Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

AvX Consequences #2AVX: Consequences #2 of 5
Marvel Comics
Gillen, Kurth, Martinez & Charalampidis

Sometimes you need to take a step backwards in order to move forward. As much as I felt the entire twelve issue set of Avengers versus X-Men was a plot-less, unentertaining, collection of ideas that weren't thought through, this epilogue is shaping up to a good mini-series. This issue actually addresses and almost answers some of the nagging little components of the event that I disliked. While the issue is mostly Wolverine and Cyclops talking, it's entertaining, but it's also necessary if Marvel hopes to actually establish the new status quo and have it be believable. I definitely like what I see so far here

Cyclops was right. It's not just a t-shirt, it's a motto that Cyclops himself uses. And he's absolutely right. Cyclops did what he's wanted to do for a long time: reversed the curse of the mutants. Now that there are more mutants what's next? He wants the mutants to rise above the rest of the world and the way to do that is to give them a symbol to rally around. That means he needs to die so the t-shirt has more meaning behind it.

Enter Wolverine. He thinks he can convince Cyclops to get the other renegade mutants to turn themselves in. He doesn't realize Cyclops is baiting Wolverine into killing him. This issue pushes each character's buttons very well.

It's a powerful issue. It moves quickly and really hits a lot of the questions that should have come up during the main event. The interaction isn't perfect. Wolverine's side isn't completely convincing. He goes there looking for Scott to bring in his friends, but really doesn't offer up much incentive for Cyclops when you consider the man has a death wish. However, Cyclops has evolved, in a natural way, to the character that is presented here. It's the next logical step and it's perfect.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsI liked the artwork. The book is made up of a lot conversations and the art presents good reactions from Cyclops and Wolverine. This, despite the fact, that Cyclops has a helmet covering the majority of his head. This is no insignificant effort. Overall, the art really enhances the story very well.

Three issues to go and I think this mini-series has high hopes for establishing an interesting new baseline for Cyclops as a character. It will also help to clarify the post-event feelings for a number of characters, as we saw with Wolverine in this issue. I recommend picking this up, even if you disliked the main event. I can't wait to see how Iron Man plays into this for the next issue.

4 out of 5 Geek Goggles