(no subject)
A bunch of comic-book reviews. One from the last week's batch:
New X-Men 41 'The Quest For Magic'
Ok, I'm going to complain now. It was pretty weak. 'New X-Men' has its moments, there are plenty little details here that I love, but the bigger scope fails quite dramatically.
Belasco spent four issues yelling variations of 'Where is Illyana Rasputin?' (and torturing people, let's not forget the torturing, he's big on torturing) and Illyana Rasputin finally comes. Or whoever she is, because that's not exactly clear. Then Pixie puts a dagger (a soul dagger? somehow connected to the blood stones? I'm not all that well-versed in that part of Marvel mythology, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't hold together at all) into Belasco's back and everybody goes home. The home that is magicly not-destroyed. Thank God for small mercies.
And there was this completely ridiculous bit when Darkchild goes crazy and soul-hungry on Pixie but baffled Colossus calls her 'Snowflake' which upsets her so much that she sends everyone back to Earth. All that within two pages. What the hell was that? I do realize that it was the end of the arc and there wasn't much place left so they had to rush, but that was because they had, like, fifty pages of fighting before. No sense whatsoever.
Also, the Dr Strange and Spider-Man cameo and the whole business with Belasco bringing Earth to Limbo was an entirely unnecessary attempt at dialing the drama up and adding fake gravitas. I do not approve.
Alright, let's get to the good bits, before my mood is totally down. Skottie Young is an endlessly entertaining penciller and I really love the coloring. And Yost & Kyle, while stumbling at the plot part of their assignment, have a real knack at writing cool lines. Examples? Santo: 'This is your big plan? Evil Illyana turns Pixie into Dark Pixie, teaches her a magic freaking spell and then we go fight the devil. You should replace Cyclops. Right now.' Or, Belasco: 'Kill them all!' Legion of Extremely Bored-Looking Hell Beasts Who Stood Silently Around For Two Full Issues Watching Belasco's Crazy Act: 'Finally'. Oh, and Anole got a place on the team. Which means more Anole. Which is good.
The next two issue, before the 'Messiah Complex' kicks in, are supposed to be lighter and carnage-free. I'll believe it when I see it.
And some from this week:
X-Men 202 'Blinded by the Light, part 3'
Hah, the plot thickens. Sinister is eliminating psychics, precogs and any knowledge of the future. Interesting. And the Destiny diaries finally finally resurface. Thank you, Carey.
The issue has plenty of good stuff. Terrific stuff. Well-written, credible, logical, slick, thank you, Carey. Gracefully handled little piece of retcon/exposition when Cannonball recounts Marauders' previous movements. Exodus' team using their powers smartly and freezing the whole mansion in slow-time instead of wasting resources for an unnecessary fight (well, there is a fight later, I admit, but it's for believable reasons, the villains have a tremendous advantage and it fits with Exodus generally being an arrogant pompous prick with aspirations for godhood - which is exactly how an entertaining Exodus should be written). Cannonball getting understandably upset with Cable's apparent demise and Iceman being the voice of calm reason. Sam showing his hardcore side when interrogating Sunfire, because his Kentucky boy-scout routine died a fiery death in X-Force years ago, only none of the pre-Carey X-Men writers noticed it (thank you, Carey). Bobby completely obliterating Shiro's fire powers because he's an omega mutant, only none of the pre-Carey X-Men writers noticed it (I love you, Carey). Beware, A Good Line Alert: Sunfire: 'You blu-- you bluff very badly, Guthrie,' Cannonball: 'That's why Ah never bother.' Exodus trapping Shadowcat in a wall - a creative usage of mutant powers, I approve. The diaries turning out to be blank, a well designed non-continuity-breaking twist, I approve. Prodigy using his allegedly extremely-intelligent brain and coming up with something actually sensible (and thus giving more reason to his continued presence in the X-Universe that we've seen in three latest story-arcs in New X-Men combined). Blindfold avoiding getting caught by Exodus by semi-killing herself (one could question why she didn't tell some person of authority of the impending attack if she knew it would happen, but I'm willing to exercise the benefit of doubt here and maintain that a) she only discovered it twenty seconds earlier and had to improvise, b) she knew it would destroy the Cosmic Balance of Universe, and/or c) her brain works in weird way). Beware, A Good Line Alert: Shadowcat: 'David, I love you!', Prodigy: 'Uh, thanks, Ms. Pryde, but-- you sure Mr. Rasputin's okay with this?' Colossus: 'Of course. I will hug you next.' On the whole, the issue is gold. Thank you, Carey.
