We’ve experienced the hype. We’ve suffered through all the debates and discussions about what the event is all about. We’ve read issues #0 and #1 of Avengers vs. X-Men (if you haven’t, be warned — here be SPOILERS). The war has officially begun and here’s what I think about what’s happened so far.

The Scarlet Witch Goes Solo

She’s back and she’s fighting crime again. It’s been years since Disassembled and Decimation, and I for one was looking forward to the day she comes back to face an army of angry mutants and a team of superheroes she ripped to shreds. I’m one of those people who hoped that she wouldn’t be killed off because it’s more fun if someone who royally screwed a bunch of super people hangs around to face the consequences of said royal screwing.

Aside from ruining M.O.D.O.K.’s day in Avengers vs. X-Men #0, Wanda also does one thing that I’ve been waiting for her to do since she indirectly disbanded the Avengers years ago — visit the new Avengers Mansion. While this Scarlet Witch story doesn’t have an obvious connection to AvX, I really enjoyed the awkward confrontation between Wanda and the Avengers, particularly her synthezoid husband who just came back from the dead.

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Along with the main Avengers vs. X-Men mini-series, there’s going to be a tie-in series that may not really be essential to the story but it’s going to be essential for those of us who love violence. AVX: Versus will feature two fights in every issue and I can’t tell you how much I love this idea.

This is the stuff that sets forum boards aflame. Who’s going to win in a fight between Iron Man and Magneto? How about Namor and the Thing? Forget the main story. Forget the introspective view of secondary characters as seen in previous event tie-in series. This tie-in series is all about the fights and man, I am pumped! Here are some of the bouts I would love to see aside from the announced Iron Man vs. Magneto and Namor vs. Thing smackdowns:

1. Captain America vs. Cyclops

There’s a good chance that these two opposing generals will come to blows at some point during Avengers vs. X-Men and they’ll probably talk a lot while doing it. But I still want to see an entire half of a comic book dedicated only to these two leaders exchanging punches and hurtful words.

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Avengers vs. X-Men. AVENGERS. VERSUS. X-MEN. I don’t know about you but those three words are tickling my soul right now. I love the interaction between the two teams in Avengers: Children’s Crusade even if they didn’t actually get into an all out brawl. Just the promise of these two teams who have gone through hell in the past few years coming to blows is enough to feed the comic book violence monster in me. But this? THIS? A 12-issue event that actually promises a fight between the teams in its own title? This is perfection.

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X-Men: Schism is over and the mutants have chosen sides. Now the X-Men are back in school as X-Men: Regenesis kicks into high gear with Wolverine and the X-Men #1. The most endearing thing about the X-Men is the element of mutant teenagers going to mutant school to learn about stuff but mostly to fight off whoever’s attacking the school on a regular basis. For a few years we were stuck reading about an island full of mutants but now the X-Men are back in Westchester and this time, things are a little different. Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters is no more. Welcome to the brand new Jean Grey School for Higher Learning!

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X-Men: Schism, the 5-issue mini-series designed to break the X-Men in two, has just wrapped up and what a ride it’s been. It’s one of the best X-Men stories I’ve ever read for a lot of reasons. It’s a story with Sentinels, psychotic kids and a brutal fight between Cyclops and Wolverine. Writer Jason Aaron has crafted a story that new readers can appreciate and long time X-Men fans will totally eat up. Unlike some of the “events” forced upon us, this actually feels like an event with relevant repercussions.

I’ve compiled 10 moments from X-Men: Schism that make this mini-series so unforgettable. Major spoilers ahead, bros.

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