X-Men #12 – Review

By: Christopher Yost (writer), Paco Medina, Dalibor Talajic (pencillers), Juan Vlasco, Dalibor Talajic (inkers), Marte Gracia (colors)

The Story: First to Last, Part 2: In three different times (2.7 million years ago, in the early issues of the original X-Men, and now) we learn about the evolutionaries. They are looking for the leader of mutantkind to speak for all mutants, to prevent homo superior from going extinct.

What’s Good: I thought that the art in the now (and 2.7 mya) by Medina and Vlasco was pretty strong. Although some of the early primates seemed a bit plastic, the wolves were not, and the Eternals were visually impressive. The modern scenes were even stronger. The evolutionaries facing Cyclops in the debris of Utopia seemed to live in the kind of chaotic, gritty atmosphere that makes the best use of the styles of Medina and Vlasco. The heroes are dynamic, the villains menacing and the smoky background looks to be crumbling around the story. The quick switches from character reaction to character reaction were effective and the choice of camera angles and zoom-ins were powerful. Check out the close-up on the evolutionary leader’s eyes right before the splash page attack on Cyclops.

Writing-wise, I’m loving this arc. Yost is surfacing an ancient mystery with huge stakes (the survival of the two extant species of homo). The slow reveal, the bubbling anger and impatience on the side of the heroes, plus Cyclops’ mysterious orders drive the tension right up. And the toggling between the past and present is very effective in unfolding the coolness of this story and revealing the true menace of the evolutionaries. Also, seeing Magneto in any setting is a treat, but seeing him in his full villainous glory brings a nostalgic pang to my heart.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: American Vampire #15 – Wowie!  What a strong week for comics: AV #15, Detective #877, Butcher Baker #3, Walking Dead #85, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #6….  When there is a murderer’s row of comics like that, I tend to break the tie by which comic was the most memorable and this week is was AV #15.  This series is showing NO signs of letting up and there is no excuse to not be reading this excellent series that hasn’t had a single grade lower than B+ during it’s run.  Snyder’s script of U.S. Marine/Vampire Hunters on a Japanese held island during WWII coming into contact with some funky and feral vampires really gives Rafael Albuquerque a chance to show off.  Wow.  Runner-up: Butcher Baker #3

Most Anticipated: Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1 – A LOT of anticipated books this week, so I’m going to go with one that is least likely to let me down.  I don’t think I’ve ever read a poor issue of Criminal.  Even when the story isn’t grabbing me, it is always noirish as hell and has great art by the Sean Phillips/Val Staples team.  Comics would be better (and taken more seriously by other adults )if we had fewer Batman, X-Men and Flashpoint titles and more comics like Criminal.

Other Picks: 50 Girls 50 #1, Haunt #16, Turf #5, Fear Itself #3, SHIELD #1, Who is Jake Ellis #4, Thunderbolts #158

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Mighty Thor #2 – Everything really just came together this week for Matt Fraction’s Thor.  Tone-wise and character-wise everything was in place and I felt that we were now getting a Thor book that not only more forged ahead than rode JMS’ coat-tails, but also one that I could see continuing for years to come.  That alone is praise enough, but when you factor in Olivier Coipel’s fantastic art and my love of Thor, well, this is an easy choice for me.

Most Anticipated: Fear Itself #3 – It was neck and neck between Fear Itself and the first issue of the new Criminal.  Yeah, I know, the two books couldn’t be any more different. But I went with Fear Itself (*boo* *hiss*, I know) because, much like Flashpoint, it’s an event that’s succeeded in making me excited and wanting to read more.  Granted, that’s for entirely different reasons than Flashpoint.  For Fear Itself, it’s because this looks like an event that actually puts story first, and not status quo changing events or stuffing as many characters and as much flashy action on the page as possible.  So yeah, with Fraction’s promising a major event/twist in the story with every issue, I’m really curious to see what he’s got coming up this Wednesday. But wait….Flashpoint #2 is coming out as well?  Well…um….I’ll go with Fear Itself because….I’m the one reviewing it?

Other Picks: Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1,  Flashpoint #2, Secret Six #34, Amazing Spider-Man #663, Moon Knight #2, SHIELD #1, Uncanny X-Force #11, Sweet Tooth #22

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Kirby Genesis #0 – The third installment of Carbon Grey was a strong contender, with a wild story and great art, but there was an irrepressible exuberance to Kirby Genesis #0 that really felt like I was watching something great being revealed. Kirby’s bursting creativity has been gone for a long time, but his inheritors are giving his works life again.

Most Anticipated: X-Men #12 – This is the second installment of the Evolutionaries story that began in Giant-Size X-Men #1 and left us on a cliff-hanger as Scott remembered an encounter with these genetic shepherds way in the past of the original X-Men. I’m eager to see where Yost is taking this high-concept piece and loving the art.

Other Picks: Criminal: Astonishing X-Men #39, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger – The Battle of Tull #1, Ozma of Oz #7, Uncanny X-Force #11, X-23 #11