Thoughts

The Sienkiewicz era as artist on New Mutants is a curious thing. Obviously its most famous for his striking artistic style, bringing scratchy, surreal images into a mainstream Marvel comic. And yet, for all its uniqueness, it also introduces a surprisingly large number of ideosyncratic characters and concepts that seem tailor made for his style. But which go on to become ongoing elements in the whole X-franchise.

Warlock definitely qualifies as one of those. Indeed, possibly, the most surprising. As a character he seems so utterly a Sienkiewiczian creation. A character designed to exist only in the visual world that the guy created. His alien form, forever jarringly thrust into the domestic school setting, is shown to defy visual consistency. From the moment he appears in the title, it feels like he exists to show off the artist. A one-off character that will last only as long as the title is visualised in this way.

And yet Warlock outlasts this era. Other artists, who must have frequently despaired at having to feature such an odd character into panels they wanted to render in a more realistic fashion. But they have to as the character persists. And as even in comics, even death doesn’t stop this oddity returning.

One reason is probably that alongside the look, Claremont creates a character that can work within a team book. The alien outsider that the team bond over befriending and helping. An endearing child-like naivete coupled with tremendous power. These are simple, but effective, character tropes. And Claremont does a very good job in using them to bring Warlock into the book.

There’s an extended party subplot here, that gives the girls on the team some nice moments. Although it is never fully explained quite how the students – cut off as they are in the school – know so many locals. A lot of it seems to be an insuder-cameo fest of Marvel staffers which seems an odd thing to draw into a secret teenager party. Things would be very, very wrong if, say, a Stan Lee appeared in this kid slumber party environment and I’m not sure this is hugely better.

Also Rahne continues to seemingly stay stuck in the shame shy, outcast zone without any real development. Her shyness would have been great for getting empathy from teenage readers but as an adult this rendition really continues to grate.

Fun Panel

Pure Sienkiewicz bliss.

It was a Product of its Time

You would think that one of the key jobs any new artists on New Mutants would have to quickly learn is how to draw a credible Magnum PI. He is such a regular on this book by now. Obviously nobody told Bill.

Alongside Mario PI is a trio that embody the 80s. Grinning man I don’t recognise, maybe Sting and a teenage Michael Jackson impersonator who hasn’t bothered to shave off his fluff moustache. Truly a Mount Rushmore of the times.