X-Factor #208

You can tell when a book is well written, the dialogue just sings off the page.  All the interactions between the characters are effortless and there is an innate sense of worth and value in each flick of paper.  That’s what X-Factor delivers.

The book opens with tension and closes with the same.  The part in between is seeded with questioning and self loathing in a way that can only be channelled through the mutants of Marvel.  If you are liking the detective novel medium then this will provide all necessary joys.  If you are coming from the bent of loving mutants and their powers, you will also be satisfied with what is to be found between the covers, however do not go in expecting the delivery of powers like other stories in the X franchise deliver.  This is a subtle book, like a british comedy; more sizzle than zip.

To go into the particulars of the story would be to reveal too much.  Additionally this is likely not the best issue to step in on, there is a lot of “Previously, In X-Factor…” to wade through to grasp the story.  This leaves us in an interesting position.  If you are already reading this book, you know it’s awesome.  If you want to join in, it’s a steep learning curve and you’re likely best waiting until there’ s a bit more space to learn.  Catch 22 wishes they had it this good.  The philosophical view point, not the ska band.

X-Factor delivers! And hey, it’s a book about a mutant detective agency.  What’s not to like? -Bretzke

X-Force: Sex and Violence #2 (Not final cover).

Notice the cover has “Explicit Content” written on the front?  They’re serious.  This isn’t one of those blanket warnings because somebody gets a pinky cut – this is for really reals.  You see things inside that Wolverine shouldn’t be able to do.  I’m talking morally, not physically.  Anyone with claws coming out of their wrists could do those kinds of things, but damn.  Wow.

Also ticking the boxes in the explicit column is a certain scene in a quiet hotel.  Not going into this any further but you’ll have been wondering about this since the end of the last issue.

Domino is a bad girl; she took money from bad people who do bad things.  Now they want it back and they’ve assembled a veritable army of pain-bringers to make her say uncle.  But they don’t reckon on her having a certain Logan to assist her.  Granted it’s somewhat against his will.  But she’s a girl, and they have their ways of persuasion.

The writing is slick though what occurs stinks of a fanboy wish list.  Additionally the artwork, while brilliant during the action sequences, with that quick brush action, falls down whenever the camera should be standing still.

Sex and Violence delivers both those promises with all barrels blazing.  I’m left to wonder what’s left in the box of tricks for issue 3.  Death or pregnancy is my bet. -Bretzke

X-Force: Sex and Violence #1

Domino is a foil for the X-Force.  While she participates in their activities she has always been peripheral, somewhat the outsider in the regenerating mutant club; a club of mutants which regenerate, not the club itself.  Laura and Logan have always been close, it’s in their DNA, but Domino has had to prove herself able within the extreme actions of the X-Force.

Lets not forget though, she’s not an exclusive agent.

It’s that alternative work arrangement that’s going to bite this time around.  The story focuses on the relationship between Domino and Wolverine.  Long time readers of the book will see the attempt at a history being painted by Yost and Kyle between the two, but if you go back and look at the books in and of themselves, an hints at this outcome are tenuous at best.  Long story short, it’s about Wolverine having the hots for Domino.

Yes, tenuous.

That doesn’t make the book a travesty however.  If anything it adds to the experience; the sudden revelation of the chance of kink between these two weapons makes for interesting reading.  Dell’Otto uses delicacy and grace in forming the imagery with the accentuation of deep, dark colours.  The book is foreboding, it needs to be.

With only 3 books in the series, any tryst will have to be short lived.  Oh, there’s a reveal at the end which should make you laugh.  Oh Domino, how could you resist? -Bretzke.

Warning: Spoilers are contained as all 3 issues are reviewed as one.

I enjoyed this particular triple in succession.  After the cliffhanger nature of the first installment of this fresh turn it was difficult to hold back.  But if you saw yesterday’s edition of PDX you’ll understand that there was some tripe to wade through.

