-Men face off against Mystique in an incredibly explosive battle while also settling the drama left after the events of Avengers vs. X-Men. This collection also marks a shift in tone and pace for Bendis, as he finds the perfect balance between action and character development in these pages.

As with the first handful of issues, Jean Grey continues her reign as the queen of All-New X-Men. For decades, Jean Grey played second-fiddle to Cyclops and this is really one of the first times where she is allowed to grow independently. Bendis' interest in exploring her journey to controlling her telepathic abilities is fantastic and he smartly deals with the moral implications of such powers as well. His Jean Grey is an incredibly complex character with her fair share of flaws. This makes her realistic and relatable. He also takes great care to nourish her status as a powerhouse without relying on the crutch of the Phoenix. It's refreshing to finally have a writer portray the character as something more than just the Phoenix's BFF.

There are so many standout moments in this collection. From Jean's interactions with Kitty Pryde to the X-Men's battle against Mystique, Out of Their Depth is a satisfying read from beginning to end. One of the more notable scenes involves the original X-Men meeting the Uncanny Avengers. When Jean Grey accidentally reads Scarlet Witch's mind, she uncovers the truth behind the plight of the mutants and Scarlet Witch's involvement in it. This is a genuine moment of unbridled emotion and sees Jean Grey react in a very raw way. It also inadvertently draws a very strong parallel between Scarlet Witch's decimation of the mutants in House of M and Cyclops' murder of Professor Xavier in Avengers vs. X-Men. Scarlet Witch defends her actions by saying she was not of her right mind and the X-Men are expected to accept this reasoning, while they're also expected not to buy Cyclops' schpeel about not being in control of his actions during AVX. Quite frankly, it's an unfair double standard that highlights the inequality the characters involved face. Both Scarlet Witch and Cyclops are seeking redemption, but the writers clearly want us to sympathize with Scarlet Witch and vilify Cyclops. Tisk tisk.

Overall, All-New X-Men: Out of Their Depth is an absolutely stunning collection of stories that are packed full of character development and heart-pounding action. As always, Stuart Immonen's art is stunning and David Lafuente's art has plenty of personality to it as well. This is a great addition into any X-fan's oeuvre and will no doubt please lovers of the original X-Men.

Rating: A

Review: X-Men - Primer

After a trip abroad, Jubilee returns to the X-Men only to find that trouble has followed her home. In this daring adventure, the X-Men must defeat the sinister entity known as Arkea before it can infect the world with its digital domination.

X-Men: Primer collects the first four issues of Marvel's very first all-female X-Men title. This collection features writing by Brian Wood and art by Oliver Coipel and David Lopez.

Over 50 years after their debut, the X-Men have finally banded together to form their very first all-female squad of heroes. Needless to say, Brian Wood had a lot of expectations to live up to. Thankfully, he delivers an action-filled story that does justice to the characters involved. His initial team is comprised of Storm, Rogue, Kitty Pryde, Rachel Grey, Psylocke, and Jubilee. Not only is this a group of A-list mutants, but it's perhaps one of the most powerful ensembles imaginable.

Wood excels at dialogue and knows how to create relationships between the characters. It's clear from the get-go that these women are friends and have worked together for years. Rogue and Kitty Pryde especially stand out in this collection as well-rounded characters. Wood portrays Rogue as the sassy Southerner who is every bit the thrill-seeker readers have fallen in love with, while Kitty is the responsible yet light-hearted brains of the operation. He also does an impressive job of illustrating just how far Jubilee has come since her days as an X-Man in-training. The character acts as the heart of this series and is complex in her quest for maturity. We also get some sweet moments between Jubilee and her one-time mentor Wolverine.

Even still, Primer is far from perfect. While Wood knocks it out of the park with his quick-witted characters, the other women fade into the background. Psylocke adds next-to-nothing to the plot and Rachel Grey proves to be more of an annoyance than a relatable character. Another missed opportunity came in his portrayal of Storm. As one of the fiercest heroines around, she comes across as a generic leader figure. Additionally, the conflict between Storm and Rachel seems forced. The pair lock horns over Storm's leadership style in the first mission, prompting Rachel to pull out the tired "Who died and made you leader of the X-Men?" line. Dear Ms. Grey, Storm has been leading the X-Men since before you came into the picture and has had fewer teammate deaths on her watch than any other X-Man.  On top of that, she's a fierce diva who was best friend's with your "mom." Is that reason enough for you, girlfriend?

Wood also struggles to provide adequate exposition for newer readers. Several characters appear without any background and it makes the title less accessible. The extent of Rogue's powers, Jubilee's status as a vampire, and John Sublime's history with the X-Men are essential components that were ignored altogether in this collection aside from vague references only veteran readers will pick up on.

