I'm sure the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver had good intentions for visiting Counter-Earth last issue, but the problem with visiting a world ruled by a supervillain is that at some point there's going to be some genocide. That's some fairly large stakes, which, as always, keeps the tension high and makes for some exciting reading in the vein of some classic underdog versus overwhelming force.
Thus, the stage is set for some big world-building, which is pretty much becoming a distinct trait for this writer. Rick Remender has done some similar semi-Apocalyptic dystopias with X-Force, Captain America, and, of course, with these very characters a couple of plots ago. It's also distinct in that they all feature themes involving tyranny, harmony, and, well, basically capital-L Life. On some basic level, the motivations of Apocalypse/Apocalypse Twins, Red Skull, and the High Evolutionary are all the same.
The thing that saves this from being too tropey and repetitive is the way it allows our characters to shine in the small scale by comparison. In this case, it's the still-soul-searching Sabretooth, the confused but determined Scarlet Witch, and our newish characters, Doctor Voodoo encountering the remnants of the Evolutionary's experiments, and the real newcomers with the intriguing name of the Low Evolutionary. Unfortunately, that's a lot to balance, so everything I mention here is presented in the barest bones possible. Even more unfortunately, it means Rogue and Captain America don't have anything to do except appear in one ominous panel each. Having a large, balanced cast continues to be a problem for this series.
Daniel Acuña, though, continues to provide a signature look and tone to this series, and the setting provides him a wonderful opportunity for a variety of character types, alien beings, and architecture. His colors are equally impressive, creating some intense explosions that immediately turn into an all-black page, or opening up on an eerie scene filled with glowing spirits. Still, some depictions are a bit too roughly hewn, oversimplifying some scenes and other times making characters awkwardly proportional.
The debut of a new character, Luminous, makes for a really nice design-- clearly, and appropriately, inspired by Dave Cockrum, matching the aesthetic of these characters (the Evolutionary/Scarlet Witch/Quicksilver) and this world perfectly. Don't believe me? Check out a design gallery such as this one. That said, it is kind of unfortunate to use the same tone as her skin/face for large areas, including the entire crotch, which makes it look either woefully unfinished or weirdly scandalous.
Incidentally, it becomes obvious why the villain isn't named the High Philosophery. His obsession with perfection ignores the inherent paradoxes he is creating in searching for it. On one hand, if perfection means to never make mistakes, what does it say about the Evolutionary's own perfection, since he is the one making the mistakes in search of creating perfection in the first place. In fact, if perfection is defined as such an idealized realization, then by definition it will be impossible to reach, because one will always fall short. Perhaps the High Evo should subscribe to the "Paradox of Perfection," which claims that the greatest perfection is actually imperfection. The reason being that if everything was truly perfect, it wouldn't exist because perfection can only be realized by lack of imperfection, and thus to be imperfect, and by necessity to try for perfection, is what makes you perfect.
In other words, the Avengers might have to win by making the High Evo's head explode, because logic.
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