Thoughts

At first glance this issue feels like it’s another filler. Let’s stop the action to have another flashback for Xavier. But thankfully it’s a much better work than that.

Yes, the heart of it is a flashback but it feels an integral part to the ongoing narratives in the title. The last few issues have focused on the new X-men having their Savage Land adventure. Now it’s time to see what’s going on with those that have “survived”.

Phoenix is moving out the X-mansion – too many painful memories leaving Lilandra to comfort a mourning Xavier.

Dwelling on the past allows the issue to tell the story of Xavier’s first encounter with an Evil Mutant. Amahl Farouk. Inspiring him to seek to bring good humans and mutants together in the fight against monsters.

There’s a nice melancholy air to the writing of both these characters stories as they both reach the decision to move on with their lives. None of this is a setup for a contrived realisation that their friends are alive. It’s played straight. Had the others died, this is what they would do.

It also sets a nice little timer running with the adventures of the new X-men. When they get back “home” will it be too late because that “home” has moved on?

It was a Product of its Time

We’re back in the X-men universe’s Cairo here which means characters inexplicably drawn as slightly orc-ish. Still there’s more variety in the crowd scenes than before as we journey the bazaars of tourist Egypt.

Then Amahl Farouk appears. An obvious cliche but, I think, one that just about works for a stand-alone issue without being too egregious.

Obviously long-term readers know that this character has quite a story going forward. And i think it’s in subsequent appearances that the stereotype really becomes problematic.

Yes, this issue is basically Evil Stereotype gets defeated by brave white adventurer but National Stereotypes are written into the DNA of this title’s international outlook. It’s part of the variety. And they can’t all be good guys.

Mutant Mailbag Mayhem

There’s a great letter from Brenda Robnett at 2309 Calvin Street bemoaning the seeming downgrade in Phoenix’s powers. Brenda makes a great point and, while it’s not answered here, it’s clearly being taken serious.