It’s a new week and we’ve got lots to come! While you wait for things to get rolling, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
This column was slightly delayed this week due to a few power outages in my neck of the woods, and my lack of foresight in keeping my laptop charged.
But with Johnathan Hickman steering the X-Men in a new direction with both House and Powers Of X, I thought this might be a good time to start reading X-Men comics again.
It’s been nearly six years since I last picked up a new X-Men comic with any real consistency. The last series I read with any regularity featuring the merry mutants was Jason Aaron‘s Wolverine and the X-Men. Which apparently ended around six years ago. It’s fair to say that I’m a little out of touch with that side of the Marvel Universe (though I have been following both Old Man Loganand Dead Man Logan, but those series didn’t really involve the X-Men as much as a team book would). More than a little, honestly. A lot has happened in the six years I’ve been away, and since I barely pay attention to solicitations I have missed most of it.
But how easy is it to jump back in relatively blind after more than half a decade away? Join me, and I’ll tell you.
Expect spoilers as I try to make sense of the comic.
Start this event completely ignorant to much of the X-Men’s last five or so years has been an interesting experience. With Powers Of X #1, I wasn’t entirely sure what shape the story would take. We got three different timelines – Year 0, Year 100 and Year 1000 – in the first book, and that’s the same in issue #2. It’s giving the Powers Of X part of the story an anthology like feel, which helps someone like me realize that the futures we’re seeing we haven’t really explored much before, unless they stem from one of the many lives of Moira X.
The three timelines are all interesting for their own reasons, and I’m curious to see how this will all play into the whole as the House/Powers story unfolds over the next month and change, but the one that’s taken my interest the most, especially after this issue, is the Year 100 one. Seeing the X-Men on the back foot like never before, out of options and facing a culture ending threat… it almost sounds familiar, and yet it feels fresh. Which is an odd feeling when you really think about it, but I’m not going to question it too much.
I’ve learnt over the years that sometimes it’s okay to take things as the author intends without question too much until the finished product is in my hands.
The last issue in the Powers installment didn’t make as big an impression as the House Of X counterpart, and the same can ultimately be said for this issue. But then after the massive revelations in House Of X #2, I can’t exactly expect anything different. But that two two series tie into each other strongly is beyond doubt, as is evidenced by the Year 0 story in this issue. One could argue that House Of X #2 is merely the explanation between scenes in the Year 0 stories in Powers Of X. My questioning in the last column as to whether this series is required reading in order to get the full picture has a slightly clearer answer; at this point, I’d wager that you’re going to want to spend the money on both House and Powers Of X, though the former is still the stronger of the two.
Just as in the previous issue covered in this column, Powers Of X #2 also includes some handy dandy exposition pages that come almost immediately after you’ve read the pages that’ll make you wonder what the future terms mean. It’s a great way to add in some additional information without over burdening the dialogue with information for the readers. There’s also more of the mutant language scattered throughout the comic, too, and if you have the time, patience or google ability to translate it, then you’ll uncover another layer to this comic.
I haven’t any of those things, so other than the first issue I haven’t bothered to decipher the code. But it’s a cool feature for those that do.
Once again, the artists are on point. R.B. Silva is the artist and is joined on inking by Adriano Di Benedetto and colour artist Marte Gracia. The trio are solid, giving the comic and each time period within a unique visual flavour that comes together to form a perfect pecan pie (there’s no reason I chose pecan other than for alliteration).
There’s nothing in Powers Of X #2 anywhere close to as spine tingling as this moment from House Of X #1. Full quote below.
“You see I know how you humans love your symbolism, almost as much as you love you religion. And I wanted you – I needed you – to understand… you have new gods now.”
Magneto, House Of X, #1 p.47.
Powers Of X #2 is a pretty good comic – it is one that’s almost worth the elevated price of admission (at regular price this’d be absolutely worth it). As it is, it’s still worth a read; especially if you’re an X-Fan , new or old, who wants to know what’s going to happen in the company’s future.
Will I understand next week’s installment in the saga, House Of X #3? Do I regret skipping six years of X-Books? Am I ever going to find out how Xavier is walking again*?
We might find out next week. We might not.
Marvel provided a FREE copy for review purposes, but I read the comic in print from my LCS.
*The answer is yes, but it made no sense when two of my friends told me individually last week, but it basically boils down to “comics being comics” which I’ve kind of accepted with an air of nonchalance.
At this point, it’s fair to say Marvel’s House of X and Powers of X are unqualified hits. The jumpstart to the X-line is doing what it’s supposed to, which is reignite interest and discussion in the X-Men. For our part, that merges two of our most frequent throughlines, which are 1) figure wish lists and 2) finishing teams. There’s been A LOT of progress made on those fronts in recent months, but this is a perfect time to revisit the lists and see what we need (yes, need. NEED.) from Marvel Legends. Call it Must-Have Mutants.
