NEW X-MEN #135 REVIEW

[Brian Wilkinson]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen135.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen135t.jpg" align=left alt="New X-Men #135"></a>Reviewer: Brian E. Wilkinson, bewilkinson@yahoo.ca
Quick Rating: Above Average
Story Title: Teaching Children About Fractals

More of a rumbling than a riot, but things are slowly building to a head...

Written by: Grant Morrison
Penciled by: Frank Quitely
Inks by: Tim Townsend
Colors by: Chris Chuckry
Letters by: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Saida Temofonte
Assistant Editors: Mike Raicht & Nova Ren Suma
Editor: Mike Marts
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

Hmmm... not sure what I think about this arc so far. There are several good characterizations, a more down-to-earth real life threat, but the lack of true aggressive pacing has me feeling a bit.. bored by the whole thing.

Don't get me wrong, seeing Xorn, Wolverine, and the rest of the gang appearing in these pages is always a treat, and writer Grant Morrison has done amazing things for this title. I don't even really mind that the focus of the book doesn't really seem to be on the X-Men lately and is instead on the students. I honestly took the lot of them at my first glance and figured they'd be background noise and nothing more. Instead, Morrison has taken the time to get to know each and every character, making them likable, believable, and fun.

My main gripe is that I'm BORED. This arc is called 'Riot at Xavier's', and while we've seen plenty of build-up last issue and a much more aggressive student body with this issue, still nothing has happened. I'm not quite sure WHY the students feel the need to 'scare the human population' other than it being a side effect of the mutant drug 'kick'. Quentin Quire, Glob Herman, and the rest of the Omega gang present an interesting quandry for the X-Men, but I just can't bring myself to care if they see the light or not. I just want to see what happened between Scott and Emma. Or for Morrison to actually USE Wolverine in his book. We've finally gotten somewhere with the whole 'is Beast gay' issue, but all the other plotlines have been left needlessly dangling.

Though I'm not impressed by the Omega gang, I'm enjoying their counterparts in the 'special class' made up of students like Beak and Angel (both of whom have had their own New X-Men covers). This is a class trying to belong in the world with a teacher in Xorn who has barely lived in it. It's an interesting dynamic, with great personalities and a story that I'm curious about. Morrison, after all, has spent months building up Beak and Angel as interesting and unique characters, and it would be great to see them come into their own.

I find that while Morrison has more than proved himself to be a capable and thought provoking writer, he seems a little inconsistent in the way he tells his stories. 'Riot at Xavier's' has all the indications of a well thought out and contained story and I'm interested to see where it is all going to lead. Hopefully these little snots will get put into their place.

And who knows what the ramifications of their rebellion could have on the status of the school and the mutant perceptions the general public has.

Frank Quitely returns to the book and Marvel has promised that he'll draw the entire arc. I, for one, am breathing a sigh of relief as the biggest hurdle this book has had to overcome was the blatant lack of a regular ongoing artist. I think the art from month to month has been quite well done, but it hurts the story and adds to the disjointed feeling Morrison gives off while writing this series.

Quitely has several great shots in this book, and where he truly stands out is in the interactions between Xorn and his class. When ever this group was on panel I found myself hopelessly immersed in the honest and clever exchanges of dialogue and Ernst's simple question to Xorn of how he was able to pee being chained up for so many years. You've got to love it.

Anyway, as much as I enjoyed this interplay, I found the overall offering lacking the usual punch Morrison gives to his work. Maybe this is just the big set up to what could be one of the most memorable arcs of his run so we'll just have to wait and see.

It's worth your money to pick it up, and it's worth your time to read it. Make sure you don't miss out next month when things REALLY start to heat up!

ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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Order this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=44&cat=NEW+X%2DMEN)

STILL AVAILABLE! New X-Men #133 signed and re-sketched by artist Ethan VanSciver! Limited to only 50 copies in the world! Order your copy online at X-World Comics now! (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=346&cat=X%2DCLUSIVE+CREATOR+EDITIONS)

[Kevin Woodside]

Well, I just adored this issue. With two issues of build-up, you know Morrison is going to really rumble us up good when it picks up. I enjoyed the "Headmaster's Office" scene the best and I'm looking forward to having the full cast of characters seen again in one story.

I liked your review, Brian, but I do have one complaint. You consider the Emma/Scott/Jean subplot a dangling one, but it's only been present (as in Scott and Emma doing the wild thing) for a couple of months and it has a promise of being resolved after "Riot." For me, it can dangle as long as it has the promise of being resolved soon. A subplot like, say, the Legacy Virus that just goes on and on for years and leaves us dangling without a resolution is bad. But hey, too each their own.

I don't want to spoil anything, but I have to ask - was anyone else creeped out by that last page?

~W~

[Jackraow21]

Well, I just adored this issue. With two issues of build-up, you know Morrison is going to really rumble us up good when it picks up. I enjoyed the "Headmaster's Office" scene the best and I'm looking forward to having the full cast of characters seen again in one story.

