Thoughts

Another cracking issue, pulling the format of the team comic in completely new directions. Highlight of it all is how it just drops in brand new ideas, effortlessly expaning the universe. Both in scope of the world the stories can take place in, but also the characters playing a part.

This issue introduces the reader to Forge. Another mutants with the mutant power to pretty much invent anything. From the moment he arrives in the story, its clear he’s someone who doesn’t fit into the easy narrative of X-men Good Guys verses Evil Mutants. He’s a more interesting, complicated character than that.

Alongside Forge, this issue has another go at introducing Rachel Summer. We previously saw her in New Mutants, but that felt confused, lost in an issue where challenging art made it hard to really capture major storytelling introductions.

This issue its handled in a much more conventional way. Which also I think just works better. As with Forge, this issue really lays down the parameters as to who this character is.

Its a fun issue that cracks along at a fine pace even as it introduces all these ideas. There’s a lovely cinematic feel to the imagery and the storytelling, and Claremont especially amps up the threat. It all feels like a big melodramatic story in unfolding in front of the reader, one with many different fascinating characters, some fun sci-fo/fantasy concepts and a Great Death.

Fun Panel

Mystique’s Raven just looks awesome. All the time. I know I am biased but I have quite the crush.

That Don’t Make A Lick of Sense

Entering the X-men Universe from her stint as the evil villain in a New Mutants story, Selene continues to just be insanely. unfathomably powerful. She’s immortal and can control all inanimate matter. Including, we learn here, fire. (the New Mutants run also established she was psychic) This combines the powers of about a dozen awesome hereos, and would give Molecule Man a run for his money. Secret Wars 2 is around the corner, a story that will make a huge play on the fact thats he’s an aburdly powerful character. And yet Selene who has virtually the same powerset nevers gets commented on.

Especially as, beyond her arrogant b-movie villain dialogue, she doesn’t seem to have any fatal flaws. They don’t establish any sort of weakness or limiting factor. Its just an insanely powerful character that nobody ever really admits is insanely powerful.

Speaking of insanely powerful, Selene is so over the top that it takes away from the fact that Forge is also a powerset that becomes more insane the more you think about it. He can make practically *anything*. Its a fun gimmick but really is the power of a God! The story sort of expects us to roll with both of these characters as using their insane powersets just enough to satisfy the level of story being told.

It was a Product of its Time

Quality disco looks abound!

Mutant Mailbag Mayhem

Angry Brian Gliechman is not happy about the idea of someone finding new love. Who hurt you Brian??