Marvel’s big summer event is gearing up and officially starts with A.X.E.: Eve of Judgement #1, a “zero issue” in a way that gets readers caught up on what’s going on. The event will pit the Eternals against the X-Men with the Avengers caught in-between.
A.X.E.: Eve of Judgement #1 is rather interesting as it focuses completely on the Eternals. We’re taken through their rather complicated factions and history, setting up the conflict to come. We’re introduced to a people whose role has been recently shaken but whose views still seem rather black and white.
Druig is now the Prime Eternal, guiding his people towards the future. He still sees their role as protecting the planet from deviation. What greater deviation is there than mutants who can live forever? For that, they must be exterminated. No debate. No real reason why. It just is. Make it so.
Writer Kieron Gillen takes us through the various groups and individuals all jockeying in an opening that feels almost Shakespearean in its duplicitousness. Secrets feel like they’re part of the every day when it comes to the Eternals with each individual set in their role and view of what must be done. There’s something rather classic in how “right” they feel they are. Maneuvering has already begun by so many of them as they plot the Eternals’ and world’s future. At no point is the case really made that Druig is right in his view. It feels like Gillen has planted the flag as to who is right and who is wrong in the conflict to come.
The art by Pasqual Ferry is a bit mixed. While overall it’s nice, there’s some very noticeable head scratching moments. A character is on the left and then suddenly on the right, then back on the left with no explanation. It’s jarring. Eyes feel like they’re bulging out of a head. There’s small details with Ferry’s work that add up. Dean White handles the colors which are used well as the settings change around and Clayton Cowles lettering adds dramatic flair at the right times.
A.X.E.: Eve of Judgement #1 is an interesting opening. It leaves no room to debate who is right and who is wrong. It treats the action Druig takes so nonchalantly as to make it feel like it’s not a big deal. It just kind of is. Maybe with what’s to come in the first issue it’ll flow a bit better but as presented, the comic doesn’t get me excited for what’s to come, it sets up what feels like a rather predictable narrative to fill our summer months.
Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Pasqual Ferry
Color: Dean White Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.4 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy
