X-Men Legacy #16 – Review

Simon Spurrier (Writer), Paul Davidson (Artist), Rachelle Rosenberg (Colorist)

The Story: David tries to take down Cyclops team as he has a very important message to bring to the man who killed his father.

The Review: Super hero comics are about action. It’s a very general way to see things and one that lack a bit of depths, yet it is also very true. Why create characters that can lift mountains and punch giants if we don’t see them actually use their powers once in a while? The stories, characters, themes and the direction are important, yet sometimes the readers do like to see what the protagonists are able to do with their powers and abilities when it comes to cape comics.

Simon Spurrier understand this very well, as he gives the readers a very action-heavy issue without having the obvious problems associated with such issues. Even though the issue deals with David showing off the fact that he can beat pretty much anyone, the issue never let go of some of the key themes that makes this series good to begin with.

The first thing he does is actually play on the growing subplot that David is getting a better handle on his numerous powers, which is shown throughout him beating down on many of the characters found in Bendis Uncanny X-Men run. Using the various personalities in his mind, Spurrier shows a David that is in control, which also reflects on the way he talks to those he is beating down. This is a man that knows he’s immensely powerful and it is displayed in his mannerism, speech and his use of powers splendidly.

X-Club #1 – Review

By: Simon Spurrier (writer), Paul Davidson (art), Rachelle Rosenberg (colors), Cory Petit (letters) & Daniel Ketchum (editor)

The Story: The X-Club helps to launch the world’s first space elevator. But all doesn’t go as planned.

Five Things: 

1. Dr. Nemesis is fun as hell. – I think there are a lot of comic writers who wish they could be Dr. Nemesis.  He’s smart, not physically imposing, has a huge vocabulary and a gift for turning a phrase.  You can just tell that the writers all seem to enjoy writing his dialog and that enthusiasm transfers to the reader.  Nemesis is the only reason the X-Club (the team…not the comic book) is remotely interesting.  Love when he tells the assembled press at the space elevator’s launching that he’s considering performing a “surprisingly painful procedure” on them called a “stupidectomy.”  Even when he’s not coining new words, it’s just fun to watch him ask the media, “Doesn’t anyone have an interesting question?”  The man doesn’t suffer fools!

2. Feels really contemporary in the current X-Men status-quo. – Personally, I think it’s vital for these lesser miniseries to feel very rooted in the current status quo because the only people who buy them are the hardcore who buy all/most of the X-books.  So, bravo to Spurrier for using small and humorous elements of the story to ensure that we know this is a post-Schism story.  He shows Cyclops continually correcting the speaker who calls them “The X-Men” by interjecting, “…. of Utopia!”  At one point they even show Wolverine watching the broadcast on TV and uttering a nasty word at Cyclops for continually making this correction.  Very funny and fresh…

3. LOTS of unanswered questions. – There are a few too many odd things going on in this issue.  We start with a flashback to the Invaders doing something in WWII and that “something” obviously ties into the Atlantean tribes upset at the space elevator and how one of them goes all monstrous.  And then something happens with Danger.  It’s just a bit too much tossed together in the opening issue and the linkages aren’t clear.  I like teasers as much as the next guy, but this was too much.  And is there a reason that the X-Men keep Danger around?  How many times has she gone nutso on them?

Age of X Universe #1 – Review

Avengers story by: Simon Spurrier (writer), Khoi Pham (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Sonia Oback (colors)

Spider-Man story by: Jim McCann (writer), Paul Davidson (art), Antonio Fabela (colors)

Entire issue: Joe Sabino (letters), Daniel Ketchum (editor)

The Story: Those following the Age of X story have seen what is going on inside Fortress X, but what about the “heroes” living on the outside?  Are there Avengers and Spider-Man in this alt-world?

What’s Good: Not a whole lot, to be honest.  The best thing about this issue is that it is NOT required reading for those following Age of X.  There is nothing here that could be called vital and that is now these tie-ins should be.  Unfortunately, it also makes them pretty passable.

The best part of the Avengers story is simply these alternate versions of Marvel heroes and villains that we know and love.  It’s always kinda fun to look at a characters in an alternate universe and see how he/she is mostly the same, but different in some very fundamental ways.  All of these characters are similar enough that you can say, “Ohhh…. Look at how Iron Man is different!”

Similarly, learning a tiny bit more about this alternate universe is kinda interesting.  Of course, the concept of a universe where society REALLY hates the mutants isn’t new, but it is always entertaining to see what sort of trigger caused society to go bat-shit bananas on the mutants.

Probably the story highlight of the issue was the shorter, Spider-Man back-up that shows Spidey together with a certain redhead after society has determined that even altered DNA-types like Spidey need to be eliminated.  How far do you think Spidey would go to protect those that he loves?

Age of X: Alpha #1 – Review

By: Mike Carey (writer), Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Carlo Barberi, Paco Diaz, Paul Davidson (pencillers)

Story: Without preamble or explanation, we are thrust into an America where mutants are on the run, all the time, where persecution is legislated and state-supported, and where human rights apply only to non-mutants. Through a series of loosely connected tales, we see what this America is made of.

The Writing: The X-Men have been doing alternate worlds since the classic Days of Future Past in Uncanny 141-142. The charm of these stories is that the writers and artists get to reimagine all the rich character histories and their moral centers. Villains can be inspirational heroes. Heroes can become villains. And we readers get to care because we have so much invested already in our relationships with these people. The strength of this issue and this concept are some of the fates of different heroes (the horrific fate of Cyclops, for example), those who are not quite heroes, but should be (Paige Guthrie), and those who have never been heroes and might be (Toad, for example). Carey hits all the right notes in this issue, and leaves most of the world unexplained. This is smart, because this is also a mystery story; I want to know why things are as they are, and I’ll stick with this story because I love these characters.

The Art: It’s really a grab bag of styles. Some are quite beautiful either in technical draftsmanship or in visual style. The transitions from one art team to another neatly signal the shifts in vignettes, but were a jarring experience for me as a reader. I get accustomed to a certain art team’s style as I read a book, and when they switch, I sometimes feel like I’m starting the process over. I don’t think I’m complaining for nothing, because the art styles are quite different. DC has been doing the same thing with Brightest Day, but usually there are no more than two art styles (sometimes three) to a BD book. As well, the art of the Magneto vignette by Davidson really didn’t work for me. It felt very two-dimensional and perspective or proportion wasn’t doing it. With those two art limitations said, I have no trouble saying that the art was otherwise good.

Conclusion: Mike Carey definitely hooked me in with the opening salvo of Age of X. I want to know where the heck everyone else is (Colossus, Nightcrawler, Xavier, etc). I’m going to be back for more.

Grade: B

-DS Arsenault

X-Men Legacy #242 – Review

by Mike Carey (writer), Paul Davidson (penciller)

The Story: A small team of X-Men are chosen to aid the city of San Francisco in repairing the destruction left in the aftermath of Bastion’s attack on Utopia and the mutant community.  However, things don’t go as planned when underlying problems affecting both Hellion and Omega Sentinel lead them into a conflict that might spell disaster.

Thoughts: This issue feels about four months too late, which is a shame because it’s a rather good one.  It feels so late, in fact, that I’m convinced that this story and the previous arc, “Collision”, were switched in order for some reason.  Carey delivers the beginnings of an effective “breather” arc here (complete with baseball interlude) as we survey the damage done to, not only the city of San Francisco, but to one of the younger X-Men in the wake of “Second Coming”.  Hellion’s inner turmoil and rage at losing his hands and having them replaced with bionic ones is palpable and perfectly understandable.  Not only that, but considering his already volatile and sometimes selfish and arrogant personality, his violent reactions to being made to feel weak and at the mercy of others’ aid is fully expected.  His anger at the seeming contradiction of the X-Men being able to perform plenty of miraculous feats but not being able to give him new, flesh and blood hands also made a lot of sense to me and I’d be hard pressed to say that I wouldn’t feel the exact same way.  The writer also takes advantage of the same opportunity afforded to Fraction’s Uncanny X-Men title that allows him to pull various X-related characters into the story.  While Rogue and Magneto seem to be Carey’s version of Cyclops and Emma Frost for Legacy, it’s always fun to see new faces together such as Random, Omega Sentinel and Hope.