House of X/Powers of
X: Does anyone out there think we WON’T get a House of X assortment by next
year? This one’s easy, really: start with X (Xavier), Magneto in white, Moira,
Rasputin, Cardinal, and Destiny with a Nimrod BAF. Which redesigns, etc. do you
like best so far?
Classic X-Men: I
still contend that we need a classic Mimic and a classic Changeling (separate
from the AoA Morph we’re getting). I’d also stump for redone Toad, Mastermind
(never been a figure!) and Unus, among others.
“New” X-Men: I’ve
gone on the record many times that the era just isn’t complete without
Thunderbird or Storm in her Cockrum costume. Krakoa should get the BAF
treatment at some point, too. I’d also like to see ML dive into the Hellfire
Club.
X-Villains: See Hellfire Club. Also,
more Reavers! Belasco! How about a S’ym BAF? Let’s go crazy, people?
New Mutants: New
Mutants have made a lot of progress in a short time. The forthcoming Walgreens
Dani Moonstar/Wolfsbane/Karma is a real swing for the fences. Warlock wasn’t
that long ago. Classic Cannonball, Sunspot, Cypher, Magma, and Magick need to
happen, people! This would be a good spot for Legion, too.
X-Force:
Similarly, a lot of progress here, too. Musts would have to be a classic
Warpath, Feral, Rictor, and Siryn. What about Copycat? Some MLF members?
X-Factor: ‘90s X-Factor is having a big year with Madrox, the Havok/Polaris two-pack, and the Strong Guy BAF. We definitely need an X-Factor Wolfsbane to wrap that group. As far as other iterations, since we’ve got that ’85 Cyclops, what about the rest of the group in those outfits? Rusty and Skids? Or an Artie and Leech two-pack?
Generation X:
Marvel Legends hasn’t plumbed this area AT ALL. With Chamber and Mondo coming
back to the books, maybe there’s an opening?
Excalibur: We’ve
had a lot of ninja Psylocke/Kwannon. What about Outback Betsy? Or the Silvestri
armor? Of the new Captain Britain look? Plus, Phoenix II, Meggan, Pete Wisdom,
and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SHADOWCAT.
The Marauders: This is the name of the new nautically-themed X-book, but it also harkens back to Mr. Sinister’s crew. Apart from Sabretooth, not ONE has been a Legend. Scalphunter, Riptide, Arclight, Harpoon, Vertigo, and more are ripe for attention.
Other X: At the
risk of getting laundry-listy . . . Sage, Thunderbird (Neal Shaara), Lifeguard,
Kid Omega, Dr. Nemesis, the Young X-Men . . . yeesh. I started with team
finishes, and now I keep thinking of other teams and line-ups that they need to
START.
As a science fiction story, Powers of X #2 is fantastic. As an X-Men comic, things are a bit more debatable. Writer Jonathan Hickman continues to reshape the X-Universe with this issue.
Powers of X #2 picks up from the debut issue taking us through numerous time periods in X-history. It leaves a lot of questions out there but Hickman is more focused here. There’s a theme that permeates through each segment challenging the reader to think. In that way, the comic is a science fiction success. It uses the story and concepts to explore humanity and our world. If it weren’t set in the Marvel and X-Universe, the comic would be a triumph but as is, there’s an issue in that it leaves too much unexplained and contradictory.
With the revelation of a mutant that can reincarnate and has been shifting the Marvel Universe history, Hickman has created a means to explain X-history, contradictions, and his new take in a deus ex machina. Here it’s used to drive the story and issue highlighting how intertwined the series is with House of X. With that out of the way, Hickman can begin to explore some themes and concepts, a tradition of the best X-Men stories.
There’s a more traditional X-Men story presented as two attacks are planned in two eras. It has more of a feel of an X-Men comic as they see the threat and take it head on with a battle with odds they can’t win. It’s about as close to a classic X-Men story that Hickman has reached so far.
The art by R.B. Silva continues to be stellar. With ink by Silva and Adriano Di Benedetto, color by Marte Gracia, and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the story is beautiful to look at. Designs are familiar and new at the same time. Classic characters are reinvented in a new way and it’ll have you staring at pages. The art compliments Hickman’s science fiction direction with some inspired looks and design.
Powers of X #2 is the best release so far as Hickman’s vision is clearer and the set up is out of the way. His hook has been presented elsewhere and he can now focus on his voice. We’ll see where things go from here but the issue is a challenge to the reader to think about visions of society. It does what science fiction does best. Now, to get that whole X-Men thing in there a bit better.
Story: Jonathan Hickman Art: R.B. Silva Ink: R.B. Silva, Adriano Di Benedetto Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller Story: 8.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.
