The X-Axis – 16 October 2011
It’s a podcast weekend, but as Al mentioned, we’re recording tomorrow night. (For what it’s worth, the plan is to review three books that don’t appear in this post at all. Original material, people!)
In the meantime, reviews! And since I’m starting this rather late in the day, I might skim over some of these a bit…
Batgirl #2 – Boy, this is a book where you can feel Gail Simone wrestling with a troublesome premise at every turn. Nobody was really crying out to see Barbara Gordon as Batgirl again, and the book seems to feel compelled to try and sell us on the concept. Simone has chosen to meet the problem head on in her first storyline, which feels like it ought to be a good idea in theory. So this first arc is all about Batgirl returning to action after her mysterious recovery from paralysis (the cause of which is evidently a long-term plot point), and we’ve got a Final Destination style villain whose own story is all about people escaping things that should have killed them.
This is a better issue than the first, perhaps because we’re now more clearly into the villain’s story, which works reasonably well on its own terms – though it’s also the case that Simone knows how to pace a story, and has an obvious affection for the character. But there are still problems here. It’s weird to be focussing so much on this one change when other defining features of the character seem to have been wiped from history (she’s certainly not acting like somebody who used to be Oracle). And the book is so busy trying to sell us on the idea of taking Barbara out of the wheelchair that it’s not dealing effectively with the other side of the equation: what’s the hook with Batgirl as a concept? What makes her more than just another generic Batman spin-off? So far, I”m not getting the sense that the book has a clear answer to that, and that’s a big issue it needs to deal with.
Daken: Dark Wolverine #15 – Last issue, Donna shot Daken in the head. So this issue, Daken lies in hospital hallucinating until his healing factor can sort matters out, while Donna and guest star Moon Knight get on with the business of tracking down the Claws Killer. Which, in fact, they do. It’s an interesting move to have the mystery solved (if not the villain defeated) while Daken is out of commission, and I’m sure that’ll play nicely into Daken’s insecurities.
Daken’s dream scenes are interesting. The story openly flirts with doing the expected routine where he’s confronted with his sins and returns to life determined to atone – but doesn’t do it. Instead, Daken starts off stripped of his attitude and meekly apologising for his failures, only for his normal personality to reassert itself as he heals. It’s a nice inversion of the formula, and one which still hints that somewhere underneath all the bluster, he’s got the potential to be different. As usual in this arc, the story makes good use of the two artists, and the mystery plot is well constructed too. Good issue.
Demon Knights #2 – This is very close to being an issue-long fight scene (it’s a fight scene, a lull, and a renewed fight scene), and I was kind of hoping for a bit more progress with the plot. But there’s also enough neat ideas with the characters to carry the book. The dinosaurs as “dragons” is a lovely idea, as is Al Jabr’s gimmick of having technology centuries more advanced than everyone else – such as lenses, and rudimentary batteries – which naturally seem like incredible sci-fi to the other characters. The villains are nicely written too; they’re not malicious so much as indifferent to collateral damage. A lot to like, even though the pacing is a little off.
Generation Hope #12 – Team reshuffle issue! Of course, since everyone’s in Hope’s thrall, the Generation Hope team don’t have the option of going their separate ways as part of “Schism”, though Laurie does at least persuade Hope to send Idie off to the school to get her head together. Meanwhile, Pixie gets added to the group in her place, in a nice mixture of plot logic (they need a teleporter) and character (Hope is being passive aggressive towards Gabriel). I’m fine with this – not only does Pixie need a series where she can shine, there’s the potential for her to shake up the series by being the one member of the regular cast who isn’t bound to Hope.
There’s an entire five-page scene in here repeated from Regenesis, but it’s additional to the regular page count, and it does genuinely need to be in both titles, so I’ve got no problem with that. Shame Kieron Gillen is leaving the book, but I still think there’s a lot of potential here, and it’s certainly one of the titles I most look forward to each month.