I have to agree. This issue would've gotten an "Excellent" grade from me.

[NicholasRogue]

:LOL: This is so funny! New Below Average :LOL: Actually this issue freaked me out, especially that Quinten guy, they're gonna kill a human for every mutant killed in Genosha, I was like uh oh! I agree alot with what the review said, Where the heck has Jean been, besides in Hong Kong, I mean there are so many unsolved plot things that he could be working on, and the truth is we see very little of Jean, Wolverine, Beast, or Cyclops. Sorry if the above message sounded mean, but I had to hear that kind of crap from New fans about X-Treme for over a year now ! Payback time !:D :rogue: sugah!

[russbrett77]

As always, a great review Brian. And, as is typically the case, I agree 100% with your assessment. This issue simply did not live up to the expectation created in #134.

I hope (and firmly believe) that the pacing will pick up as we get into the actual "riot."

I was unable to put my finger on what it was about this issue that did not win me over. After reading your review, I now know what it was... I don't care about Quire's motives and actions.

Hopefully next issue will bring this arc back up to par, as there is no doubt that it will be the best in Morrison's run to date.

[Jackraow21]

Sorry if the above message sounded mean, but I had to hear that kind of crap from New fans about X-Treme for over a year now ! Payback time ! sugah!

Wow, how mature of you.:rolleyes:

[NicholasRogue]

Originally posted by Jackraow21
Wow, how mature of you.:rolleyes:

I'm 16 maturity hasn't been built in ! Actually I didn't mean to sound imature, but I won't apologize for how I feel.

[Jackraow21]

I'm 16 maturity hasn't been built in ! Actually I didn't mean to sound imature, but I won't apologize for how I feel.

:LOL: I was just messin' with ya anyways. As a big New X-men fan who has bashed X-treme on more than one occasion I probably deserved it. But I'm giving X-treme another shot with issue #20 for what it's worth.

[Refleshed]

Well, this one the one hand is how I felt about the previous issue. Of course, it was only a prelude and it was ment to be that, but still I found things boring, Quentin getting all popped up for practicually nothing (okay, his mother and stuff OK) but the rest.

I felt that in this issue, things were about to get started. Quentin again, this time a l'il more interesting. I also really liked the way Xorn was handled in this issue. Finally, we get to see him doing his actual job and earning his keep. The thing about Xorn is that I liked Xorn from the start, but was never really intrigued by characterization or something ,but just his powers, they were cool. Now, I'm starting to feel more about him, even more then after #127.

But hey, feelings are different, I get that. Your giving a strong point here for not liking the issue and I can come into that, but remember that this is actually just the beginning of a brand new storyarc. They are always slow at first, but look at for example how E is for Extinction went. Don't give up hope just yet, 'cause I personally think this story is getting somewhere....

[anthomaniac1023]

well, i agreed with your boring comments upon first reading. but i like it more and more every time i read it...

[gambitX]

I agree 100% Brian...
and again... i just cant understand whatt hte hype is about either Morisson nor Quitely

[Brandon Yates]

Wow...

I understand your points but I thought this issue was great. I thought Quitely's Big Return was a tad disappointing because I didn't see anything there that, say, Larocca or Bagley or Romita isn't doing on a regular basis but the story held up fine for me.

We agree on something though and that's the expectation of things really heating up with next issue.

[ArchangelX]

I'm really disappointed that my comic store didn't even have this one on the shelf!!!!! I totally missed it and all I have is this Review! Great review by the way!

[Anthony Cordova]

Quitely's art was reallly good ... but what happened to Angel's wings? He didn't draw them once! Other than that, the issue was pretty good. Quentin seems kind of one dimensional, but he's only been in two issues so far. I'll give him a shot before I decide whether I like him or not.

[NicholasRogue]

Originally posted by Jackraow21
:LOL: I was just messin' with ya anyways. As a big New X-men fan who has bashed X-treme on more than one occasion I probably deserved it. But I'm giving X-treme another shot with issue #20 for what it's worth.

Thanks for the honesty:)

[Fantomex]

WOW is all I have to say, this review is way off in my opinion. What's with the low Art score? The art is the best New X-men has had for awhile besides Ethan Van Sciver, I would have given art atleast a 4 or 4.5. Brian it seems you disliked two things the most, one being the loose ends to other sub-stories like Emma and Scott and Jean becoming the Phoneix and so on but as we see in this issue with the Beast being gay thing that they do eventually come into place and are put to rest just takes time with Morrison I guess. The other thing you seem to dislike is being "bored", as you well know not every issue can have action and most first issues to a new arc don't. You make it seem like this is the ending to the arc and they forgot set off the fireworks so to speak but its just the beginning and I for one liked that there was a lot of dialoge between characters doing a great job of setting up the arc to leave room for plenty of action from all the characters. I would have given the story atleast a soild 3 or 3.5 and a overall soild 4. There is one thing we both agree with, we can't wait for the next ish.

