A classic “face off” cover for this “vs. The Avengers” story.
With this issue, X-Statix became a “Marvel Knights” title, which theoretically means it’s more “mature.” Ironically, though, this is the sell-out storyline in which the team crossed over with The Avengers in order to try to save the low-selling title from cancellation.
It didn’t work.
Doop is kidnapped by Russian terrorists, and the team asks The Avengers to help rescue him. In the grand tradition of huge team-up stories, Doop’s brain explodes during the rescue—with six pieces scattered across the globe.
Captain America recognizes the awesome power of Doop and decides that his team should try to recover and safeguard the brain, and that X-Statix can’t be trusted.
And so we have another “break into small groups and go on a competitive scavenger hunt” story. I love these. The story is: X-Statix must race The Avengers around the globe to recapture the pieces of the brain. X-Statix wants to save Doop, The Avengers want to stop them from saving him because, apparently, Doop is really, really powerful. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.
Another of the more interesting battles has Dead Girl making Scarlet Witch see dead people.
It’s Mr. Sensitive vs. Iron Man in a naked fist fight.
After a bunch of fun issues, it ends with Thor vs. Doop.
It’s fun seeing that he’s actually worth to wield Thor’s hammer–even if it’s only for a second. Also: Doop can speak English!
During the final moments of the arc, Captain America relents and realizes that the team is trustworthy.
X-Statix returns to their base, with Doop, and ironically are insulted that The Avengers trusted them. They see themselves as a crazy, rag-tag bunch. They decide to break up.
That’s the cliffhanger. Next issue is the final issue.
To be continued? Yes. But just for one more issue. Too bad.