Writer: Peter David
Artist(s): Emanuela Lupacchino and Pat Davidson
Cover Artist(s): David Yardin and Edgar Delgado
Publisher: Marvel
This series is really picking up the pace with this issue. Madrox and Siryn get ready to take on Hela after a bit of trickery on her part. Longshot and Darwin attempt to woo a couple of gals. Monet has some serious beef with Layla. And can you say pregnancy hormones acting out a bit, Rahne? What I think is great about this series is the manner in which the arcs unfold. There is a huge cast involved, at least eight current members, and at times that can be a lot of people to process in an arc. What this series does right is that the first couple of issues to an arc are set up with multiple stories that usually tie back together by the end of the arc. I'm not all to familiar with the majority of these characters but for whatever reason I've grown to like most of them. I love the way that Rictor and Shatterstar have a great and interesting relationship and that Rahne needs to keep her conniving ways to herself. The fact that the team is dealing with Hela does seem like this baby drama won't be lasting too long though. Great read.
X-Men: Curse of Mutants - Blade **1/2Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Tim Green
Cover Artist: Dave Wilkins
Publisher: Marvel
This one-shot pretty much explains what goes on in the world between Death of Dracula and X-Men #2. We learn that vampire hunters are dying in large numbers and as a result Blade decides to investigate. After hearing rumors about Dracula's recent demise and Xarus' reign over the vampires, Blade forms a gang of a dozen hunters to take on the new Lord of Vampires. Unfortunately for him, and his gang really, this new army of vampires are equipped with sun blocking amulets. The vampires make quick work of the hunters and Blade is barely able to escape. This was a fairly decent one shot. It didn't shed a whole lot of light, especially considering it logistically fit before X-Men #2, but it did give a nice introduction to Blade into the story. Also, the art was inconsistent and down right disastrous at times. However, considering the tone of the story, it wasn't exactly out of place.
Writer: Chuck Kim
Artist: Chris Bachalo
Cover Artist(s): Mico Suayan, Christina Strain, and Chris Bachalo
Publisher: Marvel
Storm and Gambit, ex-thieves, good friends, partners in combat once again. In X-Men #2 Scott came up with the idea to resurrect Dracula to assist in overthrowing his son, Xarus. In order to accomplish this, however, they need to obtain his body and head, which is where Storm and Gambit come in. After a botched attempt by Dazzler, Northstar and Emma to gain information, Gambit and Storm are sent in to retrieve the body. Once they arrive onto the vampire island they are accompanied by Xarus' brother Janus, who wishes to see his father return and his brother overthrown. After battling a hoard of vampires, the three are able to turn off the force field around the island, which allows the rest of the X-Men to arrive and obtain Dracula's body.
This was a really good issue. Gambit and Storm's relationship was depicted excellently. It was good see Janus was up and around still. More importantly though, it felt like this book existed to knock Storm off of the high horse she has perched herself on. From the beginning when Emma implies Storm is bored of marriage to her frustrations with everyone assuming things about her relations with Dracula, it all just seems like the recipe for disaster. I absolutely loved that Storm was forced to slaughter what appeared to be dozens of innocent lives. That isn't to say that I condone the murdering of innocents. However, at the end of Second Coming, Storm felt it necessary to criticize Scott and Logan for their choice in committing murder, and for the most parts those murders were justified. I just find it satisfying that in this case Storm literally had to kill innocents for the sake of the world.
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist(s): Clay Mann and Jay Leisten
Cover Artist: Leinil Francis Yu
Publisher: Marvel
For whatever reason I was completely surprised when I got to my comic book shop and this was in my pile this week. Rogue is with Magneto and a bunch of kids in India when they are rudely attacked by a Sentinel, whose arrival coincides suspiciously with the appearance of a female with powers named Luz. After dispatching the Sentinel the gang head back to Paras' home, where they learn he is to wed a complete stranger. I am not exactly sure what purpose this arc is meant to serve. The plot is bit out there and the cast, other than Rogue and Magneto, are C-listers who don't do enough to be interesting. The alternate dimension from which Luz originates is fairly interesting, especially considering they know who the X-Men are, whereas the X-Men seem to be less than forthcoming with any inkling as to who these people are. The art is nothing great and the writing is just decent. It's not a terribly bad issue, there was just very little to get exited over.
As is the case every week, my DC reviews can be read here!
Gambit really needs more time in the comics! He is awesome!!! Curse of Mutants was fun. Storm and Gambit make a good pair and adding Janus into the mix was great. I loved everything but the art, which I did not like.
ReplyDeleteRahne is a psycho-wolf-lady! She better not split up Rictor and Shatterstar!!