Agents of Shield was definitely beginning to blaze a trail that would have made a firm example for the television series. Although I'm sad to see the comic series go, I'm sure we'll see more of SHIELD in the future, as it as had a firm presence in the MU whether or not it has a dedicated SHIELD-centric title in publication. Given more issues, I'm sure this series would have grown to be a fan favorite with some awesome cameos, and tie-ins and stronger connection to the greater MU.

This issue made me ponder the post dark reign Mighy Avengers volume and the story of the redacted inhuman king "unspoken". This story introduced the Xerogen crystals, which could pose a strategic weapon for either the Inhumans or non-inhuman community going forward.

A small note about the art, Mark Bagley really did a good job of capturing the expressive emotion on the team's faces in this issue. Apart from that though, there was a moment where I assume Bobby experiences his first kiss, where his ice form shatters away. Not sure if this was intentional but it seemed artistically to be a symbolic flourish, for “breaking ice” between the two warring super species.. kudos. I'm sure it's no mistake that Bobby's boyfriend is named Romeo, and obvious wink to Romeo and Juliet. Another strong tie-in to an already awesome core event.

In Magneto's Memory-Scape we see him as Xorn which I assume we are led to believe is either first-hand memory or his recalled observation of the event. Given Xorn's recent resurgence I expect that this will be cleared up soon.

Although it's too early to definitely say where Assassin's Creed #1 falls in this respect, I am of the opinion that they have set up the groundwork well with a very human and relatable protagonist, and a fresh new ecosystem within the franchise. I look forward to reading more.

The art was beautiful, I've slowly grown to appreciate Kubert's art, although at times his faces and limbs look really stretched, that's a minor complaint on my part. The colors were very vivid and overall the epic nature of the battle and the dour ambiance of Genosha was captured very well.

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.

Overall I was expecting more from this title launch, that said, I have no doubt Coates will in time turn out a vibrant and fresh take on the series, he is a seasoned writer, and aside from this open to feedback. In the letters section at the back there was a section asking for response from the readers. I can only interpret this as an active inspiration from this liberated engaged and involved new Wakanda emerging on the horizon.

The visuals continue to carry the story in their own way. Seeing the capital cities of the Blue and the Iron was not only breathtaking, they really accentuate the politics of place. Stark's Resilient Alpha (a city we've seen a variant of before) is a sprawling technological utopia. This gilded empire matches the bureaucratic and ambitious nature of Stark's politics and perhaps his approach to the super-human question.big, imposing, and intricate. The capital of the Blue "Liberation" is a mountain side refuge, complete with a sweet Cap Shield Motif. A majestic unassuming refugeremote and protected. Seeing the nerve centre of both factions really anchors each ideology and gives them a sense of importance and place on par with the Inhumans' Attilan or Namor's Atlantis. I'm seriously dying to see Blue and Iron variants of Hellicarriers next.

A classic X-Villain rears his head at the end of this issue and I thrilled to bits about it.

I am patiently awaiting to see what Mr Sinister is up to. The character was written with so much finesse, under Kieron's Gillen's pen, and the finale of his run set up his intrigue so perfectly. The Sinister / Scott Summer's conflict really hit its peak there , as Sinisterbecame the Red Skull of sorts to Summers' Steve rogers, perfect rivals. Now with the elder Scott Summer's allegedly dead, and mutants on the fast track to extinction, Sinister is no doubt bound to exact some extreme measures to procure and exploit what can be considered is favourite raw (and limited) resource, mutantkind. I had my reservations initially but I can say honestly I am very hooked by this new status quo with the added benefit of the tone hearkening back to that traditional X-Book feel and sentiment that I have missed.

Extraordinary X-Men #17 as well as the previous issue do a great job of framing the moral and practical reasoning for why this faction is jumping into the fight against the Inhumans, it was a heartfelt issue that took a tone and style that is quite rare. The art somehow felt very personal as well, There were some shots of Maya that were reminiscent of Frank Quietly's art which I enjoyed and some vignette's of Storm's life that had a very tributary feel to it. Extraordinary X-Men #17 a must read for anyone wanting to take a quick glimpse into the X-Men's side of the upcoming war from a moral standpoint.

Shawn Crystal's art was a pleasure, to my knowledge this is the first time I am seeing it. He does a good job capturing some really menacing expressions from the Hood, who's power set also lends itself well to some creative artistic expression. No matter what power set or demon Hood has sold himself out to at a given time (norn stones or being pimped out to Dormammu) Hood has always had some interesting artistic effects to showcase his power set, this issue was no exception in that regard. Crystal also had some fun dragon effects when Iron Fist was fighting Titania that was really fun to see.