Absolute Carnage: Scream #1/Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety #1 (Marvel) – Absolute Carnage was a hell of a start to Marvel’s latest event. This week is the big test to see how the miniseries tie-ins hold up and these are the first two victims… we mean comics to read.
Age of Conan: Valeria #1/Conan the Barbarian: Exodus #1 (Marvel) – Marvel has been knocking it out of the park when it comics to the revamped Conan line of comics and as usual, we want to see new additions can keep up that quality.
Once & Future #1 (BOOM! Studios) – An ancient evil is brought back by Nationalists and an ex-monster hunter and her grandson must stop it.
Omni #1 (Humanoids/H1) – A doctor acquires superpowers and finds out she’s not the only one. The H1 superhero universe gets expanded and we’re intrigued as this one seems to be one of the key series.
Powers of X #2 (Marvel) – While Hickman’s take on the X-Men universe has our team divided as to what we think, we’re all intrigued as to what comes next.
Reaver #2 (Image Comics) – It’s a fantasy Dirty Dozen and we’re good with it. Simple concept and one we can just sit back and enjoy.
Second Coming #2 (AHOY Comics) – The comic had a lot of controversy leading up to it but in the end, the first issue was entertaining with a nice sendup of current culture versus Jesus’ teachings. We’ll see where the series goes from there.
Shows End #1 (Mad Cave Studios) – A young girl runs away to the freakshow to find refuge in the 1920s. Definitely different when it comes to a comic series.
Unearth #2 (Image Comics) – Solid horror and suspense that has us wanting to explore the caves it’s set in.
White Trees #1 (Image Comics) – An oversized first issue by Chip Zdarsky, Matt Wilson, and Kris Anka. Three warriors have to put aside their memories of war to find their missing children.
It’s a new week and we’ve got the regular news and reviews for the morning as we recover from Gen Con. While you kick off your day, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
We’re spending the day at Gen Con and you can catch all of that news over at our sister site BoardGameToday but we’re still rocking it here. So, while you wait for things to get rolling, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
It’s new comic book day! We’ve got lots of reviews as we hop on a plane to head to Gen Con to cover the “best four days in gaming!” So, while you wait for comic shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.
Batman: Last Knight on Earth #2 (DC Comics) – The first issue of this series was amazing. It’s the future where something calamatous happened and Batman begins on a journey with just the Joker’s head in a jar to join him. Is this something he’s hallucinating? Reality? The comic will keep you guessing as to what’s happening.
The Batman Who Laughs #7 (DC Comics) – The miniseries wraps up and leads into the upcoming Superman/Batman series. The miniseries has been up and down but we’re excited to see how this wraps up.
Dear Justice League (DC Comics/DC Zoom) – This line of graphic novels geared towards kids have been fantastic and we’re always excited to see what’s next. This middle-grade graphic novel has superheroes answering questions about their lives in a series of short stories.
Death’s Head #1 (Marvel) – This comic was unexpected. Really funny with some solid art. Death’s Head has been torn apart and tunred into an amp. Now he wants revenge!
The Goon #5 (Albatross Funnybooks) – One of the most fun and entertaining comics on the market. Think Popeye with humor and horror and you have The Goon. Add in beyond amazing art and it’s a must get with every release.
Killers #1 (Valiant) – Five deadly assassins are recruited into a game of cat and mouse by the mysterious Jonin! The concept sounds awesome and Valiant delivers entertaining comics so we’re always excited to check out a new series from them.
Knights Temporal #1 (Aftershock) – From writer Cullen Bunn and artist Fran Galan the series is about a knight who’s sent to the modern world. The concept has been done but Bunn is a fantastic writer so to see his spin on this is what has us interested.
Manor Black #1 (Dark Horse) – Another comic from writer Cullen Bunn along with writer Brian Hurtt and artist Tyer Crook, this gothic horror series is about a family of sorcerers in crisis. Yeah, we’re sold.
Powers of X #1 (Marvel) – Writer Jonathan Hickman’s X-Men epic continues with this second of dual series that sets up his vision for years to come.
Red Winter #1 (Scout Comics) – Eli Winter is a former NYPD Detective in his 50s, now living in Kapotnya, the most crime-ridden district of Moscow. Eli also now works for a local crime boss. When Eli finds out his son destroyed his boss’s meth lab, we get a series that we’re excited to read.
(W) Jonathan Hickman (A/CA) R. B. Silva Rated T+ In Shops: Jul 31, 2019 SRP: $5.99
FEAR THE FUTURE! Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman (INFINTY, NEW AVENGERS, FF) continues his revolutionary new direction for the X-Men. Intertwining with HOUSE OF X, POWERS OF X reveals the secret past, present and future of mutantkind, changing the way you look at every X-Men story before and after. You do not want to miss the next seminal moment in the history of the X-Men!
