X-Men #1 – Review

By: Brian Wood (Writer), Olivier Coipel (Penciler), Mark Morales and Olivier Coipel (Inkers), Laura Martin (Colorist), VC’s Joe Caramagna (Letterer)

The Review: As the old saying goes the female of the species is more deadly than the male, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to Marvel’s mutant community. While it’s often down to the guys to cause the conflicts and draw the battle lines, it’s usually the girls’ power sets that prove more decisive in a fight. Jean Grey’s daunting telekinesis, Storm’s mastery  of the weather, Emma Frost’s diamond form/psionic powerhouse double-dip…they’re hardly what you’d call a bunch of shrinking violets. Which is perhaps why the X-franchise is best placed to launch a title whose core team is comprised solely of women; there’s so many great, well-established female characters to choose from. The real challenge though was for Brian Wood to make this book about more than just gender politics, to make it great read for either sex by concentrating first on just making it a great comic book. On that front it’s most definitely a case of mission accomplished.