NEW X-MEN #136 REVIEW

[Anthony Zisa]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen136.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen136t.jpg" align=left alt="New X-Men #136"></a>Reviewer: Anthony Zisa, PopinFrsh@aol.com
Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: When X is Not X

The special class passes its first test, while party crashers take the fun out of a U-Man's funeral!

Written by: Grant Morrison
Art by: Frank Quitely with Avalon Studios
Colors by: Chris Chuckry
Letters by: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Wes!
Assistant Editors: Mike Raicht & Nova Ren Suma
Editor: Mike Marts
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

Grant Morrison's New X-Men is a book built around ideas and concepts, fitting considering the long-standing ideological conflict inherant in the Xavier/Magneto rivalry. Morrison's work on the title has thusfar had a tendency to be strongest when he uses his considerable interest in the science and oddity surrounding the mutant universe, exploring the ideas of species, race, and mutation from the oddly skewed angles that exist in his mind. Morrison's perception of the X-Men is, at times, cracked--they are outsiders, and thus fringe culture would naturally push on the borderlands of belonging they inhabit.

This amalgamation of mad ideas with Morrison's talent for conveying the stranger aspects that would naturally arise in response to mutation provides for the strongest sequences in "When X is Not X." The spectacularly funny first page, which introduces the reader to the morbid way the U-Men honor their dead, shows Morrison at his finest, playing upon the strength of his ability to create strange characters and organizations. Nonetheless, the hilarity of "the day of the Recycled Man" soon gives way to a horrifying torture scene, as the Omega Gang crashes the party and let the U-Men know what they think of their extraordinarily "evangelical" "religion."

The irony of the "Riot at Xavier's" arc is that, halfway into the story (and three-fifths of the way through the complete story, if New X-Men #134 is included as the vital prologue), there is no riot. The school has not yet broken into violence. Rather, the "riot" in question is of the internal variety--a group of students led by a young man whose alienation in the fringe culture of mutancy has caused him to violently oppose the very system he believes responsible for allowing hatred to continue.

That Quentin Quire's radical belief system rivals, and indeed surpasses, the hatred he believes himself so justly raging against does not bother him. The history of militancy against oppression is littered with groups reacting with extreme violence to what they perceive as the greater threat to their inalienable human rights. One need only look as far as the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the separatist movements that spot the United States to see that history has a sad way of repeating itself, with the oppressed sometimes becoming the oppressors. Quentin Quire and his Omega Gang only represent the latest permutation of this ingrained violence in human (or, I suppose within the constraints of the fiction, post-human) society.

The greatest failing of "When X is Not X" (and the "Riot" arc thusfar) is the tangential nature of the Omega Gang's actions--they appear, do a little damage to a U-Man, X-Man, or bigot, and disappear. While the next issue will obviously be extremely "Riot"-centric, in something called "Riot at Xavier's," the expectation of widespead mayhem is one that needs to be fulfilled sooner, rather than later.

On the other hand, Morrison's focus on Xorn's special class makes up for the lack of that anarchic joy at which the Morrison/Quitely team is so wonderfully adept. They will most likely become extremely important in the scheme of the arc, as "When X is Not X" moves their development and teamwork ahead. Morrison's development of their team skills, the underlying nobility and care each shows for his or her fellow "freak within a group of freaks" proving an interesting contrast between the Omega Gang and the special class, one that will hopefully be further explored as the riot gets into full swing.

The stage is certainly set, with the chilling proclamation of "Year Zero" by Quire. A reference to the Cambodian genocide, and the crimes against humanity perpetrated by Pol Pot and creatures, this declaration of intent by the Omega Gang is tantamount to nothing but the declaration of a Mutant Reich. Having met Dith Pran, a survivor of the Cambodian killing fields, and having heard his stories of the atrocities he witnessed on a daily basis, Morrison's decision and wording cements the necessity for the X-Men to stop, if necessary permanantly, Quire and his cronies. Year Zero is certainly one of the more horrifying concepts Morrison has touched upon during his tenure on New X-Men.

Frank Quitely's storytelling in "When X is Not X" is quintessential Quitely. Even though he uses, for almost three quarters of the book, five panel spreads, he manages to pace "When X is Not X" extremely well. In addition, his character rendering is exquisite--Quitely's work is perfectly suited to Morrison's stories, and for this reason one must lament the fact that Quitely has been unable to contribute more artwork to Morrison's run. However, departing from last month's sharply inked issue, Quitely's work this month appears to be computer inked, which detracts severely from the overall affect. Quitely's work stands out best with sharp inks, and the softer inking job does not do justice to Quitely's exquisitely detailed work.

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely are gearing up for an astounding arc, but until the actual riot begins in force, their abilities cannot truly be showcased.

