Although this issue isn't perfect, I'm glad to say that Yost and Kyle rebound from last issue. That issue devolved into a confused jumble of characters, given that the authors were juggling Alpha Flight, the Avengers, the Great Beasts, and the X-Men. But, the authors wisely fine-tune their focus in this issue.
Storm makes a deal with the Great Beasts to lend the X-Men in the Spirit Realm their powers so that they can defeat Tanaraq. I'll admit that it's pretty awesome when you realize that the authors have set up these four X-Men in the Spirit Realm as "gods" representing the ancient elements: Storm as Air, Rockslide as Earth, Firestar as Fire, and Iceman as Water. But, it's Guardian bursting from Tanaraq's chest that kills him, hubris for "eating" Guardian in the first place.
Moreover, Yost and Kyle really used the other character to great effect in upping the tension surrounding this battle, showing Colossus, Northstar, and Rachel pushed to the point where it's pretty clear that they're quickly going to be overrun if the X-Men in the Spirit Realm don't deliver a win. But, deliver a win they do. Sure, it wraps up a little too conveniently, with the Great Beasts using their powers to miraculously heal as many wounds as they can. But, it doesn't stretch our suspension of disbelief too much, since it certainly seems within their power set to do it.
All in all, it's a solid arc. It's not exactly "Age of Apocalypse," but, for a series still finding its footing, it's not bad.
*** (three of five stars)
No comments:
Post a Comment