[Wolverine]

I totally loved this issue. THe art and Story work so well together I would say it is best book of the week

[x-man17]

I also think the story was lacking. The art was good.

[Zachary J. Morrison]

Great review, Brian. I wasn't too excited about the story and the artwork myself. The only part I could think was cool was when Ernst asked Xorn how he had to pee when he was locked up and Xorn has a ? in his head, and almost thinking no comment. Most of the issue was ok, but I didn't think it was totally awesome like. I don't think I felt a connection with the issue when I read it the first and second time.

[BoomBot]

I thought this issue was pretty good. I like it more every time I pick it up. I like the special class a lot. Basilisk, Ernst, Dummy, and Martha are cool.

Quitely's art was incredible, as usual. Although, it seems like his art decreased in quality when he attempted to refine it, which was probably because of majority fan reaction. I love his renditions of Emma. He even dresses her casually while in class. It's the litte things that count.

[Erwin Rafael]

above average?

well, if you want an action issue, sure. but this is a "thinking" issue, and man the thoughts/philosophies presented by Morrison here were really great...

i guess it's just because i now hate the "superhero" rendition of X-Men. i'm really more in the intellectual struggle of the X-Men instead of the physical struggle. i want more stories like this one. love the debate between Quentin and Xavier. and the discussion by the faculty. i studied in one of the most militant universities here in my country, and Quentin reminds me of some people i know. it's quite scary...

[Justclowes]

I agree i'm really bored by New at the moment last 2 issues just don't seem to have done anything. I think the omega gang with the stripey jumpers just like daft..........I'm seriously thinking of dropping this title by the end of this arc if it doesn't pick up. One good thing is the art was top notch but doesn't really count for much when the writting is bad!

[Jodoria]

i personally thought the book was overhyped and i was a bit disaapointed.it was an aiight book,but it could have been better and the art looked rushed(but what else could you expect from this series nowaday?)overall,it was okay.i'm happy that i bought.i guess...

[Erwin Rafael]

Originally posted by Justclowes
I agree i'm really bored by New at the moment last 2 issues just don't seem to have done anything. I think the omega gang with the stripey jumpers just like daft..........I'm seriously thinking of dropping this title by the end of this arc if it doesn't pick up. One good thing is the art was top notch but doesn't really count for much when the writting is bad!

i guess you're just used to the traditional superhero X-Men stuff. hopefully you could learn to appreciate Morrison's vision of X-Men, which i think is more socially relevant and more attuned to the times...

and i think one thing why i appreciate Morrison's vision more is because i myself am a professor, and i enjoy seeing the take on problems within the school...

[russbrett77]

Originally posted by Fantomex
Brian it seems you disliked two things the most, one being the loose ends to other sub-stories like Emma and Scott and Jean becoming the Phoneix and so on but as we see in this issue with the Beast being gay thing that they do eventually come into place and are put to rest just takes time with Morrison I guess.


Not Brian but... the problem with a dangling subplot of this nature is that it is completely being ignored. I don't care if the Scott/Emma thing doesn't get resolved for another year, but there shoujld be consistent reference to it; whether it's Jean being suspicious of Scott, Scott acting uncomfortable around Emma, or telling her they need to stop, or Emma doing her best to get Scott caught. There was a lot of build up for this relationship (starting in the '01 Annual), and now with the biggest question looming (did they or didn't they) it has been completely dropped (which is a good tactic by Grant to keep up the suspense, but I think the characters would be reacting to it all the time).


Originally posted by Fantomex
The other thing you seem to dislike is being "bored", as you well know not every issue can have action and most first issues to a new arc don't. You make it seem like this is the ending to the arc and they forgot set off the fireworks so to speak but its just the beginning and I for one liked that there was a lot of dialoge between characters doing a great job of setting up the arc to leave room for plenty of action from all the characters.


I thought that Brian was more bothered by the fact that he doesn't care about what happens. Will the Omega Gang win/lose/die/reform...? Who cares at this point. I don't. His motivations are severely lacking. Sure, he wants to avenge the deaths of mutants, but against whom? Only mutant haters, or any human? We don't know. Also, what is it that's really setting him off? A true diversion from Xavier's ideology (which itself can be argued at this point), or is it simpy the insanity caused by the drug (which would be a huge cop out in my opinion). Still, we don't know.

It's my belief that this issue was meant (like you said) to set up the riot. But there was no set up. We have a catalyst (the Omega Gang organizing and attacking the humans), but no real answers about the whys and hows. Getting inside Quentin's mind is very important for caring about this arc. And this issue did not bring us any closer to him then we already were (from the brialliantly written #134).

