Avengers: X-Sanction – Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuiness
Avengers: X-Sanction – Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuiness (Marvel / Panini)
Imagine standing on a cliff edge, knowing that if you jump, there’s a good chance that you’ll land in the sea, and that the moments between jumping and entering the water are some of the most exciting that you’ll ever experience, and that if you walk away, it’ll jus be another point in your life, a short blip in time, on that you probably won’t even remember in a couple of weeks time. That’s how, after reading it, I feel about ‘X-Sanction’. On the one hand, it sets the scene for Marvel’s latest, and according to reviews, greatest major event, ‘Avengers Versus X-Men’, as Cable hunts down and attempts to punish The Avengers for something that they haven’t yet done, but will do, something very, very bad, which puts the entire future at risk. Something that involves Cable’s daughter, Hope. Something that Cable, rapidly succumbing to the Techno-Virus that always been a part of him, is determined to stop before he does. Stop, that is, or if you prefer it in more simple terms, before he dies. Oh, and I’m well aware that I’m using the word ‘something’ a little too much, but as this is a spoiler free zone kids, sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Still with me? Good. As I said, as a skirmish that leads into a full blown battle, it’s a great book, and who doesn’t want to see a tooled up Cable going toe-to-toe with Captain America? That’s one of those dream fights that you discuss at length over a pint or five. So, yeah, in the seconds between cliff and water, ‘X-Sanction’ is damn fine read, but when it comes to the eventual stroll, there’s not really enough to maintain the casual readers interest. The story, due to the nature, of the book is little light, and the flitting between time lines can be a little confusing, and if you have no intention of rabidly devouring ‘Avengers Versus X-Men’, then maybe you should walk away, as there’s nothing for you here. If, however, like me, you can’t wait to see Marvel’s premier teams beat the living hell out of each other, then kids, ‘X-Sanction’ is essential reading. What are you waiting for? There’s a war on it’s way… Tim Mass Movement
