A key book for the Krakoan X-Men era; with X Lives seeing Wolverine assume his past lives in a race to stop an antagonist killing the ancestors of a kA key book for the Krakoan X-Men era; with X Lives seeing Wolverine assume his past lives in a race to stop an antagonist killing the ancestors of a key mutant! The slightly better and more essential Deaths continues the Inferno storyline, which is the key story being told in this era. I think it was a poor idea to market this as a Wolverine book, as it is a very much a flagship X-book with key roles for the likes of Xavier and Jean Grey. A great overall concept but the plot of Lives is one already heavily mined within Marvel. Yet another Krakoan-Hickman era seemingly deeply research for personal histories and poorly researched for characterisation. A strong Two Starred 5 out 12 rating from me. [image] 2024 read...more
Well it's not a spoiler if the giveaway is in the book title... one of the outcomes of interesting read The Trial of Magneto was the return of ThunderWell it's not a spoiler if the giveaway is in the book title... one of the outcomes of interesting read The Trial of Magneto was the return of Thunderbird after over 50 years in the wilderness of 'killed in action'! So with such a milestone event, I was not in the slightest surprised at another story of a Native American returning to the 'reservation' to fix the problems the residents couldn't. Yawny yawn yawn 4 out of 12. The only small plus was a pretty good replication of the original character's personality and traits. How weak was the art and new costume, see below: [image] 2024 read...more
I had been waiting years for this, and finally it is here, and it is truly disturbing -- the the truth about the genesis of Krakoa, the leaders that dI had been waiting years for this, and finally it is here, and it is truly disturbing -- the the truth about the genesis of Krakoa, the leaders that deceived, the woman that was left out in the cold, and the real reason why Destiny was not brought back. Everybody involved forgot one, in hindsight very obvious thing, don't mess with Mystique! [image] For those of you like me that can't or won't buy-in to Hickman's X-verse, well this is the event that really needed to launch it. Tapping into the amazing re-imagined origin of Moira MacTaggart, the aloofness and imperiousness of Xavier and Magneto, the reality of Orchis and the hard-to-swallow concept of long-time X-Men villains buying into Krakoa, this event blows it all up, although with subtlety and multiple backstories. There is no way Krakoa will ever be the same, and let's face it, it's what I have always wanted, the beginning of the end of Krakoa, surely? Reading-wise and art-wise this is top-drawer, with my only complaint being the depiction of Destiny. The huge plus is that Emma Frost, Moira X and Mystique are back to their very best. 8.5 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
On completing this Hickman X-universe series I have to say that it is very much one of the better ones, if not only for actually have some sort of linOn completing this Hickman X-universe series I have to say that it is very much one of the better ones, if not only for actually have some sort of linear storyline with a premise, a middle and this volume a very good end! The fallout of the machinations of Emma Frost and Sinister are not enough to stop carnage and chaos in the lives of the Hellions. The 'tarnished mutant heroes' and 'mutant villains' were given a second chance, will they earn a third? And what is the Quiet Council's purpose of allowing Sinister amongst all of them on Krakoa. A book with a heart, a nice 7 out of 12, Three Star read. [image] 2024 read ...more
It may have taken four volumes to get here, but Marauders is finally clicking for me, as the book full tilts to being a Hellfire Club in the go! :D. TIt may have taken four volumes to get here, but Marauders is finally clicking for me, as the book full tilts to being a Hellfire Club in the go! :D. The political and wider scheming and plotting by the likes of Emma Frost and Kathryn Pryde are what motors this book, and I have to say that all-in-all Duggan has done a stellar job rising this series above what I consider is a flotsam of accompanying titles in the Hickman X-verse. Easily one of the better books of the Hickman era and which deservedly led to Duggan being given the flagship book X-Men. The future is looking brighter for the X-books with Duggan at the helm. An 8 out of 12 Four stars for this one. [image] 2024 read...more
Over the last few year as Krakoa has established itself there hasn't actually been a formal X-Men team! Well, that ends right here with the democraticOver the last few year as Krakoa has established itself there hasn't actually been a formal X-Men team! Well, that ends right here with the democratically elected Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Sunfire, Rogue, Wolverine, Synch and Polaris forming the X-Men! And what a team... really well crafted, plotted and drawn teamwork in battles; the X-men setting up a New York presence, Orchis pulling strings and breaking skulls everywhere and most of all, a reporter is sniffing around the biggest news story in human history! [image] I have absolutely NOT been a fan of Gerry Duggan's writing, but for me he has matured and this work amongst the over=conceptualisation of most of Hickman's X-verse was a breath of fresh hair with a team that made sense in combat as in fighting like a tea, and most of all a true feeling of jeopardy as the anti-mutant forces finally begin to make some real noise. A 7.5 out of 12 very strong Three Stars for this one. [image] 2024 read...more