[NicholasRogue]

Originally posted by russbrett77
Not Brian but... the problem with a dangling subplot of this nature is that it is completely being ignored. I don't care if the Scott/Emma thing doesn't get resolved for another year, but there shoujld be consistent reference to it; whether it's Jean being suspicious of Scott, Scott acting uncomfortable around Emma, or telling her they need to stop, or Emma doing her best to get Scott caught. There was a lot of build up for this relationship (starting in the '01 Annual), and now with the biggest question looming (did they or didn't they) it has been completely dropped (which is a good tactic by Grant to keep up the suspense, but I think the characters would be reacting to it all the time).


I agree completely I feel as though there was too much left unmentioned and what even happened to Dust? Is she gone too? I mean this is something I'm not a fan of Morrison for.

[Erwin Rafael]

and i say we just wait for Morrison to address all this subplots. heck, if we can tolerate writers who leave subplots dangling for more than five years, why can't we cut Morrison some slack? i don't think he ever left an issue unresolved for more than a year...

[spinarakboi]

I couldn't even get through the the last issue, oh well.. I just wanted to know, is Beast gay or not? What was mentioned about that. I really don't have interest in the school, I'm interested in X-Men not kids causing trouble. Sure ideaology is involved, but honestly there is still very little thinking involved. I just think the stories that are being told as of late should be in generation x or new mutant book, not X-Men.

[oScIlLaTiNg MaN]

Bah! I disagree with you on the, um...one point you made about the story. Your only critisism of the writing was that it was boring. There are too many dangling plot threads, and no justification for the actions of the characters. Also, the old schoolers are not around as much as they should be.

The dangling plot threads are a benchmark of Morrisons writing style. He gracefully weaves them into the plot, and is able to bring several of them to fruition at once. His style provides the most intriguing and suprising developments of any writer of an X book, and possibly any writer today. Some writers waste three issues faking characters death to pump up interest. Some of them are able to make real cliffhangers.

Secondly, the motivation of Quintin has been partially fleshed out, as he feels that the death of Jumbo Carnation marks a general trend, as well as the death of the mutants in Genosha. Combine this with his teenage issues, superiority complex due to his powers, and drug use, and it is a dangerous combination. The motivations are all there if you read carefully.

Finally, there is concern that there is too much focus on the new students, and not enough on the old. Wolverine does not get enough time to shine? Give me a break. He has his own book! This book is called NEW X-men. Perhaps this is the major theme of the book: the old X-Men are heroes for a genration that is passing. It is the NEW X-men that will change the world. There isn't much more that can be done with a tired old character like wolvie. The new students are bringing new life to the comic, and doing it in a way that successfully sidesteps the common use of a single new character to freshen things up.

If you think the book is boring, don't read it. If you give it another shot and still don't like it, go back to X-treme. There you will find the tired old way that comics used to be written. This book was great, and deserved 4.5 stars of 5.

[Ryan Scott]

Originally posted by Erwin Rafael
well, if you want an action issue, sure. but this is a "thinking" issue, and man the thoughts/philosophies presented by Morrison here were really great...

i guess it's just because i now hate the "superhero" rendition of X-Men. i'm really more in the intellectual struggle of the X-Men instead of the physical struggle. i want more stories like this one.

Couldn't. Agree. More.

I was completely captivated by this issue. Between Xorn's interactions with the remedial students to Quentin's slow drift into pseudo-super-villain-hood, to the staff's discussion on possible courses of action. Loved it :D And it was great to see Vince back. He's been my favorite artist on this title by far.

Sorry, Bri. But we disagree on this book once again.
When's Zisa starting again? ;)

[Grave Architect]

I think this issue is one of the best of the Grant Morrison run thus far, and I thought it was one of the most exciting as well. I don't know what you want from the story, Brian, but I thought there was a lot more action and things happening in this issue than in past half year of issues. It was nice to see the pace pick up since falling off after 126.

[Kevin Woodside]

Regarding Q.Q.'s motivation . . . we're probably going to have to put some thought into that. I mean, Grant Morrison isn't just going to come out and say "Hey! This is his motivation! Look! It motivates him to do stuff! Good for him!"

QQ is sounding more and more like Magneto. I figure that the impact of Magneto's death/Genosha's destruction is sort of vehcile for QQ to deal with pain of being a mutant and finding out that he was adopted.

The others are there because suddenly, he's cool and he's challenging authority. Teens love that, don't they?

I really enjoy having the students there. I mean, some stories will deal with them (ie. "Riot" ), while others will deal with the X-Men (ie. "Imperial" and "Weapon XII" ). It brings some diversity to the book. If you don't like the "non-super-hero" feel to the book, there's always "Uncanny" and "X-Treme."

Regarding having the students having more book space than the X-Men, that's not really true. How many issues have sat down and looked at the students? Very few.

But, hey, to each their own.

~W~

[Brian Wilkinson]

russ further clarifies my stance on this issue.

