Avengers & X-Men: Axis has been an enjoyable read so far. This issue was a bit slower than the others, but its setting up the major events to come later in the series. Rick Remender is a writer you should have faith in, because he always seems to deliver when he needs to. The pencils by Yu have done wonders for his two issue stint and have added great depth to an already good story. This is an event that continues to get better with each issue. Read Full Review

So in conclusion this felt like more of a filler issue. We had a huge spotlight on the heroes of the story who are all turning into villains but not much of a look at the villains turning to heroes. At least, not the interesting ones. While I truly dug the X-Men portion of this as it was showing a new rising of Apocalypse, the Avengers story arc was dull and the big reveal at the end didn't do much for me. I highly suspect it will be related to characters we didn't see on page this month. Speaking of not on page this month there weren't that many tie-ins being released and as this entire arc has felt fleshed out properly with the tie-ins, I really felt that it lacked on substance. A major event shouldn't have to rely so heavily on tie-ins to work for Marvel and if it weren't for the inclusion of Evan as Apocalypse this would have had a much lower score. Read Full Review

Avengers & X-Men: Axis #4 seems to be continuing the slight increase in quality for the book, with improved writing and a story finally emerging from the wreckage. However, what story is emerging or has been seen so far, feels rather tired with the heroes being villains/jerks. There are some interesting ideas and twists with it mind you, but Remender is going to have to pull out some more stops if this event is to truly shine. Read Full Review

The Bottom Line: Some things are allowed to breathe, like giving characters time to show off their new-found selfishness, while other things are presented as-given, such as high-heeled bikini models on the baseball field ready to serve Iron Man champagne. It all proves once again that “Axis” is more interested in its high-concept than actually setting up or exploring the themes within it. Read Full Review

AXIS has a great core concept, but the devils in the details of making a truly great, memorable event. In this case: the details are muddled and indistinct and the emotional stakes simply arent there. To put it another way: I enjoy whats happening, but I dont like HOW its happening. The art is still a standout and the team does a great job communicating both tone and implying so much more, but the writing isnt sustaining an ongoing sense of interest and comings-and-goings of this issue in particular feel like they're happening because they must rather than should. Read Full Review

If you hadn't been reading this book because of bad early buzz or if you jumped off because of the extensively drawn out fight sequence through the first few issues, this might not be a bad jumping on point. The real plot seems to start here. Plus, we're now getting into some philosophical issues on nature v. nurture, whether people are inherently good or evil, or if it's the decisions they choose to make: things that are way too complicated to go into in a 400 word review. I don't know if Remender is actually going to get into those things during this book. He seems to be leaning heavily on the side of "nature," but it's impossible to not at least think about it while reading this. Read Full Review

But really, this is one of those stories where you just need to put your pre-conceived notions aside and let Remender do his thing. This is a big story where the villains start acting like heroes and the heroes start acting like villains. Embrace that idea and just run with it, and you've got a pretty cool (if fairly obvious) story. The Avengers are acting like jerks, and guys like Jarvis and the Hulk are struggling to accept it. Tony Stark and Carnage are on the loose, and those who weren't effected by the Inversion Spell are starting to figure out that something weird is going on. It's a simple concept, and hopefully it'll have an entertaining resolution. Read Full Review

Axis is reaching its mid-point and there are plenty of problems with the book. However, the ideas presented in this issue are good and could help to save this event. Unfortunately this issue is just another average issue. There isn't anything in here that is too memorable and there isn't anything in here that will make you cringe at the execution. It's mostly set-up for what's to come. This is an okay read but not worthy of the billing for this event. Read Full Review

After a rough three issues, AXIS is definitely taking a needed upturn in quality with this fourth issue - that said, it still has a long way to go. There's something about this premise that still feels wonky, which is not a good thing this far into the story. What it'll take for AXIS to succeed is right in that scene with Carnage - showing these heroes and villains actually taking some bold actions to define themselves into their new roles. (Just talking about killing isn't enough.) It's taken four issues, but now Rick Remender has effectively turned the playing field upside-down - now he just has to show us why it was worth it. Read Full Review

Nearly every recent Marvel crossover has had a dip in quality in the middle and this is no different. Here's hoping things tighten up. In Remender We Trust. Read Full Review

Overall this issue undoes all of the progression in writing quality seen since the start of the event, and the story feels as fractured as it did in issue one. Other than the formation of one united X-Men force and Iron Man's potentially interesting story this issue really doesn't have much to offer. Read Full Review

"AXIS" #4 fails to impress, taking a thin concept and coating it with half-finished extensions of its core. This is like the worst bits of "Secret Invasion," "Fear Itself" and "Avengers vs. X-Men" thrown together without any heart in the story, which is especially troublesome considering the spectacular job Remender has done with other books and stories. Some of Remender's previous work had a slower burn to them, eventually paying out and changing worlds, but "AXIS" seems remarkably temporary. It's hard not to imagine the end of this series portraying a bunch of characters sitting bolt upright, shaking their heads and saying, "I just had the strangest dream!" "AXIS" needs to make another turn, quickly, to give readers something to get excited about. Read Full Review

While this issue was more of a set up, it still kept me hooked for more.

I found this really interesting.

The best part of this issue was the little hint of Superior Iron Man in the middle. The rest was brought down by bad dialogue, and in the case of Kluh, just bad ideas.