Marvel Comics 2017
Written by Sina Grace
Illustrated by Alessandro Vitti
Coloured by Rachelle Rosenberg
Lettered by VC’s Joe Sabino
Saving kids and beating up bigots is all in a day’s work, but talking about feelings? Now that’s scary, however, after talking to his ex-girlfriend Kitty Pryde, Bobby is beginning to realise that the road to self-discovery and acceptance isn’t one he has to walk alone….
The one thing about Bobby that’s been pretty consistent the entire time I’ve read the X-Men is that his parents hate that he’s a mutant. They’ve distanced themselves from him for it and it’s been bad at the best of times. So now that he’s coming to a new realisation about himself it’s only going to get harder, although maybe gay is better than being a mutant who knows? God bless his little gay mutant heart though because he’s never given up on them.
So the opening is fantastic love the way he group texted people to say hey sorry i’ve been at a distance but let’s talk. It was nice move that was facilitated last issue with Kitty’s words of encouragement. Though I have to admit the selection of who got the texts was interesting and the last one “who dis” was the best one!
The family dinner was awkward enough but then again it is something Sina brought to us to drive a point home. This wasn’t supposed to be nice. Also it kind of stresses the fact that Bobby has no life outside of being a mutant. He needs to find something to do on the side, a hobby or something to get him more well rounded as a person. This whole meeting halfway is a two-way street and if Bobby wants his dad to meet him he has to do the same thing and I really like that Sina didn’t hold back on either side of that here.
Absolutely loved the interior artwork here! There’s something about Vitti’s linework that really makes this pop. Plus seeing Bobby iced up it really makes that impact needed to stress that he’s not only different but powerful as well. The way he used the page layouts through their angles, perspective and utilisation of those backgrounds was freakin delightful! Marvel as a company might downplay the importance of the artist but this is the example why he’s essential to a successful series!
Seeing Bobby reach his breaking point was perfectly done. It’s long past due for him to take this all more seriously, I get the humour as a defense mechanism but he’s one of the most powerful people on the planet and should start acting like it. That he went off like that after they threatened his family well that on both sides was important. Almost as important as what his mom said to him as we closed this issue. The whole thing with them is a process, never ending and always evolving and that is life. The characterisation, story development and pacing here are wonderfully done and give the reader one heck of an experience.
This is strong and important storytelling and not because of Bobby being gay but because he’s also a mutant and is seen by society as different. We are so used to shunning people who don’t fit a certain type in our eyes and it’s high time a book came along to say here’s how i’m coping with being different.