Wolverine and the X-Men #12
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Chris Bachalo
As much as this is another fight between the Avengers and the X-Men, Aaron focuses on Rachel as the conflict is played out during a coversation between her and Cyclops. He has asked her to use her abilities to locate Hope. This weighs on her because of her past when she was forced to hunt other mutants as a Hound. The X-Men also have to contend with Gladiator who finally arrives to claim his son and he’s one angry parent.
This issue is pretty much a straightfoward fight that had several entertaining moments when Aaron integrated the talks with Cyclops and Rachel. This helps to break up the conflict and even gives any newer reader a glimpse of Rachel’s origin. Other than that the book relys on the fast paced action and a couple of comedic moments. One would be the Beast and Iceman matchup which was great to look at but seemed a bit forced. Just hard to believe that knowing their history they would go after each other like this.
Bachalo’s artwork never gets old and he does help to keep this book looking great. Though the last page seemed a bit off. More specifically his depiction of Gladiator wich didn’t resemble the character too much. Other than that he moves Aaron’s dialogue and sequences along pretty well. This did seem like a filler issue just to keep the momentum going but it was one of the better ones to come out of AvX. –IS
Cover: 8/10 Writing: 7/10 Art: 8/10 Relevance: 5/10
X-Men #31
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: David Lopez
Last issue seemed like a good start to this new arc and creative team, but this issue doesn’t really seem to add much in making this a must-buy. In fact, the ideas in this story feel very much like Warren Ellis’ run on this book a few years ago. Ellis was always concerned with writing X-Men stories about new species, or altered mutant DNA. This, of course, were also based on ideas that Chris Claremont played with, as well as Chuck Austen. You get my point. This story does not feel original.
The X-Men are trying to deal with monsters that appear to have ancient mutant DNA. Someone is using these monsters as genetic weapons and the X-Men are trying to figure out how to defeat them. Does that make you want to buy this? It’s as uninteresting as it sounds.
The one thing that made issue #30 intriguing was Storm’s willingness to lie to Scott about their findings. Dramatically, this is the only thing that is holding this book together, as Storm’s “lie of omission” is revealed and Domino and Colossus are not happy.
Beyond that tiny bit in the back of the issue, there’s not much here of which to speak. David Lopez’s art continues to lack anything that could be classified as “dynamic” or “expressive.” His art reflects the weakness of this story.
Knowing that this story takes place before AvX, due to the fact that Colossus is un-Phoenix-ified, lets us know that this story has nothing to do with anything important and by the time we get to the end of this arc, nothing significant will have happened. Save your money on this and buy a new creator-owned book. You’ll be glad you did. –JJ
Cover: 5/10 Writing: 3/10 Art: 3/10 Relevance: 2/10
X-Men Legacy #269
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: David Baldeon
The Phoenix Five are doing good in the world and Rogue and Iceman have accompanied Magik to China to irrigate some dry land. Rogue is then tasked to go help out in New Orleans where she ends up having a run in with none other than Ms.Marvel.
The whole point of this issue was to plant a serious seed of doubt into a senior member of the X-Men and Christos Gage penned this wonderfully. He played on Rogue’s history with Ms.Marvel to do so and gave us a wicked fist fight in the process. Things aren’t as good as they seem with the Phoenix Five, as evident by Magik’s actions at the end of this book.
Baldeon knocks another one out of the park. His faces still need a little work, but his perspectives and dynamic action scenes more than make up for it. Brian Reber provides vibrant colors that intensify the action. And how about that Mark Brooks cover? Yowza!
This was another great issue of X-Men Legacy, which is quickly becoming one of the top X-titles to hit the shelves every month. It’s great that Marvel is essentially giving the Rogue character her own title and having it succeed so well. The white streaked Southern Belle deserves it. –SG
Cover: 9.5/10 Writing: 8/10 Art: 7/10 Relevance: 8/10
Most X-Cellent Pick of the Week:
Jeff: That Mark Brooks cover alone would make X-Men: Legacy #269 my top pick.
SpidermanGeek: X-Men Legacy #269, without a doubt .
Infinite Speech: X-Men: Legacy #269 would be my pick because a throw down between Rogue and Ms. Marvel never gets old!
