The X-men Thread (spoilers)

[Previsionary]

It's confusing in general right now, bud, but it'll probably be explained later. Since I'll be reviewing SI:X in a bit, I'll give my thoughts on that later, but it hasn't been explained anywhere yet and it's assumed that he can willingly change forms or something triggers it and this basically comes from X-men #500(?). Whichever one had him fighting a sentinel by himself. I'm assuming the explanation will come out of X-force sometime soon.

[crimsonquill]

If anybody has read both X-Force and X-Men: Secret Invasion...

[spoiler]Can anybody explain to me just what the deal with (arc)angel is? I mean, first he has feather wings, then grows back metal ones and turns blue, then regains feathered in X-force. Now in SI we see him feathered at first (in his blue/white costume with halo on the chest) getting hit on by Husk (I believe), but later in the same issue ol' blue skinned, blue/purple costumed, metal winged archangel shows up (and is even acknowledged by some of the young x-men as "that new guy with metal wings"). Am I going crazy? HAS THE WHOLE WORLD GONE CRAZY??? [/spoiler]

Seriously, this confuses me to no end.

To answer your question...

[spoiler]I believe the X-Writers are trying to establish that Angel/Archangel are like flip sides of the same coin. Angel is the calm team player as well as the moneybags member of the X-Men, while Archangel emerges when Warren is wounded or angered enough that the Apocalypse nanines in his blood transform him back into Death mode until his wounds heal and he calms back down. This transformation of course is a loophole power to explain why he appears in X-Force in death mode and in X-Men as his normal self.

Only the older X-Men that were around during Fall Of The Mutants/Inferno would recognize Warren in his Death mode.[/spoiler]

Edit: Ack.. Ninja Prev strikes as I type..

[Previsionary]

My gosh, me and my big mouth. I'll have to learn not to say I'll do something during a big X/SI week. Darn you, Murs, but if I weren't already doing this for myself to keep my hands unidle and my writing talents in the green somewhere...I'd shoot you. Well...not really, but you know...I'd shoot you. :P

So, this week on Prev's Sumviews, we'll look at Magneto: Testament, Deadpool #1, King Size Cable, SI: X-men, Origins, and maybe the Wolverine one shot. MAYBE. I guess this will be the minute reviews edition. Giddy on up on the review express! Choo Choo.......

Magneto: Testament

This is the five part miniseries written by Greg Pak of Phoenix: Endsong (and that other one) fame. It attempts to reveal the origins of our favorite misunderstood villain/hero known as Eric/Magneto during his time in Germany in WWII. There's not really much to actually spoil or talk about here because if you know his basic history, you basically have this book figured out. I'll give you the very basics and the rest is up to you fine folks:

[spoiler]•   The book opens firmly in Eric's (Max Eisenhardy) as he watches his Dad and uncle work on some chains.
•   In school, Magnus has his young eye on a young lady, Magda
•   While training, Max isn't well liked and is criticized for his shortcomings.
•   Magnus excels at Javelin throws.
•   One of his teachers warns him to be careful with his gifts
•   Magnus gives Magda a chain he made
•   Magnus realizes that his uncle is being beaten up at a speech given by Hitler.
•   The Uncle suggests the family run away and Magnus's dad is unsure of what to do.
•   Back at school, Eric is informed that his javelin was defective and he has to throw another one—which is heavier
•   He throws it just as far and the teacher that warned him yesterday looks worried.
•   Eric is expelled and as he leaves the school, he's beaten up by ex-classmates.[/spoiler]

And there you go. It's a fairly quick read, but it's enjoyable if you care about Mag's history at all. What I find interesting and encouraging is that Pak acknowledges in his afterword that he and Warren (his editor) have researched this and plan to use accurate history as much as possible while keeping the key events in Magneto's past present. Honestly, I consider it a good read, but not particularly compelling or anything right now. It's a 3 out of 5. This isn't a book for you if you want a ton of battles or superheroics...this is similar to Angel: Revelations...low on fighting, more on development.

Deadpool #1

So, here's Way's official run of Deadpool and now I truly get to judge his ability to use the character without Wolverine around to distract me...and vice versa. This is yet another SI tie in (please end soon) and I think the book has some pretty good art considering its competition in the X-field. Let's go deeper.

[spoiler]•   At a baseball game, a skrull ship arrives
•   Skrull mentions that an interesting DNA mutation exists on the field
•   Flash to Wade on the field in an mascot uniform with two guns strapped to his back
    o   Weird thing here, Wade apparently developed another personality he narrates to...
•   Deadpool basically takes on the skrull himself as the rest of the humanoids escape
•   Wade hallucinates that the skrulls want his autograph...
•   Skrulls think the killed DP after firing on him from the ship
•   Wade is missing from his costume and the skrulls deploy a superskrull
•   Wade is on top of the ship singing. He's obviously laying c4 or some other explosive
    o   At this point, I'm tired of the expletives even if they're skrullanese
•   Ship explodes and Wade discusses to...himself that POV stands for Pool-O-Vision which is basically a game or something
•   Wade gets to the boss and puts a gun to his head.
•   Basically pulls a joker with the "Bang" flag
•   Superskrull grabs DP. DP reveals he was just making aan impression and he's reporting to duty. Skrulls are shocked.[/spoiler]

So, um, yeah. I didn't like this book at all. I didn't like the way Way wrote DP in Wolverine Origins and I don't like the way he was portrayed here. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since this is issue 1, but he better pick up his game. Also, the previous DP humor seems to be gone and replaced with schizo DP which I was already pretty much over in Wolverine. 1.5 out of 5. I liked the art.

King Size Cable

They may not share a book anymore, but that doesn't mean they can't share a week together and it doesn't mean I can't sumview them together. I found the last issue of Cable to be a great read and I generally dislike the character, but I found him to be most tolerable in C&D and the last few issues of X-men before MC. Let's see how he fares this week.

[spoiler]•   Book opens with Bishop 80 years in future Chicago tracking Cable.
•   The baby now has red hair down to her shoulders...(Jean rumors)
•   Bishop suspects he found Cable, but sets off a trap. He barely escapes and sets off an alarm.
•   Um, I guess Bishop was knocked over a cliff or something. Art was too busy.
•   Back with Cable, he and the baby walk through the woods or something and a wolf growls at the baby who is wandering off on her own.
•   Bishop learns that tracking Cable is going to be more difficult that he thought. -_-
•   Bishop continues searching and eventually asks a mutant or something to help him pinpoint Cable a bit more accurately
•   Wolves attack the baby, Cable shoots one, and tells the girl to run. She does so.
•   Different time, different town, Bishop asks some indigenity about a statue he comes across. They're shock and speak of a prophency
•   Baby is almost struck by a wolf and is killed by Cable
•   Bishop is considered a threat and is attacked. He's stabbed in the shoulder
•   Bishop returns to Merryweather (New Siberia, 2592) and realizes he was also a helper of Cable
•   Mutated bear attacks cable and baby.
•   Cable's guns are helpless against it
•   Bishop killed Merryweather and he buried him and searched his room for info. Everything he found was fake.
•   Bishop realizes Cable can only jump forward in time moments after he finds some clues on Cable's whereabouts.
•   Bishop finds blood is attacked by a bear (I'm going to call it a dire bear from NWN)
•   Bishop kills the bear, but he sees Cable
•   Cable gets to his device and asks the baby to jump. She refuses. Bishop sees her.
•   Cable and the baby jump through time and Bishop realizes he just rewrote history and saved the baby
•   Bishop returns to 2008 in North America. End[/spoiler]

Wow, long read. It felt longer because it wasn't really interesting to me all that much. I'm not sure if it's Ken Lashley's art or the colors, but I found several portions of this book difficult to decipher and that was really off-putting. Also, did they really need +40 pages to tell the same story they were already telling in Cable's regular book? Not much of the story really advanced, but the baby is apparently at the age of 1 or 2 or so now since she can talk a bit. Basically, this is a complete pass because the little things that did advance could have been done in a regular book with less padding. 2 out of 5.