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)

[Erwin Rafael]

very insightful review, Anth. i'm happy that you review this issue not on superhero comic book standards because Morrison has turned New X-Men into something "other" than the traditional superhero book. your take is a real breath of fresh air... :)

right now, there are three sets of New X-Men in this book. 1) the New X-Men composed of the traditional team, which i think represent the acvtivist group who has lost their fire to beomce truly revolutionary and has settled into the "status quo", 2) the New X-Men composed of the Omega Gang, who are misguided in their revolutionary fire and has become extremists in the process, and 3) the New X-Men composed of Xorn's special class, whom i believe would serve as the middle-ground between the two other teams and would also be Morrison's model on how the X-Men should really be like...

[Hellion]

I enjoyed this issue. It was a little slow paced, but a good read. I do have one question though. What do people think of No Girl (I think that was her name)? Do you think there really is one, or just made up by Martha? It just seemed kind of strange to me.

[S3V3N]

I think No-Girl will be instrumental to saving the day.

[Wolverine]

This was an awesome issue and It sets up the huge climax that will happen in the next few issues

[Justclowes]

Personally i'm finding new x-men boring at the moment, i can't seem to take Quinten seriously as a villian i mean the x-men have fought the likes of apocalypse, magneto endless times but they are true villians (Quinten is just a weedy little messed up kid in all seriousness any of the x-men could take him down with very little effort) I'm really hoping this riot arc really heats up with the next issue & before i get a barrage of abuse i like the slow paced issues but come on nothing has really happened since that dreadfully drawn arc of weapon XII.

[anthony_lynch15]

Quinten is an a$$hole and he needs his head kicked in.

If it was real life I 'd never suggest such a thing........but seeing as its a comic..........new direction or not, I just want one of the x-men .. Don't care which one (Ernst can do it for all I care)
to kick his a$$.


Has anyone else noticed, that hes about to get access to cerbra!

I'm about ten seconds away from saying what I think might happen............so I'll cut myself off and spare the ramblings

[Alan Lynch]

Great review, and one I pretty much agree with. The "riot" in question has been far too long in coming, and I just hope that it's worth the wait. However, I'm glad of the time Xorn has had as I never cared much for him until this arc. Long may it continue. I agree with the earlier statement though: Quentin Quire should have been made out as more of a threat by now. I just can't see the X-Men struggling to beat him and the Omega Gang, especially with Prof X, Emma, Jean and Xorn on board. They're some heavy hitters. And the Scott/Emma scene (I won't spoil it) was superb.

[Andy James]

People on this board surely by now know my distaste for New X Men i wont go into that again now though ;)
the issue was ok to be honest, quite suprising. quitely is a good artist and avalon helped made his pencils seem more dyanmic.
appearances by the U men were welcome as that was the last arc of New X Men i enjoyed.
Still cant get over how annoying it is how the book is 90 percent dominated by the Students. We have 6 characters here that deserve some spotlight yet they are being overshadowed by a brain and a human fart???
Eh.
Hopefully the arc will provide a satisfactory conclusion and see Quire get his rear end handed to him for being so annoying.
My ranking 6/10

PS Is this the arc one of the characters dies in?

[DaveCummings]

A quick note about the inking. Anthony mentioned something about the inking being softer. Well, I just wanted to clarify that there was no inker. According to Joe Q, he said that most of this arc, the art is shot directly from Frank(vince's) pencils. This was Frank's idea.

But, yeah, it looks like it had a soft inking style, but this is the way I think that they should do other artist's work when they shoot from pencils. I mean, if they did that with Xtreme X Men, then I would be alot happier. Liquid makes no efforts to darken up the pencils at all. Which messes things up because you can look at a panel and see instructions left by Salva for the colorists on the final art still.

But, hey this no inking thing is still kinda new. But the best example is still any of J Scott Campbell's recent stuff, like Thundercats. I looks inked, but it is not.


~Dave

[Zachary J. Morrison]

Good review, Anthony. The issue didn't really interested me, because of the whole riot thing going on, but I can't wait for the riot to end. I miss seeing the major X-Men in the pages, meaning Jean, Scott, Logan, Emma, Xorn, and Charles...

[NicholasRogue]

I didn't like the conversation b/n the new students at all, it was way too slapstick and not my prefered standard of writing, Jean wasn't in it, Emma was a bitch- I didn't like it at all.