Ramos is steadily growing on me. He's still a tad too cartoony, but I'm really beginning to see the charm in it. I heard he's gonna jump to New X-Men now. I can certainly live with that. And his Pixie finally doesn't look like an 8 year old girl, which makes sense since she's supposed to be at least 15. Actually, it would have been quite neat if her mutation involved looking perpetually child-like - yes, I know they already used that idea in one of the X-Factor issues, but it was a nice trick then and it's still a nice trick now - but, as it was never mentioned for two years, the opportunity is long lost. At least she genuinely looks like a teenager now. A busty teenager, too, but, hey, that's Ramos.
I wonder if Carey is going to play up the tensions between Gambit and Mystique. They have history, what with her trying to seduce him so that Rouge breaks up with him and what not. Truthfully, I wouldn't mind at all if Carey decided to swipe it all under the carpet, since it was from Milligan's run and not referencing Milligan might help me with trying to convince myself that he doesn't actually exist, not to mention that he ever was in Marvel's employ, but it's Carey's choice. I'm ok with it either way, I pretty much in love with him now. Carey is da man.
X-Men First Class 3 'Island X, part 2'
'X-Men First Class' continues being the most charming comic-book on the market. A gorgeously drawn book, running light, no-angst adventure stories and not ashamed in the slightest that its main characters are teenage superpowered dorks. I love it.
The highlights this month: Decrees from the Republic of Bobbyland ('4. When we run out of sandwiches and chocolate, we'll eat Hank first. Then Warren. We'll draw straws after that.' - oh, come on, I know you laughed, no point denying that); Bobby throwing a fit that they don't have any chocolate, because Hank packed granola bars instead (I sympathize); the Bald Gremlins Attack panic and Bobby sleeping right through it (and Warren's 'Oh, will you look at this punk!'); the smily X-Men baiting fake!Professor into revealing that he is, in fact, fake ('It's our old pal, Chuck', 'Chuckster!'); aaaand, last but not least, the 'Giant Head Fight!' and the X-Men cheering gleefully from the sidelines. Well, there was also an extra strip with Marvel Girl and Scarlet Witch, pretty cute, though kinda bland, and I never say 'no' to bonus pages.
And, because it just has to be mentioned, no one draws appalled/panicked/horrified faces more entertainingly that Cruz. And Professor's eyebrows get me every time. They are just brilliant.
Cable & Deadpool 44 'Head Games'
An average issue. They are pushing it way too far with Cyclops, whose being there makes even less sense than it did last month, if it's actually possible, and the funny is at the low-tide, mainly because Deadpool spends most of the issue decapitated, but the rest is more or less ok. Not terribly lively, but ok. It has one or two memorable moves like Weasel and Deadpool's high-five after Weasel teleported the Hydra to Guantanamo and Wolverine doing the growly version of ;(. And the 'Hail Hydra!' thing never stops being amusing.
And I love how holes in continuity can be easily explained with Deadpoool being a moron. Weasel was left in Pakistan five issues ago and nobody mentioned him since? No problem.
Deadpool: 'He's not an agent of Hydra-- he got stranded here when I hit this place a couple months ago!'
Wolverine: 'An' you just left him here?'
Deadpool: 'Well, I got Bob...'