Another downside to Primer is its overall presentation. Oliver Coipel handles the art for the first three issues and it is are nothing short of brilliant. His pencils are dynamic, expressive, and full of beauty. For the fourth issue, David Lopez is brought on board. To be blunt, his art is ugly. He draws women with manly faces, his bodies are chunky, and Rogue is given a hideous '80s 'do. I hated his art on Catwoman and I hate it even more on X-Men. Just… no.

The other presentation issue this volume faces is its short length. The collection editor attempted to make up for this by including variant covers and the issue of Uncanny X-Men where Jubilee first appeared, but it seems like a poor attempt at getting consumers to pay $17.99 ($19.99 for us Canadians) instead of a more reasonable price tag. That said, the issue's inclusion is a nice treat for newer readers who are unfamiliar with Chris Claremont's legendary run on the title in the 1980s. This was the X-Men at their best.

It may seem like I'm being overly critical on Brian Wood's X-Men, but it's all constructive criticism. In the 21st century, we need an all-female team of X-Men and such a book needs to be the best it can be. Wood does an admirable job with the characters he's given and he tells a story that is full of awesome explosions. However, he needs to learn to provide context for characters and plot points as well as to avoid drumming up insignificant drama between teammates (especially when one of them is annoying as hell and the other should just fry her with a lightning bolt to teach her a lesson). Overall, I'd still recommend picking this up if only for Oliver Coipel's gorgeous art. This is a groundbreaking book and should be supported by X-fans for its cultural importance.

Rating: B

Review: All-New X-Men Volume 2, Here to Stay

After being plucked from their timeline, the original X-Men are navigating the waters of the 21st century. They've been placed under the tutelage of Kitty Pryde and are quickly learning just how sheltered they were. Meanwhile, Mystique is assembling a new team of baddies and is dead set on pulling off the biggest heist in history.

All-New X-Men: Here to Stay collects issues 6-10 of All-New X-Men, with writing by Brian Michael Bendis and art by Stuart Immonen and David Marquez.

While Brian Michael Bendis struggled with developing his cast in the first five issues of All-New X-Men, he seems to have hit his stride here. Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Iceman have very distinct personalities. They're fully formed characters who are each very likeable. Additionally, Kitty Pryde's role as their mentor is a brilliant role reversal as she is now responsible for training the very people who once trained her. Even though these four characters serve as the backbone to this series, Bendis would do well to pay more attention to Beast and Angel. Beast tends to blend into the background, while Angel's mousy personality clashes with the brash and arrogant persona Stan Lee and Jack Kirby originally had for him.

All-New X-Men is a rarity among superhero comics, as it focuses upon characters rather than plot. The story itself moves along at a snail's pace, but it is packed full of character development. It's impressive and helps the reader relate to the people they're reading about. The trade off for this is that there's a lot of dialogue and it can be frustrating when all you want is for the plot to move forward. It also means that melodrama seeps in at certain points. There are uncharacteristic moments where Jean Grey has tantrums like a little girl or where Cyclops easily falls for Mystique's lies. Their naiveté doesn't work as well as Bendis is intending. Nevertheless, his snappy dialogue and witty retorts are enough to keep the title light and free of soap opera drama.

For many fans of the X-Men, All-New X-Men will feel like a return to the good ol' days where character was more important than action. The X-Men are starting to feel like a family again and shock value does not take precedence over this fact. This is also a great title for anyone who may have enjoyed Teen Titans, Young Avengers, or the X-Men: Evolution cartoon. 

Rating: B+

Review: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal - Episode 3

After the disappearances of several passengers after boarding the Sendaizakaue bus, suspicion has fallen upon an enigmatic shrine maiden named Rei Hino. Naturally, Usagi takes it upon herself to investigate in order to clear Rei's name (you know, because Usagi thinks Rei is really pretty so she couldn't possibly be evil). 

In "Act 3: Rei -SAILOR MARS," the heat gets turned up as the Sailor Guardians welcome their third member into their ranks.

From the beginning of this series, characterization has been a key element to each episode. Act 3 is no exception as the Sailor Guardians' third member, Sailor Mars, is introduced masterfully. Much like Ami, Rei is a misunderstood individual whose unique talents alienate her from others. From this point onward, it becomes clear that Usagi is bringing together a team of misfits and it's actually quite touching to see. As far as the Sailor Guardians go, Sailor Mars has long been my favourite and it was amazing getting to see her adapted so beautifully in this episode. Her appearance is quite elegant and she's not nearly as brutish as she was in the original anime. It's also worth mentioning that her hair is to die for!

Beyond the excellent character work Sailor Moon Crystal is setting forth, the overall tone and pace continues to be on point. The ominous feeling to each episode is intense in the best possible way. This episode is particularly eerie and really helps to establish how dangerous the Sailor Guardians' enemies are. This episode also marks the expansion of their rogues' gallery and introduces some new baddies. Their motives are elaborated upon as well. This helps to keep things moving, as opposed to the more meandering pace of the original anime.

Act 3 continues Sailor Moon Crystal's streak of great episodes. It was highly entertaining and did a spectacular job in introducing Sailor Mars. In this episode, her character was portrayed flawlessly and she's definitely one to watch due to her unique set of psychic talents. While the animation was a little awkward at times, the pacing and writing more than made up for it. As a Sailor Moon fan of nearly twenty years, I couldn't be happier with the direction this series is taking.

Review: Uncanny Avengers Volume 1, The Red Shadow

In the wake of Professor Charles Xavier's death at the hands of the X-Man Cyclops, mutants are once again public enemy number one. With tensions between humans and mutants so high, the Avengers and the X-Men band together to create a new team of heroes dedicated towards improving the state of affairs between these two groups. Before they can even have their first meeting, they plunge head first into a battle against the deadly Red Skull.

Uncanny Avengers: The Red Shadow collects the first five issues of Uncanny Avengers, written by Rick Remender and illustrated by John Cassaday and Oliver Coipel.

Over the years, the Avengers have had a few mutants join their ranks. Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Firestar, Wolverine, and Storm have all been Avengers. However, there's never been a team that pulls members equally from both the Avengers and the X-Men. Remender's initial line-up here consists of Havok, Captain America, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Rogue, and Wolverine. It's a pleasantly well-rounded roster of A-listers (and Havok) with strong personalities and great abilities. He later expands the team to include Wasp, Wonder Man, and Sunfire. Sadly, with a roster of nine superheroes Remender failed to deliver diversity. Sunfire is the only non-white character present and the Uncanny Avengers come across as the White-Washed Avengers.

Lack of diversity aside, Remender delivers an incredibly thrilling story. Red Skull is a dangerous foe for this untested team to come up against and his hate-mongering motives make him a perfect fit to be an adversary for these heroes. The pace is on point and the action is unrelenting. On top of that, he manages to create plenty of great moments of character interaction. The conflict between Rogue and Scarlet Witch is catty, but is rooted in very real problems. Unsurprisingly, Rogue manages to be the standout character in these issues. Even though Remender is building Havok up to be the next Captain America, it is Rogue's signature sass that steals the spotlight. After playing the role of school marm for so long in the pages of X-Men Legacy, it's nice to see that bit of bad girl finally coming back in Rogue.

This is a great start to a promising series. Rick Remender is a very capable writer and is adept at creating fantastic character interaction. John Cassaday's art can be clunky and his women are more handsome than beautiful, but there is so much personality in what he draws. Oliver Coipel pencils the final issue in this collection which, sorry Cassaday, is a vast improvement over the first four issues. The expressiveness of his characters is so effective and his women are drop dead gorgeous. The only negative thing worth noting aside from the lack of diversity in Uncanny Avengers is that this trade ends on a cliffhanger! 

Rating: A-

Review: All-New X-Men Volume 1, Yesterday's X-Men

After the events of Avengers vs. X-Men, the X-Men are left shaken by Cyclops' corruption at the hands of the Phoenix Force. Beast is especially affected by the betrayal and manages to bring back the original five X-Men from the past in order to remind his fellow X-Man of just how much has changed.

All-New X-Men: Yesterday's X-Men collects the first five issues of the series, featuring writing by Brian Michael Bendis and art by Stuart Immonen.

As one of Marvel's premiere writers, Brian Michael Bendis has penned the adventures for the Avengers for years and All-New X-Men marks his foray into the world of the X-Men. The premise for the series is simple -- the X-Men of the past are brought to the present in order to right the wrongs Cyclops has committed. Stories involving time travel can be quite tricky and can add more confusion to an already complicated timeline. Thankfully, Bendis covers his bases by explicitly stating that the X-Men of the past will have their memories wiped by the Professor Xavier of their time, thereby removing their knowledge of the future. The only characters affected will be those in our present, which is exactly what Beast is hoping for.

As the X-Men of yesteryear deal with their new surroundings, Cyclops is busy recruiting new mutants to a school he is starting. This subplot seems a little out of place, but is quite obviously meant as an entry point into Bendis' run on Uncanny X-Men. The jury's also out on how interesting they will be, but each has potential.

