Wolverine and the X-Men #5

February 18, 2012

Title: Mutatis Mutandis Part One: Congratulations! It’s a Brood!

Writer: Jason Aaron
Pencils: Nick Bradshaw
Inks: Nick Bradshaw & Walden Wong
Letters: Rob Steen
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Cover Art: Nick Bradshaw & Frank Martin
Editor: Nick Lowe
Publisher: Marvel Comics

You think your biology class is cool? This issue, the Beast takes some of the students in the Jean Grey school on the ultimate field trip, inside the body of a fellow mutant. While they’re taking a tour of the inner workings of the mutant body, headmistress Kitty Pryde is suffering from a sudden, unexpected case of pregnancy… only the bun in her oven isn’t at all what anybody would have expected. Well, unless you look at the cover.

My fascination with how good this title is continues. I’m constantly amazed at the fact that not only do I really enjoy an X-Men book in which Wolverine is the literal headliner, but I’m enjoying it because it evokes some of the greatest bits of X-Men lore. I love having the school back, I love seeing the classic characters having grown into mentor roles, and I love seeing different takes on old concepts like the Brood and Gladiator, thrown into the mix. I especially like the fact that, despite the title of the series, this book isn’t really about “Wolverine and the X-Men.” Instead, it’s about the faction of the X-Men that happened to side with Wolverine after the Schism. He doesn’t dominate the title, and in fact, he’s hardly in this issue at all.

The focus on Kitty and the Beast, two of my favorite X-Men, is of course a plus. But that wouldn’t be enough if the rest of the writing wasn’t entertaining. This Brood storyline feels like classic X-Men stuff, with lots of wonderfully weird 80s horror movie tropes thrown in for good measure. The kids, meanwhile, are nicely growing and developing as characters. While not all of them would ever particularly find a home among the senior X-Men teams, there are definitely members of this young cast that you can imagine having longevity in the Marvel Universe.

Nick Bradshaw is killing on the artwork. In the past I’ve thought his work was okay, but combining him with Justin Ponsor on inks has made this a wonderfully-illustrated comic book. We get nicely expressive characters, weird landscapes and ugly monsters, and they all fit together neatly. It’s an awesome package that’s plenty of fun to read.

This book is easily my favorite in the entire X-Men line, and while I’m looking forward to Avengers Vs. X-Men, I hope that doesn’t disturb the natural flow.

Rating: 8/10

Secret Avengers #12.1

June 1, 2011

Title: Funny Stuff                                                                                            

Writer: Nick Spencer
Pencils: Scot Eaton
Inks: Jaime Mendoza
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: Dave Lanphear
Cover: Mike Deodato & Rain Beredo
Editor: Tom Brevoort                 
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Marvel’s “.1” comics haven’t entirely lived up to their promise. Billed as a jumping-on point for new readers, many of them have interrupted story arcs, served as backdoor pilots for other series, and otherwise failed to give a proper entryway into the series. Secret Avengers #12.1 seems to be a rare exception. In this done-in-one story, former Captain America Steve Rogers comes to his team of covert Avengers with terrible news: the terrorist group AIM has gotten their hands on a manifest of spies and informants the Avengers have been using for years. Knowing there’s no time to save them all, Rogers selects the one most worthy of being rescued, and the Avengers go into action.

Nick Spencer has proven himself adept as stories full of espionage and covert ops, and thus he’s a good fit for this title. (More’s the pity, than, that he’s only writing it for one story arc before moving aside for Warren Ellis.) He does a nice job of getting into the different Avengers, showing the personalities and tactics of Beast, Ant-Man, War Machine and Black Widow in particular, and showing how this group works together. If you read any of the other Avengers books, it also is quickly obvious exactly what sets this group apart from the others.

Scot Eaton’s artwork is clean, and Frank D’Armata’s darkened color palette works very well for the type of story we get here. Spencer also manages to work in one of his trademark twists that fits the story and still takes it into a new direction. It’s a great point to try this series if you haven’t already.

Rating: 8/10

X-Factor Forever #1

March 10, 2010

X-Factor Forever #1 (Marvel Comics)
By Louise Simonson & Dan Panosian

I’ve often said that my favorite X-Men are the original five, and a big part of the reason for that is, in the years when I first started reading Marvel Comics heavily, those five were the stars of the excellent X-Factor series written by Louise Simonson. The book never quite worked as well after she left, and when the core five left to return to the X-Men, I went with them. So I’m really happy to see Simonson‘s run get the “Forever” treatment, telling a story of a world where she never left the book and continuing from that point, at a time when X-Factor lived on a sentient starship created by the Sentinels and liberated from Apocalypse, along with Scott’s infant son Christopher, who was not yet time-tossed and turned into Cable. This first issue is a lot of set-up, reminding us who the main supporting characters in the book were at the time (including romantic interests for Iceman, Beast, and Archangel), and reintroducing the villains with Apocalypse and Cameron Hodge. Although I haven’t read Simonson‘s issues in years, this book brought me right back where we left off, and it felt really good, like I was coming home. I don’t know if this book will resonate with people who didn’t read Simonson‘s run back in the day, but through the eyes of this old-school fan, this return to form was a wonderful experience.
Rating: 8/10

World War Hulk: X-Men #1

June 26, 2007

Quick Rating: Surprisingly Good
Title: Hard Questions
Rating: A

The Hulk hunts Charles Xavier – but he’ll have to go through the New X-Men first!

Writer: Christos Gage
Art: Andrea DiVito
Colors: Laura Villari
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Ed McGuinness
Publisher: Marvel Comics

When the Illuminati voted to blast the Hulk into space, one of their number was missing – Charles Xavier. Now that Xavier has returned to Earth, his powers and ability to walk both restored, the Hulk has a question for him. After issuing his ultimatum to New York, demanding Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic and Dr. Strange be turned over to him, he pays a visit to Xavier’s school, seeking Xavier, and as most of the instructors are absent, it’s up to the New X-Men to hold the line.

It doesn’t hurt that the Beast (my all-time favorite X-Man) is the defacto leader in this issue, but I was totally surprised. I was worried that we’d have another superfluous miniseries that doesn’t really matter or interest me at all, and while the ultimate impact on the overall WWH storyline remains to be seen, taken as a self-contained story, this is actually really good. Gage absolutely nails both Hank McCoy and the students at Xavier’s. In fact, by the time I put this book down, I was ready to start a letter-writing campaign to have him take over writing New X-Men full-time. The only real problem is the question the Hulk asks at the end of the issue. While it’s certainly a valid one, it’s hard to believe that it would be a top priority for him at this point. That doesn’t hurt the book much, though, just adds a nugget of disbelief.

Andrea DiVito’s artwork, naturally, is gorgeous. This is the sort of old-school “Hulk versus the X-Men” brawl that you’ve got to want to see if you bother picking up this issue at all.

This book was a total surprise, and for once, it was a good one.

Rating: 8/10

X-Men: Messiah Complex #1

October 30, 2007

Quick Rating: Fair
Title: Messiah Complex Chapter One
Rating: T+

A new mutant is born – will the X-Men get him first?

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Pencils: Marc Silvestri
Inks: Joe Weems & Marco Galli
Background Assists: Sheldon Mitchell
Colors: Frank D’Armata
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Nick Lowe
Cover Art: David Finch (Cover A); Marc Silvestri (Cover B)
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The highly-touted “first X-Men crossover in years” begins here. Since M-Day wiped out most of the mutants on Earth, no others have been born… until today. A new mutant is born, one so powerful that just his birth nearly destroys Cerebro. Seeing hope for their species, the X-Men rush off to find their new kinsman, but they aren’t the only ones who want him. The Marauders, the Purifiers and Predator X are all on his tail as well, and the trail of destruction is incredible.

For what it is, the story here isn’t bad. Considering how things have gone since M-Day, it’s easy to accept so many people rushing after the first new mutant. The scenes of destruction are particularly convincing, although one has to wonder just why this new mutant is exhibiting so much power at birth instead of at puberty like the rest of them. (I’m going to give the writers the benefit of the doubt and assume that’s a plot point that will be explained later.)

The big problems with this issue are minor glitches – Cyclops, at one point, says it has been “years” since M-Day. In real time, it’s been about two years. In Marvel Time, it’s hard to believe it’s been even one. It’s also kind of odd to suddenly hear people calling Cyclops “Slim” again after so many years. Not bad, necessarily, but odd.

Marc Silvestri’s artwork is pretty good. Emma seems to be wearing an awful lot of eyeshadow, but otherwise, it’s effective.

This isn’t a bad start, but the real test will be whether this storyline has the juice to last 13 chapters across four titles.

