Astonishing X-Men # 30 – Review

By Warren Ellis (writer) Simone Bianchi (pencils) Simone Bianchi and Andrea Silvestri (inks) Simone Bianchi, Morry Hollowell, and Simone Peruzzi (colors)

The Story: Good ‘ol death legs, a.k.a. Forge, makes his final move against the Astonishing X-Men as Ellis’s and Bianchi’s Ghost Boxes arc comes to an end. After tracking Forge down to Wundagore Mountain, the X-men learn what his plans are to fight an inter-dimensional war using his “new mutants” and the X-men themselves as fodder. However, with a little help from above in the form of Agent Brand, the X-Men, as expected, escape but leave terrible consequences in their wake.

What’s Good: Well, if you’re a fan of the way Ellis had been telling this story, as I am, then this issue is a total winner as all the things that have made his tenure so far excellent are in play, to the max, here. I’m not going to lie: the way this series is so far paced reminds so much of Planetary and this is a good thing, despite the formulaic approach.  It’s not just the sci-fi vistas that Ellis takes the reader to, but also the pacing, and the sweeping character moments like Beast has at the end of this issue where everything is spelled out and left open at the same time.

I also have to applaud Ellis for going deep into X-Men past mythos with Forge and Wundagore Mountain, while bringing in Brand and elements from the current X-history. The whole package just works and I hope that his series stays isolated from Dark Reign.

I’ll get to Bianchi’s work below, but regardless of my criticisms, this book looks like nothing else on the stands and when he gets it right, his work is exceptional. The problem is that….

What’s Not So Good: is that he gets a lot wrong. For example, characters do not look consistent. Not only that, but his designs look nothing like what we’ve been sold these characters are supposed to look like. Check out Wolverine on page number…..oh wait comics don’t have page numbers anymore….whatever….towards the end of the book. It’s a profile of Wolvie and he looks like a 60 year old man. It seems like Bianchi decided for some reason or another to use a model for that one shot and it comes from nowhere and looks like no Wolverine we’ve seen before.

As far as the story itself, I would have liked to see more of the threat that the X-Men were facing from the other dimension. Although, the giant hand was very cool, I would’ve liked to see more of that kinda thing.

Conclusion: I hate slamming artists because I respect them so much and there is no way I could do even one line that they draw so effortlessly. That being said, the art near cripples this issue, which I would give an A if it looked differently. I will sat that Bianchi has an insane amount of talent, but it just comes out strange and distracting, most of the time in this series (kinda like another artist on the other X-Men series. I’m talking to you Greg Land). However, word is that Phil Jimenez is taking on art duties next arc and I look forward to seeing all that go down. Kudos to Ellis for re-establishing Astonishing X-Men as “the” X book on the stands. Now, just get the book out on time, will you?

Grade: B

-Rob G

Astonishing X-Men: Ghost Boxes #1 – Review

By Warren Ellis (Writer), Alan Davis (Pt. 1 Pencils), Mark Farmer (Pt. 1 Inks), Rob Schwager (Pt. 1 Colors), and Adi Granov (Pt. 2 Art)

The Story: The first issue of the Astonishing X-Men limited series consists of two “What-If?” styled stories about parallel universes that Subject X could have completed his mission in. The first story is set in a place very similar to the current Marvel universe, where it shows what might have happened if Subject X had succeeded in securing the universe for those he worked for. The second story is set in the Victorian styled Earth-889, and features the “X Society” working to solve a mysterious murder case.

What’s Good: Both stories are short and interesting reads that show a unique take on the situation featured in Astonishing X-Men. Seeing a familiar face used as a power source for a Sentinel was definitely something new. Also, I especially like Adi Granov’s work on the story about the X Society.

What’s Not So Good: That these stories are of little consequence to the bigger picture and, ultimately irrelevant. I know Ghost Boxes is serving as filler while the main series gets caught up, but it wouldn’t have hurt to have something of substance within the storyline.

Conclusion: I can’t really recommend this book to anyone but the most hardcore fans. While it is fun seeing the other alternate universes, there is not enough substance or story to justify the $3.99 price tag.

Grade: C-

-Kyle Posluszny