Wolverine and the X-Men #6: Most of the plots in this issue are fairly predictable, but I can't say it wasn't a fun read. The best of the three plots was the Kid Omega/Wolverine one, even though it's ending was the most predictable. (I'd assume that intergalactic casinos had a way to sniff out telepathic customers.) It hopefully shows us Quentin getting to do something that doesn't bore him and maybe, just maybe, being a little less obnoxious in the future. The weakest of the three plots was the Kitty/Broo one, mostly because I don't understand why the badass alien from the end of last issue would infect Kitty to get to Broo. Why not just infect Broo? The Beast et al./Kid Gladiator plot was the middle-of-the-road option. It was mostly just amusing (or, at least, what Aaron thought would be amusing), but got interesting at the end when Kid Gladiator appeared Broodified. Did he get infected? Does Kitty run the risk of becoming a Brood? I still think Aaron has some work ahead of him to make this title click better than it does, but at least it's still a mostly enjoyable endeavor, unlike "Uncanny X-Men."
X-Men #25: OK, this arc is essentially the most formulaic comic story of all time: team member gets lost, lost team-member finds allies, other team members search for lost team-member, team members and allies fight as a result of a misunderstanding, lost team-member resolves misunderstanding in time for team members and allies to join together to face a new threat. Gischler does little to alter this formula. In fact, given that everyone else in the world seems to know who Raizo Kodo is (and Professor X has met him), I'm surprised the X-Men didn't recognize him upon arriving at this lair. But, given the state of some of the other X-books, I'm hard pressed to complain too much. Molina does a great job with the fight sequences, even if it's a little hard to believe the participants are all so well matched. (I do have a criticism of Molina here, though. I had never really noticed just how skimpy Psylocke's costume is until he essentially has her put her ass in our collective face. I guess it's supposed to titillating, but instead I found myself more thinking, "OMG, can someone get Betsy some clothes?" Maybe we can tone that down a bit.) I can't say I'm not intrigued by the free-for-all battle we're promised in the next issue, though, I have to say, it's a pretty sad state of affairs in the X-books when this review is about as good as it gets lately.
X-Men Legacy #262: Wow. This issue packs a punch. I can't tell if it's the brutal slug fest with Exodus or Logan and Rogue's fight that left me more on the edge of my seat, but, either way, this issue just keeps you turning the page wondering what's going to happen next. In terms of the slug fest, Exodus just totally overwhelms the X-Men here, and you can hear the unasked question in everyone's minds, how they're going to contain him even if they actually manage to defeat him. Both Gage and Baldeon do a great job propelling us through the fight, and I applaud the editor who decided to put them together, because they're a perfect match. (Baldeon had a ton of great moments here. I love Cannonball's redesigned costume, and I thought the scene of Rachel -- in her Hound outfit -- fighting Exodus on the psychic plane, on numerous fronts, was great.) In terms of Logan and Rogue's fight, I'm glad someone put word to what I've been thinking all along. "Ah didn't wake up one mornin' between ninja fights and decide ah wanted to be a teacher!" Hilarious. Seriously. But, no matter how right Rogue seems, I like how Gage doesn't actually take a position on who's right and wrong. It was almost impossible to take Scott's decide in his fight with Logan, but, here, both Logan and Rogue make points that merit further thought, which they unfortunately don't have time to do. It's a raw, emotional fight, and Gage depicts it beautifully. Rogue was right that they needed help, but Gage delivers a masterstroke when he makes Generation Hope be the one to respond to Rogue's call. (Although, to be fair, Logan didn't want not to call Utopia because he was afraid kids would come; he just didn't want Scott to say he was proven right when Exodus came to attack him. But, it does prove Logan's overall point, that Utopia means putting kids in danger, so I consider it point Logan.) Of the core titles, this one is absolutely the best. I can't wait to see what happens next issue.
Ah, so it was Raizo Kodo who Jubes went with last issue I take it? That's pretty interesting because I like him from that Dracula one-shot and the Hulk vs Dracula Fear tie-ins... Maybe I should swap Defenders out of my pull list and add this series...
ReplyDeleteSeriously, it's not going to change your world, but it's at least a decent read. If I had to rank the four core titles I read, it would be: 1) "X-Men Legacy," 2) "X-Men," 3) "Wolverine and the X-Men," and 4) "Uncanny X-Men." I'm hoping that "Wolverine and the X-Men" will eventually take the #2 spot, but, for now, "X-Men" is at least gives internally consistent stories and decent action sequences, which is more than I can say of #3 and #4 on this list.
ReplyDeleteHow is "Defenders?" I've considered getting it, but worried it would essentially be a B-version of "New Avengers."