Brian Wilkinson
Jan 30, 2002, 07:52 pm
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/XMUNL-33.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/XMUNL-33t.JPG" align=left alt="X-Men Unlimited #33"></a>Reviewer: Brian E. Wilkinson, bewilkinson@yahoo.ca
Quick Rating: Average
The X-Villains get their chance to shine with six short stories featuring Blob, the White Queen, Magneto, Sabretooth, Mastermind, and a Sentinel!
Cover by: Michael Wm. Kaluta
Title Page Design: Paul Tutrone
Story #1 Title: "The Blob"
Written by: Steven Grant
Art by: Sean Phillips
Story #2 Title: "Special Attraction"
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Art by: Walter Taborda
Lettered by: Sharpefont's RG
Colored by: Jung Choi
Story #3 Title: "The Sport Of Queens"
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Art by: Esteban Maroto
Lettered by: Sharpefont's Dave Sharpe
Colored by: Jung Choi
Story #4 Title: "The Grand Illusion"
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Art by: Quique Alcatena
Lettered by: Sharpefont's RG
Colored by: Jung Choi
Story #5 Title: "Survival Of The Fittest"
Written by: John Ostrander
Art by: Sean Phillips
Story #6 Title: "Lucky Day"
Written by: Buddy Scalera
Art by: Mike Collins
Lettered by: Sharpefont's RG
Colored by: Jung Choi
Editorial Interns: Chris Allo & Leandro Oliveira
Editor: Lysa Hawkins
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
The lead-in story this month is perhaps the best out of this mish-mash of stories that leave the reader feeling grateful that Marvel doesn’t make a habit out of spotlighting villains in this kind of format. Don’t get me wrong, a single issue or mini-series dedicated to ONE villain can be quite effective and could show sides of a character that we, as readers, don’t often get to see. Unfortunately this is not the case with this issue of X-Men Unlimited. It seems Marvel is going for quantity rather than quality.
Part of the problem here is that this issue has six stories in a limited amount of space, despite the title. The story "Lucky Day" featuring Sabretooth in particular is confined to ONE page and even then, Sabretooth only shows up in the last panel. The story "Survival Of The Fittest" featuring Magneto is similarly restricted to a limited number of pages and barely features the character. What Magneto is even DOING during his story is unclear. Was he attacking the construction workers or speeding up progress? Given the horrified expression on the castaway’s face, it seems more sinister, but it’s too bad we don’t actually have a clue. It’s a shame we don’t get to see either Sabretooth or Magneto in a more prominent role in this book but I guess they were put in for filler rather than some of the puzzles or games that used to be featured in this book. It’s really hard to appreciate a story when it is that short or to even give an evaluation as to the quality of the art or writing. Overall, I’d say the art was okay and the writing sub-standard. This may not be a fair assessment, but for what I read during those four pages total, that’s my impression.
The only part of this issue that I really enjoyed was the story featuring the Blob. Looking slightly out of place at a rodeo somewhere in what I assume is the Southern U.S., Blob of course gets into trouble. Throwing a tantrum which leaves quite a bit of devastation around him, Blob is challenged by the man we saw getting picked on at the beginning of the story. The challenge is rather a simple one… something that anyone but Blob can do. Blob accepts, and then the man touches Blob’s toes. Pretty funny stuff, and even Blob can’t resist laughing at the joke. A nice resolution to a potentially (more) violent conflict and an overall satisfying story.
The writing here is succinct and to the point. We have the introduction of the character, point of conflict, and resolution. Given that writer Steven Grant didn’t have a lot of space to write his story, I’m pleased to see that he made good use of his time and gave us a story we wouldn’t normally get to see. The art by Sean Philips is also quite good in this story and suits the character and setting. This story is the best of this issue and it’s a shame the others couldn’t be as well done.
The story featuring the Sentinel was, in my opinion, a waste of time. A carnival owner finds a Sentinel washed up on the shore, presumably after Onslaught or an encounter with the X-Men. Seeing opportunity, he brings it back to show it to the locals to try and make money. As it doesn’t work properly, a friend shows up and uses his (apparently) mutant powers to fix it. Once it awakens, it kills him, then the carnival owner who are apparently very weak mutants. Though writer Will Pfeifer has done his best to tell a good villain story, it just didn’t have what it needed to impress. The art by Walter Taborda isn’t too bad here and evokes a feeling of the way comics used to look when I was growing up. "Special Attraction" isn’t a bad story, but it was lacking in execution. Perhaps it would have worked better if the Sentinel had been a willing participant in the act and a friendship or sorts had developed? This would have had potential down the line to show up in a future issue of X-Men. I was prepared to use my imagination and figure the story into current continuity by thinking it could have been the Sentinel that Wolverine and Cyclops encountered in Australia in issue #114 of New X-Men as that would account for its whereabouts and actions. Instead, Pfeifer chooses to put it close to Manhattan and has the story conclude with the giant machine heading that way. Okay, I guess, but wouldn’t someone notice that? Oh well, I guess it isn’t important in regards to the context of the story.
