Review: This Week in X-Books #98 (Nonspoilers/Spoilers)

Four X-Books this week, which is starting to feel like almost an
"easy" week. *sigh* I've said it before, but I'll repeat it...
pleaaase can we get less X-Books thrown at us each week? Especially
when so many of them are either crap or mediocre at best?

To be fair, I'd say only one of the titles really fits in with that
description this week. This was honestly a rather decent week for the
X-Books in terms of quality. Of course, I'm too cynical by now to
expect that to last, but we'll see. As for other books, once again I'm
doing no other extra reviews, this time because I got no other books
in my subscription other than the X-books. I haven't checked yet to
see if that's because no other books that I buy came out this time, or
if they forgot to give me something. Perhaps next week...

Anyhow, how did each particular book stack up? Well... you know the
drill.

*****

Domino #4 (of 4) - "Perfect Weapon Part Four of Four" - Pruett /
Stelfreeze

Up until this point, while I was severely underwhelmed by the series,
it was more because it was just dull and boring, and slowly sinking
from "mediocre" to "bad" as it went further along. This time around it
just shrugs off the "bland" label and dives headlong into "awful."

Really, I'm trying to find something good to say about the wrap-up.
Characters? Nope. They're uninspired at best, actively grating at
worst. Art? No. The main character still looks more like Jubilee with
face paint than Domino, backgrounds are pretty much non-existant, and
the color scheme is wretched, for starters. Message? Um, I'm not sure
there was one, or if there is it's completely garbled. Plot? Oh hell
no. Add to that a completely unsatisfactory (to put it charitably)
ending, and you have.. well... an even more horrid ending to an
already not-good series.

Recommendation: Avoid.

*****

Exiles #34 - "A Second Farewell: Part 2 of 2" - Winick / Calafiore /
McKenna

Now this, on the other hand, is much more like it. This is one of the
character issues where Winick really shines, and it's even better than
the last issue, which in its own turn was good, and stronger than the
previous arcs. Of course, in a way this hitting-of-his-stride is
bittersweet, as it now appears that Winick's time on the title is
severely limited due to an exlusive contract with DC. *sigh*

At any rate, this issue isn't exactly a continuation of last issue's
story arc, rather than another take on a (vaguely) similar idea. We
get to see how two more characters interact, and deal with other
characters around them - about as detailed as I can get without really
starting to tell the story myself. I'll just say that it's a very nice
character piece, and a really nice change of pace after all the "let's
teleport to this world and see how the good guys are bad guys *this*
time" we've had in general. 

There is one nagging (but not unanswerable) question that's bothering
me about the issue, and there are a few other angles that I'd like to
see taken as well, perhaps even mentioned in the next issue or so, but
overall it's just a very strong bit of work, and my pick for the week.

Recommendation: Defintely worth reading, possibly a good book to try
to see if you might even like the Exiles in general if you haven't
tried them before.

*****

Mystique #6 - "Dead Drop Gorgeous Conclusion" - Vaughan / Lucas

To put it frankly, this issue doesn't "feel" quite as strong to me as
some of the preceding issues for some reason, although I'm not sure I
can put my finger on just why that is. The characters are written
believably, and well, with Mystique in particular still walking the
line between the most likable she's been for a long time, while still
retaining her not-quite-nice-girl attitude. The plot itself isn't bad,
but acquits itself well up through this conclusion. So I don't know
why it just doesn't feel as strong, except perhaps that it just may
have dragged on for a little too long, with me starting to get tired
of this particular arc. At any rate it's certainly still a good book,
whether or not it's weaker than its predecessors. 

At the end of this story arc I can look back and still be pleasantly
surprised at how much better this title has turned out than I expected
it to be. Probably even better, we have some interesting things to
come, if the end of this issue is any indication. And some interesting
things to speculate on in the meantime. 

As far as the art side of the equation goes, it's perfectly solid,
with good detail, even if it does tend a bit toward the cheesecake at
times. And even if the cover is a bit late. (And is it just me or does
Mystique's top half seem too small for her bottom half there?)

Recommendation: Solid book in general thus far, worth a read, though
at this point if you haven't tried it you might be better off picking
up the first trade.

*****

X-Treme X-Men #31 - "Intifada Part 1 of 5: This is the Way the World
Ends" - Claremont / Kordey / Hanna

I was honestly a bit worried at the beginning of this issue, as it
seemed to be dipping into the melodrama a bit early on, and just
somehow pressed a few buttons with me to come across as awkward. Of
course, part of that I think may be from the art rather than the
writing (not all, but some), and whatever the case may be things
definitely picked up after the first few pages, putting my fears at
ease.

With that one brief mention already, I might as well go ahead and deal
with the art. Now, I've never been a huge fan of Kordey, but I thought
it worked a lot better than expected for the previous story arc,
perhaps because of the inker. Yet this issue however seems a lot more
awkward, and I don't know why. I just know that it's swinging a lot
more back toward the art from Kordey that I really can't stand, and it
just does not seem to work well with Claremont's writing. It makes his
already dramatic writing even moreso, taking it over the edge, and
there are other little foibles as well. Like for instance when one
character mentions that they don't see any ring on another character's
finger - a panel after that character flashes a hand covered in rings.
I don't know if those who like Kordey's art in general would still
dislike it here as a mismatch, or if it's just a matter of disliking
his style on my part.

