Featured Review: X-Men #21

Writer: Jonathon Hickman

Artists: Nick Dragotta, Russell Dauterman, Lucas Werneck, and Sara Pichelli

Colors: Frank Martin, Matthew Wilson, Sunny Gho, and Nolan Woodard

Letters: VC’s Clayton Cowles

Designer: Tom Muller

Cover: Leinil Francis Yu and Gho

Two years ago, Jonathon Hickman rocked the comics world with the most radical X-Men revamp since Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely introduced Cassandra Nova and made Beast a catboy. House of X and Powers of X rebuilt the concept of mutants from the ground up by establishing a new home—once again, an island nation for mutants—new allies, new threats, and the revelation a 40-year-old character had been hiding their mutant nature the entire time.

From there, Hickman launched X-Men with Leinil Francis Yu. While Yu disappeared from the series several issues ago, X-Men #21 is Hickman’s final issue. Though it certainly does not feel like the end. It is telling this issue is titled ‘The Beginning’ as it feels like the story has just begun with story threads from early issues only returning in recent issues. They will continue in the upcoming Inferno story.

But that is the future and this issue itself is a series of vignettes set during the Hellfire Gala. This first has Xavier and Magneto confront Namor about not wanting to be with the other mutants. As before, he has no interest in joining Krakoa. It seems as though a Krakoa-Atlantis battle is on the horizon, possibly even as the means by with Mystique intends to tear down the island. Unfortunately, this section is not as exquisite to look at as it is to read the dialogue balloons. The colors are perhaps harsher than necessary, and the line work is constantly off-model. Its unfortunate given the wealth of talent in the art team.

After that is the main event: every mutant connects psychically, debates who should be the next X-Men, and finally vote. Then the big reveal: Rogue, Sunfire, Wolverine, Synch, and Polaris will be joining Cyclops and Jean Grey on the team. It is an interesting squad with plenty of complex relationships and intriguing abilities. Plus, it was decided in the coolest way possible. The vast number and power of the various telepathic mutants is put to good use. Emma pulls a similar stunt later in the issue and it too is a clever use of her abilities.

Most fashionable X-Men team ever

Unlike its predecessor this portion of the comic looks quite good. The standout aspect is certainly the page layouts. Each flows into the next in an organic manner that guides the reader easily along the story’s path. Similarly, the following segment--a series of mini-vignettes showing the various intermingling of characters before the X-Men leave to do something vague that will likely be explored in next month’s relaunch—looks quite good. The facial expressions and body language steal the issue as everyone makes merry. Or at least pretends to make merry.

The final portion of the issue once again teases the big surprise Emma and the mutants. There are also a pair of silhouettes framed ominously against a red moon. Surely everything is fine. This is probably the reintroduction of the Xorn twins to the saga, but it could be almost anyone. It is a striking way to end both this issue and series and hints at the vast possibilities still in play for the overall story.

X-Men #21 is far from the best issue of the series but is a fitting finale to this segment of the greater X-Men plot. The art is variable, though the majority is quite good. As always, the plot and dialogue are top notch. There are few better superhero comics on the market and the ways, both subtle and otherwise, n which the plot and characters arcs a pushed forward show why.