"The Sport Of Queens" by Will Pfeifer and Esteban Maroto features some great art and a fun story. Taking place several years earlier when both Emma Frost and Selene were members of the Hellfire club, we see the two engaged in a bet to see who can win the heart of a man first. The competition escalates with trips, gifts, and outings with each woman trying to outdo the other. In the end, both use their powers to try and control the young man’s mind so that he will pick one over the other. The competing energies are too much and his head, well, explodes.
Though not the most serious of stories, it works on a variety of levels. First, I can easily see how two characters like the White and Black Queen would participate in such a competition. Their rivalry has been established for years and seeing a competition such as this one fits in perfectly with continuity. It doesn’t really add or detract to the characters, but shows what each is capable of doing. Pfeifer’s storytelling is fast paced and fun, and the art by Maroto compliments it wonderfully with the details that appear in every panel and face. Though not quite as good as the story with the Blob, I must say that this is a must for die-hard White Queen fans.
Lastly we come to "The Grand Illusion" which is also by Pfeifer. Dealing with a distraught Mastermind who has become wrapped up in the illusions that he creates for himself, the story is a cautionary tale about the consequences of wielding the power at one’s disposal. By the end of the story, we have felt Mastermind’s need for acceptance amongst his peers, and his desire to be able to defeat any foe placed in his path. I, for one, felt a surge of pity for the man which is uncommon when dealing with a character often labelled a ‘villain’. The art here by Quique Alcatena is quite nicely done in the vain of the classic Uncanny X-Men issues back when the Hellfire club was one of the main nemeses that the X-Men had to face.
Though it is nice to see a variety of stories told by writers and artists that the average X-fan has limited exposure to this issue ultimately fails to satisfy. An unbalanced mixture of good and, well, not good, leave this reviewer not wanting more, but hoping for less of this sort of thing in the future. While two, even three, stories an issue are okay, I think Marvel got carried away with trying to do six. I haven’t been overly pleased with the current direction that X-Men Unlimited has taken lately, but hopefully my opinion will change with future issues, especially if the Chris Claremont New Mutants reunion story appears soon. Though originally scheduled to be a part of next issue, it seems it has been delayed indefinitely.
In the end, X-Men Unlimited is a book without a defined goal or agenda. This could be the books strength or its weakness. It really falls to the individual tastes of the readers to determine which is the truer statement.
ART:
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STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xhalf.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xhalf.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!
Quick Rating: Average
The X-Villains get their chance to shine with six short stories featuring Blob, the White Queen, Magneto, Sabretooth, Mastermind, and a Sentinel!
Cover by: Michael Wm. Kaluta
Title Page Design: Paul Tutrone
Story #1 Title: "The Blob"
Written by: Steven Grant
Art by: Sean Phillips
Story #2 Title: "Special Attraction"
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Art by: Walter Taborda
Lettered by: Sharpefont's RG
Colored by: Jung Choi
Story #3 Title: "The Sport Of Queens"
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Art by: Esteban Maroto
Lettered by: Sharpefont's Dave Sharpe
Colored by: Jung Choi
Story #4 Title: "The Grand Illusion"
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Art by: Quique Alcatena
Lettered by: Sharpefont's RG
Colored by: Jung Choi
Story #5 Title: "Survival Of The Fittest"
Written by: John Ostrander
Art by: Sean Phillips
Story #6 Title: "Lucky Day"
Written by: Buddy Scalera
Art by: Mike Collins
Lettered by: Sharpefont's RG
Colored by: Jung Choi
Editorial Interns: Chris Allo & Leandro Oliveira
Editor: Lysa Hawkins
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
The lead-in story this month is perhaps the best out of this mish-mash of stories that leave the reader feeling grateful that Marvel doesn’t make a habit out of spotlighting villains in this kind of format. Don’t get me wrong, a single issue or mini-series dedicated to ONE villain can be quite effective and could show sides of a character that we, as readers, don’t often get to see. Unfortunately this is not the case with this issue of X-Men Unlimited. It seems Marvel is going for quantity rather than quality.
Part of the problem here is that this issue has six stories in a limited amount of space, despite the title. The story "Lucky Day" featuring Sabretooth in particular is confined to ONE page and even then, Sabretooth only shows up in the last panel. The story "Survival Of The Fittest" featuring Magneto is similarly restricted to a limited number of pages and barely features the character. What Magneto is even DOING during his story is unclear. Was he attacking the construction workers or speeding up progress? Given the horrified expression on the castaway’s face, it seems more sinister, but it’s too bad we don’t actually have a clue. It’s a shame we don’t get to see either Sabretooth or Magneto in a more prominent role in this book but I guess they were put in for filler rather than some of the puzzles or games that used to be featured in this book. It’s really hard to appreciate a story when it is that short or to even give an evaluation as to the quality of the art or writing. Overall, I’d say the art was okay and the writing sub-standard. This may not be a fair assessment, but for what I read during those four pages total, that’s my impression.
