What We Know About Avengers vs. X-Men

Marvel first began teasing its big event storyline for 2012 when it released the "It's Coming" teaser in October. And today, on the eve of a live conference that will officially unveil this storyline, Marvel revealed more about the project. The event is called Avengers vs. X-Men, and it pits both teams against each other as the Phoenix Force makes its way to Earth.

Unlike Fear Itself, which was largely an enigma when first announced, we already know a fair bit of details about Avengers vs. X-Men and what it involves. As we wait for the live event tomorrow, we've decided to explore everything we know about the event, and many more things that can be pieced together from past Marvel storylines.

Many fans guessed this when Marvel released the "It's Coming" teaser around NYCC. Now we know for sure that the Phoenix Force is back and threatening the entire Marvel Universe. A member of the Nova Corps (who may or may not be the returned Richard Rider) was seen fleeing the Phoenix in Point One and desperately seeking to warn Earth's heroes.

The Phoenix Force has been used for both good and evil in past storylines. By attaching itself to Jean Grey, it first eliminated the threat of Emperor D'Ken and the M'Kraan Crystal, but then destroyed an entire solar system and wiped out billions of lives. The Phoenix Force has returned sporadically over the years, both attached to Jean and independently.

From what Marvel has revealed thus far, it appears that Phoenix is headed for Earth looking for a new host. All signs point to that host being Hope Summers. This mysterious mutant first appeared on the scene during the Messiah Complex crossover, where she emerged as the first mutant born since M-Day. Now Hope is grown up and fighting alongside the X-Men. Physically, Hope closely resembles Jean Grey, but her mutant ability instead allows her to mimic the powers of other nearby mutants. The time may have finally come to learn what Hope's connection to the Phoenix Force and Jean Grey is.

Her presence is what causes the fallout between the Avengers and X-Men; Cyclops and his teammates want to safeguard Hope, while Captain America and the Avengers want to use her to safeguard the planet from the Phoenix. That's the initial thrust of Avengers vs. X-Men.



Hope was born to an ordinary couple in Alaska. Her appearance, however, has led fans to speculate that she's either the reincarnation of Jean Grey or somehow connected to the Grey and Summers families. Cable acted as her surrogate father all through Hope's childhood. But is he related by blood as well?

Whatever happens, expect a major focus on the entire family in Avengers vs. X-Men. Cyclops will lead the X-Men in battle. Cable is set to return shortly in the pages of Avengers: X-Sanction. His return is a harbinger of greater challenges to come, and it's likely he'll play a large role in Avengers vs. X-Men too. Rachel Grey also recently returned to Earth, and this former Phoenix host may have her own part to play.


One of the central questions surrounding the storyline right now is whether the return of Phoenix also means the return of Jean Grey. Jean was the original host for the Phoenix Force, and it led her to both save the galaxy and destroy an entire solar system. Jean died at the climax of Grant Morrison's New X-Men even as her Phoenix powers were resurfacing. Despite her legendary talent for returning from the dead, she's remained largely out of the picture ever since.

But death and rebirth is the name of the game in superhero comics, and particularly in any story involving the Phoenix Force. The question has always been when Jean will return, not if. Perhaps Avengers vs. X-Men will bring about her latest rebirth.



Conceptually, Avengers vs. X-Men sounds similar to Civil War, in that Earth's heroes are forced to choose sides in a conflict both physical and philosophical. However, despite the name, we're not expecting the battle lines to be quite so firmly drawn. It stands to reason there will be members of both teams who battle against the grain.

For one thing, there are currently members of the X-Men on various Avengers squads. Wolverine has been with the team for years. Beast has been serving on the Secret Avengers since the beginning of the Heroic Age. Storm only recently joined the newest roster of Avengers, and somehow we doubt the timing was mere coincidence. These characters will be forced to choose which side they support.

It's also worth noting that the X-Men themselves are now divided. Following the events of Schism, Cyclops and Wolverine now lead two independent teams on opposite sides of the country. The new teaser image released today showcases Cyclops' faction as well as Beast and Wolverine, but both these latter characters seem to be battling alongside the Avengers. Will the rest of Wolverine's team join the fray, and will they follow his example?

What else do we know? Continue on to Page 2!