What If? — X-Men: Deadly Genesis #1

December 26, 2006

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: What if Xavier’s Second Team Had Survived?
Rating: T+

Meet Vulcan – the world’s greatest superhero!

Writer: David Hine
Pencils: David Yardin
Inks: Kris Justice
Colors: Guru EFX
Letters: Dave Lanphear
Editor: Marc Paniccia
Cover Art: David Yardin
Publisher: Marvel Comics

In the “Real” Marvel Universe, we learned this year that the “New” X-Men who saved the originals from the living island of Krakoa was actually a third team. A second, led by Gabriel Summers (a.k.a. Vulcan) failed to save the originals, and so Professor Xavier wiped memory of their existence from the memories of the others, then got on with the business of summoning up the likes of Nightcrawler, Wolverine and higher sales.

In this “What If?” though, that second team survived, but at a price. The original team, save Cyclops, perished in battle. Vulcan, however, went on to become the greatest hero in the world, changing the scope of mutant/human relations forever. But Vulcan has a secret.

This issue is surprisingly good. David Hine has crafted a very intriguing done-in-one tale of deceit and punishment, but at the same time, has taken the very unusual tack of not having a “What If?” universe turn into a dysopian wasteland. Instead, this world seems to be a pretty good one, where things are a lot more stable and mutually beneficial for humans and mutants than in any other iteration of the Marvel Universe. The price it took to get there is the question – was it too high? The conclusion of this issue is a little drawn out, with a bit too much pontificating about irony, but for the most part, the final reveals work pretty well.

Joining David Hine with a good story is David Yardin with some pretty good art. He’s got a good style that feels very contemporary and meshes quite well with the Deadly Genesis miniseries. Overall, I’d say this issue is the cream of the crop for this year’s “What If?” specials… although I don’t know that it’s good enough to justify an extra dollar price tag for a book with the same production values and page count as the others in this line. What’s up with that?

Rating: 8/10

Incredible Hulk (2000 Series) #101

December 3, 2006

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Planet Hulk: Allegiance Part II
Rating: A

The sides are chosen and the battle lines drawn.

Writer: Greg Pak
Pencils: Carlo Pagulayan & Gary Frank
Inks: Jeffrey Huet & Jon Sibal
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: Randy Gentile
Editor: Marc Paniccia
Cover Art: Ladronn
Publisher: Marvel Comics

I’ve never really been a huge Hulk fan. For me, he’s a character I’ve only gotten into when I was particularly fond of the writer at the time. I’ve heard a lot of buzz about how good this whole “Planet Hulk” storyline has been, but after sampling a few issues, I’m just finding it okay.

The Hulk and his allies are seeking out the Elders of the planet Sakaar in the hopes of enlisting them in their battle against the Emperor. He is taken away to relieve his history with this world and finds himself being tested. As he moves on, another battle lays in wait. The story is okay, and the continual question of whether the Hulk is or isn’t the prophesied “Sakaarson” is certainly reason to keep reading if you’re really into the story. The last battle scene works very well.

The shifting art teams aren’t too jarring, but the change-up from one artist to another is obvious in most cases. Both Pagulayan and Frank have a good handle on the character, as well as the varied, often bizarre aliens they encounter along the way.

It’s an okay issue, one you’ll enjoy more if you’re a true fan of the Hulk.

Rating: 7/10