SI: X-men #2

Busy week, busy week. Well, A busy week is much better than a single busy day. Hi, Secret Invasion that seems to hover on a single day invasion. Um, sadly, I don't remember last issue very well and I guess that's because I don't remember reviewing it. I think Pod did. Oh well. Going from memory, last issue was just skrulls attacking SF and NC having his emotions played with over religion or something. Spoilers after the Jump:

[spoiler]   Book opens with the X-men fighting the skrulls
   Cyclops lets a beam flare to get the attention of his backup squad
   Pixie, I guess, teleports them off the field. Skrulls think they won but realize the X-men will be back.
   Cyclops and the X-men discuss the current threat and how to handle it.
   Scott asks Hank to build a doomsday weapon for the ships
   Husk, Dazzler, and Beaubiers are recruited
   NC talks to the ball thing he got last issue off a skrull
   Iceman, Aurora, and Northstar (wow) attack the skrulls
   In fact, the X_men pull off their hit and runs pretty effectively
   Meanwhile, Emma and the cuckoos try to get past the psi walls using Cerebra
   Pixie, who looks like her old self, is attacked by a superskrull. X-force saves her.
   Emma fails and passes out. The Cuckoos discuss who will tell Scott and who will get Em's dresses.
   Book ends with Warpath bringing a skrull body to Scott and Hank[/spoiler]

Well, this is an ok book and it's different than the other SI books out there because the X-men don't have to worry about skrulls infiltrating them, but instead have to be anxious about a war (Scott vs. Skrull leader in strategies), a psywall (Emma), and Nightcrawler and I'm glad they tried to distinguish the book a bit. The art is wonky and sometimes I can't tell who certain characters are and to be honest, it could and should be MUCH better than it is. It's way too vague and it's almost like the artist (Cary Nord) isn't taken the art as seriously as he should. I enjoyed the use of the X-men and it's nice to see them attack as a full team and even including the Cuckoos and the other New X-men. In fact, the New X-men need to be gradually worked into the main books to create a sense of roundness ESPECIALLY the cuckoos because of their connection to the Astonishing team and they've been more or less the catalyst for several late X-arcs. Sorry to ramble, but I'm more or less over the skrull thing. It's an adequate read for what it is. 3 out of 5.

Ultimate Origins #4

I know I haven't been keeping you guys updated on this book, but it kinda lacked X-characters for the most part. Though, it's odd that I didn't review issue 3 since it was Wolverine, Charles, and Eric heavy...my bad. I'll assume it came out during one of those weeks when I was slacking or my quota had been filled.

[spoiler]   Book opens with the return of Nick Fury (not current times) who is dragged to a hospital by Weapon X. It's revealed that Nick is basically the first super soldier (like Isaiah Bradley in 616)
   Nick rejoins the army
   In the future (for this book), Nick gathers a few thinkers into a room to help develop the super soldier serum. They are Hank Pym, Frank Storm, Bruce Banner,  and Richard Parker.
   Nick gives them a sample of his blood to reverse engineer
   In the present, The "watchers" are popping up all over the world.
   Back in the past (15 years ago), Bruce and the others minus Storm think they have figured out the Soldier Serum. Bruce will test it first.
   Richard goes outside to meet his wife and son as Hank and Bruce test the serum.
   Hank runs out of the building and Richard enters. Second later, the building explodes and Mrs. Parker is killed as well. Last thing she sees is Hulk. I'll assume the debris and explosion took her out.
   Bruce reverts and is horrified by what he's done.
   Nick appears, knocks out Bruce, and takes Peter to a helicopter
   Present, Reed calls up Tony to see if he can help out with the "watchers".
   Sue seems to be hypnotized by one of the "watchers"
   Sue reveals that the machine is a Watcher with the same functionality as a 616 watcher. It's there to witness the upcoming devestation[/spoiler]

I'm seriously wondering why I reviewed THIS issue instead of last issue as Wolverine was only in one whole page. Anyway, it's a fairly ok read. You have to have knowledge of the ultimate verse to really care about anything here, but some of the reveals were nice. The Parkers part of the story does open up a few continuity question in regards to Peter and Eddie from a certain USM arc, but I'll assume Bendis will sort that out. This also shows why Fury had such an interest in Peter throughout most of his career. The book STILL has a few questions to wrap up especially in regards to the mutant gene as Wolverine seems to be the start of it in the Ultimate verse. We'll see how well that goes down in the ending to the series. I give this book a solid 3.

Wolverine: Soudade

Wolverine needs less oneshots.

[spoiler]   I'm not sure of the timelime as Prof X seems to be in good graces in this book, but Wolverine is on vacation and a bunch of kids steal his bike.
   One seems to have magnetic powers as he makes quick work of Wolvie and the kids ride off.
   Wolverine tracks down his bike and witnesses that the kids are being ganged up on.
   Wolverine kicks their butt and gets his bike back.
   Wolvie and kids escape
   Wolverine finds out that one of the kids is a mutant and offer him a place at the mansion
   Thugs from earlier return and attack Wolvie and the kids
   The kids plus Wolvie are overwhelmed and they're taken in. Wolverine is dragged by a truck and shot. He;s eventually tossed off a cliff.
   As he drifts deeper into the ocean, his necklace glows and some strange eel/woman creature greets and kisses him.
   Wolverine is the hairiest thing I've ever seen in a comic...he needs a Sage dove
   Wolvie calls Prof and updates him then goes to confront one of the thugs
   Wolvie is all set to kill him when the guy's kids show up. The guy is spared
   Wolverine catches up with the big bad who happens to be a healer. His people attack Wolverine, but the healer calls them off and fights Wolvie himself.
   Not sure what type of powers the baddie has, but it seems he can stop Logan's muscles and blood flow.
   Wolverine guts the healer and learns what happened to the mutant kid
   It's revealed that the kid is basically brain damaged, but Xavier allows him into the school. It's revealed that this story takes place sometime around Morrison's New X-men by Wolvie's costume and the appearance of Jean.
   Book ends with Wolverine thinking and imagining things that don't exist yet. He's a bit down and he ends his talk with Jean with the word, "Saudade", which basically means longing for something or someone that you are fond of that is lost[/spoiler]

I felt this book was interesting and I really liked the art for the most part. It was a little odd in places, but it was tolerable where it counted. I especially like that this book jumped back to the New X-men period and the only other known cast members it included was Xavier and Jean for a few pages...and some "New X-men" kids from that time period. There's a few things that are odd and seem to serve very little purpose, but it's generally a good story and it's certainly doesn't have an American feel because...it's not American. It's actually done by Europeans this time around which contribute to the different tone and I enjoyed that. Wolverine wasn't really like any incarnation I've seen in the past, but he was fairly likeable and within character the whole time. After a small amount of research, I have confirmed that this book would take place during the time in Morrison's New X-men that Wolverine took a vacation to Brazil...so I guess it's in continuity. Also, this book is marked for mature content. I'll assume it's because of the gore and the uncensored hard swears...but probably just because of the swears. It has less blood in it that a single issue of X-force. I rank it...3.5 out of 5.

Surprise, peeps...Psylocke will be returning to 616 soon and there's a few details on an upcoming X-event and other Marvel books here: http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/09/10/diamond-retailer-summit-news-round-up/

And those are my reviews for this week. It was a fairly mediocre week for the X-men and my biggest disappointment lies in the hands of Deadpool. Hopefully that book and Cable will find a stable ground to land on otherwise the split from their single shared book was more or less unnecessary. Also...*dies*  :rolleyes:

[murs47]

Deadpool #1

So, here's Way's official run of Deadpool and now I truly get to judge his ability to use the character without Wolverine around to distract me...and vice versa. This is yet another SI tie in (please end soon) and I think the book has some pretty good art considering its competition in the X-field. Let's go deeper.