Anyhow, as far as the other content goes, I'm pretty pleased looking
back. We get to see old characters (and while I'm really wondering
about certain.. directions, at least it's keeping things interesting),
and we get to see more characters doing what they're good at, really
holding their own, in their individual ways. We also see the book
continue to play off of the other main titles, giving a reason why the
X-Treme X-Men are taking their own path, and how they differ from the
"regular" teams. 

Recommendation: A good read, and probably a good place to hop on if
you haven't tried the book previously.

*****









Spoiler










[Insert humorous, interesting comment here]









Space









*****

Domino #4 (of 4) - "Perfect Weapon Part Four of Four" - Pruett /
Stelfreeze

 Well gee, I even start off on a wrong foot, as I was assuming that
the little waif that looks exactly like Domino was a girl. It's not,
not that you can tell it from the art. It's a little boy who is the
"ultimate weapon," lusted after by all sorts of different agencies
trying to get him for various reasons, despite him having powers that
could be duplicated (or nullified) by various other known mutants,
including some young malleable ones. At least, from what I can gather,
as his powers are really very vaguely hand-waved into existance and
explained. All that aside, can we *please* call a moritorium on vague
Secret Government Agencies determined to create a weapon through
growing/controlling various mutants? In Mystique it's more acceptable,
because it's a) a country where it would make a bit more sense, and b)
not as wretchedly pulled off. Here, though, it really grates.

Let's see, other than that, the plot is to have Domino's mother
suddenly pop up and say "hey, I'm your enemy! In this really horribly
cheesy group that never does end up with an actual, y'know, MOTIVE or
anything, other than to screw things up for you." Whose secret mutant
power is apparently the ability to survive multiple point-blank
gunshots with no actual explanation, or even apparent lasting effect. 

It also doesn't help that the even halfway interesting new characters
(and that's stretching things) died off in the first couple issues.
Except possibly for the kid, who has potential in part due to his lack
of established personality. He just wanders around being lost, and
then being generically powerful. Ooo, compelling. Even more
compelling, rather than actually finding anything out as the story
goes along, we get everything wrapped up in one nice little infodump,
rattled off by one character. 

And the ending? Blah. Don't even get me started.

So what are we supposed to walk away from this mini having
accomplished? What are we supposed to have learned? From what I can
see, a big fat nothing. Other than giving Domino a really stupid
background that we'd be much better off without.

*****

Exiles #34 - "A Second Farewell: Part 2 of 2" - Winick / Calafiore /
McKenna

Although I was wondering how this would tie in with last issue's "part
one" which was more or less a standalone, the answer is that it just
takes up much the same theme - this time rather than following
Sasquatch and Morph's adventures when they are stranded alone, we get
to follow Nocturne and Sunfire in their own interlude.

While we get to see a bit of Nocturne and see her reactions, and how
she interacts with Mariko, really this is mostly about Mariko herself,
and her relationship with Mary, back on the Vi-Tech planet that they'd
already dealt with. And where, IIRC, Blink left the team. It's really
nice actually to see a lesbian relationship dealt with so
straightforwardly, and without making it out to be a sideshow, rather
than a normal relationship that just happens to be between two members
of the same sex. It's also nice because we get to see Mariko happy,
and also see how she reacts to different situations, making us feel
that we get to know her character that much more. 

Now, I am wondering just how the time thing works out here. These two
were on their particular world for over a month, while Heather and
Morph were on theirs for maybe a day. I'm wondering if time is
supposed to move differently on different worlds, or if they might get
"yanked back" in time as well as to a different reality, or if perhaps
the Tallus/Timebroker/whatever just took much longer to locate and
"rescue" these two than the others. So like I said, it's something
that I'm wondering about, but it's not inexplicable.

I'm also wishing we had a few other angles covered, and hoping we
might get some mentions of them later. Like, for instance, perhaps
Nocturne being a bit jealous because if they get taken back to any
world that they've visted previously, why couldn't it be the one where
they left Thunderbird? Or maybe either of them musing about this being
the last place that they saw Blink, and wondering how she's doing. Or
even seeing a little more of Nocturne's thoughts, since she's got to
be thinking of John as she watches Mary and Mariko's relationship
unfold.

That said, I do have to wonder if perhaps this little "disruption" is
going to turn out to be some sort of reason to bring Blink back -
perhaps the Tallus, as it is gathering together its "lost sheep"
automatically brings in the person who wore it for so long. I don't
know - it just seems odd for them to take Blink, the "main character"
out of the team for good, so I suppose I'm just wondering when/how
they're going to bring her back. Although in a way it would be good if
they don't - if a major character *can* leave a book and stay gone,
and have the book change accordingly. But I'm not sure I really expect
it.

