Uncanny X-Men #23
(W) Gail Simone (A) David Marquez
A forgotten vow from one of the team comes back to haunt them all in the most SHOCKING way imaginable, as ghastly guest stars from Marvel’s past threaten to take one of our most beloved mutants into their number forever! Can the Uncanny X-Men stop their friend from being taken to WHERE MONSTERS DWELL?
Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant #1
(W) Murewa Ayodele (A) Federica Mancin
THE WAR ABOVE ALL…
…the most dangerous war in existence — thunders louder and closer. As the cosmos brace for annihilation, STORM, unaware of the coming threat, turns her gaze inward — to her home — to EARTH. The Earth’s Mightiest Mutant becomes Earth’s protector once more… in a daring new chapter of her life.
In this new beginning, STORM shares a Japanese tea ceremony with an enemy and visits France for a masquerade with monsters. However, it all ends in a gut-wrenching funeral…for in this new era of ORORO MUNROE, brought to you by Murewa Ayodele (I AM IRON MAN, STORM, ROGUE STORM) and Federica Mancin (EXCEPTIONAL X-MEN, MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN), MISTRESS DEATH is never far behind.
With DEATH stalking the shadows, expect bloodshed, brutality, barbarism and bold emotions in the brand-new STORM: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST MUTANT.
Magik and Colossus #1
(W) Ashley Allen (A) Germán Peralta
THE MUTANT SIBLINGS REUNITE!
Illyana Rasputin is a cynical sorceress with power harnessed from the dark realm of Limbo. Piotr Rasputin is made of metal, but with a heart much softer than his exterior. But despite being family, blood does not run thicker than water! When they return to their mother country, they discover ancient monsters from Russian folklore preying on the innocent! Can these two mutant siblings set aside their differences to save their country? The talented creative team of MAGIK, Ashley Allen and Germán Peralta, reunite for an X-Men story full of epic fights, mysticism and family drama!
Rogue #1 debuted this week and we have an early preview of Rogue #2 which comes to comic shops on February 25. “Shadows of Tomorrow” continues from writer Erica Schultz and art by Luigi Zagaria with a main cover by David Nakayama.
Rogue and Mystique have always had a complicated relationship, and it’s not getting any easier. Rather than tell the whole truth, Mystique channels Destiny and gives Rogue a vague summary of what happened that night at Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. all those years ago. Rogue thought her Brotherhood of Evil Mutants days were behind her, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. With the cryptic visions of her past plaguing her present, Rogue finds an inhospitable group of mutant haters on her road to the truth. Mystique continues to hold back crucial information as Rogue feels herself driven mad by visions of Sabretooth and the Constrictor on a mission long forgotten.
Check out the first look below and then don’t miss Rogue #2 when it comes to shelves this February!
YOU CAN’T OUTRUN THE PAST! Rogue has an idyllic life with her sweet Remy LeBeau, but there are still skeletons in her closet…ones that come out when she least expects it. Rogue has worked so hard to leave her villainous past behind. Unfortunately, the past doesn’t stay in the past. What happens when it slams you right in the face? What past sin would make Rogue leave Haven House? Do Mystique and Destiny hold the answer? Rogue #1 puts the spotlight squarely on Rogue as she deals with mysterious visions of her past.
Written by Erica Schultz, Rogue #1 isn’t so much the “Shadows of Tomorrow” as it’s “Shadows of the Past” exploring an unknown event during Rogue’s time with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. But, what’s most interesting is the issue’s juxtaposition of exploring that past while Rogue forges her path as the leader of an X-Men team.
The issue is set in the present with Rogue and her X-Men battling a threat while Rogue also suffers from flashes of something in the past. In the present, she’s a hero and leader training a new generation of heroes. In the past, she’s a follower and villain, it’s hard to not read the issue and see that squarely front and center as the issue progresses. But, while confronting the past she does so solo, not as a team seeking out those who might have answers.
The concept of the comic is interesting and the mystery builds nicely and there’s absolutely something there reflecting on Rogue’s past and her current present. But, the end result doesn’t quite excite. It’s ok overall and enough to check out the second issue. But, Rogue #1 doesn’t feel like a major series spinning out of an event, it feels like a mini-series and it’s tie to that banner of “Shadows of Tomorrow” right now is pretty thin.
The art by Luigi Zagaria is fine. With color by Espen Grundetjern and lettering by Ariana Maher, the action is entertaining but what stands out is Rogue’s struggling with her visions. As readers, it’s hard to tell what is real and what isn’t leaving a bit of questioning until things are made clear. Visually it’s interesting and could be used for some solid storytelling going forward.
Rogue #1 is an entertaining issue that explores Rogue’s past and should be a nice addition for anyone invested in the character. It falls short of really feeling like it ties to “Shadows of Tomorrow,” which has been an issue in all of the X-Men comics except on so far. It just feels like a spin-off mini-series from the X-comic she’s already present in taking up a bit of a nostalgia kick that has fueled numerous Marvel series recently that explore unknown parts of a character’s past.
Story: Erica Schultz Art: Luigi Zagaria
Color: Espen Grundetjern Letterer: Ariana Maher
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Bring on the bad guys! In the wake of the Age of Revelation, the gene-terrorist group 3K has been revitalized. But will their internal schemes undo them? X-Men #24 puts the spotlight on the villains after the events of the “Age of Revelation.”
