Review: Generation X #1
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
I had trouble with all of their eyes too! Their proportions are so off. They’re either too far apart, too high, and don’t sit right on their head. All my coworkers in the comic shop were put off with how the characters’ eyes were drawn
It’s so odd! Glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
I totally agree with your review….and yes those eyes!!! What is up with that? I was really looking forward to this title, and this first outing is so underwhelming. As you mentioned, they make many references to the time that has passed since the original Gen X, and yet Jubilee remains the same character…sure she’s a vampire and mom now, but still feels the same. Where’s the growth? But other then the unoriginal, been there done that feel of the story..geez, bunch of kids not getting along…groundbreaking…it was the art that really let me down. Those eyes and stranger proportions did not do this issue any favors. I’ll check out the next one to see how things go, but my hopes have been dashed for this being a solid title.
I’ve been wondering what your thoughts were. It’s weird, right? There’s this mention of time, but Jubilee still looks like a teenager. Jono has aged a little I guess? And the interaction and what’s presented just reminds me of what’s been done before. There’s nothing original here, and the art just crushes the blah story into bad territory.
Yeah, they definitely had the chance to do something more but just taking characters who seem to be in school forever, and bringing back past Gen X members with no change to them at all is just weak. I was going to review it, but really mine would just echo yours.