Legion of Monsters #1 – Dennis Hopeless and Juan Doe with a miniseries dusting off the likes of Morbius, the Living Mummy, and Elsa Bloodstone. Basically, the idea is that the monster characters have formed a police force for their hidden monster community, and they end up teaming with monster-hunter Elsa to take care of a common threat. Doe’s art is lovely, but the story is pretty familiar, and while it’s serviceably done, it isn’t really anything memorable.
Uncanny X-Force #16 – Ah, the co-ordination of stories. Regenesis unavoidably has to hint at the end of this storyline, but at least it does so as tactfully as it possibly can, and without really blowing the finish.
Meanwhile, this issue: fighty fighty! Basically, this is the issue where X-Force fight the henchmen in preparation for taking on the proper baddie next month. You could argue this is a bit redundant in such a long story. But the Horsemen have been given enough prominence until now that getting past them ought to be a big deal. Besides, there’s some good individual character moments, and the art is typically gorgeous. Remender has hit a wonderful tone with the villains, who all come across as if they genuinely (if insanely) believe that the upcoming global apocalypse will be a magnificent fresh start for all involved. And he writes a great Deadpool, whose gibberish has a weirdly poetic undertow to it in this book. (“God or not, that enchanting drifter made the most mind-blowing stew out of night train, potatoes, and depression…”) There’s room to make this tighter, but it’s a fine issue anyway.
Who is Jake Ellis? #5 – Who is Jake Ellis? is the sort of high-concept miniseries that people often accuse of sounding like a backdoor film pitch – man who’s guided by a mysterious helpful companion that nobody else can see or hear – but you only have to look at this series to see that it’s first and foremost a comic. Tonci Zonjic’s artwork on this series has been wonderfully designed, and makes full use of the form – I love the use of colour, the way alternating panels are used to show the flashing red sirens, the shadowy way Zonjic draws Jake himself. If you boil the series down to the story alone, then you could make a case that the initial mystery is more compelling than the resolution – but it’s the art and the execution of the story that elevates it.
X-Men Legacy #257 – Wow, this is a long storyline. So, this issue, Friendless has the two alien races teaming up against the X-Men, while Rogue and Frenzy try to save the space station, and everyone else tries to find a working spaceship. This isn’t the greatest story Mike Carey has ever written – I don’t quite understand why Friendless doesn’t simply control the handful of humans directly, and the Rogue/Frenzy thing really is one of those “We must get to the control room which is inconveniently located on the other side of this incredibly dangerous and poorly designed chamber” scenes. But given all that, it’s done quite well – the sequences of Rogue and Frenzy being catapulted up the space station are well designed and really helped by strong work from colourist Brian Reber. And I do like the idea that as long as Friendless controls the commanders, everyone else will do as they’re told, no matter how obviously bizarre or even suicidal. Overall, it works.
X-Men Regenesis #1 – The issue where everyone chooses sides. If we’re being blunt, this isn’t a story so much as a missing scene from Schism #5, though Kieron Gillen tries his damnedest to impose some shape on it and give some sense of primeval importance with running thematic panels showing everyone choosing sides around a neanderthal campfire.
There are certainly difficulties with the way “Schism” has been built up. It doesn’t really stem from anything we’ve seen the characters discussing until now – and it’s bizarre, with hindsight, that the X-books passed up the opportunity to do this when Utopia was just being started, and Cyclops’ dubious excesses had just been exposed. But Gillen is a great writer of characters, and I think he nails the various cast members seen here well enough to make their scenes work. Most of the decisions here make sense, and it’s nice to see the likes of Iceman and Toad get some exposure for a change.
Storm’s choice, near the end of the issue, is a particularly successful scene (not least in terms of giving the book some structure), as Cyclops is reduced to listing all the other major characters who are staying with him, and pointing out that they’re all varying degrees of crazy. This also helps to explain why might be different for Uncanny, which on the surface is just carrying on with some of its characters missing – Scott has the power, but Wolverine’s taken the heart, and that’s what changes the dynamic in Scott’s series.
