The battle lines are blurring.
IvX started out on a strong note but took a fairly steep dive in issues #3 and 4. That had as much to do with the change in artist as the progressively more sluggish pace. Issue #5 addresses the latter complaint, at least. The conflict between mutants and Inhumans is heating up again as Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire gear up for their grand finale.
The plot basically stalled out in the previous two chapters, with the X-Men sweeping the major Inhumans off the board and then stalling in their attempts to destroy the last remaining Terrigen cloud. Finally, things seem to be clicking back into place as the Inhumans launch their counterattack and the X-Men are suddenly on the defensive. This issue includes several terrific confrontations, including Havok staring down Medusa and Fantomex trading blows with Karnak inside the surreal landscape of The World. But easily the best showdown involves the brutal clash between Colossus and Gorgon. Too many writers seem to forget that Colossus can be funny, preferring to paint him as an eternally morose mutant who loves to wallow in his own suffering. Hopefully this issue will inspire Colossus' characterization in X-Men Gold.
The greatest strength of this series, and the one that helps set it apart from Civil War II, Avengers vs. X-Men and all the other "hero vs. hero" comics in recent years, is the fact that it devotes so much effort to exploring both sides of the conflict. Neither team is really the villain here, and both have their valid reasons for fighting. Issue #5 doubles down on the evenhanded treatment as the battle lines begin to blur even further. Now we see characters switching sides and Inhumans joining the desperate race to avert mutant extinction. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Marvel's post-Civil War II status quo involves the disillusionment younger heroes are feeling with their older colleagues. IvX seems poised to further fuel that ideological rift, as heroes like Moon Girl and Cyclops focus on saving the mutant race while their older comrades do nothing but fight.
Unfortunately, the series still hasn't recaptured the visual appeal of the first two issues. Javier Garron is a strange choice to follow up Leinil Yu, as his clean, vaguely cartoonish style is a far cry from Yu's detailed, gritty approach. Garron still has his moments, particularly as he explores the mind-bending fight unfolding inside The World. But his facial work tends to be pretty wonky, which really works against some of the key scenes in this issue. Characters don't seem to emote so much as they're dealing with dislocated jaws. Luckily, Yu will be back to bring the story home in March.
The Verdict
IvX is building momentum again as the big finale looms. While the series is still lacking a certain visual punch without Leinil Yu at the helm, the plot receives a major adrenaline boost in this issue. Between several enjoyable character confrontations and a heavy focus on shifting alliances, this issue takes full advantage of the complicated relationship between the two teams.
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