The X-men Thread (spoilers)

[Mystik]

where are the new recruits coming from? wanda promised me no more mutants (stinking muties)

[bredon7777]

Re :Kitty

I have no interest in massive crossovers that require me to buy books I don't read, so I have no idea what happened in Messiah Complex (other than what's in this thread, of course) nit here's the latest on Kitty:

As of today's issue of astonishing
[spoiler]
She is trapped unconcious inside a planet sized bullet that has been fired at Earth.  Yes I know, I was all huhbuwhut? about it too.   Oh, and we wont get a final resolution till Giant Size Astonishing #1, whenever that arrives :roll:

[/spoiler]

[thanoson]

I was suitably happy. The ending was pretty sad. Man Lucas has some splainin to do.

[Previsionary]

My post was updated with a rating and a semi detailed review along with my brief thoughts about astonishing 24.  ;)

I can see where Lucas was coming from though Young Bishop should have been seen with Young Shard (unless that wasn't time anomaly Bishop's true timeline). Though, taking out the baby could have resulted in something much worse like his sister never being born (Bishop wouldve been fine) and such. Those are the risks you take with time travel, I suppose.

Re: Thor

The new recruits could be old students that were at the mansion before the team disbanded. There's still less than 190 mutants running around.

*interesting sidenote: Vertigo has died twice in one week. Once in Messiah Complex and again in Deadpool (which was a very good read. Symbiote dinos...unique). How many clones of the maraunders are running around anyway?!*

[Podmark]

I'd give Messiah CompleX a 7.5 to an 8.0.

It was a pretty good story and I greatly looked forward to every issue. The last 3 were especially good. However it had it's poor points: some art gaffes like changing costumes (I'm looking at Tan's Cable here), some poor pacing at times, characters drifted in and out of importance (Storm is a perfect example) or disappeared altogether (Armor in everything but New X-Men). The art was pretty strong throughout (Silvestri and Tan were my weak links by the end) and I think the story played out quite well and set up some good stuff for the future. One weak point though is that after all that we still don't know what the deal with the baby was. They fought all those battles and Caliban died and they don't even know what it was worth yet.

But the Cable series just got a big boost in my mind [spoiler]Cable vs Bishop through time is pretty cool. Big gun totting X-Men with metal arms from the future battling just seems so right.[/spoiler]

Young Bishop was cool, I assume Shard was just elsewhere at the time. Pietro would actually be an interesting way to get Layla Madrox back.

There's speculation that one of the new recruits is Wolverine's son Daken.

There's supposedly two Vertigo's Prev. One cloned by Sinister with the Marauder, and another that lives in the Savage land. Course Predator X shouldn't be eating Vertigo because she's not a mutant but whatever..

[thanoson]

So, nobody thought to check on Bishop after the initial blast? They know what his powers are. Also, doesn't he come from a timeline where he and his sister are in the XSE and things are good?

[detourne_me]

[spoiler]where does charles' body go in the third panel?[/spoiler]

[Podmark]

[spoiler]Xavier lives![/spoiler]

[murs47]

[spoiler]what?[/spoiler]

[Podmark]

[spoiler]what?[/spoiler]

Just read this interview:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=12806

[Previsionary]

more previews of X-force:

http://comics.ign.com/articles/847/847482p1.html

Young X-men interviews and lineup:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=12815
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=144435
http://comics.ign.com/articles/847/847666p1.html

[murs47]

[spoiler]So I'm guessing the new Brotherhood that shows up in Young X-Men is the rest of the New X-Men.....

....which wouldn't make any sense. Well, Nori, maybe.

:thumbdown:[/spoiler]

[Podmark]

[spoiler]I'm guessing the new Brotherhood is either some combination of remaining New X-Men, Wither and Selene (though that may end up being in X-Force), or most likely I think some combination of the original New Mutants.[/spoiler]

[Previsionary]

I really urge you guys to go out and pick up X-men first class, the single issues or the tradebacks, because most of those stories + the mini marvels have been excellent. Last issue (well, it was an arc really, but each issue was stand-alone in its nature) was very well made and it was nice seeing all the alternate versions the young X-men feared they could become. Also...Manthing guest starred along with a cameo by Dr Connors/The lizard. So yes...go out and buy it, especially if you don't like current complex, slightly murky mainstream X-men.

Ultimate X-men 90: Apocalypse

My thoughts on this issue even surprise me. I haven't liked most of kirkman's run, but this single issue actually caught my attention in a good way. That may be because I ignored a lot and I completely avoided X-men 89 after I knew what happened to storm's ongoing plot. The book actually seemed kinda short to me and I don't know if that's because not enough happened, too much happened, or I was actually really into the book, but it took me like 5 minutes to fully read (I read fast, but not usually that fast).

[spoiler]Anyway, all the x-men finally come back together, bar Nightcrawler, and the australian team head out to find Sinister, who has dug himself from the grave. Sinister is out to still kill 10 mutants--he has 6 to go-- so he heads into the morlock tunnels by telepathically dominating Leech. Once he's there, he starts a minor killing spree (nothing too bloody or gory) before Nightcrawler stops him. The Australian X-men port in and a full out battle ensues. In the end, someone is shot, people are sad, sinister killed 10 mutants, and apocalypse (with his XML2 design) is born.[/spoiler]

Overall, I rate it a 5.3 out of 10. Good, but could be much better. I'm actually thinking that Kirkman is trying to combine several elements into 4 issues. I originally connected it with Apocalypse's appearance in X-factor Volume 1. Oh, for those that like a challenge, 'Lost' easter eggs are supposedly planted in both UXM and USM this week.

[Talavar]

X-men First Class is a nice little book, but while it's consistently good, I don't think it's yet been great.

I like most of what Kirkman does, and love Invincible, but his run on Ultimate X-men has nearly been enough to make me drop the title altogether.  I don't know why it's so bad, but it's bad.  I always get the impression that he hasn't actually read the rest of Ultimate X-men up to this point, but that editorial just filled him on on the broad strokes.  Characters behave in ways that are very inconsistent with earlier portrayals, plot threads have done 180's - and not for the better - and he may have even done the first Ultimate Universe death-retcon.  Maybe there are secretly 2 Robert Kirkman's?

I keep hoping the book will improve, but at this point I think my continued reading of UXM will depend on who takes over for Kirkman when he's done.

[Previsionary]

well, you probably won't be happy to know that Jeph Loeb is taking over Ultimate Fan4 and Ultimate X-men for like 6 or so issues (combined, I think) to tie into his ultimatum event. If you don't currently like his ultimates run...then I'm pretty sure you'll dislike his UXM/UFF run too just basing it off his other ultimate work and his general disdain of previous history. I'm really worried that the ultimate verse will collapse soon since USM is the only good consistent book as of now.

[Podmark]

I'm really worried that the ultimate verse will collapse soon since USM is the only good consistent book as of now.

I'm thinking that would be a good guess.

[Talavar]

well, you probably won't be happy to know that Jeph Loeb is taking over Ultimate Fan4 and Ultimate X-men for like 6 or so issues (combined, I think) to tie into his ultimatum event. If you don't currently like his ultimates run...then I'm pretty sure you'll dislike his UXM/UFF run too just basing it off his other ultimate work and his general disdain of previous history. I'm really worried that the ultimate verse will collapse soon since USM is the only good consistent book as of now.

Really, Jeph Loeb is taking over both Ultimate Fan4 & Ultimate X-men?  Crap.  Ultimates 3 has been so bad I'm incapable of doing it's badness justice.  To be honest, I'm hoping they do severely curtail the Ultimate universe at this point.  I like Ultimate Fan4 & Ultimate Spider-man, but the Ultimate universe is no longer what it once was - an easy jumping-on point for new readers.  It's internal history is becoming nearly as confused as the main universe, and the whole line has become diluted with inferior or rather pointless mini-series, like Ultimate Power, Ultimate Vision, etc. 

[murs47]

Ultimate Spider-man is still a top notch title in my opinion. ^_^

[AfghanAnt]

Ultimate Spider-man is still a top notch title in my opinion. ^_^

iawtc

[Previsionary]

Yes, USM is a great read. Last issue and the green goblin arc (last) were fairly nice.

Tal, I'm thinking some guy [or girl, just to be safe] from heroes, Aron Coleite, is taking over for a few issues, then Loeb will get both books. Either way, if UXM gets a brief revival, when loeb takes over, I fear it'll all go downhill as each character begins to become ultimized '616' versions of themselves with attitudes and dialouge to match. He won't have to touch emma though. Kirkman already threw away her ultimate personality and made her the white queen.

Which brings me to a point. The main reason I can't stick with kirkman's run is his characterization and some of his plots. I liked "Date night". It was just a good story and, iirc, the characterization was just about right and I was actually interested in the shiar/phoenix part of the story. I don't really know what happened, but once Magician came to the forefront, then cable, then bishop, now apocalypse...I just don't like the book anymore. In fact, now that 2 time travelers are in the book, that means the ultimate universe has at least 2 dimensions/universes now because of the time divergent and that *ultimately* goes against what the ultimate line was created for. I dunno, Kirkman's good at writing, but I think team books are out of his league right now. Even in date night he kept the team split up among many stories and that just isn't really working for him anymore. In fact, now when a character *dies*, I can't even take it seriously (IE: Beast, Xavier, etc.)

[murs47]

iawtc

I'm not familiar with that acronym... :huh:

[Previsionary]

I think it expands out to say: "I agree with this comment"

[Previsionary]

The first aftermath issue of Messiah complex came out this week and it was okayish, imo. It's a down issue, something marvel needs in general since they ran so many events last year (spidey didn't even have a down issue between Back in Black, OMD, and BND, so you know last year was too event crazy when you can't even register the changes).

One thing that confuses me is how important is registration in the marvel universe? It was full on heavy during civil war and the aftermaths, but it slowly lost its weight when Ms. marvel was willing to disobey it, no one is really chasing down the new avengers or spidey [spoiler](he's no longer registered)[/spoiler] or even Gravity (newish hero who was just revived). I don't even know how to react to registration threats anymore since it's not being made out to be a big deal or an issue beyond some mild mentions.

[spoiler]Anyway, it's nice to see cyclops having a mental convo with Jean and his father (since this is the first or second time he's acknowledged his dad's death) while he's sleeping with emma. It's also nice to see emma not so (word here) since everyone seems to write her that way and her development seems to have cooled quite a bit after Gen X or New X-men [Morrison].

Also, wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler adventure = nice. Kurt even returns to the image inducer.[/spoiler]

So, all in all, I'm interested to see what cyclops and emma come up with and it's nice that they acknowledged the Xavier mystery. It's nice to see more of the savage land and a reason for them being there other than fighting magneto or dinosaurs. Heck, it's even nice to have cyclops actually think and analyze things instead of reacting for once. It's just a nice issue so I'll rate it... 7 out of 10.

[Talavar]

What happened to Hepzibah in Messiah CompleX?  I read X-force today, and...
[spoiler]
it opens with a statement that she was badly wounded.  Did I miss that?  There was no other follow up in the comic, so I was left wondering.
[/spoiler]

[Podmark]

She was hit by acid from Predator X in the final issue, but it wasn't made out to be a huge deal.

I'll post again with my thoughts on the newest issues in a bit.

Update:

Uncanny
[spoiler]Nothing wrong with this issue but I didn't find it overly interesting. I really only picked it up because it was still on my pull list from Messiah CompleX, and because I was hoping for some aftermath of the crossover, of which there was little. I'm not planning to follow the rest of this arc.[/spoiler]

X-Force
[spoiler]This book has a bloody variant, and trust me that's what you'll find inside. Easily the most graphic X-Men comic I've ever seen. But it's a really good issue. The Purifiers have restored Bastion and Rhane has been captured, maybe even shot. [/spoiler]

[Previsionary]

Ok, My minor, not so spoiler heavy, thoughts on:

X-factor:

[spoiler]Another down time issue that seems to be setting up some storylines and sending off Rahne to appear in X-force. The purifiers have been featured heavily this week and oddly enough, Rahne isn't really getting any shine time in any of the books she appeared in. Well she got some here, but she doesn't really do much as compared to the others in the book. I will say that it was kinda brave of Jamie to go against the purifiers on his lonesome. Oh, I was all ready to make a point about his tattoo, but that was solved pretty nicely. One point for you, X-books...one point to you.[/spoiler]

X-force:

[spoiler]When I read Pod's comment about the blood, I thought he was joking. I didn't see a drop of blood through most of the story and then...wow. Ignoring that, it's nice to see wolverine as the voice of reason again and he's really protective of X-23. Too bad no one listens to him. Oh, I'm kinda disappointed with Rahne's lack of use in this issue...but, I'll give it a chance.
[/spoiler]

So overall, it's nice to see most of the xbooks dealing with the aftermath and they all seem on the same page for once. Now, if the space xmen could finally come home and the writers would give Vulcan some off-time and actually make him likable or actually give him depth, I'd be happier. In fact, I hope Marvel girl or someone comes to earth to update the team (CYCLOPS) or at least tie into the annihilation event considering the ending to Emperor Vulcan.

[Talavar]

What was the deal with Madrox's tattoo?  Most of the time it wasn't there, but I noticed it at least once...

And please, spoil me: how did the Emperor Vulcan mini end? 

Edited to add:

I was just looking at the end of Messiah CompleX, and Hepzibah is well enough after the acid splash to fight lots more afterwards - she's quite obviously on-panel a lot beyond that point.  Weird.

[Previsionary]

What was the deal with Madrox's tattoo?  Most of the time it wasn't there, but I noticed it at least once...

And please, spoil me: how did the Emperor Vulcan mini end? 