As for my comments about being 'bored', I should change that to disinterested. Personally, I LOVE slower issues that take the time to examine the moments in character's lives that we don't see normally. This issue, however, doesn't do that. It's just slow and could have made it's point much more quickly or as part of the previous issue.

Don't get me wrong, I like New X-Men, I just didn't love this issue. Happens, some times!

[oScIlLaTiNg MaN]

Originally posted by Brian E. Wilkinson
russ further clarifies my stance on this issue.

As for my comments about being 'bored', I should change that to disinterested. Personally, I LOVE slower issues that take the time to examine the moments in character's lives that we don't see normally. This issue, however, doesn't do that. It's just slow and could have made it's point much more quickly or as part of the previous issue.

Don't get me wrong, I like New X-Men, I just didn't love this issue. Happens, some times!

Granted. I just feel that this rating is out of place when compared to those that other books got for less. I really think the rating system at this site is skewed and is in need of standardization. Seeing an "above average" review is a rarity in itself, it seems.

I disagree that there was a lack of action, or that this could've been a part of the last issue. The crime that they commited was essential, and the development of bonds between Xorn and the special class and the Omega Men was important development. Plus, the addition of the drug to the plot is something that needs to be done carefully, otherwise it comes off as being a copy (of the UXM drug from issue 400 or so) or just uninspired. We needed to learn what this drug is doing. The scene where they took it fr the first time was a great portrayal of the way things like that work out in real life.

[Nick Costanzo]

This issue rocked hard and has me psyched to see what'll happen next. Definately would've gotten at least a "great" outta me, but oh well...

[EDIT]Though I don't agree with the label this issue got in the review, I might remind everyone that the reviews here are subjective, and are there really to tell us just how one person thought about the issue. Now, were they actually trying to go for some kind of objective outline of the book a standardized system would be necessary, but as it stands all Brian is trying to do is tell us how he, personally, liked the book, so we don't have to knock the whole ratings system that much...

[thewrite1]

I haven't read the book yet but I've enjoyed the conversation. One question though - how is Xorn pronounced? Is it Zorn or
Ex-orn?

[oScIlLaTiNg MaN]

I assumed that X has the sh sound...Shorn.

[Hellion]

Did anyone else think Ernst was Cassandra at first glance? Ernst looks like a little old woman.

[thewrite1]

Originally posted by oScIlLaTiNg MaN
I assumed that X has the sh sound...Shorn.

Actually, I've just found a thread for this at the Xavier Institue for Higher Learning - I'll go now.

[Feedback]

this arc seem's to be off to a slow start, I hope more of the student body get's in on this roit because the "New X-Men" shouldn't be hard for the "real X-Men" to take down

Also I for one hate to talk about the art, since I can't draw at all however the one problem I have is that Q seems to draw his women very ugly and any shot's of people from a distance they all look a like (big heads, small face's)

for example if you look at emma in this issue, then look at her in the X-Treme X-Men preview you see a big diff.

[Jackraow21]

QQ is sounding more and more like Magneto.

I'd love to see Kid Omega become a big level threat and, since Magneto is dead, become the new antithesis to Xavier's dream.

Oh, and I have to disagree with the reviewer also. How this issue could be seen as boring and Ultimate X-men #26 wasn't is beyond me. I mean, we've seen the whole "Xavier and Magneto used to be friends, then they had a falling out" thing before and I fail to see how this time was any more interesting than the last few times we saw it. The story was basic, and Magneto is basically a laughable, 2-dimensional cartoon villain in Ultimate X-men. Meanwhile, we have Quentin Quire and the Omega Gang shaping up to be a very interesting and 3-dimensional group of villains. Their anger and frustration, particularly Quentin's, is almost tangible it's so potent. Their dialogue is believable rather than the campy, stereotypical "evil" villain crap that Ultimate Magneto endlessly spews. He makes me wish that the REAL Magneto wasn't dead, and that he could somehow make his way into the Ultimate Universe to kill his Ultimate counterpart for making a mockery of him.

Having said that, I understand that the review only reflects the OPINION of the reviewer. But obviously my opinion differs significantly.

[Andy James]

i have to disagree on one of brians points. he said that he didnt mind the focus on the students rather than the x men. i do. A LOT
The book is called New XMEN not The Students. We hardly see any action involving the X Men anymore. Its all these really stupid new characters that hog the lime light. i mean the special class, the omega gang? who cares? i dont mind new charcters being introduced at all but the sudden influx of these combined with the fact that they are now the main focus of the book is an awful move IMO.
personally i really hope that 150 is morrisons last issue because out of 21 of his issues ican say ive enjoyed about 5.
im sure lots of people will disagree with me but still i do know peoploe who share this opinion as well.
anyway, rant over :D

[gambitX]

I second this rant.
wahtver with the students.