While I read the first few issues of the latest X-Men run, I quickly dropped off. It wasn’t bad but it also didn’t hook me like it did when I was a regular reader. So, when it comes to groups like 3K, I’m fairly in the dark as to their history and motivations. But, X-Men #24 delivers enough you don’t need to know any of that. After the previous issue focused on Cyclops’ return to the present after being flung into the future, X-Men #24 focuses on the impact of the event for 3K.
Writer Jed MacKay delivers an interesting issue that shows a group of villains in disarray and sniping at each other as leadership vacuum is present. In just one issue, you get a sense of personalities and motivations, but most importantly the conflict within the group. This is one that will be its own undoing with attacks on each other as they each try to take control. You don’t get the full history, but the issue catches readers up and then charts a path forward.
The art by Tony Daniel is good with interesting character designs and some nice action as the situation plays out. With ink by Mark Morales, color by Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, and lettering by Clayton Cowles, this isn’t an issue of flash, full page spreads, and memorable art. It plays out more like a focused play with a few sets and mainly about characters interacting with each other.
X-Men #24 is good in that it catches up readers, reflects on the recent event, and then moves the story forward. It shows off a group of villains that are flawed and interesting in their dysfunction. They don’t come off as major threats though, overall they feel like the villains who are constantly defeated due to some minor detail they missed. Still, the issue answers some questions and sets things up for what’s to come.
Story: Jed MacKay Art: Tony Daniel
Ink: Mark Morales Color: Fer Sifuentes-Sujo Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
INGLORIOUS VENGEANCE! Cable returns from the future with a handful of clues…and gaping holes in his memory. An assassination is at hand, and it’s up to Hellverine, Archangel and his former teammate Boom-Boom to follow Cable’s lead into the fire. But who are they after, and what secret does Cable’s faulty memory hide? Be here for the ground floor of the mystery and strap in for the most extreme thrill ride in X-dom, as an all-new X-Force blazes into battle! Inglorious X-Force #1 is an entertaining start but overall feels a bit like a retread of a concept.
Written by Tim Seeley, Inglorious X-Force #1 dives into its mystery. We’re taken to a future where the first mutant President has been assassinated. By whom? Why? That’s what Cable is now trying to figure out and prevent it from happening. So, he pulls together a team, an interesting mix of Hellverine, Archangel, and Boom-Boom. Some have history with Cable, some have history with X-Force and no Cable, and one is a completely new member to the team. It’s an interesting combination of personalities, some show potential as really entertaining in just this one issue. But, the mission is one that is all too familiar.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. A team member might be a traitor and an assassin… Sound familiar? It was the plot of Uncanny X-Men for quite some years and tension between Bishop and Gambit. Here, one of Cable’s recruits might be the assassin. Or, maybe it’s a complete misunderstanding of the clue Cable left himself? That’s the underlying story of this series as Cable and his team take on a new Mutant Liberation Front.
Seeley does deliver some interesting new wrinkles, like who the first mutant President is, and it has potential to make things interesting in a lot of ways. But, the comic feels a bit retro/classic in some ways with a pacing and plot that feel like something we’ve seen before, something familiar.
The art by Michael Sta. Maria is good. With color by Romulo Fajardo Jr. and lettering by Joe Caramagna, the team delivers interesting visuals, especially in the beginning while Cable is struggling with his time displacement. The comic also does a solid job visually and stripping Cable of all of his toys. While it’s part of the plot, the art really nails down how worn and unused things are, how out of date they are, and in some ways, how archaic. It feels like Cable relying on his last generation toys instead of having the newest physics defying gun. You can see and feel the grime as he sifts through getting prepared.
Inglorious X-Force #1 is a fun start and it has potential but it also is something we’ve generally seen before. It doesn’t break a lot of new ground and instead plays it rather safe in some ways. But, the comic is entertaining and there’s something comforting about this take. If you’re a fan of X-Force with Cable as its leader, this is one you’ll want to check out.
Story: Tim Seeley Art: Michael Sta. Maria
Color: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
X-Men #24
(W) Jed MacKay (A) Tony S. Daniel
Bring on the bad guys! In the wake of the Age of Revelation, the gene-terrorist group 3K has been revitalized. But will their internal schemes undo them?
Rogue #1
(W) Erica Schultz (A) Luigi Zagaria
YOU CAN’T OUTRUN THE PAST! Rogue has an idyllic life with her sweet Remy LeBeau, but there are still skeletons in her closet… ones that come out when she least expects it. Rogue has worked so hard to leave her villainous past behind. Unfortunately, the past doesn’t stay in the past. What happens when it slams you right in the face? What past sin would make Rogue leave Haven House? Do Mystique and Destiny hold the answer?
Inglorious X-Force #1
(W) Tim Seeley (A) Michael Sta. Maria
INGLORIOUS VENGEANCE! CABLE returns from the future with a handful of clues… and gaping holes in his memory. An assassination is at hand, and it’s up to HELLVERINE, ARCHANGEL and his former teammate BOOM-BOOM to follow Cable’s lead into the fire. But who are they after, and what secret does Cable’s faulty memory hide?
Be here for the ground floor of the mystery and strap in for the most extreme thrill ride in X- dom , as an all-new X-FORCE blazes into battle!
