Hey y’all. We’re back after a week off. Due to that, some of
last week’s issues are reviewed below. Also, there is going to be at least one
extra post this week; a Loki post will be going up on Tuesday. Then the newly-bi-weekly
News Roundup returns Wednesday and a surprise Feature on Friday with a possible
other post on Saturday. Its going to be a fun week!
Anyway, on to the reviews!
Planet-Size X-Men #1
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Pepe Larraz
Colors: Marte Gracia
Letters: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Design: Tom Muller
Cover: Larraz and Gracia
It is not fair. Having Larraz
and Gracia draw your comic, that is. Even an issue that is almost entirely
exposition, like this one, is endlessly entertaining. The pair do an incredible
job of selling the audacious events of this issue as the big mystery event of
the Hellfire Gala is finally revealed.
Terraforming Mars, moving the Arakki mutants there, and declaring it the seat of power in the solar system is a big swing, both by the characters and the creators. One of the promises made at the beginning of this era was the status quo of the X-Men would irreversibly change. Of course, nothing in comics is irreversible, but terraforming Mars is as close as it gets. I am curious to see if the comics will address the fact the Marvel Mars is inhabited and has now been colonized. As has the entire solar system if the newly dubbed Planet Arakko is to be the contact point for the remaining cosmos.
It seems clear this will be the
basis for either Jonathon Hickman’s next ongoing series or the mystery new
series that has been teased. There is a chance most of the relevant developments
with be handled in S.W.O.R.D., But Arakki society is begging to be
explored, especially following the revelations of S.W.O.R.D. #6. I suppose
we will know soon enough.
Wolverine #13
Writer: Benjamin Percy
Artist: Scot Eaton
Colors: Matthew Wilson
Inks: Oren Junior
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
Design: Tom Muller
Cover: Adam Kubert and Frank
Martin
The Terra Verdeans are still attacking the Gala! Luckily, they agree to an armistice that includes no more mind control and an official rejection of Krakoa. In return, Krakoa does not get blown off the face of Earth for a secret mind control coup in a South American nation. We are at the point where most are done with Beast’s bullshit, including Emma, who tries to get him to stop being a fascist. Beast doubles—maybe quadruples at this point—down on fascism. Sage slaps him at one point and it is extremely satisfying.
Everyone realizing Beast is a
supervillain is a plot that has been going for far too long. It is interesting
and fun, but it has been the focus of Percy’s stories for two years and it has
been happening for 20 years in the background. There needs to be some sort of
payoff. Given the story of X-Force, that would be Jean returning or Sage
choosing to oust him as leader.
The art in this is issue is serviceable.
Nothing particularly scintillating but certainly not bad. Characters and
backgrounds are drawn well, shots are well composed, and the storytelling is
always clear. There just is not any of that extra something to make the pages
stand out.
Way of X #3
Writers: Si Spurrier
Artists: Bob Quinn
Colors: Java Tartaglia
Letters: VC’s Clayton Cowls
Design: Tom Muller
Cover: Giuseppe Cammuncoli and
Marte Gracia
Like many issues with the label
on their cover, this one is not really about the Hellfire Gala. That is for the
best as Way of X is busy exploring Krakoan society and forcing Nightcrawler to
question his preconceived notions. Elsewhere, Legion and Pixie hunt the
Patchwork Man to mild success.
From the beginning of this series, Kurt has been laser focused on what he perceives to be the hedonistic problems of this new nation so when he is confronted with Stacy X’s new institution—a place people go for companionship of all types—he is taken aback. Until she explains the shortsighted nature he and the council have been taking. For example, there are plenty of mutants obeying the ‘Make More Mutants’ law, but then what if they do not want to raise those kids? It is the details that have bypassed the Quiet Council while they are terraforming planets and gladhanding with politicians. It seems as though Kurt has realized his religion or whatever he is developing needs to focus on the details and the ways in which they directly affect lives.
 |
| The stuff at the Gala is good though |
Quinn and Tartaglia continue to
have quite a run on this comic. It is too bad Quinn is not doing the upcoming Onslaught
one-shot (More on that in Wednesday’s News Roundup), though I wonder if that
issue exists so Quinn can do the Cable one-shot without missing an issue of Way
of X. Having a (somewhat) unbroken run with this creative team would be nice,
but I do not expect it.