Rating: 6/10

Somebody’s First Comic Book: Avengers (1963 Series) #189

Wondering what Somebody’s First Comic Book is all about? The explanation is on this page!

TITLE: Wings and Arrows

CREDITS:
Writer: Steven Grant (Plot by Grant, Mark Gruenwald & Roger Stern)
Penciller: John Byrne
Inks: Dan Green
Letters: Jim Novak
Colors: Ben Sean
Editor: Roger Stern
Publisher: Marvel Comics

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: I recognize Captain America, of course… saw that Thor trailer during the Superbowl. I thought Hawkeye was from MASH, though.

IMPRESSIONS: As this issue starts, the Avengers (seems to be your basic superhero team) is finishing up a mission and an old member, the Falcon, is coming back to re-join the group. But evidently, there’s some government rule that the team can only have seven members, so Hawkeye is getting kicked out.

Most of the book follows the now-unemployed Hawkeye as he attempts to find new employment as head of security for a big corporation, which just happens to be attacked by a supervillain called Deathbird. The fight scene between the two of them is pretty good, actually – a guy with a bow and arrow trying to take down a girl who can fly works out surprisingly well, and the writer gives us a very good feel for just who Hawkeye is.

In fact, even though we don’t see the rest of the team for more than a few pages each, we get to know them all pretty well. Especially Yellowjacket, the Vision, and the Scarlet Witch, all of whom are totally new characters to me. And hey, Iron Man and the Beast are in this too! I thought Beast was one of the X-Men though… anyway, we get a feel for what’s going on in all of their lives, and there are even several footnotes that seem to refer to other stories featuring these characters. Neat feature – the script gives you everything you need to know, but if you want to know more, it tells you where to look. I like that.

This was a pretty cool story. Lots of characters, although there’s really a spotlight on just one. Clearly there’s a lot of history here, but it’s nothing that’s particularly intimidating. I’d definitely read more of these characters.

GRADE: B+

X-Men (1991 Series) #194

December 26, 2006

Quick Rating: Fair
Title: Primary Infection Part 1
Rating: A

A plague is about to be unleashed.

Writer: Mike Carey
Pencils: Humberto Ramos
Inks: Carlos Cuevas
Colors: Edgar Delgado
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Humberto Ramos
Publisher: Marvel Comics

As Rogue’s team searches for the truth about the mysterious Pan, the Beast continues his examination of a stranger who dropped dead outside of the gates of Xavier’s. Meanwhile, a plague is in the works that could threaten all mutantkind.

Mike Carey still seems like an odd choice for the X-Men, but he’s definitely brought his own flavor to the title. The opening scene in the bar includes some dialogue that’s incredibly Carey-esque, and he’s culled some very unusual characters to join the team (and I don’t just mean Sabertooth and Mystique). Sometimes the weirdness works, sometimes it doesn’t. There’s a character, for example, who calls himself a “reverse Typhoid Mary,” but as far as I can tell, he’s exactly like Typhoid Mary.

Humberto Ramos, likewise, is an odd choice, but I think he’s a better match all-around. He has a good feel for basic superhero storytelling and most of his character designs work as well. I particularly like his version of the Beast, right down to the bow tie.

I give Carey credit for trying something a little different with the X-Men – not enough writers are willing to do that. In execution, it’s a mixed bag of stuff that fits and stuff that doesn’t.

Rating: 6/10

New X-Men (2004 Series) #33

December 9, 2006

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Mercury Falling Part One
Rating: T+

A girls’ night for Cessily and Laura turns deadly.

Writers: Craig Kyle & Chris Yost
Pencils: Paco Medina
Inks: Juan Vlasco
Colors: Brian Reber
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Nick Lowe
Cover Art: Paco Medina
Publisher: Marvel Comics

After House of M, this book took a steep decline. Gone was the dynamic of a group of kids coming to terms with their lives in a school full of mutants, and in its place was a needless bloodbath and the addition of a Wolverine clone to make up for the one X-Men team he couldn’t be made a part of by any reasoning. This issue seems to mark another shift, and while it’s not back in the direction that made this book work in the first place, it is a move in a more interesting direction than the book has taken in some time.

Many of the various members of the team is dealing with something this issue. Julian’s powers have been amped up and he’s having trouble controlling them. David and Nori are facing Cyclops for their recent actions. Josh comes to the Beast with a request that’s perfectly logical for him. Emma Frost tries to work her particular brand of magic on Laura to convince her to leave, but when Cessily figures out where Laura’s heart truly lies, she convinces her to head out for coffee – and that’s when things get nasty.