[spoiler]•   At a baseball game, a skrull ship arrives
•   Skrull mentions that an interesting DNA mutation exists on the field
•   Flash to Wade on the field in an mascot uniform with two guns strapped to his back
    o   Weird thing here, Wade apparently developed another personality he narrates to...
•   Deadpool basically takes on the skrull himself as the rest of the humanoids escape
•   Wade hallucinates that the skrulls want his autograph...
•   Skrulls think the killed DP after firing on him from the ship
•   Wade is missing from his costume and the skrulls deploy a superskrull
•   Wade is on top of the ship singing. He's obviously laying c4 or some other explosive
    o   At this point, I'm tired of the expletives even if they're skrullanese
•   Ship explodes and Wade discusses to...himself that POV stands for Pool-O-Vision which is basically a game or something
•   Wade gets to the boss and puts a gun to his head.
•   Basically pulls a joker with the "Bang" flag
•   Superskrull grabs DP. DP reveals he was just making aan impression and he's reporting to duty. Skrulls are shocked.[/spoiler]

So, um, yeah. I didn't like this book at all. I didn't like the way Way wrote DP in Wolverine Origins and I don't like the way he was portrayed here. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since this is issue 1, but he better pick up his game. Also, the previous DP humor seems to be gone and replaced with schizo DP which I was already pretty much over in Wolverine. 1.5 out of 5. I liked the art.

One of the most disappointing single issues of my life. I have no problem with Way making DP a crazy, hallucinating, bi-polar, mercenary. I just have a problem with his sense of humor. Or lack there of. I mean, he's had how long to come up with some proper humor for his opening issue of Deadpool? 6 months maybe? And the best he can do is DP hallucinating Skrulls asking for his autograph. *sigh*

Using the standard Previsionary rating scale, I give this issue a: 1 out of 5. I also liked the art.

On another note, is NYX considered an X-Men title?

[Previsionary]

Murs, you should write an angry letter to Way telling him what you think...then you should take over the book. :P

I dunno about the return of NYX. I mean, X-23 was in it during volume 1, but she's nowhere near it in volume 2. The book does involve mutants, but they have no relation to the X-men from what I hear. Eh, if ya wanna talk about it, go for it. I'm sure whatever happens in X-men will probably trickle down to that book. :P

Oh, it's been confirmed that both UFF and UXM are being canceled after issue 60 and 100 respectively, but Marvel will have 4 Ultimate books running around (does Ultimates count? It's not an ongoing and it's always late...).

Fans of Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, however, will be disappointed to hear confirmation of the popular rumor/fact that both books are being canceled. "Following issue #60 of Ultimate Fantastic Four and issue #100 of Ultimate X-Men, I believe those books will go dark. After that we're reformulating our plans in light of Ultimatum. As to what happens to UFF and UXM, we have some thoughts, but nothing I'd like to mention just yet."

And, that's about it unless I get a sudden urge to review Civil War: HoM...

ETA:

Speaking of the Ultimates, maybe someone will be excited for this?

[murs47]

Murs, you should write an angry letter to Way telling him what you think...then you should take over the book. :P

But then I couldn't read Deadpool because I would be writing it. :(

But I'm taking my stance against Marvel's new direction with DP. I changed my avatar. It reflects happier times.

Speaking of the Ultimates, maybe someone will be excited for this?

Me! I'm excited! :D

[Podmark]

The whole Archangel thing may be explained in the next X-Force. But the basic thing is he transforms now. Also X-Force showing up made that issue of SI:X for me, it just made so much sense.

So UFF and UXM are both gone. Not really surprised but I thought they'd just knock out one. I'm somewhat excited for Ultimate Avengers. Love Miller's Ultimates.

[Previsionary]

I liked the X-force appearance and it was even better to see them out in the open..but not really in the open. They all wore their normal costumes except for Warren, iirc.

Anyway:

X-men: First Class #16

   It's no secret that I'm a fan of the original X-men (O5 fo' life!), and I was looking forward to this issue for awhile. Not only does it focus on Iceman, one of my fave X-men when used correctly, but it brings in the fun and liveliness of Spider-man (classic) and Human Torch. What more can you ask for other than Firestar? Well, sadly, Firestar fits into the Wolverine: First Class timeline and setting, so I don't see any possibility of her showing up anytime soon. Sadness, but I'll live...I HOPE! Now, let's look at the book.

   Book opens with Bobby and Iceman talking about how awesome and ladykillerish they are. They're total playa playas *shakes head 'no'*. Sadly, after this issue, the first class kids are gonna go on a small hiatus only making occasional appearances in the minis and the giant size book coming out next month. I'll try to live...I HOPE!

   [spoiler]Ok, the book really opens with a matching shot of Bobby and Johnny getting in trouble from their respective teams. The twin shot continues as the teams continue to scold their younger members before both Iceman and Human Torch decide they've had enough and leave. Bobby decides to go to Coffee-a-GoGo to see Zelda while Johnny goes looking for crime. Zelda isn't at work today, but yay for happy coincidences, trouble shows up just down the street and Torch is already on the scene. The baddies are using armor Reed made for the city, so Torch knows how to take them down...until his flame is extinguished. Cue the Iceman showing up and putting the armored thugs on ice. They break out, but Torch got a hand unfree and melts the ice...cue...short circuiting robotic armor!

   Later, Torch and Iceman talk about their team and decide to have a bit of fun together. By now, the news of their teamup has hit the news and their respective teams are a bit shocked. Bobby and Johnny head to a warehouse Reed allows Johnny to use when they're having problems and Bobby decides to reveal his secret ID to his new buddy. Torch isn't really amused since IDs mean nothing to him.

   Moving on, we get to Spider-man in the alley staking out some minor thugs. He makes mention of Gwen Stacy, which makes the placement of this story a bit odd for me since I'm sure there was a camera phone in the earlier pages, having a pool party and his senses go off. It's Bobby and Torch (his senses went off because Bobster threw a snowball at him) and they tell Pete they're the baddest duo in town...they just need a villain to practice on. Pete offers up one of his (the one he was staking out) and leaves for Gwen's party.

   So, the elemental duo take over the stakeout and bond over their brooding members (Thing/Cyclops) and the one girl on the team issues. Two trenched coat men appear and the duo spring into action. It's Scorpion and Beetle and their "leaked" info was supposed to bring them Spider-man. Making lemonade out of a bad situation, the villains attack anyway because either way, they're gonna beat up some heroes...and they proceed to do so.

   At the pool party, Pete is a bit withdrawn and this worries Gwen. Pete says he's  just thinking about something. He then points out there's something he must do. Gwen tries to argue with him, but Peter cannonballs into the pool. Gwen laughs. Young love...cute.

   Back at the fight scene, Scorpion and Beetle bury the elemental duo in the house they were thrown through earlier. As they celebrate, Scorpion is offended by Beetle's vocabulary. As they continue to talk about team names, Torch and Iceman surprise them and take them out. The reporter from earlier appears and takes another picture and writes an article.

   The next day, Bobby wakes up a bit late (almost noon) and calls for Johnny, who's not around. So, he grabs a paper and walks to the Coffee-a-GoGo and sees Zelda talking to Johnny. Bobby si visibly upset. So, Bobby returns to the X-men and all is well again.[/spoiler]

   I liked this issue. It had three of my fave heroes in it and two villains I don't particularly care about. I think the ending wrapped up a bit too fast though, but you can only do so much in 22 pages. Um, I liked the dynamic between the two jokesters and I'm glad they didn't totally overcome the big bads in this issue on their first try. It's an average read, so I'll rate it 3.5 out of 5. The .5 comes from the use of an OLD Spider-man supporting cast member I totally didn't expect to see. I'll give you a hint, it's not Harry nor is it Flash. Other reviews to come later, I guess.

[Podmark]

So read Young X-Men and X-Factor today:

Young X-Men 6:
[spoiler]The X-Men gather up the Young X-Men and discuss their future. Scott basically decides they'll be trained as soldiers by Dani and Berto. Despite working for Pierce (who is in custody of the X-Men, no I don't know how this synchs with X-Force) he is given a second chance. Greymalkin is revealed to be 200+ year old mutant related to Xavier  :huh:. Blindfold leaves the team as an active member. Rockslide has a heart to heart with Cyclops. The team will live in a church in San Fran (why not the regular X-Base I have no idea), and finally Dani recruits Anole to the team.