Dark X-Men: The Beginning #3 – Review

Some Thoughts Before The Review: While it’s been far from spectacular, I actually think I’ve enjoyed the Dark X-Men mini-series more than I’ve enjoyed the Utopia main event so far.

“Hidden Depths”

By Paul Cornell (Writer), Leonard Kirk (Pencils), and Brian Reber (Colors)

The Story: Allowed in, Emma Frost travels through Namor’s subconscious looking for answers to some of her questions.

What’s Good And What’s Not So Good: On a technical level, “Hidden Depths” is one of the best stories to be featured in Dark X-Men: The Beginning. Paul Cornell’s sharp script really captures the complex dynamics that exist between Frost and Namor in regards to both their relationship and mutantkind. The artwork by Leonard Kirk and Brian Reber is appropriately surreal and does an excellent job of making the most of a cool story setting. From the twisted mutants to the incredible memory collage, the work by Kirk and Reber proves to be surprisingly memorable.

The problem I have with “Hidden Depths” is that it seems to conflict a bit with what was revealed in Dark Avengers #8. It’s obvious Emma and Namor are on the same page in that book, but there’s absolutely no sense of that they truly are (where it matters – I’m trying to avoid spoiling anything here) in the mini-series story. Some mention of the ultimate plan would have been quite welcome.

“Get Mystique (Slight Return)”

By Jason Aaron (Writer), Jock (Art), and Dave Stewart (Colors)

The Story: “Get Mystique” serves as an epilogue to Jason Aaron’s excellent Wolverine arc of the same name.

What’s Good And What’s Not So Good: “Get Mystique” is quite possibly, one of my all time favorite Wolverine stories. So, needless to say, I’m quite pleased to see Jason Aaron back to clean up the only real loose end of that arc. As expected, Aaron effortlessly delivers one badass Mystique and a great Norman Osborn. Aaron’s dialogue is top-notch and makes “Get Mystique” one hell of a fun read. On the visual side, Jock’s gritty artwork could not possibly be more fitting. Stylish, violent, and (I hate to use the word again, but I have to) badass, it makes one hell of an impression. I can’t wait to see what Jock does when he’s given a full arc to work with.  Also worth mentioning is how much Dave Stewart’s color work adds to what Jock does. It makes Jock’s work dark and moody, yet strikingly vivid.

“The One Who Got Away”

By Simon Spurrier (Writer), Paul Davidson (Art), and Rain Beredo (Colors)

The Story: Jeanne-Marie Beaubier (A.K.A. Aurora) adapts to Norman Osborn’s tactics in an unusual way.

What’s Good And What’s Not So Good: Since everyone knows the Dark X-Men lineup by now, the effect of Simon Spurrier’s story doesn’t really make any sort of impact as far as Osborn’s team is concerned. That said, Spurrier definitely makes the most of what he has to deal with. Aurora’s unique psychological state is used quite effectively and her confrontation with Osborn is far more fun than one might expect. As for the artwork, Paul Davidson’s visuals are a bit problematic. While it tells the story well, the character work is inconsistent as can be. Osborn looks different in almost every panel, Aurora’s body proportions are all over the place, and some panels just look downright strange.

Conclusion: Dark X-Men: The Beginning #3 isn’t flawless, but the best of the mini-series was definitely saved for last. I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some short, cool stories.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny