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Review: Inhumans vs X-Men #5

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inhumans_vs__x_men__5Inhumans vs. X-Men #5 comes with a little bit of fire. There’s a lot of action packed into the less than 28 pages but, there’s also a damn good continuation of the story. Readers are treated to an unlikely alliance, a couple of rescue missions and, a vengeance gone rational.

Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire are building one hell of an arc by sharing a story that does what the X-Men tales do best. We get to see compassion and real life prejudices and social situations play out on the pages of a comic book. The story isn’t as hard line and action movie based as the earlier issues but, it is a solid read. This issue is kind of a turning point in the story where each side begins to better understand the other sides motives. The younger versions of both teams have figured out where the other side is coming from and seem ready to set out on some kind of wacky kids teach their parents to get along style set up. The way Soule and Lemire set this part of the story arc up means that as cliched as that ideas sounds.

Javier Garron provides the clean and modern art work that makes each panel feel like a storyboard for an awesome cartoon. The lines are crisp, the facial expressions are realistic and, the action looks hard. There’s a lot of beauty in the pages and the art becomes a nice part of the story itself.

Without giving away too much I can say that overall this was a solid read. There’s passion, emotion and, a good story combined with something pretty for the readers to look at. The story never feels forced and follows a natural progression to the arc with a twist that comes out of nowhere but, still seems plausible. There are no cheap gimmicks to draw the readers in making this issue a decent read that feels like a nice throw back to classic comic style.

Story: Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire Art: Javier Garron
Story: 8.9 Art: 8.7 Overall: 8.8 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review

Around the Tubes

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dtc_cv946_dsIt was new comic book day yesterday! What did everyone enjoy? What didn’t you? Sound off in the comments below! While you decide on that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

CBLDF – Despite Challenges, Russian Indie Comics Scene Continues to Grow – We really should try to check these comics out.

CBR – Star Trek: Discovery Finds Its Lead in The Walking Dead’s Martin-Green – A solid addition.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

ICv2 – 4001 A.D. TPB

Newsarama – Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #2

Talking Comics – The Circle #1

Newsarama – Detective Comics #946

Comic Vine – Detective Comics #946

Newsarama – Hawkeye #1

Comic Vine – Inhumans vs. X-Men #1

Newsarama – Inhumans vs. X-Men #1

The Outhousers – Legends Vol. 1

Review: Inhumans vs. X-Men #1

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ivx2016001_dc11_page4_image1THIS IS IT!

The X-Men and Inhumans have been on a collision course since the link was proven between the Inhumans’ precious Terrigen Mist and the sickness and death of many mutants. When Beast discovers that the mutants have only two weeks before the planet is uninhabitable for them, an Inhuman/mutant war is unavoidable.

After the disappointment that was Death of X and a lot of Marvel’s recent events, I went into Inhumans vs. X-Men #1 with low expectations and figured the story would be just another drag out fight with little thought. Co-written by Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire I really should have known better.

Inhumans vs. X-Men is a solid mix of set-up for those who don’t know what’s going on but also creates tension leading up to the eventual cathartic release. Inhumans vs. X-Men #1 reminds me of a play where the characters debate a moral dilemma. In this case, what to do about the final Terrigen Mist cloud that threatens to make Earth uninhabitable for Mutants. Forge, Emma Frost, Magneto, Storm, Logan, Beast(s), and Rogue debate what they should do as Beast gives the dire news. It’s interesting and very adult in many ways. The comic is talky… until it isn’t. The last quarter of the comic is the action as the plan springs into action in a style that reminds me of scenes being interspersed in a movie as the characters reveal their plan. And it’s dramatic as all hell.

But, what I think surprises me most about what Soule and Lemire have done is that they in no terms paint the X-Men in a positive light. Yes, their situation is dire, but this is an attack. The X-Men might be fighting for their survival, but they are the bad guys in many ways here. This is a preemptive strike and it’s well thought out and cunning as all hell. It’s also exciting!

That excitement is helped by Leinil Yu who provides pencils along with Gerry Alangulan on inks and David Curiel on colors. It’s not just the depictions of the characters that are solid, but how Yu lays out the pages. The debate is staged like a careful plotted David Mamet play where every word and position is thought out in what it says. But when the action hits, it hits. The Karnak/Jean Grey scene alone is worth the price of admission.