This issue is maybe an improvement, hard to say as it's just a setup for the current status quo. Art was kinda blah, ok in some places, not as good in others, colours are poor. This issue did make me laugh like crazy though in 3 spots that I'm sure were not meant to make me laugh:

First was a full page picture of Rockslide with tears in his eyes hugging Cyclops. Why it's so funny I'm not sure. The scene does capture the correct effect but I think its the fact that Santo just doesn't seem the hugging type and of all people Cyclops seems like a weird person for him to connect to. Whatever I was laughing for a while.

Second was the horrible new costumes for Sunspot and Moonstar. Essentially they're both wearing Cyclops' new clothes and it just looks silly.

Lastly we have the dramatic last page reveal of Anole...cept he barely looks like Victor. It looks like they spray painted some 20-something model green. Epic fail.

So did I like the issue? I...don't really know  :huh:

[/spoiler]

X-Factor....number escapes me:
[spoiler]Now this is a great issue. Terrible art, but great issue.

Darwin has been captured by some sciencey group for the betterment of something. X-Factor arrives at the hospital to find his dad shot in the head. miraculously he's still alive. Longshot arrives and explains logically how he can't be a skrull and helps them discover that Darwin's dad actually hired X-Factor to find his son so he could give him to these science guys the Karma Group (not to be confused with Darma or Karma of the New Mutants) for a cool half a mil. Course he got a bullet for his troubles. A Madrox dupe tries to smother him with a pillow but Madrox stops him.

Why is Longshot here? He saw the Skrull Longshot's picture in the paper and decided to check it out. Where is Dazzler? They broke up because it wasn't working out and because every girl is attracted to Longshot (including M and Siryn).

I give this issue a 4/5. If Raimondi was still on board it'd probably be a 5. Darn Stroman.[/spoiler]

[Previsionary]

thanks for the reviews, Pod. I think you just cracked up at Young X-men because it was so bad that even the slightest improvement is funny. :P

So, were there any flashbacks of Dazzler who now looks like Emma with shorter hair as drawn by Land? In fact, I guess I'll review Uncanny and Captain Britain later when I get to reading again. Oh, also, did Longshot mention hating Dazz's uber pink hair and her weird thanking rituals of sleeping with men she barely has a connection to? :P

[Podmark]

thanks for the reviews, Pod. I think you just cracked up at Young X-men because it was so bad that even the slightest improvement is funny. :P

So, were there any flashbacks of Dazzler who now looks like Emma with shorter hair as drawn by Land? In fact, I guess I'll review Uncanny and Captain Britain later when I get to reading again. Oh, also, did Longshot mention hating Dazz's uber pink hair and her weird thanking rituals of sleeping with men she barely has a connection to? :P

Nope none of that stuff. I'm just glad that David did mention her.

[Previsionary]

Uncanny X-men #502

Look, I'm just gonna say that you KNOW you have an art issue when the opening page with the characters has a closeup of Emma and a far-away shot of Dazzler. The women shouldn't look that much alike and, depending on how much time has passed since WWH, Dazz's hair probably wouldn't be Emma length anyway, but ok. It's nice to see some members of the team show up that I haven't seen in awhile and maybe they'll get around to why Dazzler is finally ready to rejoin the team, what happened to her Excalibur membership, her crush on Juggernaut/Wisdom, and what happened on Mojoworld...maybe she needs to go to Legacy. :P

[spoiler]Book opens up where it left off, with Karma being jumped in the alleyway. Wolverine and Nightcrawler appear and take care of business. NC and Logan defeat the cult with no major issues and Cyclops reminds them to bring one back for him to talk to.

In the medical bay, Pixie is spaced out and Beast brings her coffee like the gentleman he is. Ali then shows up—FINALLY—with her dazzling effects. She's totally fabulous...I feel like that's a shout out. Megan is shocked and Ali asks Pixie to come dance for her and let her dust make everyone crazy. Um...I guess Pixie dispenses drugs through her wings. ^^

Back to Cyclops, he's interrogating the one cult member NC brought back. Well, actually he's playing bad cop. When I say bad cop, I mean he had needs stuck in the man's face and optic blasts the needles every time he doesn't get an answer he wants. Cyclops is a much darker character these days...just an inch away from Wolverine territory. Anyway, Cyclops finds out everything and learns that the helmets they wear shield the cult members from psychic probes and attacks. So, Emma and her very huge breasts diamond up because she thinks she can actually fight when she's had no type of combat training from what I can remember of late. HA!

Meanwhile, Pixie tries to sneak out and she declined Dazzler's offer to shake her tailfeather. Wolverine catches her and she asks if his car actually works...so they go speeding through the city. They reach their destination and Wolverine drills her. Pixie just wants to be a normal girl. The same thing Buffy wanted for years. Cute. Anyway, Pixie leaves and remarks her wings were broken (theme).

Back at the mansion, Emma finds herself in a chapel where NC is. NC is needed for the mission since Pixie took off. NC asks if Emma prays and in so many words involving kneeling, she says no.

Move over to red-headed dominatrix drilling um...I forgot his name, but one of Emma's long lost students, for information on Emma. The dominatrix is interested in Emma's cold side and we get this flashback of Emma in her hellfire/stripper gear teaching the kids (the shot is VERY odd looking and incorrect, btb). So um, later that night, Manuel (the guy being drilled for info) sneaks outside of Emma's window and tries to read her mind. She catches him (she sleeps nude a lot) and allows him to see how cold she really is. Manuel is impressed. Dominatrix girl then takes her form and we get to see Land repeat his image from a few pages earlier.

Anyway, the X-men gather outside their target and attack. The team consist of Wolverine, Storm, Angel, Cyclops, NC, and Emma. The team easily handle the cult until Wolvie finds his mind probed by Manuel/Empath as Domi-Emma disappears. Wolverine reveals that Empath is better and NC chases him. Empath easily takes him out as well. His powers have been greatly magnified. Empath escapes and Beast alarms the police.

The book ends with Megan heading back to the X-men asking what's the worse that could happen. Famous last words, Megan.[/spoiler]

MMMMkay. The book was a pretty good read. I guess I liked it, but the art, good gosh, the art was not really great. I mean, it's totally passable, but it was very bad in some areas imo. I also have a problem with Land using the same image of Emma twice only a few pages apart. Can you be any more lazy, Land. 3. Total 3.

[Podmark]

As a New X-Men fan I'm not really happy with Pixie's depiction in Uncanny. She just doesn't seem the same, and seems less fun and more groan worthy here. Admittably it may be all the arts fault.

[Previsionary]

That's true, Pod, but considering the circumstances behind her behavior, I can accept it as it is for now. It's amazing that she's this happy considering her year. Magik, MC, this, and Magik again...let's be glad she's not insane or brooding yet.

CB&MI13 #5:

   I guess this doesn't truly count as an X-book anymore since Excalibur disbanded and it's really just a marvel universe book now, but I don't care. Brit has a major connection to the X-men and I'll use that as a good excuse to review him and his team. Suck it up! ^^ Now that the SI tie in is over, we get to see how Cornell can stand on his own with his own campus to draw upon. Will he do well? Let's check it out. Also, this issue brings into play Blade whom I haven't seen in...man...years.

   [spoiler]The story opens with Brian training against an agent in a metal like suit. It doesn't last long and Wisdom remarks that Brian is as strong as he used to be before death. He also reveals he didn't take a medal for helping in repelling the skrulls from Britain because of John and because Skrulls are still roaming other parts of the world. Seconds later, Brian gets his results from his training and it's revealed that Brian strength and endurance fluctuate depending on his emotions. Brian isn't too worried and asks who the new possible recruits are. Enter Blade and Union Jack.

