The once and future Beast is at the heart of All-New X-Men #1. Brian Michael Bendis has made a perfect choice in making Henry McCoy the catalyst for a dramatic evolution of the Children of the Atom.
In the aftermath of Avengers vs X-Men, new mutants are being born, other mutants are evolving and a war of mutants is building that could make Schism seem like a kindergarten scrap.
In the Marvel Now Henry McCoy is painfully mutating again and he may not survive the experience – to borrow a Marvel marketing line! Cyclops (with fellow fugitives Emma Frost, Magneto and Magik as his strike force) is brazenly attacking humans to save newly manifested mutants.
Fearing the future is the theme of this issue. It’s been a long time since new mutants have been introduced. Bendis crafts two compelling moments reminding how that “first time” is so frightening for the mutant.
Bendis captures what the essence of the X-Men’s mission has always been about: fighting prejudice and fear. The writer creates two sympathetic young mutants thrust into a world that fears and hates them and what will be a tug of war between the revolutionary (Scott) and the teachers (Logan, Kitty, Henry, Ororo.) I want to know their stories and see which side they will follow.
Back at the Jean Grey School – Bobby, Storm, Kitty and Hank watch in shock as their former friends (ok, maybe not Emma) violently sweep in to rescue and recruit. The revolutionary Cyclops is forcing them in a no-win scenario. Original students Hank and Bobby share a bond and inspire an idea that ignites the series: maybe the secret saving the future is in the past?
Bendis takes us into the past at a precise moment when the young students are in a crisis and one future X-Man is questioning his faith in Xavier’s dream. The issue does not play the way I pictured it would but I was still entertained and intrigued. The creators have given us the new status quo and the threat to the future. This issue is a wonderful moment for those who love the X-Men or are looking for that perfect “jumping on” point. This is it – welcome to the new world of the X-Men…hope you enjoy the experience.
By Editor
Bendis captures what the essence of the X-Men’s mission has always been about fighting prejudice and fear. The writer creates two sympathetic young mutants thrust into a world that fears and hates them and into a tug of war between the revolutionary (Scott) and the teachers (Logan, Kitty, Henry, Ororo.)
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