Marvel Comics 2017
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Penciled by Ardian Syaf
Inked by Jay Leisten
Coloured by Frank Martin
Lettered by VC’s Cory Petit
Genetically gifted with uncanny abilities, mutants are believed to be the next stage of human evolution. While the world hates and fears them, Kitty Pryde as reformed the team of Mutant Heroes known as the X-Men to use their powers for good and spread a positive image of mutantkind.
So here we are with the first issue of the new X-Men series featuring what I guess we’d call the “A” team. After Marvel has lost so many regular readers thanks to the seeming never ending events that have permeated their culture over the last few years while seeming to chase DC’s heals they’ve finally they too can sell nostalgia. This line-up is as close to a classic as you can find in this day and age while still allowing for this to be a current book.
So in an effort to recapture the essence of the past once again a more streamlined team of classic X-Men led this time around by Kitty. It’s a smart bold move and it really pays off here in spades as she’s a natural born leader and she’s one of the most beloved and respected of the team since she was thirteen years old. She grew up to be a brilliant woman with influences outside the team that have enabled her to have a unique point of view that the team hasn’t had yet. Plus it’s her driving force that brings the team back to New York and back to the dream the Professor had of integrating into society proving they aren’t a menace but heroes.
Adrian, Jay and Frank make one heck of a team on these interiors. The attention to detail is a spectacular to see and how Adrian utilises page layouts through angles, perspective and the use of backgrounds brings back the old tone, mood and feel to the book. Gone is that artistic or weird stylising that’s become popular at Marvel this has sharp, clean lines and just really feels like it’s a superhero comic! Now if we could do something about the outfits that would make this perfect, and by that I mean give Kitty a decent one and what’s up with Old Man Logan?
It’s been a long time since i’ve read the tales of our merry mutants, no really we’re talking decades. I don’t know how long i’ll stick around because i’ve been pretty unimpressed with Marvel and all those darn company crossover events, I swear if there’s another one anytime soon…. But for now Marc’s got a really nice handle on what he wants to do with these characters. The writing is really good and seems to be taking them in the right direction. The characterisation is strong and while we see some familiar things raising their heads it’s okay nothing feels like it’s contrived. Plus the dialogue between Kitty and Logan really is utterly amazing!
Also I have to give a big shout out to Marc for the fact that he hasn’t forgotten the teams convoluted past and brings up a few things here. Also I do like that he’s trying to the team to the city the way he is and how that is working already. Though I will say going back to the mass hatred and villainization of mutants seems like a bit much it is what it is.
While Marvel may have a way to go to prove they deserve reader loyalty again this is a really good start.