Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #8 is taking some steps in the right direction as far as the story is concerned, and there are elements now in play that have me intrigued. This is the strongest issue I've read in the series so far, and I will be back for #9. I can see some interesting tie-ins being spawned from some of the events in this issue, and hopefully the upward trend continues for the event heading into the final issues. Read Full Review

Here's the thing about Axis as a whole -- it's a story that I truly do want to love. It's got Rick Remender telling his first event story, a slew of talented artists working with him, and the return of big X-Men baddie Apocalypse, an event he's been building to for years. It's got all the makings of a great comic book story, but issue after issue it falls short. There are sparks of good ideas that just never ignite into a satisfying story. Read Full Review

There's still one issue left in this event so there's time for this to have a really strong conclusion, but it may not be enough to make this story stand alongside recent events like Infinity or Battle of the Atom. This issue, much like the event itself lacks depth which is disappointing considering Remender's work and lead up to this story in Uncanny Avengers. I'll be back for the final installment, but I find myself waiting for this series to end, rather than waiting for the next issue. Read Full Review

Overall the issue reads as another disappointment in a full line of them on this ‘Axis' run. There was a lot of potential here to reshape some core characters and it increasingly looks as if the majority shall return to status quo as the event comes to a close. While the forward moving plot elements in this book were sound, they were too few and far between with poor writing to allow me to put a higher level review on the book. I'd love to see this event close with a bang but don't expect more more than a whimper as things go back to normal and everyone conveniently forgets the majority of actions that the X-Men and Avengers have committed. Read Full Review

I didn't expect to respond to Avengers & X-Men: AXIS #8. I know how, looking at my score and reading my review, you might find that laughable, but I'm being genuine. I came in expecting the mess that I had seen previous, and for the most part, got it, save for a consistent art team and a few choice character moments. Rick Remender is an interesting and engaging writer and I have faith that he can bring this year-end slugfest to a satisfying landing, but these middle issues have been just that; middling. This doesn't bode well for Secret Wars. Read Full Review

Avengers & X-Men: Axis #8 is one long extended fight with a contrived and rushed as hell plot. As this event nears the end, I can only shake my head in disappointment and wonder what could have been for this story. It's been such an underwhelming and lackluster experience that with the last issue coming, I have serious doubts this series will end in a remotely satisfying manner. We'll find out next time I suppose. Read Full Review

"Avengers & X-Men: AXIS" #8 delivers a story that contains a war of inches and millimeters, not one of major battles and tide-turning confrontations. The sides may not be completely identifiable (like Absorbing Man beating the heck out of anyone and everyone within reach simply because he can) but most of the players have indicated at least moderate allegiance to other parties. Although the issue has some fun artistic moments, it doesn't do much to move the story along. Read Full Review

We've got too many characters trading punches interchangably with one another, and it's ultimately too frenetic to be satisfying. Read Full Review

Let's face it, the weaknesses of the plot structure and timing of the story beats are really coming to the fore. The series overall might have some fun moments, and the concept is worthy of exploration, but even if overall the series ends up as B, this issue contains all the disappointing bits. It's rushed, overcrowded, poorly timed, inconsistent, saved by some wonderful art. Read Full Review

Rather than build on the rich mythology Remender has crafted over his tenure at Marvel, he clumsily walks from one retcon to the next, cleaning house for whatever Marvel needs for its next movie phase. Straight up, I don't know what this book is about even though I write 2,000 words about each issue per week. Read Full Review

I just want this to be over already. Just one more issue.