As I said, I expected the worst, but this is the best “event” debut Marvel has released in decades. There’s actual thought, actual debate, the stakes are laid out, and there’s some great action in a comic that’s paced well and delivers. I can’t wait to see what comes next

IVX promises to shatter the Marvel Universe as you know it and judging by this first issue it’ll be one hell of a ride.

Story: Charles Soule, Jeff Lemire Art: Leinil Yu
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.70 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Inhumans vs X-Men #0

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inhumans_vs__x_men__0Inhumans vs X-Men issue # 0 sets the stage for the next superhero smackdown. For those feeling an acute onset hero on hero violence fatigue, be patient. The next superhuman bout may deliver where Civil War II faltered. IvX #0 continues in the same vein as Death of X filling the much-needed gaps, to paint a current picture of both the Mutant and Inhuman landscape.  To be honest I definitely had my gripes about the flash-forward and off panel milestone story telling that Marvel had cozied up to. Having the complete picture now gives a coherence that in my opinion makes the story more enjoyable. I really hope Marvel sticks to more linear storytelling in the future.

Overall I found the characterization in IvX #0 quite strong. Hank McCoy the elder, has been slowly transforming with a bent towards unabashed arrogance as of late. I was just thinking the other day how much similar he has become too his Dark Beast counterpart from the age of apocalypse reality. There’s a flashback to his early lab work with the Inhuman ISO, and his flippant remarks about the current situation and his faith in science to solve it all came off as very blindsided. For all his genius Hank doesn’t seem to appreciate that through science he has created some unsolvable problems as well (i.e. the temporal displacement of the original five X-Men). This is very much the same Beast who we saw depart from the X-Men in the Uncanny #600 issue. (link to  Unapologetic, stubborn, arrogant, and kind of an asshole. I’m very proud of Charles Soule for continuing on this characterization thread.

Emma Frost also enjoys a well-deserved spotlight.  In my review of an earlier Inhuman title I wrote how Medusa’s character really got to grow and flourish in the absence of Blackbolt post-Infinity. In this respect, Emma serves as a mirror to Medusa throughout the issue. I have always marveled how desperation has fueled Emma and made her operate at her best.  With Cyclops’ untimely demise she’s returned to that same Emma Frost we saw during the Dark Reign/ Pre-Utopia era. Devious, ambitious, and conniving. We see Emma tapping into her Hellfire roots on behalf of mutantkind in a pure way this issue and I couldn’t help but think how good it was to have the White Queen back! And its very symbolic that we have three queens (ex-Wakandan, Inhuman, and Hellfire) interlocked in such an interesting drama, with their own signature approach to statecraft. I love it!

With that said IvX excels at framing the oncoming conflict in evolutionary and political terms. We learn in this issue that the pre-emptive strike lead by Cyclops’ faction of X-Men neutralized half of the Terrigen cloud encircling the globe. This is quite a big deal as it shows mutants to be a force to be reckoned with deterrent wise. I’m reminded here of the Inhumans war against the Shi’ar in the War of Kings volume when it was speculated that Terrigenesis had a somewhat prescient element giving the Inhumans exactly what they need when they need it. Both the Inhumans and the X-Men are equal in this regard and this should make for and interesting conflict. It’s becoming ever more clear that there will be multiple perspectives on this conflict depending on the vantage it is viewed from. Given the reveals we have been given in Death of X Magneto remarks that the Inhuman missions upon the RIV are a protective military measure masked as a humanitarian mission. This threw me for a loop because I would have never considered this on my own. Naturally, Magneto has the eyes and the experience to make this interpretation. Given what we  have seen overall his assessment has merit. This outlook is also significant given some of the early story arc’s of the All-New Inhumans, which dealt directly with themes of a humanitarianism, genocide, geopolitical gesture and espionage. Beast overhears Medusa ‘s planning asserting that whatever the outcome of the current détente, the Inhuman’s must be prepared to win. I believe this was Beast’s come to Jesus moment arrogance/optimism wise. To see these themes revisited and interwoven in such an organic way for this upcoming conflict organically was such a treat.

The art was vivid and had a serious tone similar to the work of Lenil-Yu, the facial expressions were also very expressive. A small touch that I always appreciate when I come across it as it always makes me more attentive and invested in the characters.

