Archer & Armstrong Vol. 4: Sect Civil War

Finally a return to the Valiant Universe with another grand tale of Archer & Armstrong.  In this volume for half the book Archer & Armstrong are separated & going on separate paths until something from Armstrong's past is needed to right the wrongs of the present.  Again this volume shows how well Valiant Comics is at blending historical facts with their complex universe.  We get some history in this volume as to how the sects came about & how they are connected to Project Rising Spirit.  The Vine is also apparently apart of these sects as well imagine what they could do if they ever became truly unified.  Archer has his own motives in this book which is nice to finally see him step up for what he wants.  Mary-Maria's story has taken a dark turn in this story as she has taken over one of the sects.  Interestingly the Sect Civil War has nothing to do with Archer & Armstrong but is orchestrated by other outside forces.  Overall a nice read to jump back into the Valiant Universe.

Uncanny Avengers Omnibus

Spinning out of the Avengers vs. X-Men event that saw the phoenix force split into five parts only to be reunited in Cyclops by the end of the story.  The event also saw the death of Professor X & the return of previously dormant mutants coming to light around the world.  The majority of this series takes place in the mainstream Marvel Universe but feels like it stays out of the main events.  A new Avengers team has formed calling itself the Unity Squad.  A team of Havok brother of Cyclops, first Avenger Captain America, Thor Odinson, Wolverine the best there is, Rogue former villain & X-Men leader, Scarlet Witch destroyer of Avengers & X-Men, Wonder Man former Avenger now a pacifist, Sunfire hero of Japan & finally a second founding Avenger in the Wasp.  I really like some of the characterization in this book but I think the use of Red Skull as a main villain for this Avengers Unity Squad is kind of blah especially after what he does at the end of the first issue I wish this book had tide into the Original Sin event because the several of the issues seemed to fit so beautifully into that concept.  Most of this book is one long story arc involving three main villains the first being the Red Skull due to the events the have transpired in the opening issues of this title.  The second is villain is actually two individuals together as one the Apocalypse Twins who are themselves fighting against the Red Skull & the third villain of the story.  The third villain is really the big bad of the whole book & that is Kang the Conqueror.  This book does require prior knowledge of two previous events & one major series.  The first event that is the most important to this series is Avengers vs. X-Men & the White Event from the Warren Ellis New Universe story.  This series is a sequel to Rick Remender's Uncanny X-Force in which a Wolverine lead black ops unit kills a child Apocalypse & brings about the Dark Angel Saga which is required to fully enjoy this series.  I really liked the character relationships that have been created in this series as a whole though Wolverine's friendship of Rogue & caring for her reminds me of how he believed in her all the way back in X-Men: From the Ashes.  Rogues sister like relationship with Scarlet Witch.  The budding romances between Havok & Wasp or Wonder Man & Scarlet Witch.  I also liked part of the concept that came out of the annual in which Ghost Rider goes up against the Avengers & holds his own I would love to see an event were all of the Ghost Riders are turned against the Marvel Universe.  This series ends with Avengers & X-Men: Axis.  There was a lot to like about this series but for every like there was definitely something to dislike.