Generation X #4
(W) Christina Strain (A) Amilcar Pinna (CA) Terry Dodson
Rated T+
In Shops: Jul 12, 2017
SRP: $3.99
• Taking it upon themselves to catch the assailant who’s been attacking mutants in Central Park, the Xavier Institute’s “Lovable Losers” go on the hunt for the culprit.
• But they aren’t prepared when the trail leads them right to Generation X’s most formidable foe…
• EMPLATE returns!
• Only she isn’t the same monster they once knew…
Something is lurking in the shadows of Central Park…a monster that steals mutants in the night. And when GENERATION X takes it upon themselves to investigate…they might just find themselves face-to-face with an all too familiar threat.
Well this “monster” doesn’t exactly steal mutants in the night, just attacks them as the kids were alerted to one of their one being attacked by an unknown assailant. And that was pretty much the highlight of this issue. I was so excited for this title when it was announced, but we’re on issue 3 and Christina Strain has given us a boring, uninspired story. There is nothing new or original here; a “special” group of kids brought together by an administration that has told them “well, you won’t be X-Men, but we’re going to make sure you learn something”. Which is all well and good, but then we have a student who expresses interest in being an X-Man, wanting to train for it and she’s told she’s where she needs to be. And to make matters worse, someone advises her mentor to speak to her because “something isn’t right there”. What, the student asked to take an active role in her education and training and she’s told she’s in the wrong? Way to go there Xavier School.
And the cast itself is a real problem to this book. Every character has an attitude or a chip on their shoulder and it gets old really fast. Ok, there are maybe 2 who aren’t too bad, but geez all the sniping and comments back and forth….we get it! These kids were put together for a reason, but it all comes off as just one note.
And I wish I could at least say that the art is nice to look at in this book, but I am really not feeling the style used here. Amilcar Pinna and Roberto Poggi do give us nice detail, and there are panels where the characters look alright but overall we get some very strange looking faces with their proportions off and angles like we’re either always looking up or down at the characters. But, I can say the art matches the writing in this book…but that is in no way to be taken as a positive.
I think I’ve made my feelings pretty clear by now, but overall I am very disappointed with this title. Uninteresting characters, uninspired storylines and pretty shaky art all add up to a huge let down for this Generation X fan. Maybe I’m just stuck on what this title once was, I don’t know…but is that a bad thing? Why not just do a Generation X 2.0? Have Chamber, Husk and Jubilee back together, maybe out to find and help M who’s been infected by her brother Emplate (minor spoiler if you didn’t read that latest volume of Uncanny X-Men). Anything to have this live up to what Generation X was and is remembered for, not just throwing some random young mutants together with former Gen X members popping up now and then. There was great potential here, but this title has really missed the mark.
Story: Christina Strain Art: Amilcar Pinna and Roberto Poggi
Story: 4.0 Art: 4.0 Overall: 4.0 Recommendation: Pass
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE issue for review
Generation X #3
(W) Christina Strain (A) Amilcar Pinna (CA) Terry Dodson
Rated T+
In Shops: Jun 14, 2017
SRP: $3.99
• Something is lurking in the shadows of Central Park…
• …a monster that steals mutants in the night.
• And when GENERATION X takes it upon themselves to investigate…
• …they might just find themselves face-to-face with an all too familiar threat.
The Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach has opened its doors and is ready to foster the next generation of heroes and diplomats! But this time around, the X-Men recognize an unfortunate truth: not all mutants are created equal. Some mutants are not made to fight Sentinels or serve as ambassadors on behalf of their kind. Some mutants will just be lucky to survive another day in a world that hates and fears them. And who better to mentor mutantkind’s lovable losers than perpetual sidekick Jubilee? But will Jubilee and Generation X survive the experience??
It’s been many years since we saw Generation X on the comics page, though the concept has lived on in various forms including New X-Men and Young X-Men. Generation X, written by Christina Strain, feels a bit more like the latter than it’s namesake with an issue focused on Jubilee trying to get her act together as she’s tasked to manage a misfit team with mostly familiar faces and one new one as well. There’s numerous references of how much time has passed since the original Generation X and how the former members have grown up and moved on, it’s enough to make readers of that original series feel… old.
The mix of characters present should present Strain more than enough to work with, but overall, the issue feels like something we’ve read before with little new to really hook the reader. There’s an attempt to use the rather overused trope of future flashes to get us interested in where things are going, but as presented it isn’t quite enough to draw me in.
The characters though should be interesting as things progressed as they are very different in personalities and that should set up conflict. But, the big question is how this all differentiates itself from other X-Men series and it doesn’t. It, so far, feels like the “school” version of X-Men: Gold. And mix that in with the fact it feels like the previous series as a whole, the hook is just missing, unless you really dig these characters.