Jamie's tat:

[spoiler]It was explained in a bit of exposition/thought that Jamie's tattoo is hidden by makeup. It reappeared when he was fighting because it was washed off by sweat.[/spoiler]

Emperor Vulcan:

[spoiler]The ending wasn't great but...going by memory

• Havok was willing to kill Vulcan, but he was caught off guard by the imperial guard. Vulcan then captured him as a hostage.
• Lorna and the starjammers were captured by the imperial guards and used to get alex to surrender
• Marvel girl and Korvus were sent off to deal with a weapon Vulcan fired off. As a result, they escaped captivity and are stuck in space with Lilandra
• Lilandra's uncle allowed her to escape and joined Vulcan's side
• Vulcan is accepted as the new shi'ar emperor because he saved them by taking out the Scy'ar
• The final scene is vulcan, the guards, and the captured x-men on the shi'ar planet as he declares to return the sh'iar empire to glory and his ongoing disdain for Xavier continues...

[/spoiler]

So as a mini series, nothing was really accomplished...just vulcan's story dragged out across another book and now it'll have to be dragged out even more  since the characters in space are important to the general x-men community and have several ties to all the x-men. I expected more from Yost especially since most of the series was good.


EDIT: Cable 1 preview- http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=12946

[Previsionary]

There's not really anything to review this week, X-men wise, except Ultimate X-men and probably new exiles from last week (as I dont read wolverine origins), so I guess I'll do that. I doubt anyone cares at this point, but, whatever.

New Exiles 2:

[spoiler]Um, I can honestly say it was better than the first issue. That's about it. It's a claremont book. You either love it or hate it. I happen to hate most of his current work. Enough of that, the book: Mind control is already in the picture, vampires, aquagambit, aqua black panther, storm, wolverine, fan4 dead except susan who adapted to underwater life and married aqua black panther and aquagambit is her son...that's about it. This story, as far as I can tell, is only better because sage isnt weighing down the book with her lame personality and her ever so complex issues/backstory that gets worse every time claremont touches her. Rogue is kinda annoying and she calls gambit, "G", alot. Like...it appeared 12 or so time within a few pages. Sabretooth still has a major crush on psylocke and he kisses her next issue. Psylocke finally got a new costume and more of her torso is shown. There's really nothing I can expand upon. All the previous problems with claremont's work and the exiles in general still persists as he's yet to give them a reason for staying together fixing realities and I still don't know what male mystique (mystiq) can do. He won't get around to addressing these issues until probably next year since he has long drawn out plans for everything.[/spoiler]

All I can say is, I can't wait for Cornell's new book. It's no longer named Excalibur but...Captain Britain and the MI:13 and it ties into the secret invasion. You can find more info here: http://comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=13031

Oh, next issue, Susan apparently creates an invisible plane. Points for that. But this...2.5 out of 5

Ultimate X-men:
[spoiler]
This book was slightly better but it really takes effort to stick with Kirkman at this point. Anyway, Angel died last issue and Dazzler is upset. The team gather up and battle apocalypse who barely flinches. Wolverine's arm is ripped out and apocalypse can apparently steal powers now. Nightcrawler and the morlocks show up to help out and the New X-men turn on them. Elsewhere, Kitty turns on Spider-man (and her costume seems to be purple now instead of blue...3 versions of that ugly costume...shame), and even further away, cyclops's team turn on the fan4. Apocalypse also has the power to control mutants. Overkill really. Fighting continues and apocalypse upgrades his armor. At the end, ultimate stryfe and ultimate onslaught show up. The end.[/spoiler]

If any of that excites you...go for it. I'd rate it a low 2 out of 5.

Next arc seems to deal with the legacy virus if the cover is anything to go by.

Extra:

Wolverine: Get Mystique

[spoiler]Suprisingly, I loved this issue. Such a simple premise and I don't know how far they can go with it, but it was a fine book for what it was. I can't say too much without spoiling like... a good part of the story, as you have to read it to really enjoy it, but this is probably the second time in recent history that I've liked a wolverine solo adventure. One thing though, it's kinda annoying that wolverine is written into everyone's history...let's cut that out marvel. He can't be everywhere regardless of what you want us to think. [/spoiler]

Though, I'm still wary of Cyclops's new direction. Sure he's more interesting, but he'll catch the Xavier symptom soon if they don't limit the darker tone.

Misc:

For those that care, Claremont will have another xbook soon: Genext...a book about the future kids of the xmen. It sounds interesting, but unless claremont has his mind together and his writing skills are finally tamed and polished, I may have to skip on it. Other upcoming books: http://comics.ign.com/articles/852/852987p6.html

All I can say is...YAY, Angel book! Perhaps he can be the first other xman to have a successful solo book...but its based on his origins so...*shrugs* Same thing with Colossus.