   Union and Spitfire team up and battle some serpent goons. Union notes that he will not be joining the MI-5. Anyway, not gonna go on too much about this scene other than Spitfire has a secret she's embarrassed about sharing and Union Jack is trying to charm her.

   Elsewhere, Faiza and the Black Knight walk and talk. Faiza reveals that she's getting trained, but her Mum and Dad are scared for her. She continues explaining herself and her muslim background and it's revealed she's bringing home a childhood hero. BK is surprised.

   Back with Brian, Blade has just arrived and Brian notes that he didn't even know Blade was British—many people don't, Bri. Blade wasn't worried about the Skrulls at all, but he reveals he came to Britain because of the recent leak in demons. His calling brought him there.

   Meanwhile, Spitfire is not at John's grave. She's a bit upset and reveals his funeral was very low key. She notes that Pete took his death hard, but he won't show it and—she notices something near her.

   Flash back to BK and Faiza, her family isn't taking their meeting very well at all. Her dad literally explodes at BK. He's a little taken aback. Everything is a bit weird and BK reveals he wants Faiza as his new steward. He continues to explain (Pete also explains this to Blade). Seconds after the explanation is done on Brian's side, an alarm goes off.

   Continuing with Faiza, she reveals to her family that Excalibur chose her. Her father finally accepts her decision.

   Anyway, Pete, Blade, and Capt learn that Captain midlands is being attacked in Birmingham by something. Brian rushes off to be the first on the scene while the other members prepare to join him. Blade and Pete together, BK and Faiza on his horse, and Spitfire running along land until she joins Blade. The book ends on a cliffhanger as Blade instinctively stabs Spitfire through the heart...[/spoiler]

   I liked it. I really liked it and it's nice to see Blade get some shine time since he's not really a big player in the marvel verse. The cliffhanger ending doesn't really do much for me because I don't expect anything big to come from it now except maybe some tension and secret reveals. The art was fairly adequate and, though nothing really happened this issue, I consider it a 4 out of 5.

[Zippo]

This potentially X-men related. If anyone has read this weeks Avengers: Initiative, Mutant Zero is featured quite prominently, with some hint as to exactly who she could be.


[spoiler]Is it looking like it might be Jean Grey to anyone else? They never show her face, but she's got red hair, demonstrates telekinesis, and her biggest fear (according to Trauma) is her own dark side (or something along those lines).
Now, I'm not the biggest X-men buff, so does anybody else fit those criteria? I really don't want Jean to come back from the dead again, especially as some sort of emotionless super-assassin.[/spoiler]

[Previsionary]

It's been said that Jean WILL be back some time (as is her nature), but I doubt she's back already. She was originally the baby in Messiah Complex until they changed it, iirc. I would have said Maddie...but I think she's the red queen...i dunno. I have to read the issue...which I'll do tonight!

Speaking of Jean grey...X-men Noir is based on her death...the girl can't escape death.

[Previsionary]

X-force #7:

It feels like it's been forever since I last sumviewed this book. Last issue, Wolverine and the team finally rescued Rahne and Angel broke free of his Archangel persona. We're left with a cliffhangerish ending of several newly revived villains running about the world. Seems to be a theme (*looks at CB&MI13*).

[spoiler]For those looking for hepzibah, she finally returns and her dressing style is more girly than what I'm used to from her outside of her hippie gear. She's on the phone and screaming at it because she's not accustomed to our primitive technology. Warpath just listens on the other end of the phone until Wolverine arrives. They talk a bit and Warpath reveals that he's going away to talk to someone. Wolvie tells Warpath to tell his brother he said, "hi".

Back in the mansion, Elixir and X-23 discuss Elixir's knowledge of the team. For you savvy art peeps, you might notice some famous drawings in the background. X-23 says that since he knows and here's a good chance he'll tell someone, the appropriate thing to do would be to kill him. *gulp*

Anyway, Elixir, X-23, Cyclops, Angel, Wolverine, and Rahne meet up in a room somewhere to test Rahne's trigger. Once she sees Angel's wings, she becomes feral and tries to kill him. This in turn forces Angel to transform into Archangel! BTW, Angel was safe behind glass the whole time, but his darts almost break it. Archangel tries to attack Rahne, but Cyclops sends him flying out the room. Rahne continues to gnaw on Wolverine. Elixir puts her to sleep and Wolverine helps Angel break Death/Apoc's control over him. Wolverine tells Cykes they need Emma to deprogram them, he refuses, and restates that Elixir will have to be dealt with.

Later, we learn that Cyclops brought in the cuckoos and he pulled an Xavier. Wolverine explodes on him and tells him he's becoming just like Xavier and that's why they all pulled away from Xavier in the first place. X-23 reveals she summoned the cuckoos to help Rahne because the three-in-one are more loyal to Cyclops than Emma (as they should be regardless of their daughter status). Elixir then reveals he wanted the cuckoos to erase his mind so he wouldn't be tempted to kill again. Wolverine wants to keep him now and Cyclops states he's not replaced, not evil, but the X-men are entering dark territory now.

Over a series of pages, it's revealed that Creed is back in Washington and the other revived villains are back in place as well. Wolverine wants to know the first target and Cyclops says: "none of them. The Vanisher is back." Wolverine is shocked...as was I. He's not really the target...but what he's taken is. Legacy Virus.[/spoiler]

I enjoyed this read. It's a major downtime issue, but enough happened to keep me interested. Angel's transformation question is answered, Rahne is dealt with, Elixir and the cuckoos get some screen time, and Hepzibah is still around somewhere. It's nice to see all the villains getting back in play and a classic villain re-emerge after a long absence. Now...if only this old villain could meet up with NC again. 3.5 out of 5.


Angel Revelations #5:

This is my favorite non-mainstream/non-continuity X-book and it's not because I like Angel more so than two of the other 05 X-men. It's mostly because he has a lot of potential that many writers don't even try to expand upon (like Beast and Iceman) and he just waddles about being a scout and forgetting his projectile + melee weapons. Last issue, Warren, Andrew, Amanda, and his bully friend were trapped in the school for detention after a fight broke out. As they were there, Mary Margaret and crazy man claiming to do God's work showed up and set the school on fire in an attempt to kill Warren. This...is the conclusion. Also of note, the cover has Angel in his champions costume (red and white).

[spoiler]The book opens with Warren composing a letter to his Mom and Dad mentally. He and his friends/rivals/ex lovers/posse are standing in fear as the guy from last issue points a gun at their head. In the background, the school is going up in flames. Just as the guy is about to shoot...Mary Margaret jumped to Angel's aid and knocked the attacker's aim off. Seconds later, Brandon tackles the would-be murderer to the ground effectively sacrificing himself so the others could escape.

The others escape into the woods with Mary + murderer on their trail. Mary reveals that Warren + others like him will do tons of good in the world, but her "master" will hear none of it. He eventually finds Angel and the others and shoots at them. Angel flies up to...do something as Amanda runs further into the woods (Andrew is hidden somewhere with a hurt leg). Warren finally comes up with a plan, claims himself to be an angel to the insane gun wielding man, and overpowers him. As Angel flies him to the police station, the man let's go of the gun and falls to his doom.

Angel retrieves the group + Margaret and returns to the school where Brandon is found alive. Amanda is relieved and kisses him. Mary tells Angel to return to his room so his secret isn't revealed and his companions agree not to say a word until he's ready. In the aftermath, Angel is sitting about looking at a picture he got from Mary. She sent him a picture of the X-men and Warren is a bit confused...but he likes it. Andrew shows up and talks to Angel about the voice he heard. Warren doesn't know if it was God...but he hopes to meet the voice one day (Xavier?).

The book ends on a happy note. Warren, still reflecting on that night and all the changes he's occurred, graduates and his friends cheer up a storm. The final few pages is Warren wondering about his friend's future and his own...and he comes to the conclusion that maybe Mary Margaret was right with the hero idea. END[/spoiler]

Trade it. Is that nto a good answer for you? Ok...the book ended in a way I was happy with. I really liked the supporting cast and it's too bad they don't really exist in mainstream marvel because Angel could use more friends that aren't X-folks or Husk. I'm impressed that they worked in religion, a school, friends, and a non-powered human villain into a story about Warren's early life. I dunno...it's a great read especially for you angel fans and the art is great if a little unconventional for a Marvel book. 4 out of 5 for the book and the whole series.