That's it for today, children. Tune in soon, there will be more.
.
New X-Men 41 'The Quest For Magic'
Ok, I'm going to complain now. It was pretty weak. 'New X-Men' has its moments, there are plenty little details here that I love, but the bigger scope fails quite dramatically.
Belasco spent four issues yelling variations of 'Where is Illyana Rasputin?' (and torturing people, let's not forget the torturing, he's big on torturing) and Illyana Rasputin finally comes. Or whoever she is, because that's not exactly clear. Then Pixie puts a dagger (a soul dagger? somehow connected to the blood stones? I'm not all that well-versed in that part of Marvel mythology, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't hold together at all) into Belasco's back and everybody goes home. The home that is magicly not-destroyed. Thank God for small mercies.
And there was this completely ridiculous bit when Darkchild goes crazy and soul-hungry on Pixie but baffled Colossus calls her 'Snowflake' which upsets her so much that she sends everyone back to Earth. All that within two pages. What the hell was that? I do realize that it was the end of the arc and there wasn't much place left so they had to rush, but that was because they had, like, fifty pages of fighting before. No sense whatsoever.
Also, the Dr Strange and Spider-Man cameo and the whole business with Belasco bringing Earth to Limbo was an entirely unnecessary attempt at dialing the drama up and adding fake gravitas. I do not approve.
Alright, let's get to the good bits, before my mood is totally down. Skottie Young is an endlessly entertaining penciller and I really love the coloring. And Yost & Kyle, while stumbling at the plot part of their assignment, have a real knack at writing cool lines. Examples? Santo: 'This is your big plan? Evil Illyana turns Pixie into Dark Pixie, teaches her a magic freaking spell and then we go fight the devil. You should replace Cyclops. Right now.' Or, Belasco: 'Kill them all!' Legion of Extremely Bored-Looking Hell Beasts Who Stood Silently Around For Two Full Issues Watching Belasco's Crazy Act: 'Finally'. Oh, and Anole got a place on the team. Which means more Anole. Which is good.
The next two issue, before the 'Messiah Complex' kicks in, are supposed to be lighter and carnage-free. I'll believe it when I see it.
And some from this week:
X-Men 202 'Blinded by the Light, part 3'
Hah, the plot thickens. Sinister is eliminating psychics, precogs and any knowledge of the future. Interesting. And the Destiny diaries finally finally resurface. Thank you, Carey.
The issue has plenty of good stuff. Terrific stuff. Well-written, credible, logical, slick, thank you, Carey. Gracefully handled little piece of retcon/exposition when Cannonball recounts Marauders' previous movements. Exodus' team using their powers smartly and freezing the whole mansion in slow-time instead of wasting resources for an unnecessary fight (well, there is a fight later, I admit, but it's for believable reasons, the villains have a tremendous advantage and it fits with Exodus generally being an arrogant pompous prick with aspirations for godhood - which is exactly how an entertaining Exodus should be written). Cannonball getting understandably upset with Cable's apparent demise and Iceman being the voice of calm reason. Sam showing his hardcore side when interrogating Sunfire, because his Kentucky boy-scout routine died a fiery death in X-Force years ago, only none of the pre-Carey X-Men writers noticed it (thank you, Carey). Bobby completely obliterating Shiro's fire powers because he's an omega mutant, only none of the pre-Carey X-Men writers noticed it (I love you, Carey). Beware, A Good Line Alert: Sunfire: 'You blu-- you bluff very badly, Guthrie,' Cannonball: 'That's why Ah never bother.' Exodus trapping Shadowcat in a wall - a creative usage of mutant powers, I approve. The diaries turning out to be blank, a well designed non-continuity-breaking twist, I approve. Prodigy using his allegedly extremely-intelligent brain and coming up with something actually sensible (and thus giving more reason to his continued presence in the X-Universe that we've seen in three latest story-arcs in New X-Men combined). Blindfold avoiding getting caught by Exodus by semi-killing herself (one could question why she didn't tell some person of authority of the impending attack if she knew it would happen, but I'm willing to exercise the benefit of doubt here and maintain that a) she only discovered it twenty seconds earlier and had to improvise, b) she knew it would destroy the Cosmic Balance of Universe, and/or c) her brain works in weird way). Beware, A Good Line Alert: Shadowcat: 'David, I love you!', Prodigy: 'Uh, thanks, Ms. Pryde, but-- you sure Mr. Rasputin's okay with this?' Colossus: 'Of course. I will hug you next.' On the whole, the issue is gold. Thank you, Carey.