S.W.O.R.D. #6
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Valerie Schiti
Colors: Marte Gracia
Letters: VC’s Ariana Maher
Design: Tom Muller
Cover: Schiti and Gracia
I recently caught up on Guardians
of the Galaxy, a series I have been buying but not reading for months. Good
thing I did because it greatly enhanced this issue as I knew who the guest
characters are and their motivations. Recent issues of both series have shared related
plot points such as the Snarkwar and Doctor Doom’s concern with the greater
universe. This is, of course, leading into The Last Annihilation crossover
beginning next issue.
S.W.O.R.D. #6 is largely dedicated to ensuring the wider galaxy accepts Planet Arakko and the mutants as the leaders of their solar system. To do so, they employ the same tactic they used on Earth: they bribed everyone with something they need. In this case, it is Mysterium, the metal the titular organization began harvesting in the debut issue. They even propose using it to back a new galactic currency. It is the mutants once again pushing their luck and mostly getting their way. As on Earth, the space-based Wakandans are not fans though.
As mentioned above, Doom makes
an appearance in his issue; first in a conversation with Captain America as
they discuss their unease and envy of the mutants and how they are pushing
Earth into the wider universe. It is always fantastic when Doom is allowed to have
discussions with heroes on an even footing. Later, he appears at the meeting on
Mars to claim his allegedly rightful place as Sol’s representative in larger
affairs. Unfortunately for him, Storm is revealed to be the leader of Arakko
and as the head of the solar system’s seat of power, she will be the
representative. It is a fantastic way to introduce both characters into this
series they seem poised to have a large impact on.
As always, Schiti and Gracia turn
in stellar work. After all, there is a reason Schiti was tapped to draw Inferno
#1. They have many strengths, most prominent here is the ability to make
talking heads scenes dynamic. Clever layouts, interesting perspectives, and
expressive characters are the keys to that. Gracia’s colors make everything
pop, something can be difficult when your comic is set on a planet of red dirt.
It is incredibly impressive the depth the colors add to the art here.
Infinite Frontier #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Xermanico
Colors: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letters: Tom Napolitano
Cover: Mitch Gerads
Infinite Frontier #1 feels
less like the first issue of DC’s next big event miniseries and more like the
beginning of a long maxiseries like 52 or Brightest Day. The issue is filled to
bursting with (mostly) disparate threads. Flashpoint Batman crashes on Calvin
Ellis’ planet and meets Justice Incarnate, Obsidian and his father hang out
before Jade is seemingly caught in an explosion, Cameron Chase and Mr. Bones
discuss…something, Psycho Pirate attacks Flash on Earth Omega, and Roy Harper
becomes a Black Lantern. It is a lot.
It all interesting, but it is all setup for mysteries. There is not much to grasp onto in terms of characters. Alan and Todd have some fun banter and hints at an interesting interpersonal dynamic, but it is cut short by action and then the end of the scene. Similarly, Roy has an intriguing exchange with some no name characters before the diner they occupy is attacked. The pace is simply too fast for any one event of character to shine. Hopefully, as the plotlines converge, it slows and allows the characters to shine.
Xermanico is not the type of
artists that typically is not called for a big event. That both gives this
comic a unique style among those stories and elucidates the trajectory their
career is on. This issue could be a breezy, weightless read because the script
moves so quickly, but Xermanico is able to control the pace with specific panel
layouts. It is quite impressive, and I look forward to what else they are able
to accomplish throughout the remainder of this series.
No comments:
Post a Comment