The X-Men and Eternals face their greatest threat in Marvel Comics' Judgment Day

If there’s any real novelty in the world of superhero comics these days, it’s one big summer crossover event that feels more like a pieced adventure than sensory overload. And with AX: Judgment dayI’m officially itching to get a new issue.

We knew the A, X, and E in the title represented a battle between the Avengers, the X-Men, and the Eternals, and AX: Judgment day #1 launched the triple strike of kaiju-sized Eternals attacking Krakoa, the full power of the Uni-Mind psychically crushing the mutant leadership, and Thanos’ grandfather (presumably) single-handedly decimating the mutant population on Mars.

But if AX: Judgment day #2 says the superheroes might be worried about something bigger: banding together to fight God. Based on my own research, God is usually pretty vulnerable with a team of very good teenage friends, so at least the X-Men should be fine.

What else is happening on the pages of our favorite comics? We’ll tell you. Welcome to Monday Funnies, Polygon’s weekly list of books our comics editor has enjoyed over the past week. (In this case, our comics editor has been on the road for a while, so these are from the last few weeks!) They’re part superhero life society pages, part recommended reading, part “check out this cool art”. There may be some spoilers. There may not be enough context. But there will be great comics. (And if you missed the last issue, read this.)

AX: Judgment day #2 ends when the Avengers and the Eternals successfully create a new Celestial, the only thing that can tell the rest of the Eternals to stop killing all the mutants. Unfortunately, the new Celestial has a monkey paw, and the paw has a thumb.

By that I mean it does order all Eternals to stop. But it also immediately begins doing what Celestials are most famous for: judging. All of humanity – humans, Eternals and Mutants alike – has 24 hours to prove they are more righteous than evil or they will be destroyed.

And of course, the story that begins with the battle of the heroes quickly develops into a team-up is as old as time. But writer Kieron Gillen keeps the stakes clear and present, and artist Valerio Schiti provides the huge visuals. Just because a story is old doesn’t mean it can’t be done well.

X Men Red becomes a “What mic drop moment did Magneto have This Month?” Book. That’s a compliment.

After a death-bluff mid-issue, it’s revealed that a mutant made of bugs managed to keep a few allies alive, even after Magneto’s heart was ripped out of his chest. The stakes of the next edition are Magneto against the force that appears having destroyed almost all mutant life on Mars – and Magneto vs Genocide is always a sight to behold.

I was very happy to hear that G. Willow Wilson and Marcio Takara Poisonous Ivy has been extended for another six issues because I think this is a real cracker of a botanical goth queer rage comic that does both Hannibal and destruction vibrations. And it also has the above panel which will serve as a great blog background for several people I know.

With a great BROOM and a WHOOOOMMP! The Defenders are drawn into the Neutral Zone in Defenders: Beyond #1 (2022), in a double-page spread of comic panels that shatter and spin into a whirlpool.

Perhaps the best looking comic of 2021 was that of Al Ewing and Javier Rodríguez defenderand it’s nice to see the team coming back for a sequel – especially with Ewing low-key, making it a reunion for the cast of its hugely underrated ones ultimatums Series.

Mary Marvel screams as a brown rabbit leaps out of her purse to gleefully tell her,

They love to see creators working on their favorite lesser-known characters, and Mary Bromfield’s (formerly Mary Marvel) new star as a superhero named Shazam is just that for artist Doc Shaner. He also draws a Yes, really great talking rabbit.

Marvel is new predator series is kinda… prey but in space? A teenage girl and spaceship AI friend search the galaxy for the three-clawed Predator that killed her parents, and she struggles not to become the terror she hunts for the aliens she encounters. It is a Great Concept.

Maybe it’s just because I’m a ’90s kid and a Batman fanatic, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Jean-Paul Valley and his middle-class alter ego, Azrael. Which is another way of saying that I’ve waited three decades for someone to come along and make him more than a “Catholic Moon Knight”. Writer Dan Watters and artist Nikola Čižmešija piqued my interest in their first issue by revealing, among other things, what Tumblr would call the “biblically correct Angel Azrael.” these rules.

I’m finding it difficult to generate much interest in Spider-Man’s core books right now, but I’m not immune to pulling Doctor Octopus’ arms like a frightened dog just wanting Spider-Man to help his captive master. That’s so stupid and good.

A blond man in a wrestling uniform and hoodie stands over a table strewn with papers, whiskey glasses, cigarettes and a luchador mask in Do a Powerbomb #2 (2022).

I thought I couldn’t be on board for Daniel Warren Johnson’s anymore Make a power bomb, a comic about professional wrestlers who are drawn into a supernatural tournament where the prize is resuscitating a loved one. Then issue two revealed that the masked wrestler who slipped and accidentally killed the hero’s mother is… HER SAMELY TRAUMATED FATHER. The drama.