Ramos is steadily growing on me. He's still a tad too cartoony, but I'm really beginning to see the charm in it. I heard he's gonna jump to New X-Men now. I can certainly live with that. And his Pixie finally doesn't look like an 8 year old girl, which makes sense since she's supposed to be at least 15. Actually, it would have been quite neat if her mutation involved looking perpetually child-like - yes, I know they already used that idea in one of the X-Factor issues, but it was a nice trick then and it's still a nice trick now - but, as it was never mentioned for two years, the opportunity is long lost. At least she genuinely looks like a teenager now. A busty teenager, too, but, hey, that's Ramos.
I wonder if Carey is going to play up the tensions between Gambit and Mystique. They have history, what with her trying to seduce him so that Rouge breaks up with him and what not. Truthfully, I wouldn't mind at all if Carey decided to swipe it all under the carpet, since it was from Milligan's run and not referencing Milligan might help me with trying to convince myself that he doesn't actually exist, not to mention that he ever was in Marvel's employ, but it's Carey's choice. I'm ok with it either way, I pretty much in love with him now. Carey is da man.
X-Men First Class 3 'Island X, part 2'
'X-Men First Class' continues being the most charming comic-book on the market. A gorgeously drawn book, running light, no-angst adventure stories and not ashamed in the slightest that its main characters are teenage superpowered dorks. I love it.
The highlights this month: Decrees from the Republic of Bobbyland ('4. When we run out of sandwiches and chocolate, we'll eat Hank first. Then Warren. We'll draw straws after that.' - oh, come on, I know you laughed, no point denying that); Bobby throwing a fit that they don't have any chocolate, because Hank packed granola bars instead (I sympathize); the Bald Gremlins Attack panic and Bobby sleeping right through it (and Warren's 'Oh, will you look at this punk!'); the smily X-Men baiting fake!Professor into revealing that he is, in fact, fake ('It's our old pal, Chuck', 'Chuckster!'); aaaand, last but not least, the 'Giant Head Fight!' and the X-Men cheering gleefully from the sidelines. Well, there was also an extra strip with Marvel Girl and Scarlet Witch, pretty cute, though kinda bland, and I never say 'no' to bonus pages.
And, because it just has to be mentioned, no one draws appalled/panicked/horrified faces more entertainingly that Cruz. And Professor's eyebrows get me every time. They are just brilliant.
Cable & Deadpool 44 'Head Games'
An average issue. They are pushing it way too far with Cyclops, whose being there makes even less sense than it did last month, if it's actually possible, and the funny is at the low-tide, mainly because Deadpool spends most of the issue decapitated, but the rest is more or less ok. Not terribly lively, but ok. It has one or two memorable moves like Weasel and Deadpool's high-five after Weasel teleported the Hydra to Guantanamo and Wolverine doing the growly version of ;(. And the 'Hail Hydra!' thing never stops being amusing.
And I love how holes in continuity can be easily explained with Deadpoool being a moron. Weasel was left in Pakistan five issues ago and nobody mentioned him since? No problem.
Deadpool: 'He's not an agent of Hydra-- he got stranded here when I hit this place a couple months ago!'
Wolverine: 'An' you just left him here?'
Deadpool: 'Well, I got Bob...'
That's it for today, children. Tune in soon, there will be more.
.