X-Man versus X-Man, Wolverine versus one of his own students and a God slammed by a mutant one-two punch. Wolverine and the X-Men #12 gives us a powerhouse and emotionally powerful showdown in a nasty corner of this new world ruled by the Phoenix Five. Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo deliver yet another issue packed with action, humor and the unexpected.
The heart of this issue is Rachel Summers. You don’t have the know Rachel’s tragic future history chronicled in the Chris Claremont/John Romita Jr era but knowing it makes this issue more impactful. Scott and Jean’s daughter from the future escaped her future life where he was a hound. In the Phoenix’s new world order Rachel is tasked with hunting again. Once Rachel tracks her “prey” the result is shocking and hints of what’s to come in future chapters of AvX. Jason Aaron’s portrayal of Rachel’s inner struggle is a standout of this issue.
This issue was so powerful it felt like it could have been a major chapter of the main mega series. This is definitely a tie-in issue you should not miss. Gladiator and a Shiar strike force were already on their way to kill the Phoenix. I can only imagine his wrath when he learns what’s happened to his son after Kid Gladiator took on one too many Avengers!
Colossus crushed. Psylocke driven to tears or is that panic sweat?. Storm keeping secrets. Brian Wood and David Lopez’s X-Men #31 is tight, tense and clean storytelling about a nasty secrets coming to light.
After investigating a monster attack Storm’s covert security force encounters a bigger behemoth. Using her own secret network of human scientists – Storm discovers a genetic secret so scary she hides it from Cyclops. Ororo’s team even fears the truth could cause an even more violent rift that the events in the Schism event.
This book is a refreshing change from the other titles but it’s focused on a small team where everyone gets screen time and every character is part of the story.
I have to again state how this book reminds me of the Chris Claremont/Paul Smith in terms of tone, storytelling and art. David Lopez is an excellent fit for Wood’s crisp clean pacing and the expressions. Instead of a big screen action stuffed with characters on top of characters, we have a small cast uncovering a scientific mystery, burdened by the knowledge and tactically moving at the small covert unit their set up to be. You might call this a Torchwood (minus the sex but it’s only their second issue) X-Men team?
If you love the old school Storm when she was a confident, commanding, tactical and thoughtful leader then you’ll enjoy this book for that reason alone. Lopez conveys her powerful presence and steely looks perfectly.
Giant monster, strong women, freaky scientific mysteries makes this one badass X-book.
After a mind warping miniseries (Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega) Brian Wood is now chronicling two X-Books in two different universes. X-Men #30 saw Storm’s security team investigate a new race of mutants and what might be the start of a schism between Ororo and Scott. Kitty Pryde is taking charge of Ultimate Comics: X-Men as the mutants struggle to survive in a nation overrun with Sentinels.
X-Men #32 courtesy Marvel.com
Brian Wood revealed how he writes two different X-teams in two different worlds on Marvel.com. Jim Beard asked about writing a small team of mutants versus the huge cast populating the other X-books.
“It’s funny you ask that because to me, this is not a small team! I don’t have much of a history of writing team books; most of what I’ve done has been non-super hero creator-owned, with single character POVs or small casts. So to me, right now, a five-person primary cast is big, and I’m still getting the hang of it.”
Wood was asked if the characters are telling the direction they want to go and elaborated on the security team leader.
X-Men #33 courtesy Marvel.com
“I’ve found this to be true, since these characters have so much history and written experience that helps guide what they say and do, at least in a reactionary way. Unless something really specific is going on, we all know how a certain character is likely to react to something. So yeah, this has happened and I’ve found myself pleasantly surprised by writing Storm. She’s become more than I thought she would be in this story.”
Over in the Ultimate-verse Kitty Pryde is getting a new look (no more Shroud?) and assuming a leadership role.
Ultimate Comics: X-Men #14 courtesy Marvel.com
“Kitty’s new costume was an idea of mine that Jorge Molina kindly made into reality, and it’s entirely about supporting events in the story. It’s part of Kitty’s new no-hiding, no-label, no-codename philosophy—almost an anti-costume. For her to have anything else would be in opposition to the story. I generally like costumes when they feel real and are practical, that look like human hands made them. I don’t have total control over them, of course, these aren’t my characters, but whenever possible that’s the approach I’ll take.”
“She makes herself a good leader. At first, she decides this is what she wants and then goes out and literally takes it; she aggressively becomes this mutant revolutionary, this freedom fighter. And I’m using those terms in an old school, 20th century way, shades of Che [Guevara] and of Malcolm X—people out to reclaim power from the occupiers, nothing more. And before anyone starts getting alarmed at those references, they’re not meant to be literal.”
Ultimate Comics: X-Men #16 courtesy Marvel.com
Wood and Kitty take command in time for the Divided We Fall crossover with the rest of the Ultimate books. For the entire interview here’s the Marvel.com link. Here’s my review of X-Men #30X-Men #31 is out this week.