[Rogue1969]

I agree with the review very strongly, though my own personal reasons slightly differ from Brian's.
I've been moaning on and off since the beginning about {what I view} as the lack of the 'new' unexplored directions of the book. when I heard 'riot at Xavier's' student vs. teacher hyperbole I just about gagged - As the storyline started off I gritted my teeth and decided I would just close my eyes and wait for the arc to end. When I saw some of the {then} previews for this issue I allowed myself to believe they might actually go a different route that WOULD be new and exciting etc. I mean until now, Xavier only ever recruited those mutants who shared his dream. They didn't agree - they didn't come to the 'school' end of story. I thought okay this IS different. They've really represented a 'school-like' atmosphere with a variety of personalities and it looked interesting to see how the X-Men (Xavier in particular) would adjust to always having people agree with him, openly disagree but still want to remain for the training sort of thing. Now however, it appears they're going to go for the 'let's get physical' whoo hoo we can take on everyone attitude and go back to the 'old' been-there-done-that tried and true approach again. How disappointing.

[Erwin Rafael]

what been there done that tried and true approach are you talking about?

[Rogue1969]

Originally posted by Erwin Rafael
what been there done that tried and true approach are you talking about?

The new 'upstarts' vs. the old 'experienced' members
the 'open hand' vs. the 'closed fist' mentality
the 'my way is the right way' vs. 'everyone has a right to their own views'

there are so many scenarios hidden under slightly different guises - but fall under the same 'riot' umbrella. X-Force breaking away from Xavier's, 'new' X-Men vs. the 'original' X-Men, Shiar empire vs. X-Men, even to a certain extent Kitty being demoted to the New Mutants, Xavier giving Logan demerits for leaving a training exercise vs. Logan's "up yours" attitude. New Mutants vs. X-Men, Cable vs. X-Men, Everyone going to leave if Rogue stays, Who's the better leader Storm or Cyclops. Morloks vs. the X-Men

It's just that it always seems to fall back on the predictable - that someone starts feeling their superiority and makes a play for dominence. I just was hoping for something a little different.

It's just how I see it. :)

[Joey Meyers]

I think the thing that bugged m ethe most about the issue was the faculties seemingly disinterest/uncaring attitude that some of their students may have participated in a brutal, violent, hate crime.

"Oh they're just exploring their limits, don't worry." and all that. Just seemed off to me.

[Jodoria]

Originally posted by gambitX
I agree 100% Brian...
and again... i just cant understand whatt hte hype is about either Morisson nor Quitely

me neither.

also,i thought that tattoo couldnt talk seeing as how she did not in 134.anyway,i hope it gets better or i might drop the series for another 7 months or so

[Jim Learning]

Originally posted by Jodoria
also,i thought that tattoo couldnt talk seeing as how she did not in 134.
Well, she did say "Eeewww." in #134, after seeing Slick's Yoda impression.

[Erwin Rafael]

Originally posted by lonewolf21
I think the thing that bugged m ethe most about the issue was the faculties seemingly disinterest/uncaring attitude that some of their students may have participated in a brutal, violent, hate crime.

"Oh they're just exploring their limits, don't worry." and all that. Just seemed off to me.

it's natural, specially in liberal universities. in the university where i studied, faculties trust their students to control their lives and be responsible for their own decisions, so much so that even if they participate in fraternity violence, they are still allowed to go to class without prejudice.

and Rogue 1969, we haven't seen any struggle for dominance yet, so i still can not see how one can get that impression. Xavier has not imposed his will on anybody and has not given any demerits. Logan is even amenable to the idea of letting Quentin Quire sort this out. where's the struggle for domination? where's the physical confrontation?

[Rogue1969]

Originally posted by Erwin Rafael
and Rogue 1969, we haven't seen any struggle for dominance yet, so i still can not see how one can get that impression. Xavier has not imposed his will on anybody and has not given any demerits. Logan is even amenable to the idea of letting Quentin Quire sort this out. where's the struggle for domination? where's the physical confrontation?

You misunderstood my post - I was asked what tried and true measures was I comparing too. the examples you post are of the past not current, I was merely identifying (in my opinion) other scenarios that feel under the 'riot'/'rebellion' umbrella. How similar this situation is in comparison to previous years based on the confrontational issues not specifics.

[PsiWar]

i never believe "hype".

BUT i LOVE the book.

ok. people say i don't like the book..does that mean you prefer the X-Men during the mid and late 90's...when everything was on a stand still?

the X-Men to me was all about change. i will not go back to those times where they constantly face the same villians...do the same predictable storylines with no amazing twists (admit it almost every story pattern has been told, it how it's PRESENTED that matters)...I've had it!

i have read the Morrison Manifesto, and i have found respect in mr. morrison and his vision...he was all praises for mr. claremont. all he wanted was be a visionary like claremont was back then...

i also HAVE patience. i wait. i don't rush. i don't buy a book and turn it to the last page just to know how it ends...


BUT then again, to each his own, right?