A seemingly anti-mutant terrorist attack during the Hellfire Gala sets Wolverine on the hint for the perpetrators and the person in the shadows orchesA seemingly anti-mutant terrorist attack during the Hellfire Gala sets Wolverine on the hint for the perpetrators and the person in the shadows orchestrating it all. The second story in this volume sees not only the return of Jeff Bannister, but also one of the few mutants who doesn't give a fig about Krakoa - Maverick. There's a third tale in the last comic book of this volume that has Wolverine on the hunt of a deadly antagonist that appears to attack mutants on Krakoa via the surrounding ocean! [image] An improvement on the previous two volumes of Percy's run, but there's a startling lack of Wolverine characterisation, or indeed, any characterisations in this series, which is all story, and average story at best! Even the solid art of Marvel legend Adam Kubert doesn't help that much. A 6 ou to f12, Three Stars from me. [image] 2023 read...more
The off-world mutant team continues to entertain, with an interaction with Doom, yes that Dr Doom, and multi-layered political and conflict shenaniganThe off-world mutant team continues to entertain, with an interaction with Doom, yes that Dr Doom, and multi-layered political and conflict shenanigans resulting from the emergence of Arakko. This book is a bit too non-linear, and not in an innovative way. The characterisation development continues to be limited although there are much better attempts at it in this volume. This is nether the less a great volume because the internal and external politics are just so compelling. As each team member has to consider, who can they trust? 8 out of 12, Four Stars. This volume also includes Cable: Reloaded #1. Which seeks to wrap up the Young Cable story, and does a pretty good and surprising ending job of it :) [image] 2024 read...more
In a sneaky move by a a key antagonist Krakoa has been infected with one of mutant-dom's most dangerous protagonists, Onslaught! In the Way of X we saIn a sneaky move by a a key antagonist Krakoa has been infected with one of mutant-dom's most dangerous protagonists, Onslaught! In the Way of X we saw Kurt and Legion navigate around a mutant world crumbling from within, and in this finale they lead the fight back not only against Onslaught but against the apathy and lack of direction, belief and morality caused by the Krakoan mutant condition... they just need a spark! Al about the concept, the story was never really going to match, so this is less about Onslaught and all about the mutants opposing him. All in all an endearing read that further enlightens the Nightcrawler, Legion and.. Fabian Cortez mythos-es. A fair to middling 8 out of 12 fine Four Star jaunt. [image] 2023 read...more
The Hellfire Gala is almost over, but the mutants have one more huge event to share with the watching world, a planet-sized event! It will be interestThe Hellfire Gala is almost over, but the mutants have one more huge event to share with the watching world, a planet-sized event! It will be interesting to see what Marvel does with the aftermath of this Marvel universe mutant led changing of the Marvel reality. The book itself is grand in scale and ticks all the boxes, but as the reader had been kept in the dark just like the watching world it kind of looses some of its spark; it is also a pet-hate of mine when key Marvel milestones are relegated /merchandised to one-offs and/or limited serials. The book is good, and no doubt on rereading I may likely raise it from the current 6 out of 12, Three Stars I have given it. [image] 2023 read...more
A conspiracy of mutant detractors work with the UK Government to not only expel mutants from the country, but to also rid them from the Otherworld. ThA conspiracy of mutant detractors work with the UK Government to not only expel mutants from the country, but to also rid them from the Otherworld. The book's attempt to embolden the role of Betsy Braddock by seeing her as the central protagonist in this series is the best the series guest with its very limited characterisations of Brian Braddock and family, Jubilee, Riktor etc. For me one of the lowest points of the Hickman X-Me universe, but for context this volume wasn't that bad. A 6 out of 12 , Three Star read for me. [image] 2024 read...more
