Thoughts

The New Mutants/Team America team-up continues – a comic book event so huge Team America yet again fail to get any mention or appearance on the cover.

While the New Mutants seeks to rescue Psyche from Viper’s clutches, Team America seek to steal a precious item to stop Viper killing her captive.

The end result is two underwhelming base attacks. Claremont is normally really good at these but there’s a lack of invention and tension to both missions.

Team America’s is especially daft. These Macho Macho men argue, rough house and successfully steal a diamond from AIM. Whose fortress then explodes. For no good reason. But Team America survive. For no good reason. Leaving a plot strand that we’re never ever going to see again.

The New Mutants mission is slightly more fun. Their diverse powers help keep things interesting. Before it ends with their antagonists fleeing. For no good reason. And then another explosion. For no good reason.

All of this isn’t helped by art that feels at moments like it’s up against a really tight deadline. Scrappy, small panels. And a real lack of dynamism.

Fun Panel

Despite my criticism, though, Buscema does a great opening panel.

The style of the New Mutants comic feels like they’re deliberately avoiding large showpiece panels to help sell the low-level nature of the adventures. But it’s good to have them occasionally.