[timtastic]

i read this review, and some of the subsequent posts, and i'm just shocked. SHOCKED, i say!

i guess there are plenty of readers that long for the days of constant fights that don't lead anywhere, against overpowered villains that don't mean anything. me, i grew out of that, and i'd rather see a philisophical approach to comics than an arnold schwarzenegger (spelling, whatever) one.

there's a word in the title - and that word is "new". new ideas for dealing with conflict. perhaps a more pacifist approach? isn't that awesome? doesn't anyone else value this approach?

*crickets chirping*

bah! i'm being too cynical here. i'm happy that morrison is getting his chance to put a unique spin on the mutants. it may be a short run, but i'm staying with the book for him. hell, i wish marvel would cancel the other xavier books and let morrison wreak merry havoc on the whole x-franchise.

but that's not going to happen, so the naysayers can sit back and relax. like i say, this will all come to an end one day in the not-too-distant future, and i'm sure it won't take more than a couple of months for another writer to undo everything and give you more "bang. pow. zip."

as for me, i'll go back to vertigo land.

[daniel nivy]

Originally posted by Spriteguy16
:LOL: This is so funny! New Below Average :LOL: Actually this issue freaked me out, especially that Quinten guy, they're gonna kill a human for every mutant killed in Genosha, I was like uh oh! I agree alot with what the review said, Where the heck has Jean been, besides in Hong Kong, I mean there are so many unsolved plot things that he could be working on, and the truth is we see very little of Jean, Wolverine, Beast, or Cyclops. Sorry if the above message sounded mean, but I had to hear that kind of crap from New fans about X-Treme for over a year now ! Payback time !:D :rogue: sugah! well, that's what i hoped that will happen after magneto's "death", and it is going to happen! wow!

[David Santee]

It's funny. I liked this issue. The 'special' class alone was worth the money. I guess I'm getting used to Morrison's abrupt writing style. Actually, I like it when he deals with characters of his own creation, and he regular team is pushed to the side.

[Erwin Rafael]

Originally posted by timtastic
but that's not going to happen, so the naysayers can sit back and relax. like i say, this will all come to an end one day in the not-too-distant future, and i'm sure it won't take more than a couple of months for another writer to undo everything and give you more "bang. pow. zip."

as for me, i'll go back to vertigo land.

and if that day comes, i think i'll go with you. :p "bang.pow.zip"

same old, same old, same old. what made Claremont's original run very good? because it was new for that time. because he molded the book into his own vision. subsequent writers preserved the Claremont status quo, but they never understood that what made Claremont's work strong was because he did not follow status quo. and thank god for Morrison who had the strength to question the works of the past and for his guts to repudiate X-Men "canon".

but i guess some fans would never understand it. well, they still have X-treme X-Men to whet their tastes. but please don't mess with New X-Men...

[russbrett77]

Originally posted by timtastic
i read this review, and some of the subsequent posts, and i'm just shocked. SHOCKED, i say!

i guess there are plenty of readers that long for the days of constant fights that don't lead anywhere, against overpowered villains that don't mean anything. me, i grew out of that, and i'd rather see a philisophical approach to comics than an arnold schwarzenegger (spelling, whatever) one.

What you just described are the 90's X-Men. And I seriously doubt there are many readers that long for those days (and stories) to come back. What I long for are the days of great characterization (which Grant is actually able to do quite well when dealing with characters of his own creation).

Also, the 90's villains were anything but without meaning. Sinister, Apocalypse, and many others were all "philosophical" villains, not simply hell bent on taking over the world, but wanting to take over the world based on their ideologies (Sinister's explorations into science, Apoc's survival of the fittest, Bastion's human dominance, etc...).

Originally posted by timtastic
there's a word in the title - and that word is "new". new ideas for dealing with conflict. perhaps a more pacifist approach? isn't that awesome? doesn't anyone else value this approach?

There's another word in the title - and that word is "X-Men." Doing "new" things is always good, but not at the expense of the heart of the book.


Originally posted by Erwin Rafael
same old, same old, same old. what made Claremont's original run very good? because it was new for that time. because he molded the book into his own vision. subsequent writers preserved the Claremont status quo, but they never understood that what made Claremont's work strong was because he did not follow status quo. and thank god for Morrison who had the strength to question the works of the past and for his guts to repudiate X-Men "canon".

but i guess some fans would never understand it. well, they still have X-treme X-Men to whet their tastes. but please don't mess with New X-Men...


I agree that the problem the 90's books had was that they tried to imitate Claremont's style, and fell laughably short. But, again, Morrison's "strength" to change this trend has nothing to do with his ability as a writer (though he is quite good). It has to do with Joey Q discovering what you pointed out. Editors cannot force writers to write the stories that they want to tell. Writer's need to tell their own stories. This is what we're seeing with Grant. He's telling his own stories (which are markably different from what the editors in the 90s wanted). I believe the same would be true for any writer who was given control of the X-books for the revamp (take a look at Joe Casey's Uncanny if you don't believe me).