One of the seminal X-Men and Avenger is murdered and the accused, Magneto goes all out against the Avengers and X-teams! X-Force, X-Factor, X-Men, QuiOne of the seminal X-Men and Avenger is murdered and the accused, Magneto goes all out against the Avengers and X-teams! X-Force, X-Factor, X-Men, Quiet Council and The Five come to differences as they all look to oversee the murder enquiry! Krakoa is on the brink and the Avengers are there to witness it all. What the Hell is going on???? [image] I don't know if it is because Hickman's released micro-management of his X-universe, or because he's about to end his reign, but these end of Hickman X-universe books are by the best of the era, and this is by far and away the best book! Finally takes the newly empowered mutant reality and has (finally) Magneto and ally, make the most of it. Probably the most important volume of this era, and an instant classic of both plotting and art! 8.5 out of 12, Four Stars. [image] 2024 read...more
Some group are kidnapping mutant babies; shades of Inferno! This volume sees the return of one of Cable's most enduring and deadly nemesis, Cable juniSome group are kidnapping mutant babies; shades of Inferno! This volume sees the return of one of Cable's most enduring and deadly nemesis, Cable junior realises that he may need to get some help, from himself! A deep Cable continuity story that doesn't go deep enough and also isn't accessible enough to satisfy fan-person or new readers in my opinion, although the well thought, albeit unoriginal finale is pretty touching. A 6 out of 12 Three Star read. [image] 2023 read...more
Abigail Brand is back and back with a cosmic mutant team to combat non-Terrestrial threats as well as being an early warning system. With one of the mAbigail Brand is back and back with a cosmic mutant team to combat non-Terrestrial threats as well as being an early warning system. With one of the most eclectic line-ups in Hickman's X-universe made up of Brand, Magneto, Kid Cable, Manifold, Frenzy, Wiz Kid and Fabian Cortez! What Ewing does better than his current X-universe writing peers is not only deep dive X-continuity but give his characters contextual history (and animosity) to one another, which works really well. There a great rendition of a now conflicted Fabian Cortez. Lifelong X-Men fans may find this the strongest book of this era, but conversely young and/or new fans will miss a lot of what's going on. This one gets an entry accelerated 8 out of 12, Four Stars. [image] 2023 read...more
The original generation of New Mutants mentors the latest, who live almost wild-like on the the edge of Krakoan society without any adults in or near The original generation of New Mutants mentors the latest, who live almost wild-like on the the edge of Krakoan society without any adults in or near their living quarters. The latest generation is an eclectic bunch from the clone Gabby through to new-for-the-series debutants. [image] A confusing serie sin the N=Hickman X-universe this being the third successive 'volume one' with yet another different writer in Vita Ayala taking the helm. A volume that might be worth reading alone for the more appropriate portrayal of the first generation and a wonderful is-he-evil is-he-not focus of one of the X-Men's greatest villains of the past manipulations of some of the latest generation behind the scenes. This volume just about scrapes a 6 out of 12, Three Stars from me. [image] 2023 read...more
The Krakoan mutants have turned the world upside down and following this path X-Corp looks at how mutant corporate business would make it's mark and cThe Krakoan mutants have turned the world upside down and following this path X-Corp looks at how mutant corporate business would make it's mark and cleverly angles X-Corp at the provision of bandwidth on a unimaginable near-infinite global scale. But human business aren't going to just stand still, and the introduction of a pair of interesting antagonist with 'villain' mutant support strive to outdo X-Corp. On top of this X-Corp features mutants from across the first four generations in Angel, Madrox, Monet and Selene(!), alongside 'Mastermind(!) and Trinary. It does feel though that the series is rushed as it strives to do so much in such short space; in addition the art is hyper-digital and looks very cartoonish, although the clear lines does give the art a lot of impact. Not necessarily a must-read, but an interesting and thought provoking 6 out of 12, Three Star rated limited series [image] 2023 read...more
The X-Factor have a new mission in the Hickman X-Men-verse that is to investigates those mutants that won't or cannot resurrect! Prodigy has a solo ofThe X-Factor have a new mission in the Hickman X-Men-verse that is to investigates those mutants that won't or cannot resurrect! Prodigy has a solo off-the-books mission, investigating his own murder! The teams' mission is brought close to home when someone or something keeps killing Siryn! [image] Although having a core theme and great art, the book like many in the Hickman era doesn't have enough character development and/or interrelated character history, and it came as no surprise to see this become one of the first unplanned cancelled books of this post-COVID pandemic X-Men era. A soft 6 out of 12, Three Star read rating for this one from me. [image] 2023 read...more
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