A.X.E.: Judgment Day #4
The heroes of Earth scramble to make everyone worry as Druig makes a final play for power in A.X.E.: Judgment Day #4, by writer Kieron Gillen, artist Valerio Schiti, colorist Marte Gracia, and letterer Clayton Cowles. Gillen and company keep the surprises coming in this issue, further cementing this story’s place as the best Marvel event in years.
As the Celestial judges the world, Starfox travels, enacting the plan made by him, Sersi, the Eternals, and the Avengers. Druig decides to use the Uni-Mind to make a final strike against Krakoa and assembles the Uni-Mind, a trap set by the renegade Eternals. As they force a new vote for Prime Eternal, Druig releases Uranos, who promised to help. However, Uranus calls him weak and unleashes death upon Earth, but he is challenged by Magneto and Storm, who use their power together to hold him back and help Iron Man create a machine to put all of his weapons back. Starfox tries to ask the Celestial for more time, but it makes its judgment.
A lot happens in this issue. Sometimes, that’s not a good thing in an event book. Not every writer is good enough to take this much plot and make it work like Gillen does. From the Celestial judging heroes to the Avengers and Eternals’ planning session and Starfox putting it in motion to the Uni-Mind to the fight against Uranos, it all works. It has breathing room and never feels rushed. Beyond that, it’s all so very interesting. Gillen knows how to make a story like this work, balancing plot elements, pacing everything well, and making it all intriguing.
There are some big moments in this book. The biggest is the end of the battle between Storm, Magneto, and Uranos. Sure, the Celestial’s judgment is a big deal, but that’s just something that’s part of the plot. Magneto’s end is much more important, and it remains to be seen how that will work out, especially for people who have been reading X-Men Red. It’s a perfect moment and gives this story stakes for X-Men fans that it hasn’t had so far.
Schiti and Gracia are brilliant. Magneto’s death scene is amazing. It’s a wonderful fusion of pencils, inks, and color. It captures the moment perfectly. There are little breathtaking details, and it demands scrutiny. Schiti and Gracia draw the best-looking Starfox ever as well. He’s never looked this seductive. All in all, there is so much beautiful art in this book.
A.X.E.: Judgment Day #4 is brilliant, and there’re no two ways about it. Gillen, Schiti, Gracia, and Cowles are doing excellent work. This event is the best in a long time, a treat for everyone who reads it.
