New Mutants #30 (September 21): Ayala's run on "New Mutants" has been a mixed bag for me, though I've never questioned her love of the characters. When the first story's text box describes young Sam as "'nigh invulnerable while blastin'," I knew she took this 40th anniversary assignment seriously.
For old-school fans, this issue is a wonderful reminder of where we've been. In the first story, Danielle recalls when she first realized who Roberto really was behind his arrogance, when he repaired her belt after he damaged it in the Danger Room. I was totally crying by the end. I also loved the unexpected delight of seeing Karma and Shatterstar heading to a queer festival. It occurs during an era where both Karma and Shatterstar were emerging from other people defining them, and Shatterstar pushes Karma to experience joy as her authentic self. It was just lovely. It was the friendship I didn't know I needed. If Ayala is leaving the title, I wouldn't mind her penning the unexpected break-out hit of 2024, "Karma and Shatterstar!"
As Ayala said, this issue exists as a stand-alone way to celebrate these characters who mean so much to so many of us, and it succeeds wonderfully. To another 40 years!
Star Wars: Darth Vader #27 (September 21): I don't know why, but, man, I just find this entire Sabé saga boring as hell. Maybe it's because any feelings that Vader's interactions with Sabé inspire in him are just a replay of what we've previously seen ad nauseam between him and Padmé. Maybe it's because the revelation that the Emperor was the one directing Governor Tauntaza's actions as a way to test Vader also isn't novel. Whatever it is, I just hope Pak wraps it up soon.
X-Terminators #1 (September 21): I have no idea what the $*%& is going on here, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the $%^* outta it.
Old Dog #1 (September 28): Shalvey overdoes it in using a split narrative to tell this story. I understand why he did it, since it sets up the shocking reveal at the end, that old man Lynch from the past is young man Lynch in the present. But it was sufficiently confusing (even after reading the issue twice) that I don't feel inspired to return next issue.
Sins of the Black Flamingo #4 (September 28): I can't tell to what extent I'm enjoying this series because I'm blinded by the incredible hotness of Moore's art. I mean, that opening sequences alone...woof. The plot isn't terrible, though it's pretty predictable. But again thirst so...
Merrilee Pepper, our blond villainess and "curator of the Museum of American Heritage and Culture [and] Grand Dragon of the Florida Klan," walks us through Ezekiel's history. It turns out some post-Revolutionary War era luminaries summoned him, only for God to burn them for their heresy. But the criminal they hired to bring them the corpse that Ezekiel would inhabit watched from the shadows and collected the angel from the ruins.
Sebastian is weirdly (and pretty unbelievably) oblivious here, as Merrilee has to tell him the obvious: Scar was the criminal, and he's been using Ezekiel's blood to stay alive these last 200 years. Of course, Merrilee wants the angel for herself to set up a 1,000-year Reich (because it needs a "1,000-year bitch" to lead it). Sebastian and Merrill arrive at the rendezvous point with his friends, and Ezekiel surrenders himself to Merrilee all the while knowing that Scar is coming for him. Scar does and, thanks to his trusty rocket launcher, takes Ezekiel.
When Merrilee makes contact later, Sebastian offers her Ezekiel if she helps him defeat Scar. Merrilee is too smart to fall for that trap, but they need each other if they're going to take out Scar, so I'm guessing we're going to see some fun double-crossing next issue. And maybe some cock?
Star Wars: Han Solo and Chewbacca #6: Oof, this issue is a mess. It's hard to follow all the various interactions here, as we haven't really had a good enough introduction to Tanna's crew to know who's who.
Surprising no one except Tyra, when the crew gets to the Falcon, the urn is gone. Along the way, we're introduced to a young thief named Phaedra who wants to use two other prisoners (Evazan and Ponda from "Star Wars") and Chewie and Max to escape from the Marshalls' prison.
I also just realized in this issue that T'onga is part of Tanna's crew, which makes me wonder where we are timeframe-wise. Also, Han has somehow washed ashore on a tropical island, despite the fact that he was dead in Tanna's ship last issue. It's all...a lot.
X-Men #15 (September 28): Duggan returns us to the Vault here, as Forge reveals to Cyclops that, at the Council's request, he has built an enormous gun point at the Vault. He plans to use it to shoot a black hole into the Vault the next time the door opens. Unfortunately, the gun misfires, for reasons that aren't explained, and the fourth generation of the Children of the Vault lay waste not only to Earth but also Asgard.
In a clever reveal, though, it turns out we're seeing what the Children think happened. Duggan has Cassara repeat the scene of Forge walking through the forest to the Vault with Cyclops, only, this time, Forge reveals not a gun but a dome over the Vault. It turns out he created a Matrix-like simulation within the dome; the events that we just saw occurred within the dome, though the Children think it's all real. Clever, right?
I was wondering why Duggan was telling this story, if Forge has neutralized the threat, until we learn that they're at the Vault to rescue Darwin. The X-Men accompanied Forge to take out the Vault's guardians who exist outside the dome but somehow don't see it as a threat, in a convenient bit of storytelling. Using a suit comprised of Caliban and somehow embued with Mystique's powers, Forge enters the dome disguised as Perro, one of the Children. Jean expresses concern about the suit falling into the Children's hands, which Forge dismisses, which means it'll definitely happen.
As clever as it all is, part of me wonders why we keep returning to this story. The authors and editors seem to feel like the Children are much more interesting than they actually are.
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