X-Men: Blue #17
(W) Cullen Bunn (A) R. B. Silva (CA) Arthur Adams
Rated T+
In Shops: Dec 13, 2017
SRP: $3.99
CROSS-TIME CAPERS Part 2
• Lost in time, JEAN GREY and her team of X-MEN must survive long enough to fix what is wrong with the timestream…
• …which isn’t easy with the teens stranded in the not-too-far future. If only there were a similar group of mutant heroes to help them out.
• Oh, wait! There totally is! GUEST-STARRING X-MEN 2099!
Marvel has terminated their contract with artist Ardian Syaf after the artist placed hidden messages within X-Men Gold #1.
The artist’s work will still be seen in X-Men Gold #2 and X-Men Gold #3 as both issues have gone to the printer. RB Silva will take over with X-Men Gold #4 and continue on art through X-Men Gold #6. Ken Lashley will then take on the art duties with X-Men Gold #7-9.
A permanent artist will be announced in the future.
Here’s Marvel’s full statement.
Marvel has terminated Ardian Syaf’s contract effective immediately. ‘X-Men Gold’ #2 and #3 featuring his work have already been sent to the printer and will continue to ship bi-weekly. Issues #4, #5, and #6 will be drawn by R. B. Silva and issues #7, #8, and #9 will be drawn by Ken Lashley. A permanent replacement artist will be assigned to ‘X-Men Gold’ in the coming weeks.
Below is some of the “hidden” messages Syaf included in the issue which are interpreted as being anti-Christian and antiSemitic.
Much has been said in the last few days of this monumental nine hundredth issue of one of the most pivotal comics in history, Action Comics. Action Comics #900 is a huge leap and massive comic, boasting 96 pages and a cover price of $5.99. I won’t delve into the controversy for now, expect that in an hour, instead how is the comic?
Paul Cornell, Damon Lindelof, David Goyer, Geoff Johns, Paul Dini and Richard Donner are just some of the names that make this a pretty solid issue, if not a bit uneven.
Paul Cornell, Pete Woods and Jesus Merino (and a few others) continue the main story running through the series, The Black Ring. Basically, Lex is now God and Superman confronts him. It’s very much Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and the story is about as good as the movie. As a whole, there’s a lot of plot points that either don’t make sense or belittles Lex Luthor as a villain and character. It could also be the fact that I haven’t read the lead up. I’m sure that didn’t help.
The short stories that followed are a mix bag. Each has a point and attempts to analyze a different facet of the Superman character and mythos in a different way.
Damon Lindelof and Ryan Sook‘s entry gives us a few days before the end of Krypton. It’s the highlight of the issue with just a touching simple story. One that makes you think, and gives you a moment of pause.
Geoff Johns and Gary Frank is the weakest of stories featuring the Legion of Super Heroes. If you don’t know these characters, like me, this will go over your head.
Paul Dini and RB Silva’s story is the one that gets you to think about an alien who’s the last of it’s kind and must keep what it’s scene going. A nice reflection to Superman.
David Goyer and Miguel Speulveda bring us the news worthy story that has Superman heading to Tehran and partaking in a rally in Iran. This causes controversy and an international incident as it looks like the US is interfering with their internal affairs. It results in Superman making a bold statement about his citizenship. The story is one of the two stand out as it features real world locations, unlike previous stories which usually feature an echo.
Finally Richard Donner, Derek Hoffman and Matt Camp present a Superman story in screenplay format, which is always neat to see.
Overall the issue is mixed. The main story I could do without, but the rest, minus Johns’, are pretty solid stuff. If nothing else, grab it to see what the controversy is about.