The art by Amilcar Pinna doesn’t help matters. Characters feel off in their presentation, particularly one of the Cuckoos whose eyes are just odd… but a lot fo the characters’ eyes stand out as just not quite fitting. There’s an issue with same face syndrome that permeates things.
I was hoping for more from this first issue and it delivered a rather bland experience that feels retro and not in a good way. While other “X” series has breathed life into the franchise, this one seems to suck that away.
Story: Christina Strain Art: Amilcar Pinna Cover Art: Terry Dodson
Story: 6.0 Art: 6.0 Overall: 6.0 Recommendation: Pass
For the first time in years, the Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach throws open its doors once again – ready to foster the next generation of mutant heroes and diplomats! Today, Marvel released a first look inside those hallowed halls with Generation X #1 – the new series launching as part of ResurrXion! Join writer Christina Strain and artist Amilcar Pinna as they join forces to bring fans the next generation of mutantkind – if the students survive!
A shining beacon and safe haven for young mutants everywhere, the next class of X-Men begin their long journey right here at the Xavier Institute. But let’s face it: not all mutants are created equal. Some young mutants aren’t cut out to be the next X-Men. For some, you just hope they will survive their first run-in with a Sentinel. But Jubilee isn’t about to sell her class of underdogs short. Under her instruction and mentorship, she hopes to navigate them through growing pains and dangers that would put even the most seasoned X-Men to the test!
What do you do when you’re the outcasts among the outcasts? When you don’t fit in – even at the school you were promised you’d belong? Forge your own path. Welcome to Generation X; hope you survive the experience!
Featuring covers by Terry Dodson, Rahzzah, June Brigman, Kevin Wada, John Tyler Christopher, Leonard Kirk, and Bryan Hitch.
For the first time in years, the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning throws open its doors once again in Generation X #1! Join writer Christina Strain and artist Amilcar Pinna as they join forces to bring fans the next generation of mutantkind – if the students survive!
Once a shining beacon and safe haven for young mutants everywhere, the next class of X-Men begin their long journey right here at the Xavier Institute. But let’s face it: not all mutants are created equal. Some young mutants aren’t cut out to be the next X-Men. You just hope will survive their first run-in with a Sentinel. But Jubilee isn’t about to sell her class of underdogs short. Under her instruction and mentorship, she hopes to navigate them through growing pains and dangers that would put even the most seasoned X-Men to the test!
In an interview Strain said:
Traditionally, the Xavier Institute’s been the place for societally rejected young mutants to seek shelter. Once there, they’re taught how to properly harness their powers and sometimes, after graduating, some of them have gone on to become full-fledged X-Men. But let’s be real for a second. Not every young mutant is X-Men material…
What do you do when you’re the outcasts among the outcasts? When you don’t fit in – even at the school you were promised you’d belong? You forge your own path. Welcome to Generation X, hope you survive the experience! It all kicks off this Spring!
There’s a new killer in town, and he’s taking the Secret Wars by storm. Evil has a new face. A giant face with no body. Prepare to meet the deadliest hitman on Battleworld in M.O.D.O.K. Assassin #1 – a brand new Secret Wars limited series coming this May! Writer Christopher Yost and artist Amilcar Pinna take you inside Battleworld’s wildest domain! Enter Killville, the only place on all of Battleworld where murder is always the correct answer. If you’ve got a problem – kill it! In a world populated by fearsome thieves, mercenaries and ne’er do wells – there is one who is a HEAD above the rest. M.O.D.O.K.! The Mental Organism Designed Only for KILLING! And when he’s got you in his sights you’re dust. But his next job may just put him in over his head. A job that will force him to go toe-to-toe with Doc Ock, Bullseye, Baron Mordo and more – and that’s just the first issue! Believe us, bullets will fly and heads will roll this May!
MODOK ASSASIN #1 (of 5) (MAR150678)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Art by AMILCAR PINNA
Cover by DAVID LAFUENTE
Variant Cover by GABRIEL HERNANDEZ WALTA (MAR150679)
FOC – 05/04/15, On-Sale – 05/27/15
This May, amidst the Earth-shattering events of Secret Wars, evil has a new face. A giant face with no body. Prepare to meet the deadliest hitman on all of Battleworld in M.O.D.O.K. Assassin #1 – a brand new Secret Wars limited series coming this May from writer Christopher Yost and artist Amilcar Pinna!