WOLVERINE ORGINS: #28- Original Sin Prologue

Ok, I haven't read a way book based on Wolverine since...that ridiculously long Deadpool arc and I only read one issue. Since the next few issues of Wolverine will tie into a small X-event...I'm going to try and keep up...but really...Wolverine's son can go away for all I care. The story from the last few issues is that Wolverine has tracked down his crazy son and captured him. Wolverine wants to help his son escape the influence of Romulus.

[spoiler]The book opens with Daken remembering nothing. Wolverine goes through a long list of thoughts and comes to the conclusion that he's going to take his son to a friend for help. Wolverine stops a man on the highway to get a ride and Daken attemps to kill him. Wolverine calms him down and they take the car. Wolverine realizes that unlike Sabretooth, Daken can be saved.

Wolverine continues to think... a lot. He decided that the X-men will have to help with Daken, but he doesn't really want to. Not only because he doesn't like to involve them in his personal business, but because he doesn't want to involve them with Romulus. It's revealed that Romulus gave Logan the mission to get recruited by professor X during the "all new, all different" period. So this mission required Wolverine to fight...HULK—while he's fighting Wendigo! You should know how that ends even though it's replayed here in the book. The book ends with Xavier and Wolverine finally meeting.[/spoiler]

Compared to the last few things I read by Way, this prologue was actually pretty good and the art was passable. I will say that Daken wasn't a major part of this story and basically...this story would fit into Legacy if Wolverine was the main character and more recognizable past plots were referenced instead of the obscure ones from Carey's book. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. 3...out of 5.


--------
In other news, I truly believe the Black Panther SI tie in was "pretty" good and I felt a little bad for a skrull...just a little. Thankfully this one day invasion will end soon. Though, i'm kinda tired of the Reed/Panther effect...you know...the uber weapons know one else knows about saving the day.

More to come...eventually.

[Podmark]

Loved the latest X-Force. Answered alot of questions, made use of basically every character in the book including Agent Morales, nice art, and the threats continue to grow. Using the Cuckoos was an inspired choice, and I like that Yost and Kyle cleared up the Young X-Men continuity.

[Previsionary]

X-men Legacy #216:

Emma's on the cover mind raping Xavier. I don't like that. I don't like it at all. Not only has Emma's powers been ramped up too high (going from only using manipulation and mental suggestions to break down her foes to full on telepathy that rivals the stronger telepaths), but she's had this same stagnant attitude since New X-men and I'm bored by it. But anyway, last issue had both Xavier and Cyclops crossing lines and Emma's here to make it all better...in her own Emma way. Oh...Rogue was in that issue too continuing to deal with her angst and mental anguish. I don't think I've known of a time where Rogue wasn't being incredibly angsty.

[spoiler]The book opens with Xavier revealing he's stronger than Emma, but she turns the table like any plot device would. She tells him that she implanted failsafes and they're in her mindscape now. She owns him. Scott tells Xavier he does want to punish him, but the Sinister thing is much more important...so Emma scans him.

So, Emma and Xavier walk through his memories. First one up is the one of Xavier recruiting Beast. If you know anything about Beast's story, you know that everyone in his town ended up hating him and Xavier mindwiped the town...as was common to him back in the 60s. Xavier isn't impressed or affected. Next memory is of Rogue back when she was dealing with the fallout of her actions with mystique. Xavier left Rogue in tears and Emma equates him to God. Charles gets her point, but explains his reasoning.

Xavier then goes on about his arrogance/personality flaw and Emma slaps him and tells him to turn off the pathos. She asks him where her arrogance comes from and he says from her privileged upbringing. She tells him off and tries to make him understand that they have greater sins because they also have a greater reach. She tells him to move forward because the other way is closed. This all goes on while the memory of Scott returning from Krakoa plays in his head. Not only playing...but he's reliving this day.

Emma begins to scold him because he won't tell her why he put Scott to sleep or his reasoning. He admits that he accepts his guilt, so Emma sends him on a guilt trip...literally...with the memories of the God acts he's pulled in his dark career. This continues on for a bit and Xavier breaks down. Emma is upset with Xavier's decision to keep Gabriel's death away from Cyclops, but she can't do anything about that. The mental walkthrough ends with a quote from Moira before she passed away and Emma looks bored. In the end, it's revealed that Sinister is nowhere inside of Xavier.

So, Emma makes another sex comment and Xavier says he wants to see Moira's quote in full context. Another flashback and this one involves the X-men—Jean and NC—back at the mansion as Moira is dying on the other side of the world. The memory makes Xavier cry. Emma and Scott begin to leave and Prof tells them a quote Jean once told him. Cyclops asks if she really said it, she did, and he says she would know best (life and death quote). The book ends on a good note for Cyclops and Xavier as they shake hands. Next issue...Original Sin.[/spoiler]

This book...this arc...it was much better than most of what came before. Even though Emma and Xavier shared most of the screen time, I wasn't annoyed by her presence...much...and Emma didn't talk about sex 300 times a minute like she usually would...though she does reference it. I think Xavier is finally being pushed beyond the mentor state and I like that so many of his past memories (recognizable) were brought up and Jean was featured. I will say that Emma's role here was reminiscent of something Jean would do...minus the tone...and sex references...and arrogance...and fake blond hair...and...it's a 3.5...out of 5.

[murs47]

Deadpool #2 - The plot was.....fitting to a Deadpool story, but guess what? Deadpool's still not funny. Mr. Way if you're reading this, just hire someone to write your dialogue, please. I can't say Way isn't trying to be humorous, at least there's effort.

Using the standard Prev-O-Meter, I give it a 2 out of 5. The art is great, there was a decent plot. Lack of "lol" moments kills it. If the first two issues are any indication of what's to expect from the series, then not even Bob (Agent of Hydra) can save it.

[Previsionary]

very true...BUT...issue 2 was a minor improvement over issue 1.

Anyway, Weapon X: First Class #1 is free on marvel.com. Go read it before it comes out...especially if you're a gambit fan. That's right...all zero of you. :P

[murs47]

Go read it before it comes out...especially if you're a gambit fan. That's right...all zero of you. :P

Who's Gambit? That the green guy with a pet horse named Pokey?

[Ajax]

Deadpool #2 - The plot was.....fitting to a Deadpool story, but guess what? Deadpool's still not funny. Mr. Way if you're reading this, just hire someone to write your dialogue, please. I can't say Way isn't trying to be humorous, at least there's effort.

Using the standard Prev-O-Meter, I give it a 2 out of 5. The art is great, there was a decent plot. Lack of "lol" moments kills it. If the first two issues are any indication of what's to expect from the series, then not even Bob (Agent of Hydra) can save it.

We must support it even during the lean times in hopes that another writer will come! V for Victory!

[Previsionary]

I'll start truly judging that book when it's NOT tied into secret Invasion and DP's supporting cast begin to pop up. He hasn't been interacting with anyone but skrulls so far. I did the same thing with Capt Britain...but that book was already good and was setting up it's quo at the same time. Obviously Way isn't as talented as Cornell...so I won't hold that against him. Today.


Final sumviews:

Ok, gonna wrap up the sumviews for this week. I'll probably rant...maybe. I'm just warning you, so watch out for it. :P

Wolverine: First Class #7:

[spoiler]The story opens up with a fun fact: reindeer hide is totally invisible to thermal gear.  Cue the obligatory "Wolverine surprises minions and takes them out with his non-brutal claws" scene. He did this to save a bunch of animals. It turns out the mooks he took out where gathering up the animals so they couldn't spread their fur further. Why? Radioactive fallout from a nearby company is polluting the area.

