Thoughts

The big Epic Brood saga definitely positivey really we-mean-it honest ends with this issue – which also sees the X-men return to Earth and meet the New Mutants. And take on seemingly the last of the Brood, inhabiting Professor Xavier himself.

The issue moves at a fantastic pace, and milks the Brood for a few final creepy moments. Not least the seemingly final transformation of Xavier. When he slumps in his chair, it seems like a terrible irreversible moment.

It turns out to be not only reversible bit the beginning of a reinvention of Xavier, taking him out the wheelchair. One of the mantras about comics – being an ongoing medium that has spanned decades is that the stories should give the “illusion of change”. But one of the fascinating features of the Claremont Run is that he makes change seem real. The characters are so well defined that any developments feel important. Xavier stands up (briefly) here and it feels big.

Alongside the defeat of the Brood, the issue is full of brilliantly written tiny moments that help define the characters of the X-men and the New Mutants. I could pick half a dozen, but I’ll just focus on this one that says so much with so little and some striking Paul Smith Pop Art.

Fun Panel

All Hail The Fantastic Paul Smith Point

None More Claremont

Another beautiful Paul Smith drawing, capturing some lovely Claremont moments. These aren’t the sort of grim/gritty heroes that were to become popular in the Eighties. Nor are they the earnest heroes of the golden age. These are just sweet characters you’d want as friends.