Robb Ghag reviews What If? AvX #2…
“The biggest event of 2012 is now the biggest miniseries of 2013! We all know what happened to the Avengers and the X-Men. but what if the story had gone differently? The one and only Jimmy Palmiotti brings his signature style to a mind-blowing reinterpretation of a key event in the history of the Marvel Universe. Featuring Magneto, Hope, and every Avenger and X-Man you can imagine!”
After the explosive conclusion to last issue, it was clear to me that this series was going to get bloody, and quickly. The best thing I love about a What If? series is that characters who you would think are a mainstay and indestructible are as expendable as any other character in the Marvel Universe.
Having said that, the death toll rises early on in the aftermath of Magneto’s actions, and both sides prepare for war. The cover from Jorge Molina depicts five Avengers: Nova, Vision, Thor, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther possessed by the Phoenix Force. This is clearly a nod to the original series where the Phoenix Five were created. But covers can be deceiving.
The encounter with Thor and the Phoenix is incredibly drawn from Molina, as is the majority of the book. Immediately in my mind when the two do battle is who would win between the God of Thunder and the unstoppable force?
Palmiotti again delivers a great storyline here, progressing forward to a point where you are left wondering, who’s “good”, who’s “evil” and most importantly, who’ll survive?
I’m anxiously anticipating the next issue of this four-issue story, as it brings back the classic What If? series that I grew up with. Unlike Exiles where reality hopping and the death of main characters were quickly brushed aside for other characters to take their place, this book is keeping us invested in this reality. Now whether the Phoenix will let this reality live – that is the question.
Robb Ghag works for an Arts & Entertainment Brokerage in Toronto Canada. An Animation and Film school graduate, he specializes in Risk Management of Animation and VFX studios throughout North America.
Originally published July 18, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