Two days earlier: Kitty is upset because her would-be beau has a girlfriend. Wolverine says he doesn't and that Kitty misunderstood...but she's convinced that the Russian girl on the phone was Pete's girlfriend. So to make Kitty feel better and to stop her whining, Wolverine agrees to spy on Colossus for her. And...so they do.

The woman on the phone turns out to be Laynia Petrovna and she demands Colossus get on the plane and return to Russia to help them. Before Wolverine and Kitty can do anything, they find themselves attacked by Crimson Dynamo. Colossus notices this and tries to help his friends when he's shot in the back by Laynia and placed on the plane. Kitty phases onto the ship and demands to know what's happening to her boyfriend and is instantly shot unconscious. Meanwhile, Crimson and Wolverine continue to fight and Wolverine is knocked back as Crimson escapes to the plane. Wolverine barely gets a claw into the bottom of it and is knocked out only to be awakened as he's hurling towards the Earth in Russia. He's gonna be out of the fray for 24 hours so his body can heal.

Back to the present, Wolverine is in the company and searches around for Kitty.  He finally finds her phasing away from Crimson Dynamo and Dark Star. She's holding her breath and Wolverine is rushing to her. Kitty passes out and Wolverine cracks.... The book ends seconds after Wolverine leaps towards Kitty's four captors.[/spoiler]

It's an ok read. I'm not into this book as much as I am with the X-men book. It's mostly because this book focuses on Kitty and Wolverine instead of the whole New Class of X-men. They're fine and all, but I would rather them interact with the whole team more often as there would be a whole lot more story opportunities. Sticking with Kitty and Wolverine will require them to push the age of Kitty up eventually because Wolvie and Kitty didn't share all that many solo adventures back then. It's a mediocre 3.

Ult. X/F4 annual:

Um, this is a book that ties into the ultimatum and I didn't review the last one because I didn't want to. I'll review this one because...I don't even know why. Short review: The X-men, Fan 4, and some of their future counterparts team up to take out...some of their future counterparts. Confusing right? Basically, in the future, Reed and Sue figured out how to reverse Ben's mutation and cure mutant kind. They began to lock people up in the N-zone as well...but future Johnny died, Reed was locked up and powerless, and Sue went crazy.

It's basically a book to show a possible, dystopian outcome of the Ultimatum. You know...to build up the threat of the event. I don't agree with quite a few things in the book (Jean being so comfortable with her phoenix powers after all her struggling) and the art was kinda rough. It's a 2 for me. At least they finally gave the banshee plot some type of resolution since Rogue and Wolverine are good again. Odd how he has two protégés at one time and his third one, Jubilee, dropped off the face of the earth. Also...I guess we might get a marriage soon...if a certain book wasn't being canceled. Oh...new ultimate character was introduced as well.

Wolverine: Roar Annual #1:

In short, this story is about Wolverine going to some western town and finding it in trouble. The town is being attacked by some lupine creature—that was buried in the dirt. It's a Navajo Cayote—and it weighs a ton. Wolverine finds it hard to fight the creature because its howl destroys his hearing and sense of balance. Wolverine eventually takes down the creature and is shocked by what he finds.

It's a very simple story and it does what it sets out to do well. There's no real depth and I don't understand why this story was even made other than to give us MORE Wolverine. It's a story where Wolverine fights a beast in a western town. If you're looking for more than that...avoid. 2.5 out of 5.

Rant:

[spoiler]Ok, the first class line...I love it. Well, I like it, but the "First class" adjective is making less and less sense the more they use it. STOP IT! And you know what else you need to stop, marvel? Stop throwing wolverine everywhere. He's important to the mutant population, their popularity, your bank, and whatever else...but he does NOT need two first class books and he barely needs his first one. He's not child friendly regardless of your marketing patterns. He's just not, so stop trying to pass him off as one. He kills people...regularly. He swears, he smokes, he loves beer, and he likes to sleep nude whether he's with another person or not. He's a short (sometimes tall...) Canadian furball that's not really for kids regardless of his oh-so-cool claws. Now...stop over-saturating EVERY good idea you get with Wolverine. Go push a character that actually needs screen time...like Bobby...Storm...Havok...Rachel (heavens forbid)...Beast...you know those characters that make the background look pretty? Go use them. BUUUUT...I appreciate you putting deadpool in a first class book. Yep. Done.[/spoiler]

Now...I'm off to read Ultimate Spider-man. ^^

[Silver Shocker]

As a hardcore Deadpool fan (just look at the avatar Charlie! Nuff said! Excelsi....I mean LONERS!) I am very dissapointed to hear the book's not doing well, but not remotely surprised. The fact that it's not funny and lack of a supporting cast is especially a deal-breaker for me. I was against Way on this book from Day 1. It's kinda sad, because this is the first time I haven't bought Deadpool since I was introduced to the character during Simone's run (my favorite run on the character BTW) and I've considered myself a solid supporter of the character through thick and thin (and Cable & Deadpool had some stinkers about as often as it did gems). I've always been of the opinion that you can get an idea of what kind of sense of humor a Deadpool fan has by what run was their favorite.

We must support it even during the lean times in hopes that another writer will come! V for Victory!

I'm of the opposite standing. IMO it's put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is-time. Because Marvel listens to the sales more than it listens to what "teh fanboys are saying on teh innernets. " Cynical as it may be, the modern industry-like the entertainment industry in general-is concerned about one thing above all else: mo' money. I wouldn't want to be spending my money on a book I don't enjoy, especially one starring a character I've got a special fondness for, and I think that if fans want Way off the book, NOT buying and letting the sales drop is the way to go. If the sales are good Marvel would potentially keep Way on longer as a result. On the other hand bad sales could lead to cancellation, but I've been prepared for an absence of a Deadpool book since Cable stopped being in C&D.

Obviously Way isn't as talented as Cornell...so I won't hold that against him.

On the topic of Cornell, while I`ll probably never try out MI: 13 due to lack of interest in the characters and concept, as a Young Avengers fanboy I was extremely impressed with Cornell`s issue of YA Presents. Even though I`ve never read anything else by the writer I gained a lot of respect for him. So I agree with you that he is a talented writer.

[Previsionary]

Obviously Way isn't as talented as Cornell...so I won't hold that against him.

On the topic of Cornell, while I`ll probably never try out MI: 13 due to lack of interest in the characters and concept, as a Young Avengers fanboy I was extremely impressed with Cornell`s issue of YA Presents. Even though I`ve never read anything else by the writer I gained a lot of respect for him. So I agree with you that he is a talented writer.

I've liked the few things I've read by him (CB [and he's fixing some of claremont's goofs], FF: True Story, The Young Avengers issue). For you Dr. Who fans, he works on that as well (plus books and audio plays), so you might already be familiar with his work. He's done quite a lot of stuff, so I do believe you may have come across his name at least once.

Speaking of Claremont:

New Exiles #12:

Not a heavy X-week this time around because they all decided to come out last week. Well, that's not true. We still have this lovely baby and Cable. So, what I meant was all the important X-books came out last week and somehow Deadpool got that week as well. Ok, people make mistakes. Anyway, last time around...stuff happened. Ok, not just stuff...important stuff. Psylockes were still being chased by Slaymaster (kill him already) and Sabretooth went off to confront Madame Hydra, Wolverine, Slaymaster, and the new guy whose name I don't remember at all. Sabretooth was overpowered and Kitty rushed off to help him after she figured out what had happened. Oddly enough, I really don't remember reviewing this the last time it came out...so, I'll assume I didn't.

[spoiler]After the 500th description of the omniverse and settings ever, the book opens with Madame Hydra + her team searching for Sabretooth and his little helper. Wolverine is being his stereotypical self while Slaymaster seems to know more than he shows. Meanwhile, Sabretooth continues to slide through the earth with caption boxes on every single panel and he finds himself ghostly, but alive. Eventually, he finds himself on solid ground....well above it...he solidifies and falls to the ground and is shocked to see Kitty. It seems Kitty's powers are so advanced that she can either turn fully invisible and phase others OR phase others from very long distances without going for them herself. Anyway, she warns Sabretooth to catch his breath and to stop being stubborn. Finally deciding to go home after Kitty whines a bit more, they find out they can't leave and they're trapped.

