X-Men #1- The Promise of New Beginnings
From Marvel Comics
Written by Jed MacKay
Art by Ryan Stegman
Discourse surrounding X-Men comics is always surprisingly disparate and intensely opinionated, which I suppose makes sense given the staggering number of comic fans evidenced numerous polls over the years that exclusively buy X-Men titles, so allow me to provide some necessary context going into this review.
I am not a loyal “X” fan. In the years that the X-Men and Mutankind have spent their time politicking and resurrecting on their magical living island, I have honestly decried and criticized the narrative direction of X-Men more than I have praised it. In fact, it wasn’t until Kieron Gillen’s seminal event series Judgment Day that I felt that I finally understood the motivations of the the current Mutant cast of major characters but I still found the whole concept of “Immortal X-Men” to be the ironic poster child of lack of emotional stakes currently plaguing Marvel comics as a whole.
So with the recent ending of Krakoa and the disbursement of various mutant groups to the winds, and the promise of the X-Men rising, “from the ashes,” I felt like this might finally be a palatable place to step gingerly back into the fan favorite series. Which I am sure is a sentiment that many causal comics fans share.
After all, the whole package of this alleged new direction for the team is certainly thoughtful and appealing for fans new and old. Instead of reducing the number of X-Men titles down from the Krakoa era, Marvel is continuing to provide a similar volume and variety of “X” books with distinct teams from various exciting writer and artist collaborations. The hope being assuredly, that fans will be encouraged to pick up new titles featuring their favorite characters from the X-Men roster and not feel like their fandom isn’t being represented in the new iteration. Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman are just the first new X-Men team, soon to be followed by: Gail Simone with Uncanny X-Men (featuring a classic team of Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Jubilee) X Factor by Mark Russel (featuring Angel, Havoc, Frenzy, Feral, and Pyro) Exceptional X-Men by Eve L Ewing (featuring Emma Frost and Kitty Pride) and a new solo Wolverine title from Jonathon Hickman and Greg Capullo.
MacKay’s iteration of the X-Men team is centered on a new team of officially recognized “X-Men”, specifically Beast, Magneto, Cyclops, Juggernaut, Magik, Kid Omega, Temper, Psylocke, Xorn, and few scattered others who are seeking refuge and to rebuild a semblance of a home for mutant-kind in the distant Alaskan town of Merle.
Now as an admittedly tertiary X-Men fan, I am not as familiar with some of these featured characters, which is both a hindrance and a draw for X-Men books in general- the sheer backlog of lore for seemingly every character, especially coming off the heels of the dauntingly literary era of Krakoa. However, as the big, bold, no-additional-flavor-text-neccesary, brand new, X-MEN flagships series, I have faith that the series will perform a dual role of both elevating and elucidating characters while the series progresses as is the magic of superhero comic books.
Let’s dive into Issue #1 now, which means-
WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!
Our story begins with the local Chief of Police arriving at the recently occupied X-Men stronghold for a scheduled meeting with Scott Summers AKA Cyclops, but is instead greeted by Beast, which is an understandably upsetting sight. However, Hank’s charm soon wins the Chief over as he leads her on a tour through the facility. Meanwhile, we cut to Cyclops and his new team as they assault a compound alleged to be holding Mutants for experimentation by the remnants of the sinister scientific organization Orchis, rebranded as “Fourth School.” Once inside the compound, the team discovers Wolverine who has been captured by the organization, harvesting his regrowing genetic material as they dismember him.
And… that’s the story. Thank you so much for reading and-
No, I’m speaking hyperbolically, but in all seriousness, if I have a major gripe with this pivotal issue it is that the scope is seemingly too broad to handle such a large cast of characters and provide a meaningful “moment,” for each of them in such a short format.
Which, on the subject of characterization, though I may not be the most up to date X-Men fan, I can’t help but feel like some of the characters in this issue have been relegated to archetypes to fit the team as opposed to being their complex and storied selves. Specifically, I am referring to Juggernaut and Magik who feel like afterthoughts in this issue when they are arguably the strongest members of the team. Also, I think I, and presumably a lot of new or returning fans, need some context and catching up on Juggernaut, because the last I checked he worshiped the God of Pain and all which doesn’t seem too heroic.
I think the marginalization of the more recognizable characters in this issue speaks to my own discontent with the story, having to focus my attention instead on exposition dialogue from unfamiliar or lesser known characters that does them an immediate disservice. For instance, I know enough about modern X-Men comics to know that Kid Omega’s whole point is that he is overbearing, annoying, and socially awkward- so why make him the most vocal member of this new team that is supposed to attract new readership?
I will say that this first issue does provide me faith in the larger story or direction of the new X-Men, as I am familiar with MacKay’s often “slow burn” or “unfolding” approach to his storylines evidenced recently in Doctor Strange and Moon Knight. However, I think that a large portion of that faith and interest is provided by the previous history and intrigue of the characters present in this run which can only last so long.
When we finally get to Wolverine’s inclusion in the story, with an admittedly confusing page that due to lighting and color choices makes him look like Beast, especially since Beast was featured on the previous page, the story does develop a new sense of grit. Which I would argue would have been much more impactful for readers if the coloration on the page was allowed to be graphic as opposed to stylistically represented. However, stemming from this, Logan’s sentiment to the sorry new state of mutant affairs expressed to Scott, in a genuinely heartbreaking scene, provides a palpable sense of the magnitude of the change that MacKay is attempting to impress upon readers. The fact that Wolverine, of all people, having lived so many lives, is stepping away from any and all leadership, is indicative of how far the Mutants have fallen without a hand to pick them back up.
Nevertheless, this shaky, unenviable, vacillating ground is inherently not much for the X-Men to stand on, which makes this Issue feel more like an issue #0 than an Issue #1 to me. This is evidenced most glaringly in this issue’s distinct lack of a central villain, opting instead to make an encompassing commentary on the state of the world and characters’ dogmatic beliefs carrying them forward for better or worse. Where we find Beast’s blind optimism, we also find the blunt balancing rod of Magneto’s vehement supremist philosophy. As Wolverine turns his back on the past and embraces change, Scott struggles to hold onto the values he has learned through the heroic actions of the X-Men. As the world primitively questions whether Mutants should be allowed back into society, the Fourth World shadow organization pursues even greater evolution combining aspects of machine, man, and mutant. Having lost Paradise, the X-Men search for a new home, only to settle for a factory that once built the Sentinel soldiers designed to kill them. In other words, irony and dissatisfaction are the most evident villains presented here.
While this first issue of X-Men may not be flashy or perfect, I do find value in the earnest ideas MacKay is bringing to the table and will stick around in the hopes that he can evolve them into something more dynamic, character driven, and action oriented. This is a team of diverse, unique, beloved characters that I want to be invested in and discover in brave new environs.
Remember to support your local comic book stores and check out X-Men #1 on shelves now!
-Nicholas Aaron Hodge