It’s a series of scenes trying very hard to be a story, but it’s a series of good scenes that can at least appeal to forming part of a larger story, and that’s enough for me.
generally liked regenesis. the art isnt great, though. the ‘real’ scenes felt flat, and the ‘metaphor’ scenes had ridiculous amounts of t&a. i expect better from billy tan.
and there is the scene with hope and laurie, which mostly left me confused. laurie is really just staying because of the mind-control, right? is she also unable to tell other people about it? kitty and scott seem aware of it, but how much do they know? wouldnt they help laurie out if shes basically being held against her will? what was the gun all about? really not sure how exactly to read that scene.
i expect better from billy tan.
——————————————-
I don’t.
For those wondering, it’s been announced that Christos Gage is going to be taking over from Carey on X-Men: Legacy.
I like a lot of Gage’s stuff, but I know Paul wasn’t a fan of his Astonishing run (which I haven’t read).
Nice little typo in Regenesis when Cyclops tells Psylocke “Correct. No killing unless absolutely avoidable.”
So in other words, Betsy, kill everybody who doesn’t need killing. See that little old lady watching the telly in her house across the street? Get in there and gut that hag like a fish! You can’t get more absolutely avoidable than that!
“No killing unless absolutely avoidable.”
Ha-ha! Nice catch.
Reminds me… There was a Captain America scene from, I think way back in the 60’s or early 70’s where Cap’s fighting some bad guy and says:
“Alright mister, only one of us is going to walk away from this fight on our own two feet! And it won’t be me!!”
“You’ll live to regret this!”
Yeah, yeah… typos happen.
Now pass me those pliers, Jeannie, so I can fix them!
Perhaps it wasn’t an error. Perhaps it’s a sign of Cyclops’ worsening mental and moral state.
Do I get a No-Prize?
@Brad, I noticed that too and reread the dialogue a few times to make sure I wasn’t glossing over something. Your theoretical scene drove it home though.
I don’t think Regenesis ever had a chance to be a real story (have any of the one shot epilogues/prologues?), but Gillen does a good job for the most part fleshing out the major players motivations. I did think it was interesting how Logan is trying to be a bit of a manipulator (the Havok/Polaris scene springs to mind, X-Factor might not be Cyclops biggest fans, but I think they’d kind of bristle at the thought of Logan placing two people with them).
I thought the art was eventually what held it back. Does anyone think Tan’s Cyclops is really off? This issue just screamed to have someone like McKelvie do it or maybe they could’ve dusted off Kevin Maguire.
A nice touch in Demon Knights is making Al Jabr a Muslim; the Persians had worked out the laws of optics by the 10th century, so the telescope isn’t quite as outrageous as it might be in Europe, and likewise the “Baghdad batteries” provide a flimsy justification for his electrical apparatus.
For those wondering, it’s been announced that Jeph Loeb is going to be bringing Sabretooth back to life with his old pal, Simone Bianchi, in the pages of Wolverine.
And we all remember the epic kerfuffle that erupted the last time those two played in that particular sandbox!
“I did think it was interesting how Logan is trying to be a bit of a manipulator (the Havok/Polaris scene springs to mind, X-Factor might not be Cyclops biggest fans, but I think they’d kind of bristle at the thought of Logan placing two people with them).”
If you mean for the purpose of keeping an eye on them, I didn’t read that way.
1) It’s not Logan’s style (Scott’s, sure).
2) X-Factor is independent and Logan has no authority to say “You have to take these guys.”
3) I doubt Alex and Lorna would never agree to such an arrangement.
I read it as Logan just thinking it would be nice for Alex and Lorna to hang with their old X-Factor buddies for awhile. No ulterior motives.
But I guess we’ll see.
Er.. I mean “I doubt Alex and Lorna would ever” (not “never”)
It’s typo day, I guess.
I read the Alex/Lorna bit more like Brian did.
Logan knows that X-Factor is floating out there, and that they weren’t very sympathetic to the Utopia concept. So he’s curious where they might stand in this new world order. And since Alex & Lorna have a history with Madrox and others, and since they just got back from space, they have a perfect excuse to drop by and have a chat.