Until the end, this is a character building issue, which this title has desperately needed. Since the original dynamic was lost, this book lost what made it unique and it became, for lack of a better term, “X-Men lite.” This issue starts to focus on the characters in a different way, showing them not just as superheroes but also as teenagers. The resultant feel is similar to the original New Mutants title – also about a group of students, but students in at much smaller school and a much more dangerous place. It’s not a brand-new idea, but at least it gives the title more of an identity than just being the book with the youngest X-Men. Whether this tone will stick or not remains to be seen, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

The artwork is fine, although it’d be remiss not to mention that X-23 is still dressing and shaped like a Victoria’s Secret model, despite the fact that she’s supposed to be in her mid-teens.

I’m still not digging this book the way I used to, but it seems to be shaping up a little.

Rating: 7/10

X-Men: Phoenix-Warsong #4

December 9, 2006

Quick Rating: Fair
Rating: T+

The Phoenix takes Celeste!

Writer: Greg Pak
Pencils: Tyler Kirkham
Inks: Sal Regla & Jay Leisten
Colors: John Starr
Letters: Troy Peteri
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Marc Silvestri
Publisher: Marvel Comics

While not quite as good as the first X-Men: Phoenix miniseries by Greg Pak, this title has shown some interesting ideas. As the X-Men try to chase down the remaining Stepford Cuckoos, Celeste becomes engulfed in the power of the Phoenix, and only Emma Frost may hold the key to stopping her.

If there’s one thing about this comic that I’m particularly not fond of, it’s the idea that the Cuckoos are all, in essence, Emma clones. (Come on, Marvel, is more clones ever a good idea?) Once I manage to get past that little caveat, though, this is a pretty solid action issue. The mindscape battle of words between Emma, Celeste and the Phoenix itself works pretty well, and the Beast (my personal favorite X-character) gets a few chances to show off, which makes me happy. The last page is a nice setup to lead into the final issue as well.

Tyler Kirkham’s artwork is okay, but it still feels very much like he’s trying to mimic Marc Silvestri rather than trying to find a style of his own. I am happy to note, though, that he manages to give the Cuckoos relatively realistic bodies for girls their age. They aren’t bulging out like Playboy Playmates anywhere, and although some of their costuming is a little revealing, its not so much that it seems preposterous.

Overall, this has been an okay series that’s given a much-needed new direction to the whole Phoenix concept. The last issue, though, is what will determine how concretely that new direction sticks.

Rating: 6/10

Ms. Marvel (2006 Series) #10

December 19, 2006

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Your Own Worst Enemy
Rating: A

Ms. Marvel and Rogue versus Warbird?

Writer: Brian Reed
Pencils: Mike Wieringo
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Mike Wieringo
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Last issue Ms. Marvel had to join forced with Rogue, the woman who once ruined her life, to combat a mutual enemy – another Carol Danvers from another universe who’s set her sights on getting revenge for what her Rogue did to her. Ms. Marvel and the alternate Warbird wound up collapsing on the campus of the Xavier institute, where they wound up in the care of Carol’s old friend Hank McCoy, the Beast.

This issue is mostly fight scene – Warbird versus Rogue and Ms. Marvel, with the Beast jumping in for a fight or two. The “hero fighting herself” gimmick is pretty tried and true, and there’s not really anything too original thrown into the mix. The strength comes in the slight twists to Warbird’s motivations. Once you find out a little bit about her, she’s better than just your average evil duplicate from another universe – she’s actually a lot nastier than you’d expect, which is a good angle to take. “Our” Carol’s reaction is also different from the norm, much more realistic, much more human. The way things end up is strong too – Reed caps off the issue with the possible introduction of a new rogue for Ms. Marvel’s gallery (no pun intended) and a really strong character moment to close off the storyline.

Mike Wieringo’s artwork, as always, is impeccable. He’s one of the greatest pure superhero artists out there, doing a wonderful job on all of the characters (although I’m not sure when the Beast grew a ponytail). This book has surprised me from day one. For a comic starring a b-list character without a superstar writer and an unstable art team, this title is much better than it has any right to be. Brian Reed knows Carol is a b-lister, and he uses that to his advantage, and that makes this a really unique book in any universe.

Rating: 7/10