Admittedly I rolled my eyes at the prospect of another superhero conflict, but I must say I am now hooked and eagerly awaiting the next volume if the plotting and themes are as smart and organic as IvX #0 suggests then I think we're in for a fun ride. Doubly so considering the Ressurexion event that is on the horizon.

For now, I am very happy that the story is offering or at least speculating at alternative hypothesis. It brings a level of refreshing honesty to the conflict and a caveat for approaching most conflicts in general, it is really nice to have that here.

If you enjoyed this title I strongly recommend reading other works under Hickman's pen, such as his run on the Fantastic Fouror Secret Warriors which brought back Leonardo Da Vinci, and his work on Avengers and Infinity. Hickman's stories are carefully constructed plots that are well organized, and filled with wonder, additionally they feel like pieces of a puzzle revealing a greater landscape. No other writer in my opinion has executed their vision as sophisticated as Hickman's they are artistic products of wonder and imagination that have really fleshed out the marvel universe, I'm happy to have been along for the ride, delay notwithstanding.

Esad Ribic's exotic landscapes are the perfect complement to the uniqueness of battleworld, I am reminded of his artwork depicting the world from the Uncanny X-Force series, that said my one long standing gripe with his work are his isomorphic facial depictions, they tend to look very uniform.

Esad Ribic‘s art continues to dazzle me. The panel where Doom goes to his watch room to observe the battle of our interloping heroes/villians were just breathtaking. I have been a critic of Ribic's art in the past but this issue made me feel as though I am seeing his art in its full splendour for the first time. I wish he always drew this way. After a cautious and curious exploration of this event, I can say I am really hookedimpatiently awaiting the next issue.

There's an underlying theme of knowledge seeking vs heresy, in this issue that really fleshes out the mythos and intrigue of Secret Wars. Again I am reminded other idyllic utopias showcased in the Marvel U that crumbled so quickly with a small inquiry into the truth of matters. Although at times convoluted and a bit dense narrative wise you can really tell that secret wars has been a labor of love for Hickman. I can't help but respect that, and personally it fuels my own interest as well. The house of cards is slowly beginning to crumble and I am anxiously awaiting to see how this chapter ends, and shapes the future of the new Marvel Universe we have gotten glimpses of already.

We get more insight into the mythos of Battleworld when Sue tells Franklin his bedtime story. Sue tells of a modified fantastic four origin, where the Human Torch was sacrificed to become the sun of Battleworld. And The thing was made into the massive shield that keeps the dead away from the rest of Battleworld. It is a very touching story highlighting the heroism of both characters featured, however it raises some interesting questions.

I am quite hit or miss when it come to Salvador Larocca‘s art, mainly for the reason that a lot of his female characters seem so cookie cutter. That's just another minor gripe though.

I was a bit iffy on Kris Anka's art but it's slowly winning me over. There's almost a Bachalo-esque vibe to it, quirky andenjoyable.

The art was very expressive, and it was nice that Bendis got to showcase work with most of the artists he admires (as his own admission). The emotional tone of the issue was matched with the facial expressions, and the otherworldly art of Frazer Irving really punctuated the creepy (at least to me) encounter between Eva and Beast perfectly. Overall and by endpoint standards, this issue was sub-par, more could have been done to tie up loose ends and offer some intrigue for the transition going forward. Though I applaud Bendis for handling this new mandate with its bold status-quo, I am ultimately left feeling relief that the creative guard is changing.

In my opinion Uncanny X-Men is still finding its legs and I am still waiting to see what qualifies this take on the team as a "flagship" X-Title. Nevertheless the story is intriguing enough to keep me curious. To be 100% honest however I would be happier if the artistic direction changed for the better.

All things considered It seems I have adjusted somewhat to Lands art, either that or this particular issue wasnt as overtly offensive as issues past. I found it less noxious as a result. There were some nice touches that I feel wereworthy of note, I loved the neat effects that Magneto and Psylocke had while using their powers. The Butterfly telepathic effect is a time honoured effect but its use typically depends on the whims of the artist. In this issue Magnetos gauntlets and boots had some glowing details that were really cool and made him feel more menacing.

Uncanny X-Men #15 feels like a return to form and a refreshing promise given the familiar yet daunting landscape are X-Men find themselves in. Most importantly this was a return to storytelling that works for the franchise. Again I'm very blas on Greg Land‘s art, but that's yet another old story.

The experiment showcased in Unfollow would never gain ethics approval in the real world, but I am more than happy to explore it in a fictional setting. I am hooked and cannot wait for the next issue to come out.

Seeing Trinary with the team's pet sentinel gave me goosebumps and I couldn't pin down why until I had a mental flashback to Avengers Arena (The Arcade's hunger games themed murder fest of young heroes) Apex (the murderous technopath bears a striking similarity to Trinary, and it would be devastatingly delicious plot twist if there was some connection between the two, or if Cassandra made her an unwitting pawn as well