On the other side of the mountain the Exiles 2 phased through, Sue surmises that Sabretooth phased while standing in place to get away from them and that he can't go much further because of the water. Kitty grabs Sabretooth and phases him through more rock to gather more distance and hijacks a plane only to phase out of it a few seconds into the trip. They land on the ground and remain phased while the plane continues to move forward. It's caught a few seconds later by Sue and Kitty can somehow tell this (empathy with her tech or something). Having had that plan fail, the two remain phased and Sabretooth notes that he isn't healing from his earlier wounds at all. So...they sit there and Sabretooth tries to get Kitty to open up and she refuses.

Flashback time! Kitty remembers that Xavier and Sage came to see her, but she had already accepted Emma's offer. Under Emma's tutelage (which includes Cyclops), Kitty becomes a member of her strikeforce for the hellfire club. Kitty never felt like she belonged and there's a scene of Xavier, Sage, and Jean vs. Emma, Kitty, and Cyclops. Kitty then snaps out of it and you get this weird scene of Sabretooth looking uber sad and we cans ee Wolverine in his eyes. Sabre pushes Kitty out of the way and the fight is on! Interestingly enough, this Wolverine uses a gun. Anyway, Kitty knocks Sabretooth off the cliff into the water below and she takes on Wolverine herself. She gives him quite a fight by dodging his neutralizing attacks. The fight ends when Wolverine stabs her...and his claws fall off! The exiles duo finally return home.
The book ends with Kitty contemplating telling the others that the omniverse is dying. We get another flashback into her past when she ran away from Emma/Shadow king and it's haunted her since. She then flashes back to the event we just witnessed in this issue and she's bloodied up and popping Wolverine claws. The final scene is of Kitty talking to someone (shadow) and explaining to them that she needs help.[/spoiler]

Hrm, it's ok. They're some grammar errors (I can recall at least one at the moment) and we finally learned a bit more about Kitty (it only took...16 issues?). It's ok...for a Claremont book. I really wish he'd dropped the overly descriptive thing. That may have worked in the 70s and 80s...but having every page full of superfluous details that barely add anything to the character, the situation, or the overall tone is tedious and unnecessary. It's a 3, buds. A -3 out of 5. Yeah, I'm joking...just a 3. Don't go for it if you like AOA Sabretooth though because he was generally useless both issues.


Cable #7:

Guys, I don't remember what happened in issue 6 at all! I don't remember it at all! Wait, yes I do, it wasn't a Cable book. It was Cyclops and Emma Sex-Olympics that week. Ok, catchup. Two issues ago, Cyclops was worried about his son and began to reflect on his past and present. He also revealed a bit about how he kept Emma in the dark about his dark path. Last issue, Bishop and Cable returned to the status quo of running around in the time stream. Now we're here...with X-force! Let's take a peak, ok? Ok.

[spoiler]In Montana, we're at a base where Bishop has apparently taken down a few guards. Not even four panels later, the X-force surprise him with a full page splash! Bishop isn't impressed and tells Wolverine that he doesn't have beef with him and tries to teleport off only to have his arm sliced off. Bishop blinds Wolverine with his blue energy beam thing he suddenly acquired in this series and Warpath and X-23 tackle him. Bishop is brought back to Cyclops to finall explain himself because for some reason, Bishop forwent this whole process to be sneaky and manipulative.

Cyclops catches us up to what Bishop has done and how he caught up with him and asks Bishop if he even considered talking to them...that maybe he might've been wrong about the baby. Bishop counters that maybe Cyclops and Nathan were wrong. So of course, this being the new Cyclops with a woman who has no problems going into others minds (though she shouldn't be able to with Bishop), he brings in his attack dog. By attack dog, I mean Emma "White Queen" Frost. I'll note that Bishop looks ridiculous in this scene...almost ape like. O_o Anyway, Emma mind rapes him and leaves him screaming.

In the future, Cable is in bed with a red head as the baby...toddler...the little girl hops on the bed. She can say "mommy" now. She can actually form sentences now, so she's aged very fast. It's been two years since Cable last saw Bishop (really?). Anyway, the kid throws a tantrum and other unimportant stuff. Cable then flashes back to his earlier time with the baby and their time in New Liberty which was legend in his time.

Back to Bishop, Beast tells Cyclops that they can't figure out where Bishop has been or how many times he's teleported with Forge's arm as it has no type of recording functions, but Beast was able to figure out that Bishop is 4.5 years older. Beast then concludes that the baby probably won't fit the crib Cyclops built.

Switchover to Cable, he and a bunch of men are going off to explore some sound they heard (horror movie no-no). The sound turns out to be two men, who seem to be beaten, and everyone is shocked as no one has entered their secret town since Cable. One soldier is dead; the other is speechless. Cable is suspicious.

In the present, Emma has found out that Bishop has come into contact with Cable and he has hurt him, but she can't figure out what exactly happened or how Bishop has been tracking them because his fantasies are overshadowing his actual thoughts. Emma points out that Bishop knows he can't block her (since when? He can absorb your energy, Emma...), but he can confuse her with fake imagery. Emma does give Cyclops the note that Bishop believes Cyclops will believe him and his mission.
Cyclops confronts Bishop again and gets him to talk. Meanwhile, Emma listens in telepathically while, I guess, picking at Bishop's mind. Bishop is aware of this and tells Cyckes to call off his hound dog. The book ends back with Cable as more soldiers from the US arrive in New Liberty.[/spoiler]

Overall, this issue plus last issue is an improvement over the opening arc and the King Size issue. The art is a problem. It's a major problem because everyone either looks stiff or nothing like they should look for the most part except for maybe Cyclops (consistently). Interestingly enough, the baby still has no name and she's like 3 or 4 now. Um, I have a problem with Emma being a hound dog in every book and willingly forcing her way into people's minds she shouldn't be able to and I'm kind of concerned that Cyclops keeps allowing her to do so considering his old stance on that whole issue. Ignoring my thoughts on current Emma, if she gets too strong (like Jean), I can only see the writers having to finally cool her off because her powers are being ramped artificially with no type of training or reasoning. Go build a weapon, Emma. X-force...the main draw of this issue for me...was only in maybe two pages. I can't really recommend this to anyone as in 8 issues, the plot has BARELY advanced anywhere. This book continues to be utterly pointless in the X-continuity and that's pretty sad since it has the most important part of the story from the conclusion of Messiah Complex. I expect more from this book other than a drawn out game of cat and mouse and stiffened art, and because I have greater expectations, I give this book a measly 2 out of 5. Cable, fake-wifey, and baby...go meet Deadpool after the one day invasion and restart your partnership. It'd be more entertaining than your solo books combined. And, gravy, if I was ever a fan of Bishop in the past, thanks to his characterization post Civil War: X-men, I don't think I could ever be again. He consistently gets worse every time I see him.

[qazwsx]

Wait, so Bishop's a baddie now? :mellow:

[murs47]

Wait, so Bishop's a baddie now? :mellow:

Yup. A multiple attempted baby killer. My how the tables have turned. He was such a swell guy in District X too.

[Podmark]

Wait, so Bishop's a baddie now? :mellow:

In theory he's supposed to have legitimate reasons for his actions. In practice? Not so much.

[Previsionary]

The way they've plotted Bishop since Civil War makes him a villain. He's actually in the grey area, but he's not being written that way and that's a writer error. The series would be MUCH better if he wasn't written so cold and inhuman. People claim he's being written similar to his first portrayal. I don't agree with that and even if he was, he's progressed too far to just go back to his old personality which he had when he first arrived and met the, then, current X-men.

Out this week:

Original Sin
Manifest Destiny
Deadpool
Magneto Testament

4 books of fun. Well, three and a tagger on. Anyone gonna hit them or will I have to do...two bad reviews that everyone will ignore? :P