Admittedly I rolled my eyes at the prospect of another superhero conflict, but I must say I am now hooked and eagerly awaiting the next volume if the plotting and themes are as smart and organic as IvX #0 suggests then I think we’re in for a fun ride. Doubly so considering the Ressurexion event that is on the horizon.

Story: Charles Soule Art: Kenneth Rocafort
Story: 10 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy!

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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inhumans_vs__x_men__0Wednesdays 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!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Joe

Top Pick: Seven to Eternity #3 (Image) – The first two issues told a lot of story in such a short time. More comics could learn from this. The first issue set up the legacy of the family name and the big bad, and the second introduced us to him and then a whole new band of characters. Let’s see what Remender has planned for the third issue! So far this series has been awesome.IVX #0 (Marvel) – Death of X did not fully satisfy me, but the surprise ending did. Let’s hope this series is a lot better, as it is leading us into the new Inhuman and X-Men titles coming this spring. I am hopeful that Lemire and Soule come through big here for this event and get people excited for what’s to come.

IVX #0 (Marvel) – Death of X did not fully satisfy me, but the surprise ending did. Let’s hope this series is a lot better, as it is leading us into the new Inhuman and X-Men titles coming this spring. I am hopeful that Lemire and Soule come through big here for this event and get people excited for what’s to come.

Great Lakes Avengers #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was so fun and goofy, and I loved it. The art by Robson is fantastic, and the jokes by Gorman worked well. The entire premise is ridiculous and it just makes it better. This isn’t even a b level team of Marvel heroes, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable of a premise. I highly recommend this if you’re looking for something light and fun.

Batman Annual #1 (DC Comics) – DC is bringing in all of the bat writers on the annual. I usually don’t get very excited for annuals, but I am for both this and Superman hitting the same day. This book will have Snyder, King, Dini, Orlando, and Scott Wilson writing with Riley Rossmo and Neal Adams on art. I am hyped!

saga40-01-covSaga #40 (Image) – If you haven’t read Saga yet, please go start. This is what is arguably the best comic out today. I am eager to see where Vaughn and Staples takes us this issue, as we follow these incredible characters on their wild adventures. This book can make you laugh, cry, and smile all in one issue.

 

Alex

Top Pick: Savage #1 (Valiant) – I can sum up why this is awesome in three words: Tarzan meets dinosaurs. It also looks savagely brilliant.

Batman Annual #1 (DC Comics) – Paul Dini and Scott Snyder writing Batman all in one book? Sounds ideal.

Conan The Slayer #5 (Dark Horse) – A consistent story that not enough people are talking about. If you’re a fan of sword and sorcery then you owe it to yourself to check this out.

Old Man Logan #14 (Marvel) – It’s been awhile since I enjoyed a solo Wolverine series as much as I have been enjoying this. A new arc starts this issue, and I’m pretty excited to dig in.

Revolution #5 (IDW Publishing) – A left field surprise for me; I can’t wait to see how this epic crossover ends.

 

Brett

copra_round_four_cover_bergen_streetCOPRA Round Four (Bergen Street Press) – If you haven’t been reading Michel Fiffe’s series you’re missing out on some of the best comics out there. The indie series is collected here in the fourth trade and it’s worth every penny. The series is best described as an indie Suicide Squad and it’s absolutely awesome. This is the only series I buy single issues and the trades.

Fish Eye #1 (Scout Comics) – The publisher has been putting out some fantastic comics and this new series is well worth checking out. The concept is about a cop who is on a reality show whose ratings are slipping and he has to protect his family from a group of killers. Sounds interesting!

The Skeptics #2 (Black Mask Studios) – The first issue was solid taking place during the Cold War and featuring con-men pretending to be psychics to fool the US government. It’s a crazy concept but the style and characters have me coming back and been looking forward to this one.

Inhumans vs X-Men #0 (Marvel) – I’m a sucker for Marvel’s events and this first issue is pretty solid. It catches up new readers while also setting up some new stuff as well.

The Revisionist #6 (Aftershock Comics) – Time traveling entertainment and I seriously have no idea where it’s all going. With an 80s action film flair, this is one to read from the beginning, it’s so good.