This week delivers one of the most eagerly awaited fights in the Avengers vs. X-Men series so far: Rogue vs. Ms. Marvel. These heroines with a history throw down in this week’s X-Men Legacy #269.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com
Back in the day Rogue was to be a bad girl under orders from her foster mother Mystique. Rogue’s first fight with Carol Danvers had dramatic consequences for both women. Rogue permanently absorbed Ms. Marvel’s powers and for years lived with Carol Danvers inside her fractured mind. Rogue eventually left Mystique to ask Professor X for help and began her road to redemption. Ms. Marvel was comatose for years but thanks to the Professor she recovered and eventually became a high-flying hero again.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com
In X-Men Legacy 266 and 267 an Avengers squad arrived at the Jean Grey School and fighting erupted. Rogue was reminded of what her mutant power can do…if she’s pushed hard enough. The fight with She-Hulk was just a warm-up. The tragic consequences and bad blood of their past is sure to be a factor as Rogue and Carol battle again. Christos Gage and David Baldeon bring you this AvX rematch in X-Men Legacy #269 out this week.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com
Who do you want to win this battle? I love ’em both.
X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel
X-Men Legacy #269 by Christos Gage and David Baldeon. Mark Brooks created this amazing cover.
If you were the side of the X-Men before AvX…are you still? I have to ask myself given Scott’s actions. Cyclops has now declared “No More Avengers.” The X-Men will become hero hunters and Avengers will be imprisoned in upcoming chapters.
Marvel.com revealed Adam Kubert’s variant cover for Avengers Vs. X-Men #8 showcasing the fiery and regal Phoenix Five (Cyclops, Emma Frost, Colossus, Magik, Namor.) Scott is holding Captain America’s shield.
Here’s the description for the issue:
“The chase comes to a head in Wakanda, as the sovereign nation becomes the target of an out-of-control Namor! Will the onslaught of the powered-up Sub-Mariner overwhelm the Avengers? The answer – and a shocking truth about the X-Men – is revealed”
Avengers Vs. X-Men #8 by Brian Michael Bendis and Adam Kubert arrives July 18th.
Some of my AvX theories are blown now. I had suspected the overzealous Cyclops was under the influence of the Void but wouldn’t the Phoenix have burned that out of him? It’s ironic the future the X-Men wanted to avoid (Days of Future Past) is now the present but they are the hunters instead of Sentinels.
The Phoenix Five are remaking the Earth into a peaceful paradise safe for mutant and man…unless you’re an Avenger. Mister Sinister has created his own world under the Earth…and he’s ready welcome Cyclops.
Kieron Gillen gives us a strange detour from the main action of the Avengers vs X-Men conflict in Uncanny X-Men #14. Mister Sinister was obsessed with genetics of the mutant race for years. Sinister is his own race now. Gillen has definitely created his own brilliant take on the old school bad guy. He’s no longer a mad scientist but a mad narcissist. Could we call him an ego-sexual?
Dustin Weaver is a perfect choice to craft this bizarre fairy tale world. Weaver created the historical science fantasy world of the Eternal City in SHIELD with Jonathan Hickman. The artist gives us a haunting new underworld in Sinister’s image and populated by variations of the classic X-Men villain. The faded palette used by colorist Jim Charalampidis is an excellent choice for this Victorian era underworld.
Sinister has manipulated Scott Summers for decades. Nathaniel Essex knows the Phoenix-empowered Cyclops will eventually come to burn him away. Sinister has an army of surprises for his old enemy. I eagerly await the showdown.
Northstar’s wedding inspired a real New York couple to tie the knot in a famous comic book store. X-Men fans Scott Everhart and Jason Welker were selected from more than 50 applicants to get married in New York City’s Midtown Comics in honor of Astonishing X-Men #51 which features the wedding of Northstar to his boyfriend Kyle. The photo from the Midtown Comics Tumblr site.
Marvel Editor-In-Chief Axel Alonso said the plans for Northstar were inspired by New York’s legislation of marriage equality. Congrats and good luck Scott and Jason.
Marvel’s new preview for New Avengers #28 gives away the fate of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the aftermath of Avengers Vs. X-Men #5 so I want to give this warning:
WARNING
SPOILERS AHEAD
SERIOUSLY
HERE IT COMES
The Phoenix Five (Cyclops, Emma Frost, Colossus, Magik and Namor hosting the cosmic entity) are tracking down the Avengers and putting them behind bars. New Avengers #28 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato shows the fate of Luke Cage, Spider-Woman and Hawkeye. Can these Avengers stage a prison break and if they get out
New Avengers #28 courtesy Marvel.com
Warpath is seen on guard duty to a very unhappy Luke Cage, Spider-Woman looks whipped after what looks like an interogation by one of the Stepford Cuckoos in these preview art by Mike Deodato. New Avengers #28 arrives July 18th.
