Thoughts

While the X-men are revisiting the epic “Dark Phoenix” saga, the Sister title is heading up a river.

(Actually is sister-title a good way to describe it? Its definitely related, but as a spin-off it continues to be something that celebrates its youthfulness and smallness of scale. If anything it’s a Niece title.)

The core entertainment in this issue is its simple dedication to all the tropes of “Boy’s Own” Adventuring (Mutant’s Own?). The team are going exploring into the dark and mysterious core of South America. Travelling up the Amazon to explore brave new lands.

From that premise, no end of recognisable ideas get trotted out. Piranha in the River, Savages on the Banks of the River and Dodgy types on the boat you are in.

Alongside the effectively simple swashbuckling entertainment, the issue has time for some nice character moments for the team. While none of them feel like they have a huge amount of depth, smart writing makes it easy to quickly care about them.

And then, just as the rather dated fun feels like it most be overstaying its welcome, and the cliches are beginning to grate, it springs a great surprise and then ends on the pure pulp entertainment cliffhanger.

Fun Panel

Had to be that entertaining cliffhanger. Trust the New Mutants to get their own version of the Savage Land, but with Romans instead of Dinosaurs. Had Claremont been in charge of a third title, the mind boggles what awesome kid obsession would have been next. A secre lost valley peopled only by Monster Trucks?

That Don’t Make A Lick of Sense

STOP TRYING TO MAKE TEAM AMERICA HAPPEN, MARVEL!