I think Simone made a mistake beginning the Batgirl series in the present day. I think it was more important to establish just why Barbara became Batgirl in the first place (and rewriting her origin to give her a proper motivation because she never really had one).
Unfortunately, Simone seems to think that the wheelchair business is more important. It’s really weird actually. The New 52 is supposed to be about attracting new readers, but this particular book seems to be more concerned with justifying it’s existence to old readers. I blame Jill Pantozzi.
I haven’t picked up an X-Men book for ages, but was curious enough about Regenesis to give this a go. Huge mistake; I suppose I wasn’t the target audience for this, and maybe I’d be better off starting with the no.1 issues but I was left thoroughly confused – I don’t think I even recognised half the characters! I miss the good old days of half a dozen core characters.
Storm’s decision in Regenesis was out of character. Cyclops begging through the issue was bad enough, but convincing her with ‘all the actual X-men are with Wolverine, leaving me with all the omega-powered villains. Please stay to validate my position, despite the fact you have been the most vocal opponent other than Beast, pre-schism’ was ridiculous.
I disagree Brendan. Presumably those going to the school want to teach and work with students. That’s never been much of a motivation for Storm. The X-Men as a superhero team who stand as an example to the world would be interesting to her. One way or another that’s what Utopia will be. Also, I don’t remember Storm criticizing Utopia as such. She did have a big problem with X-Force (not that the books ever actually followed up on it) but she holds Logan equally to blame for that (and will presumably more upset with him when she finds out it’s still up and running.) I could see Storm just walking out altogether and starting her own splinter squad, but assuming there are just two choices she’s probably in the right place.
I just worry that Storm joining the Avengers allows Bendis to dip his toe into this world and he may want to take over.
@Tdubs – I don’t think Bendis wants to take over the X-titles. During Bendis’ Ultimate X-Men tenure, Bendis had a CBR or Newsarama interview in which he indicated the X-titles did not really speak to him. If I remember correctly, Marvel wanted Bendis to write Ultimate X-Men before Millar took over.
If Bendis wanted the X-titles, Marvel would have given it to him after House of M. I think Marvel has been trying to find a Bendis-type writer who can work their charm on the X-line. I think Bendis likes certain X-characters but not the entire concept.
@Brendan & Rich
Also, keep in mind that Storm has often been portrayed in the past as someone who will use lethal force when necessary – she ripped Marrow’s heart out and I believe stabbed Callisto in her first battle with her, presuming it would be fatal. I also recall her striking Polaris with lightning when she felt the need to end a fight with her, not an event most people survive.
Ororo has actually had to lead the X-Men in the past and was in charge during the mutant massacre – having led the X-Men during some of their darkest times, she would understand how Cyclops would have reached his decisions, whether she agreed with them or not and also understood his reasoning for why he needed her with him.
Beast can afford to be uncompromising in his disdain towards Cyclops, because he’s never been in charge and generally walks away any time he doesn’t agree how things are going – love the guy, but he has a history of walking when the going gets tough, rather than make hard choices. Storm might have a bit of a different perspective.
UNCANNY X-FORCE was indeed another good issue.
One unusually successful aspect of it I appreciated was its sense of place. There are many “wandering about the corridors of a base trying to stop the superweapon” stories, but how often do you really have an idea of where everyone is in relation to each other, etc.? In general, locations are brushed in the very broadest of strokes.
But I feel like I have a general idea of the layout of the city of Akkaba, and I like how that layout isn’t just background – the characters are actually moving through and interacting with it. I like how the weapon rises slowly but surely up toward the surface in the background and you can see its progress from different angles as we visit different characters, etc.
Character-wise, I’m also liking the villains’ faith in the rightness of their quest, as well as the more personal motivations of the AOA characters, for whom the 616 is a paradise they’ll do anything to buy admittance to.
I have no idea how any member of X-Force is going to do anything but get smashed to pieces by Iceman, though, and no idea how Deadpool’s going to live either, since Remender made a point of Fantomex being unable to misdirect Drake.
