Amazing X-Men #3 – Review

By: Jason Aaron (writer), Ed McGuinness (penciler), Dexter Vines (inker), Marte Gracia (colors)

The Story: Beast takes issue with a self-proclaimed god while another fuzzy blue mutant has a long overdue reunion with a certain Serengeti “goddess.”

The Review: Though the last issue split the X-Men between Heaven and Hell, this month the action takes place upon the frigid seas of Purgatory. But despite the in-between nature of this strange grayscale plane, Amazing X-Men comes into stunning focus.

Last month I criticized Jason Aaron’s script for slowing down too early in the series’ run. If anything it’s ground to even more of a halt this issue, however, it’s hard to complain about how little time we cover when it’s this much fun. Indeed, an exceedingly simple script provides some of the most charming X-Men moments that I can remember.

About half of the script is dedicated to a battle between Hank McCoy and Azazel, with the other half resolving Storm’s capture from the end of last issue. The interplay between Beast and Azazel is great, playing the X-Men’s consummate scientist against a physical devil.

Though he starts with another one of his coffee jokes, Jason Aaron clearly understands Hank and who he is. There’s more to the Beast than blue fur and big words, there’s a wit and confidence that grows from a troubled life. Reading this issue, watching Beast go head to head with the series’ main antagonist, I couldn’t help feeling that this was a moment of near apotheosis for the awkward lad with big feet and an unrequited crush on the cute redhead who just moved into the mansion. On top of that, Aaron avoids the temptation to Worf either combatant, letting each one’s competence rather than their failures enhance the sense of danger.

Amazing X-Men #2 – Review

By: Jason Aaron (writer), Ed McGuinness (penciler), Dexter Vines (inker), Marte Gracia (colors)

The Story: Iceman finds himself without a snowball’s chance in Hell.

The Review: As Jason Aaron’s Elysian pirate epic rolls on, we find the Amazing team split between Heaven and Hell. If that sounds awesome to you, you’re probably not alone, as, at the least, Aaron seems to be plenty pleased with the sheer scope of his tale.

Fans of Aaron’s work will remember that he previously took Wolverine to Hell in the previous iteration of Logan’s solo series. Despite that rather grim take on Logan, Aaron’s also become known for the madcap, comedic style of Wolverine and the X-Men. Fittingly, this issue demonstrates elements of each of those runs.

The tone is definitely more in line with Aaron’s more recent work, focusing on the madness of the situation rather than the horror; however the narration of the issue makes sure to reinforce the stakes. I expect that this will register differently depending on the reader. Just as some may find the balance refreshing, others may wish that the book would pick a tone and stick with it.