Welcome to Killville, the only place on all of Battleworld where murder is always the correct answer. If you’ve got a problem, it’s nothing a little killing won’t solve. And in a world populated by the most fearsome thieves, mercenaries and ne’er do wells – there is one who is a HEAD above the rest. He is M.O.D.O.K.! The Mental Organism Designed Only for KILLING! And once he’s got you in his sights you’re good as dust!
In an interview with Marvel.com, Chris Yost said:
“The fun here is showing how M.O.D.O.K. stands out against some of the worst that the Marvel Universe has to offer,” says writer Chris Yost in an interview with Marvel.com. “’It’s good to be bad’ is kind of the mission statement here. Can M.O.D.O.K. grow past his design? Would anyone want him to? Those are some big lofty theme-y questions, but let’s be clear…you’re going to see M.O.D.O.K. kill a bunch of people.”
Now, Killville’s most notorious mercenary is open for business, but this next job may put him in over his head! M.O.D.O.K. is going toe-to-toe with Doc Ock, Bullseye and even Baron Mordo – and that’s just the first issue, True Believer! Bullets will fly and heads will roll this May in M.O.D.O.K. Assassin #1!
MODOK ASSASSIN #1 (of 5)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Art by AMILCAR PINNA
Cover by DAVID LAFUENTE
On Sale in May!
This April, witness the birth of a super-team unlike any you’ve seen before in All-New Ultimates #1 – the brand new series from creators Michel Fiffe and Amilcar Pinna!
As the world attempts to rebuild following untold destruction, we need heroes more than ever. Witness the birth of a new team of Ultimates – as Spider-Man, Black Widow, Kitty Pryde, Bombshell and Cloak & Dagger officially unite to tackle a vicious, rampant crime wave plaguing the streets of New York City!
In an interview with Marvel.com Fiffe said:
It’s a war zone in the streets of New York, Hell’s Kitchen in particular. Certain neighborhoods have been torn apart by the recent galactic cataclysm and crime is exponentially growing; local super-powered gangs rule the environment. That’s where Miles and the gang come in, to act with a grittier, more immediate problem while trying to find their own footing as super heroes.
But Hell’s Kitchen isn’t the new Ultimates’ only problem. Diamondback and her gang of Serpent Skulls run the city’s drug and weapons trade and deal in citywide terror. NYPD detective Brigid O’Reilly and her anti-gang unit are on the hunt for Scourge, a new serial killer who’s exterminating anyone in a mask. They’ll get close, but not without a few casualties! And that’s just the first issue!
Don’t miss the blockbuster first outing of a new team for a new generation.
ALL-NEW ULTIMATES 1 (FEB140776)
Written by MICHEL FIFFE
Art by AMILCAR PINNA
Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA
Variant Cover by DAVID MARQUEZ (FEB140777)
FOC –03/17/14 On-Sale – 04/09/14
Currently Marvel‘s Ultimate universe is breaking down in the event Cataclysm. What the Ultimate line of comics would be like after the event has been a hotly debated topic with some thinking the line would end and some characters folded into the main Marvel Universe (the 616). Marvel has announced that’s not only incorrect, but the line of comics will be relaunching!
The most popular characters! The most acclaimed creators! The most ambitious stories! This is the energized Ultimate Marvel NOW!.
This April, Marvel’s Ultimate universe undergoes a massive overhaul in an exciting and new direction as the industry’s top creators – Brian Michael Bendis, Michel Fiffe and Joshua Hal Fialkov take everyone’s favorite Ultimate universe characters – Spider-Man, Iron Man, Kitty Pryde, Sue Storm, Black Widow (formally Spider-Woman), Cloak & Dagger and more in an all-new and exciting direction after the devastating events of Cataclysm.
It all starts in April with All-New Ultimates, from the creative team of Michel Fiffe and Amilcar Pinna. Spider-Man, Black Widow (formally Spider-Woman), Kitty Pryde, Bombshell, Cloak & Dagger officially unite to tackle the vicious, rampant crime wave overtaking Hell’s Kitchen! But can this new team of Ultimates stand up to the murderous gang known only as the Serpent Skulls?
Ultimate Marvel NOW! continues through the spring of 2014 with the launch of Ultimate FF by Joshua Hale Fialkov and upcoming artist, Mario Guevara. The FF – Future Foundation – is all that stands between the Ultimate universe and COMPLETE AND UTTER DOOM! Can Sue Storm, Tony Stark, Machine Man and Sam Wilson face the oncoming devastation directly after the events of Cataclysm?
And finally, Miles Morales is back in his own web-slinging solo-series, Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man by creator Brian Michael Bendis and artist Dave Marquez. In the wake of earth-shattering events, Miles is back in action with a new status quo and a new outlook on life! But there is no time to sit back and relax. A BIG villain from Peter Parker’s past is alive and well and about to turn New York upside down.
