X-Men #13 – Review

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

The Story: First To Last, Part 3: The evolutionaries continue to attack and we see, through emerging memories, the origin of the evolutionaries. At the same time, their last visit is further illuminated, while their fight to take out Cyclops continues.

What’s Good: This issue had several eye-opening (or popping, depending on how unjaded you are) reveals that were quite cool. Our no-spoiler policy keeps me from enthusing, but I’m definitely going to reread this issue, not because I missed something, but because the implications are thick enough to reward another look. I got the impression that Yost was having fun with his characters in this issue, which colored the overall feel. Old Ice Man, Wolverine, Old and New Cyclops, and Old Beast all showed their little personality quirks and the sum is so much more than a patchwork of familiar reactions. There’s a soap operatic social web of friendships, tensions, conflicts and overt and hidden respects that has been a trademark of Marvel since Spiderman was created, and brought to a much higher levels by such X-masters as Claremont. Yost is drawing on that wealth to create sitcom-esque joisting, double meanings or clever ambiguities. Although I loved the original X-Men moments in this issue, my favourite scene was where all the young mutants are “keeping” Cyclops safe and he flatly says “I’ll give you one more minute, then I’m leaving.” In response, Rockslide asks, “You think you can take all of us?” and Cyclops just answers “Yes. You’ll be first.” You can totally sympathize with this adolescent powerhouse being intimidated by a leader whose position is becoming increasingly legendary. And the reader shares Rockslide’s awe when you think ‘Yeah, Cyclops can be knocked unconscious with the leg of my dining room table, but shit…what trick has this strategic genius got that he’s not even a little scared of Rockslide and half a dozen other mutants?’

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Warlord of Mars #7 – The best issue so far in this most excellent series. It took the weekly prize hands down. You must buy this series.

Most Anticipated: Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris #4 – Wow. Kirby Genesis stands to be awesome, but the Colossus of Mars 5-issue arc in Dynamite’s ongoing Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris series (#4 out this week) is still on the top of my pull list. Dynamite is bringing the feel and authenticity of Burroughs’ Barsoom to us.

Other Picks: Executive Assistant Iris #0, Kirby Genesis #1, Alpha Flight #1, Captain America Corps #1, X-Men #13

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Journey into Mystery #624 – Truly among the very best comics being put out by the big two today, Journey into Mystery, or JIM as I like to call it, is a unique comic with gorgeous visuals and an immersive and characterful narrative experience.  If you are not reading this book and are at all interested in Marvel Comics, you are wrong and in need of correction.

Most Anticipated: Invincible Iron Man #505 – I seriously only have two comics to pick up on Wednesday.  I think that happens around twice a year.  It was either Iron Man or Avengers, so I’m going with the former.  Avengers’ current talking heads approach is a fun read, but not something I’m jumping up and down to get my hands on.  On the other hand, I was really digging the haunting, petrified Paris locale that Matt Fraction is conjuring up right now and am interested to see where it’s all going.

Other Picks: Avengers #14