Avengers vs X-Men: VS review

Image copyright of Marvel Comics

Taking place squarely between the pages of AvX #1 and #2, AvX: VS and uses high brow talent to pull off what turns out to be a very simple premise: big fights. 

You're either going to bask in the violent splendour of titanic characters playing super-fisticuffs or you'll despair that you just bought a comic that adds nothing to the main story. As it turns out, these fights are hugely entertaining, delivering all the bombast and smack talk fans have come to expect from their favourite heroes. But most importantly, we're given solid winners of these heroic bouts, no doubt settling many arguments we've all had as comic fans. 

Here we see Iron Man go head to head with Magneto and Thing take on Namor, two battles that were teased in AvX #1. You could argue that the six-issue AvX: VS series is just stretching out what could be a single comic, and you'd probably be right, but that doesn't stop it from being entertaining as hell. 'AvX Fun Facts' are liberally sprinkled throughout the issue, offering damage expense totals and light hearted humour that really sets the tone for the series. It's ridiculous in a fun way and it works. The entire event has so far been exactly what superhero comics should be: balls-to-the-walls fun, and AvX: VS distills all that into one great comic.

Jason Aaron and Karthyn Immonen are on writing detail and while they don't have to deal with much plot, their dialogue is great and the narration well-paced. Adam Kubert, Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger all do great work with the art, executing action scenes effortlessly and not allowing scenes to become to muddy with detail. 

Look, you don't need to get this comic to enjoy the event thus far, but if you love mindless action featuring your favourite characters then this is the book to get.