The overall tone of the title is consistent and the story is quite interesting. The downside to all of this is that All-New X-Men has large quantity of characters. Bendis is clearly finding his feet with these issues, but he's also using one too many mutants right off the bat. The surplus of mutants limits his ability to portray them uniquely and give them each enough time to shine. That said, there are some characters that stand out. Kitty Pryde proves to be a scene stealer and teen Jean Grey has the strongest personality of the original X-Men. Beast is also given quite a bit of attention and is the character on which much of the action hinges upon. Unfortunately, he's nowhere near as likeable as the others. He's stubborn and short-sighted in his inability to accept the reasoning behind Cyclops' actions.

All-New X-Men is an action-packed, character-driven title. Stuart Immonen's art is jaw-dropping and is brimming with personality, adding to the overall sense of dynamism to this collection. However, this volume is not a self-contained story and requires quite a bit of working knowledge of the characters in order to understand what is going on. Additionally, its plot is almost entirely meant as a set-up for future issues and Bendis' work on Uncanny X-Men. That said, it's worth the read and is a promising start to the series.

Rating: B+

Review: Avengers vs. X-Men

With the cosmic entity known as the Phoenix Force hurtling towards the Earth, the world's most powerful superheroes find themselves at odds. Captain America and the Avengers seek to eradicate the Phoenix, while Cyclops and the X-Men welcome its arrival. Tempers flare as these superheroes do battle against one another, but which side will win?

Avengers vs. X-Men collects Avengers vs. X-Men #0-12, written by Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and Jonathan Hickman, with illustrations by John Romita Jr., Oliver Coipel, and Adam Kubert. This all-star cast promises to bring one of Marvel's most epic events to date. 

Much like Marvel's Civil War, Avengers vs. X-Men pits hero against hero. This time around, Marvel's two biggest franchise duke it out for supremacy. The source of this conflict comes in the form of the Avengers' and the X-Men's differing opinions on the Phoenix Force. The premise is promising as the Phoenix Force is ambiguous enough to create a schism between the two factions. The problem, however, is in the execution. For the most part, the majority of the characters come across as unlikable due to their Kanye West-sized egos. The Avengers especially come across as pig-headed and are in fact the instigators of the war between Earth's Mighest Heroes and Marvel's Merry Mutants. It's quite clear that they have limited experience with the Phoenix Force and, to make matters worse, they have shown a history of not getting involved with so-called "mutant issues." This makes them seem like they should step aside and allow the X-Men to handle the situation.

Despite the fact that each issue is attributed to a different writer, there is a remarkable consistency between each issue and it would be difficult to discern which writer wrote each issue. That said, the issues written by Brian Michael Bendis and Jason Aaron do tend to have a surplus of jokes in them. This creates an uneven tone that contrasts with the serious nature of the subject matter. 

Additionally, the combined efforts of these writers was not enough to save them from continuity errors. For long-time X-Men fans, this event is sure to make your blood boil with a rather glaring plot flaw. The entire conflict hinges upon the Phoenix Force and the fact that the Avengers believe it to be evil due to Jean Grey's supposed inability to control it. The Dark Phoenix Saga is referenced as an example of this. However, the real Jean Grey was NOT present during the Dark Phoenix Saga. That was a replica of the character and the real Jean was elsewhere at the time. As such, she did not commit suicide trying to save the world from the Phoenix Force. That was her replica. On top of that, Jean was able to control the Phoenix flawlessly in her later appearances. Did any of you guys read Grant Morrison's New X-Men run?!

Another issue Avengers vs. X-Men faces is in its art. The first handful of issues are taken care of by John Romita Jr. While his art works fantastically in non-event comics, the epic scale of this collection isn't suited to his talents. Similarly, Adam Kubert's art is plain and lazily drawn. It's especially frustrating since his art closes the collection. In this middle of all of this is Oliver Coipel's art. Coipel is honestly one of the greatest artists currently working in the industry and it would have been wise to have him draw the entire series. His pencils are crisp and expressive, and he knows how to set a scene in a way that is creative and dynamic.

In general, Avengers vs. X-Men is an admirable event title that features some of the best writers Marvel has to offer. The overall plot is strong, Coipel's art is gorgeous, and the action is thrilling. If that weren't enough, Jim Cheung's covers are breathtakingly beautiful. That said, the conflict is fairly superficial and the Avengers come across uniformly as a bunch of jerks. Essentially, the Avengers are the popular kids at school who are bullying the outcasts. Overall, not a good look for the Avengers. Lastly, there are a lot of characters present in this event and many go underused. Bendis and company would have done well to focus on the characters who have connections between the two teams. For example, rather than do an issue from Spider-Man's perspective it would have been more interesting to explore the story from Storm, Black Panther or Scarlet Witch's perspective. As one of Marvel's more divisive events, both X-Men and Avengers fans alike will find issues with this collection. Thankfully, the pulse-pounding action and colourful art should be enough to sway your opinion.

Rating: B+