In SC#1 Nightcrawler asked some poignent questions and he receieves the answers he craves in #2, though whether he actually wanted to know any of this is uncertain; like discerning the fallacy that is the Easter Bunny, it’s clear that Kurt had some emotional investment in what he believed the X-Men were.  To have this changed so dramatically will have hurt him, though this doesn’t develop any further in these three issues.

The critical character throughout this obviously is Hope, but the development exhibited by the other members of this cast is extraordinary.  Cyclops takes the meat of the problem presented and moves swiftly to destroy it, Logan shows the slightest amount of heart and the New Mutants come into the fray swinging.  This series is firing on all cylinders.  And that is the key.

For the first time in some years, all the X-characters are working as a team.  The infighting is notable for it’s absence and there is a clinical aspect to how these warriors work.  It’s as though they’ve finally heard each time you cuss at the page and say “Just man up!’.  The characters have grown a little and as such the entire X-Franchise is stronger.  Certainly the return of Kitty Pryde just before the start of this arc seemed out of place, but this could be explained through any number of factors including scheduling conflicts.

So what is here for the new reader?  An experience like the movies; fast action with plot twists and easily identifiable characters, both on a visual and emotional level.  All your favorites are here kicking the tail of anonymous bad guys.  Will the seasoned reader get something from this?  I’m not sure if this is the new “Age of Apocalypse” but you can be guaranteed that this will sit better than “Supanovas” did, though I did love Bachalo’s work in that arc.

Where is the future headed?  To me, this is obvious.  All 3 major X titles have been pushing one main story idea since “M” day; no more mutants.  Hope represents the antithesis to this premise.  In any dramatic story the device best used is limitation of the crucial resource, in this case, mutants.  As such it would be plain to state that the path trod will be well soaked in the blood of those gifted by their genes.  This will be about Decimation.  The capitalization is deliberate.

The cynic amongst us will suggest that of course they will survive.  They the race?  Sure.  But will your favorite Mutant make it through the slaughter?  Read on to find out… -Bretzke.

This was enjoyed on a whim, speaking to the power of a good cover.  What unfolds inside is a tale that anyone reminiscing of previous glory will understand well: Frank Castle is getting old, it’s hard to take the punishment (ha!) that he has to take, to punish the unworthy.

To be upfront, the art to my mind is overly naive and unappealing.  An argument can be made for ‘the simple line’ but this feels austere and burgeons on bland.  However, this is of course a matter of taste, my love of a complex texture is betrayed here.

Take some time and open up to Punisher, inside this issue he opens up to us and it’s a worthy experience. -Bretzke

PunisherMAX #6

The cover suggests Rogue is about to unleash a can of whoop@ss.  Sadly no.  If you enjoy the southern belle then you are going to lap this up page over page.  However if you only have a passing interest in this ‘sugah’, the read will be quite light and largely forgettable.  Rogue spends some quality time as a mentor on Utopia, solving problems.  Yep, that’s all.

I hate it when covers lie. -Bretzke.

X-Men Legacy #234

The story is well driven but the beautifully dynamic art becomes close to indecipherable during the moments when it needs to speak most clearly.  With such buildup, this is only going in one direction; When spoiled brats get their way, it never ends well.  And so with Selene, were she to get her way and Godhood… you join the dots. -Bretzke

X-Force #24

Magneto’s master stroke has placed himself with the evil Proteus, dwelling within Husk, orbiting the earth.  This just screams final battle, and that is what is delivered.  The interaction between Rogue and Magneto nearly overshadows the magnificence of his master stroke.  Nearly…-Bretzke

X-Men: Legacy #233

Magneto, you old fox!  Always knew you could kick ass! -Bretzke

X-Men Legacy #232

The artistic endeavour in this title has been beyond excellent for it’s duration, however perhaps the envelope has been pushed a bit too far.  Some of the scenes are muddled and while this makes the book no less of a page turner, it is more often than not so you can work out what’s going on, not to enjoy the story.  Enjoyable, just take your time with this one, don’t be afraid to re-read. -Bretzke

X-Force #22