Just when you thought this battle couldn’t get any better, Jeff Lemire and Charles Soule  kick it up a notch. Vendettas, side missions, and unlikely alliances! Oh, my! The character count has increased to a seemingly maximum capacity, yet the story doesn’t go off the rails. There are a lot more players on the board but, the story doesn’t seem busy or overrun with chaos.

Leinil Francis Yu provides the art work and steps in along with Gerry Alanguilan to help on inks and David Curiel on colors. This issue is pretty and bright despite the bleakness of the situation at hand. There’s a sense of fun infused within the darkness that makes this an interesting read. The panels are filled with detail and a richness that adds and extra element to the story.

This issue lays out everyone’s ultimate motives and solidifies alliances. There’s a sense of tension in the air and a lot on intrigue. Emma is on the war path and her rage might just take down a truce. There’s also a lot of fighting in the midst of the talking and some rage filled (and rash) moments adding to the drama. The old guard on both sides, with a few exceptions, are at odds with the young ones who seem more into talking things out than going all out nuclear. Despite all of the drama inside this issues pages, there remains a sense of hope towards the end as the writers close out this arc. While there’s still some vengeance in the hearts of some members of each team, this issue ends on peace and sets up what’s to come in the future.

Story: Jeff Lemire and Charles Soule Art: Leinil Francis Yu and Gerry Alanguilan
Story: 9.4  Art: 9.1 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review