Brad,
I think you are largely correct about Storm. The fight with Callisto is actually an important example. That story came not that long after the first Brood adventure where Storm was willing to die instead of kill a sentient being (and Cyclps too followed very stricty an X-Men don’t kill policy.) The shift in Ororo’s thinking was a big deal (although I don’t remember her actually eer killing someone as an X-Man.) I’d actually like to see her have it out with Scott and Logan on where they draw the line these days. I think you might be right that she would be more understanding than even she would have thought. (And I wish a little less understanding. I preferred it when the X-Men didn’t kill. Once the line is crossed it’s easier and easier for them to kill again. I liked it when they were heroes better, but that ship sailed a long time ago.)
@Adam: I agree. The only time I feel confused about the setting is when the characters enter The World, but that should be expected given the nature of that place.
I have to say I was a bit disappointed that the current issue did little more than extend the big fight — I agree with Paul that this storyline could have been shortened by about an issue. But I love where Remender has left the team at the end of this issue.
[SPOILERS] Everyone is either dead, possessed, demoralized, or hopelessly outmatched. I’m looking forward to seeing how Remender writes his way out of this one, and I have faith he can do so in a way that is satisfying. If only the series was still being published every two weeks.
My first exposure to Rick Remender’s work was his run on The Punisher, and I had serious doubts about his judgement and abilities once all that monster nonsense started. But I’d say X-Force is the best X-book by far at the moment (X-Factor hasn’t been great in a while and Legacy has dropped off significantly). I had little confidence based on the premise and cast of X-Force but it’s been great so far. Glad to see Fantomex being well-used.
Is Storm still married to Black Panther or is this put on the backburner?
Still wondered why they did this. As both DC and Marvel now see a superhero-marriage as poison, this must be the last intact marriage (except the FF, but this is holy, as Stan did it) in the Marvel U.
The Carey issues were the only one halfway readable when I dipped into X-Men from time to time.
But to hear that Loeb will do Wolverine again is not good. Hasn´t he done enough damage with his godawful Romulus nonsense?
I loved the latest issue of Uncanny X-Force. Remender is a great writer – I also like Adam’s comments about a having a sense of all the character’s locations relative to each other. The issue just flows so well. The gorgeous artwork obviously helps.
And I especially liked AoA Iceman letting rip. Now, if only we could see the 616 version do something similar! But alas, Iceman is ever underutilised.
As for Regenesis, it would be nice to think that the character scenes actually go somewhere. I just have a feeling that Psylocke, Beast, Storm and all will just be so much wallpaper as they have been for years in the main X-books, despite the interesting motivations that are given for their choices. But I’d like to be proved wrong.
@AndyD
Storm is still married to the Black Panther, and guested in his series a few months ago. The rather absurd explanation for why they’re rarely together is that, in order to prove he still has what it takes now that he’s not king of Wakanda anymore, he’s agreed to watch over Hell’s Kitchen while Daredevil is off finding himself or whatever Daredevil’s doing. And in his mind, “prove himself” means he can’t have any help from anyone (well, any other superheroes – he doesn’t seem to ming the civillian supporting cast of his book giving him a hand) even if there are innocent lives at stake and he’s getting his butt handed to him.
So he’s told her to stay away until he’s done proving himself and not even contact him because this is something he MUST do alone, and the one time she decided to drop in anyway (and keep Kraven from killing him) he gave her grief about it (slightly less than he would have if she hadn’t saved his life, though).
Ah, thanks, ZZZ.
You have to love this macho men 🙂
My husband gets his ass kicked in hell´s kitchen, but he will triumph!” This would make a nice scene in a Bendis all woman Avengers where the girls go out for a drink and comfort Storm for her idiot man.
Eh, anyone read the Black Panther Secret Invasion tie-in? Cyclops is a bloody saint compared to Storm.
“My husband gets his ass kicked in hell´s kitchen, but he will triumph! Even if I have to save his ass, and he then gets mad at me!” This would make an even better scene in a Bendis all woman Avengers where the girls go out for a drink and confront Storm about her idiot man.