In the last edition of Standard Deviations, we took a look at a set of variant covers for Marvel’s House of M series released in 2005. The Scarlet Witch was a central figure in that series as she will be in this year’s Avengers versus X-Men. Also central to AvX  is Hope Summers, the first mutant born since the Witch’s “no more mutants” curse. In the interest of equal time, this go around we’ll be taking a look the variant covers that shipped with 2007’s Messiah Complex, the story that introduced Hope to the Marvel Universe. The story stands as an important part of X-history and a who’s who of top artists turned in some beautiful cover artwork for the thirteen-part crossover.

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With just two months to go until the launch of the much hyped Avengers vs. X-Men event, the penultimate issue of Jeph Loeb’s prequel series, Avengers X-Sanction, hit stores this week. Pitting Cable against “Rulk” with the future of Hope Summers and mutantkind on the line, issue #3 delivers another knock-down-drag-out fight between the time traveling X-Man and one of Earth’s mightiest heroes. This issue also sees several new players join the fray in the last few pages, setting up a potential Cable versus everyone finalé for next month.

Spoilers for Avengers X-Sanction #3 will follow.

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The latest chapter in Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’ Avengers: X-Sanction series centering on the return of the X-Men’s Cable hit stores last Wednesday and it’s right in line with issue #1: lots of action, little explanation, and some confusing bits thrown in for good measure. It’s a book that’s gotten it’s fair share of publicity as well as criticism, and we’re back for a look at Avengers X-Sanction #2.

Spoilers for the issue and series that’s touted to lay the groundwork for this Summer’s Avengers vs. X-Men will follow.

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One of the highest profile books on the shelf this week is Marvel’s Avengers: X-Sanction #1 (it did have seven different covers after all). Originally teased as the return of the X-Men’s Cable back at Comic Con International in San Diego, Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’ X-Sanction has now been connected to next Summer’s Marvel blockbuster Avengers vs. X-Men. As a first issue, it was very straightforward even starring a character with a complicated history like Cable.

Spoilers for Avengers: X-Sanction #1 will follow.

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