This is disappointing conclusion to a disappointing crossover.  I don’t think this storyline is gratuitous, because given the status quo of the Marvel Universe, it was highly likely that the X-Men would come into conflict with the Dark Avengers, but the story could have been so much better than this.  Fraction has had pacing problems from the beginning; every issue before the conclusion was too slow, and now the ending is too quick.  This conclusion could easily have run two issues with the action ebbing and flowing, and the advantage passing from one side to the other.  As it is, we only see bits and pieces of what had to have been a wider war.  Moonstone appears in action in only one panel, for instance.  I appreciate that Fraction is building on Cyclops’ character, showing that he’s not just a boy scout, but a master strategist as well, but in any war strategies tend to go awry.  The unexpected happens.  It would have been more realistic and interesting if Scott and Osborn had been shown to change strategies and alter tactics on the run.

            Fraction also makes some dubious plot choices.  I understand that Moonstar becomes an uber-Valkyrie, but can a small portion of Hel’s power take down the Greek God of War?  This development seems unlikely.  One would think that Hel’s opposite number in the Greek pantheon, Pluto, would have a struggle in a battle with Ares.  And why did Cyclops need help from the Norse Pantheon?  Is Ares immune to Pixie dust, or to a bolt of psychic energy from a mutant telepath?  After Ares was softened up by a psychic attack, Colossus, Warpath or Namor could have knocked him out for a while, at least.  If a Greek god is resistant to psychic attack, then show us.  That would have been new and interesting information. 

            Two X-Men have been substantially weakened by the end of this arc in a way that does not bode well for good stories in the future.  Moonstar has sold her soul to the devil, and there will literally be Hel to pay.  This development is similar to the predicament of Martyr in Guardians of the Galaxy.  Do we need to see the same plot device play out twice?  Emma has lost the use of her psychic powers because a piece of the Void is trapped in her mind.  (What does that mean, that a piece of schizophrenia has broken off in her brain?)  Now we are going to see the old story of “I’m a freak, trapped in this bizarre body.”  The same tired plot line has been playing out with the Thing and the Beast for decades.  It was also tried with Archangel before he discovered he could turn back into Angel.  And Emma was so great as she was!  I loved the bitch with a heart of gold or … uh … diamond.  Why change her?  Emma as she was had the potential for many more good stories.

            The art from Deodato and the Dodsons is excellent as usual.  Dodson in particular puts looks of depression and hope on the Sentry’s face that are quite touching.