“WARHUNT”

Thoughts

There’s something odd about an X-man dying in the third issue of the relaunch. Readers are introduced to all these new characters that seem interesting and worth exploring as the title continues and then BANG (or more accurately in this case WHOOM – RAKA THAMMM!) one of them is dead.

It’s also not really a heroic death. The arrogant Thunderbird isn’t redeemed by a heroic act. Nor does he save the day. As a complete nerd, it reminds me more than anything of the death of Adric in “Doctor Who”. The finale writing out a character that just feels completely pointless.

Apparently the reason for killing an X-man so quickly was to underline how dangerous life for this team can be, upping the peril stakes. I’ve never really bought this idea. It would make more sense if Thunderbird’s death wasn’t solely the result of his own thoughtless actions. Because OF COURSE being a super hero is dangerous if you’re going to do utterly stupid, suicidal stuff in an adventure. And unless you’re team is going to be made up of suicidal hotheads, it doesn’t really make things seem more perilous for those left behind.

That said, as with Adric, it is surprisingly memorable. When I started reading the X-comics originally, Thunderbird’s younger brother was a character and his backstory and resentment of Xavier were fascinating. I really wanted to see more of the younger Proudstar and that’s, in part, testament to what happens to the older version. So, in the end, I do think it dramatically pays off.

There’s also a wonderful “uh-oh there’s only so many pages left!” quality to the defeat of the Count’s nefarious plan. When everyone thinks he’s won and the Earth is doomed, Professor X appears to explain that, no everything is fine and it turns out the plan has failed. Sometimes you have to tie things up quickly

Fun Panel

Cockrum continues to crush it with these big opening page single panels.

That Don’t Make A Lick of Sense

Given all the talents in the team, don’t think too hard as to why Thunderbird isn’t rescued, or pulled away from the plane before it goes WHOOM – RAKA THAMMM! They absolutely could have rescued him.

None More Claremont

With the benefit of hindsight, its interesting that Claremont never did more with the Ani-Men. On one level there a basic pulp villain squad of half-human, half-animal but there’s multiple hints that they’ve been forced to become half-animal by Count Nefaria and that by completing this mission they might be returned to being human. Given how fascinated Claremont gets with transformation and possession, there’s potential here. Although it could have all gone wrong and just led to “Inferno For Furries”*

*the moment I typed that I realised that I would absolutely love to see “Inferno For Furries”

It was a Product of its Time

A blessed relief in the death of Thunderbird is at least it puts an end to his annoying habit of calling his team mates by the wrong name. Cyclops is “One Eye” and Banshee either “Shamrock” or “Irish”. Whatever Claremont was trying to illustrate about the character with this isn’t that great, and thank heavens we didn’t get him around for longer to find nicknames for the rest of the international cast.

Mutant Mailbag Mayhem

The fact the Omnibus editions also include Letters Pages, and sometimes the accompanying Editorial Boxes, is great stuff. Although the first one is slightly underwhelming. Kudos though to Richard Heim of Nebraska for pointing out the fact the finale of Giant Size X-men is absolute nonsense. And the editorial team for printing it!