“Are we back here again?” – Scott Summers

déjà vu…the watch word for AXIS #3.

Issue# 3 of AXIS closes out the first arc of the event, bringing the story to an interesting break  and mini conclusion. The first thing that popped out at me about this issue  is the presence of so many connecting threads that go back to pivotal stories in the Marvel U. This comes with a caveat I will explain shortly. Although this has been a  consistent element since the first issue it’s much more prominent in this one. I’m really starting to see that thematically AXIS is not just a story about heroes and villains, it’s also a hub for a great deal of Marvel’s past stories.

Dedicated and eagle eyed readers will catch plot call backs from Doom and Wanda’s confrontation (Avengers: The Children’s Crusade)  as well as Genesis and Deadpool’s reunion (Uncanny X-Force Vol. 2)  as I’ve mentioned before I’m a sucker for continuity, so seeing these elements is not only enjoyable it reflects the author’s attention to detail and care for the characters. That said I do have some reservations. A lot of the plotting and story structure seems rehashed irrespective of this.  The greatest sin that AXIS #3 commits is reinventing the wheel so to speak (pun intended)

Given what Wanda has went through with Dr. Doom, (House of M /The Children’s Crusade) I find it highly suspect that she would risk performing Magic with him ever again. Additionally if a spell from Wanda going awry becomes the an enduring trope once more, I’ll have to let out a justified groan. The poor girl needs a break she’s earned it. The past keeps coming back  story structure wise, I can’t help but feel a sense of ennui. Like Scott said, we are back to familiar territory. The use of villains to save the day was very  much reminiscent of  the superhuman civil war. And the renewed conflict between the Avengers and X-men was very AVX.  That said I don’t want to throw the baby out with bathwater. There are some interesting developments worthy of mention. Evan Sabah Nur’s  inversion is definitely a new wrinkle in his story and builds upon years of foreshadowing. And Havok’s resignation as co-leader of the Avengers Unity Squad was huge.

In an earlier review I questioned Captains America’s choice of Havok as the leader of the team. This seemed to make him the “Uncle Tom” of Mutants in some respect. It appears he has come to his own similar conclusions in this issue and asserts himself in a manner we rarely see from him. The X-Men  in general appear to be headed in a new direction and I’m excited to see what follows next. Witnessing Evan usher in the genesis (apocalypse?) for this new X-era was particularly poignant and foreboding.

Overall the issue was good…good but familiar. I’m excited to see the new landscape that AXIS will carve but right now the story telling feels a bit formulaic. The art was very reflective of the story, and depicted the chaotic nature of the battle quite well.

Story: Rick Remender Art: Leinil Francis Yu
Story: 6 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read