Is it good that Grant has taken the X-Men "style" in a new direction? Absolutely. But I think he could have done it in a better way (staying true to characterization being my greatest gripe, and creating "secondary mutations" which I just personally think is stupid and has nothing to do with his writing ability or style).

[Erwin Rafael]

gasp. those people at Barbelith really know how to dissect a Grant Morrison issue:

Click here (warning, some adult language involved} (http://www.barbelith.com/underground/topic.php?id=8724)

i'm loving this issue even more. :p

and another interesting discussion (http://www.barbelith.com/underground/topic.php?id=10280) about Quentin Quire (again, warning for some adult language).

i learned a lot from those guys. once, when i was researching for my review of The Filth, someone said that there's a hidden meaning when it's read backwards. i don't know if i got a "hidden" meaning when i did that, but i did understand the story a lot more. nowadays, i read my comic books backwards at least once and i get to understand them better. :p

[Emma's Boytoy]

This issue had no weakness whatsoever.

I am quite interested in the idea of a gang forming at the school that goes out bashing humans. Who hasn't seen gangs of youths forming together to go fight another one based on differences?

And who isn't aware of the abuse of illegal drug substances in the school systems? Makes sense that instead of smoking a couple of joints at recess before heading to a *Home Economics* class, these mutants fry their brain with a comic book version of the new trendy poison (crack, ecstasy, etc) du jour that is a cancer in our society.

The plot, its pacing and especially its execution is dead on. When the final page makes you excited for the next instalment, the creative team has obviously accomplished their mission; They have given your money's worth in full entertainment value.

[Joeydangers]

This is the best this book has been in years. The way Morrison has turned the spotlight on a whole generation of young mutants is superb - rendering the main x-men almost secondary. The Special Class were hilarious. Especially the withered little girl with superhuman strength leading a brain on a chain. Give them their own book. The Omega Gang's costumes - derived from some ancient newsclipping, is a total obscurist fanboy reference. Dust should make a great addition to this bunch of misfits.

By the way, when did Xorn first appear in the Marvel Universe?

[Nick Costanzo]

Xorn first appeared in the New X-Men Annual and first appeared in a uniform during the invasion arc.

[Anthony Lucynski]

I have to agree that I was bored by this issue, and Frank's great return to the book wasnt anything special especially compared to his earlier work on the title.

Anthony L

[E-MAN]

THE ART is CRAP!!!

BRING SYLVESTRI BACK!!! or LEE...or KUBERT............Just end this title already!!


this art is crap, really...dumb, dumb , dumb!!


THE GUY CANNOT DRAW...AT ALL.....

[phoenix4rce]

Originally posted by E-MAN
THE ART is CRAP!!!

BRING SYLVESTRI BACK!!! or LEE...or KUBERT............Just end this title already!!


this art is crap, really...dumb, dumb , dumb!!


THE GUY CANNOT DRAW...AT ALL.....

Hey, to each his own.....;)

[Erwin Rafael]

Originally posted by E-MAN
THE ART is CRAP!!!

BRING SYLVESTRI BACK!!! or LEE...or KUBERT............Just end this title already!!


this art is crap, really...dumb, dumb , dumb!!


THE GUY CANNOT DRAW...AT ALL.....

he does not draw good looking and beautiful people (reminds you of the real world, right?), but his storytelling skills is dead on. anybody who read books on Body language would be amazed at how Quitely gets the correct body language, even the subtle ones, in almost every situation.

it's sad that people still read comic books when what they are expecting is a poster/pin-up book. maybe you should just buy the Marvel Swimsuit Editions. :)

[Anthony Lucynski]

Originally posted by E-MAN
THE ART is CRAP!!!

BRING SYLVESTRI BACK!!! or LEE...or KUBERT............Just end this title already!!


this art is crap, really...dumb, dumb , dumb!!


THE GUY CANNOT DRAW...AT ALL.....

Did you bother reading the contract before you signed up with X-fan? take a look at the rules man: We dont tolerate stuff like that here. If that's your cup of tea, you're more than welcome to visit other, less moderated sites. Please refrain from wasting bandwidth with posts like this in the future.

Anthony L

[xmanson2.0]

Why didn't they scan the minds of the gang, with all the informatiom they had.....it feels like they are tgose kind of parents that doesn't know how to deal with their problematic children until they do something really bad and they have to face it....

[Cable2x]

Very good issue. It's really building up. I just want to see Cyclops fry Quentin but I doubt it'll happen just like that.

[Rogue1969]

I want the review for 136 only for two reasons:
1) Enjoyed the comment and undertones of sensibility regarding Wolverine - that's all I'm saying just in case someone hasn't read the issue yet

2) The best part of this book - the subplot of Cyke and Emma continues.