X-Treme X-Men #3 Review

Slowly but surely, Greg Pak's new X-Men series is evolving into an X-book capable of holding its own among the many, many others on the stands. It doesn't hurt that the series offers readers a clean break from the rest of the X-verse, focusing instead on an Exiles-like band of mutants who traverse the multiverse in search of various evil Xaviers. Issue #3 wraps up the first arc and the battle against the mutants gods of Steampunk Earth.

The quality of characterization has been sporadic in the previous issues, but Pak seems to find a stronger handle on his team here. Every member has a moment or two to shine in the build-up to the final battle. Easily the strongest of these scenes involves a revelation about James Howlett. Suffice it to say, this alternate Wolverine has developed another interesting new wrinkly to set him apart from his regular counterpart. Disappointingly though, Pak chooses to shrink the team by one member without taking the readily available opportunity to replace them with a new recruit. Dazzler fans have continued reason to celebrate the series. Alison once again takes charge of the battle, proves her mettle, and gets in another musical number in the process. The only real negative to the storytelling in this issue is that certain scenes feel rushed and overly compressed.

But while the characterization has finally reached the level it needs to be, the art remains a sore spot. Stephen Segovia is joined by Paco Diaz, and the question that arises is -- why double-ship this book if it's going to make filler art a necessity? Diaz's work is merely loose and harried, but Segovia's panel arrangements and sloppy figures are the real sticking point.

Other than the reduced cast, this first arc doesn't necessarily have much long-term impact on the characters. On the other hand, the series has shown enough steady improvement that I feel a newfound sense of excitement for what's coming up on the next alternate world.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Avengers Academy #36 Review

Avengers Academy doesn't have much time left on the stands. And Christos Gage doesn't seem to mind twisting the knife as readers prepare to bid farewell to this team. Of course, that's really a good thing, as issue #36 is host to all sorts of great character moments. It just hurts so good.

In this issue, the fractured team begins to come together again in order to combat Jeremy Briggs' attempt to de-power the world's superhumans. Many Academy members are forced to make fateful choices during the course of battle. No scene is more stirring than the one between Mettle and Haz-Mat. If you thought their material in issue #35 was tear-jerking, this issue raises the bar again. But Gage also has strong material in store for characters like Reptil, White Tiger, and X-23. Many of these characters have been severely down and out since Briggs launched his attack, and it's satisfying to see them cast aside teenage doubts and become full-fledged heroes again. My main complaint, as with last issue, is that it's disappointing to see Briggs degenerate into full-fledged villain mode. The character was much more enjoyable when readers were able to sympathize and even side with him and his grand plans.

Andrea Di Vito sticks around to render this issue. While it's a shame we couldn't have one, consistent artist for the entire arc (important as it is to the series as a whole), Di Vito fits in nicely with the general tone established by Tom Grummett and others. There are some fun metaphysical scenes involving characters like White Tiger and Reptil that allow Di Vito to branch out and deliver slightly more surreal imagery.

Much of this character building seems to lay the groundwork for future stories, which of course raises hope that maybe Gage won't be done with these characters just because the series is ending. No doubt there's still a wealth of material to explore in the coming weeks.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com