Anyhow, to stop rambling and wrap it up - very nice book, nice look at
some characters, especially Mariko. Give it a try.

*****

Mystique #6 - "Dead Drop Gorgeous Conclusion" - Vaughan / Lucas

As I said above, I'm really not sure why I didn't find this issue
quite as compelling in general (except perhaps for the end) than the
previous few, other than just getting tired of the arc which has
stretched a bit long for a simple concept. I like Mystique's character
a lot - she has her softer moments, like wanting the children to be
safe, and yet she's still not a good girl, and is willing to shoot
soldiers who get in her way without any apparent compunction, as well
as taking up (or apparently taking up) some... interesting offers. 

I also like a lot of the supporting characters - we don't know much of
Shepard yet, but he at least has potential. Shortpack is fun, while
even the minor revolutionaries at least show personality and aren't as
apt to jump to the wrong conclusion to suit the story as many other
faceless characters in comics can do.

The plot isn't horribly original in its abstract - government group
gets hold of weapons and mutants, wants to use them against even more
eeevil mutants. But it works well enough for a backdrop for the more
interesting stuff - Mystique getting introduced to the readers as the
character that Vaughan wants her to be, while settling into her new
role. And with a new plot following fast on its heels, it's looking
like we might be settling in at a good pace finally, though of course
we'll have to see how things unfold. 

Speaking of which, I'm really interested in finding out who these
mysterious people are. I'm not sold on yet another mysteriously
cloaked figure - especially having had a bunch of them very cheesily
done in Domino this week - but it's pulled off surprisingly well
nonetheless, and I'm intrigued. The figure in the cloak looks male
from what I can see, and Shepard calls him "beloved," which leaves us
a couple possibilities - a) the figure, despite appearances, is
actually a woman, or b) the pair are gay. Which is certainly
plausible, but gay couples in comics, while increasing in number, are
still uncommon enough that I have to speculate as well on c) one of
the pair is a shapeshifter (or both are, for that matter). Which also
brings up the possibility that the shapeshifter is the one who's been
impersonating Mystique recently, as it's been implied here and earlier
that Raven didn't actually slit Banshee's throat. Or, presumably, kill
Moira. 

Of course, whether or not this is the case it still leaves us
wondering just who these people are, and why they want revenge. While
I'm sure that Raven has no shortage of enemies, the one that springs
first to mind is Graydon Creed, who is supposed to be dead at her
hands. And since whoever this is apparently knows very intimate
details about Raven, such as her birth month, this is an even better
possibility. (Or is it? I can't remember - was Graydon raised by Raven
at all?)

The cloak also makes me think of Destiny, but again she's long dead,
and hopefully not going to be resurrected at this late date. And the
figure looks far too robust to be her - even if she's have some reason
to be plotting against Mystique in this way. 

Hrm, any other thoughts on just who Raven's screwed over in her
appearances, who might want revenge, and be so subtle in going about
it? (ie: I figure Sabretooth might not exactly like her at this point,
but the cloak and dagger thing seems very much not his style.) I feel
like there's someone who should be obvious, but that I'm just not
remembering. 

So anyhow, now that I've digressed from the review again a bit - good
book, perhaps running a bit long in the story arc, but still good. 

*****

X-Treme X-Men #31 - "Intifada Part 1 of 5: This is the Way the World
Ends" - Claremont / Kordey / Hanna

So we finally get to see a bit more of Gambit and Rogue again, and see
them now that they've had a chance to settle into... well... life.
(And we get to wonder if Anna is perhaps Rogue's real name, or if it's
just another pseudonym that she's using for convenience. At least they
didn't go with Marie, thank heavens.) We also get to see Val Cooper
after a long absence, but it seems that her views have changed - or
else something quite strange is up. Add in another appearance by Lila
Cheney (who looks *terrible* here), and quite the old guard is making
its appearance in the books. Which is all to the good - why have such
an interesting and varied history and cast of intriguing characters if
you're going to completely forget that they exist?

We also get to see not only Sage and Bishop working as a surprisingly
good team, but Storm and Gambit as well. (Not surprisingly in this
case - they've worked together before - but it's good to see them
working in tandem again.) Overall, I'm really liking how the various
characters are working together and playing to their own strengths. 

That said, there are a few annoying places where Claremont bangs the
"people hate mutants, people are rabidly afraid of mutants" drum a bit
loudly and repetetively, and where the writing and art in tandem
really make a few dramatic scenes seem a bit overblown. So it's not
perfect - but it's still a good solid read. 

*****

And it looks like that does it for this week's four issues, with a
pretty good batting average overall. We'll just ignore Domino. I wish
I could.

For next week, it looks like we have only three issues on the
schedule. the two "New" titles, New Mutants and New X-Men (ho boy,
this should be an interesting discussion if last issue is any judge),
with the week being rounded off by... yet another issue of Exiles?
Isn't this getting a bit ridiculous?

Anyhow, until that time, ciao!