The only part of this issue that I really enjoyed was the story featuring the Blob. Looking slightly out of place at a rodeo somewhere in what I assume is the Southern U.S., Blob of course gets into trouble. Throwing a tantrum which leaves quite a bit of devastation around him, Blob is challenged by the man we saw getting picked on at the beginning of the story. The challenge is rather a simple one… something that anyone but Blob can do. Blob accepts, and then the man touches Blob’s toes. Pretty funny stuff, and even Blob can’t resist laughing at the joke. A nice resolution to a potentially (more) violent conflict and an overall satisfying story.
The writing here is succinct and to the point. We have the introduction of the character, point of conflict, and resolution. Given that writer Steven Grant didn’t have a lot of space to write his story, I’m pleased to see that he made good use of his time and gave us a story we wouldn’t normally get to see. The art by Sean Philips is also quite good in this story and suits the character and setting. This story is the best of this issue and it’s a shame the others couldn’t be as well done.
The story featuring the Sentinel was, in my opinion, a waste of time. A carnival owner finds a Sentinel washed up on the shore, presumably after Onslaught or an encounter with the X-Men. Seeing opportunity, he brings it back to show it to the locals to try and make money. As it doesn’t work properly, a friend shows up and uses his (apparently) mutant powers to fix it. Once it awakens, it kills him, then the carnival owner who are apparently very weak mutants. Though writer Will Pfeifer has done his best to tell a good villain story, it just didn’t have what it needed to impress. The art by Walter Taborda isn’t too bad here and evokes a feeling of the way comics used to look when I was growing up. "Special Attraction" isn’t a bad story, but it was lacking in execution. Perhaps it would have worked better if the Sentinel had been a willing participant in the act and a friendship or sorts had developed? This would have had potential down the line to show up in a future issue of X-Men. I was prepared to use my imagination and figure the story into current continuity by thinking it could have been the Sentinel that Wolverine and Cyclops encountered in Australia in issue #114 of New X-Men as that would account for its whereabouts and actions. Instead, Pfeifer chooses to put it close to Manhattan and has the story conclude with the giant machine heading that way. Okay, I guess, but wouldn’t someone notice that? Oh well, I guess it isn’t important in regards to the context of the story.
"The Sport Of Queens" by Will Pfeifer and Esteban Maroto features some great art and a fun story. Taking place several years earlier when both Emma Frost and Selene were members of the Hellfire club, we see the two engaged in a bet to see who can win the heart of a man first. The competition escalates with trips, gifts, and outings with each woman trying to outdo the other. In the end, both use their powers to try and control the young man’s mind so that he will pick one over the other. The competing energies are too much and his head, well, explodes.
Though not the most serious of stories, it works on a variety of levels. First, I can easily see how two characters like the White and Black Queen would participate in such a competition. Their rivalry has been established for years and seeing a competition such as this one fits in perfectly with continuity. It doesn’t really add or detract to the characters, but shows what each is capable of doing. Pfeifer’s storytelling is fast paced and fun, and the art by Maroto compliments it wonderfully with the details that appear in every panel and face. Though not quite as good as the story with the Blob, I must say that this is a must for die-hard White Queen fans.
Lastly we come to "The Grand Illusion" which is also by Pfeifer. Dealing with a distraught Mastermind who has become wrapped up in the illusions that he creates for himself, the story is a cautionary tale about the consequences of wielding the power at one’s disposal. By the end of the story, we have felt Mastermind’s need for acceptance amongst his peers, and his desire to be able to defeat any foe placed in his path. I, for one, felt a surge of pity for the man which is uncommon when dealing with a character often labelled a ‘villain’. The art here by Quique Alcatena is quite nicely done in the vain of the classic Uncanny X-Men issues back when the Hellfire club was one of the main nemeses that the X-Men had to face.
Though it is nice to see a variety of stories told by writers and artists that the average X-fan has limited exposure to this issue ultimately fails to satisfy. An unbalanced mixture of good and, well, not good, leave this reviewer not wanting more, but hoping for less of this sort of thing in the future. While two, even three, stories an issue are okay, I think Marvel got carried away with trying to do six. I haven’t been overly pleased with the current direction that X-Men Unlimited has taken lately, but hopefully my opinion will change with future issues, especially if the Chris Claremont New Mutants reunion story appears soon. Though originally scheduled to be a part of next issue, it seems it has been delayed indefinitely.
In the end, X-Men Unlimited is a book without a defined goal or agenda. This could be the books strength or its weakness. It really falls to the individual tastes of the readers to determine which is the truer statement.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xhalf.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xhalf.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xhalf.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xnone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!