[Nick Costanzo]

I liked the dialog between the students. It sounded natural, the way kids would really talk (well, kids with freakish mutations anyway). It wouldn't make sense for them to make some kinda lengthy strategy speach or something stupid like that, they'd be more like "DAMN WE GONNA DIE" and "Shoot his ass, basilisk!" :LOL:

[Rogue1969]

Funny, I thought that many would comment on the affair between Emma and Scott which was the only real part that caught my attention - seeing as how they've been dancing around each other.
Man - I want to see a MAJOR ass kicking (Wolvie taking out Scott) for hurting Jean. Please just once, let me see Logan do some wonderful body damage to that anal retentive, (sorry this is only my opinion) sanctamonious, grating-on-the-nerves, whining, waste of space Scott.

The only other part that caught my attention was near the end after they had knocked out the Prof. While the 'gang' waits for the X-Men to come and kick their butts. I thought X-Men? Hell Jubilee could take this group out by herself and all she'd have to do is start talking. ;) It's like the riot itself - it SHOULD be as pathetic a riot as anyone has ever thought considering the age, experience and powers involved - I just find it sooooo lame. Funny enough I can see the posturing of Quentin - the "bring em on" mentality at the same time. That note hit true to me. Kids hopped up on drugs mixed with the average 'invincible - can never die' mentality is just right. The comment about Quentin having to deal with Wolverine, though truthful, didn't ( it was good to hear someone still considers Wolvie intimidating however :D). Perhaps if we had seen more interaction between the X-Men and these kids and how/when they developed both their fear/respect and even their disrespect of the team would have made this more 'buyable'; but the only teacher I've seen doing ANYTHING at that school is Emma. Jean's been in Hong Kong and who knows where. Hank seems totally wrapped up in the news media and making tittilating comments to egg things on just see what happens. Scott - wasting space (other than whining to Emma and having a psychic affair) and Logan is pretty much invisible in 'New' and when he is heard from he is merely a shell of his true self - a disinterested, shaman guru "I've studied human nature - sit back, contain the problem and don't look like an idiot". {What drugs is Logan on or who has taken possession of his body} That is not the REAL Logan. He would have demanded a couple of minutes alone with Quentin - or he even would have just threatened the kid to shape up with or without anyone else's agreement.

Maybe that's a bigger part of what has been bothering me about this arc. What SHOULD happen in this arc {i.e. the X-Men take out the omega gang in less than 5 minutes - and all that SHOULD be necessary is one of the team to do it} won't - in order to have this 'great fight scene' and fulfill the 'Riot at Xavier's' story arc {which will make the arc [in my opinion] pathetic, or the X-Men will take out the group in 5 minutes which makes a mockery of the entire arc 'Riot at Xaviers'.

Do hope I'm wrong - yup. I'd love to be wrong and get a ball to the head from out of left field so to speak.

Do I really think I'll be wrong? - nope. 23 years of reading comics (Marvel exclusively) has made me something of a cynic when it comes to this sort of thing. It's like they follow a formula or something. Intro, lead-up, fight, summary. Next arc.

I haven't given up completely on this book yet. Not being a fan of either Morrison or Quitely (nothing personal - just their style is not something I happen to appreciate) should speak to my dedication to the characters - I just really wish they would do something DIFFERENT! I cross my fingers and wait til next month and just hope I guess.

[Cable2x]

Here's one thing I want to hear soon and loud, right in front of Quinten:

OPTIC BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anthony Lucynski]

More and more i'm not enjoying this title.

More and more I wish I fealt the excitment of, say, E is for Extinction.

More and more I look less and less forward to both New and Uncanny (while having a re-newed interest in X-treme)

If the next arc doesnt wake me up, I may have to drop this title. But then again, silvestri will be on for four issues, right?

Anthony L

[Anthony Zisa]

Originally posted by Rogue1969
Maybe that's a bigger part of what has been bothering me about this arc. What SHOULD happen in this arc {i.e. the X-Men take out the omega gang in less than 5 minutes - and all that SHOULD be necessary is one of the team to do it} won't - in order to have this 'great fight scene' and fulfill the 'Riot at Xavier's' story arc {which will make the arc [in my opinion] pathetic, or the X-Men will take out the group in 5 minutes which makes a mockery of the entire arc 'Riot at Xaviers'.

The Vietcong fought the considerably better trained and funded American army to a standstill.

Quentin and company have the element of surprise on their hands, and a hostage to boot.

The fighting advantage is the X-men, but inexperience and less power doesn't automatically equate with a quick or easy victory.

--acz

[Rogue1969]

Originally posted by Anthony Zisa
The Vietcong fought the considerably better trained and funded American army to a standstill.

Quentin and company have the element of surprise on their hands, and a hostage to boot.

The fighting advantage is the X-men, but inexperience and less power doesn't automatically equate with a quick or easy victory.

--acz

Sure what you said is very true - but truly would the writers ever do the same to the Avengers - don't think so. And surprise - no. Quentin just announced to everyone within earshot of the blowhorn that they are taking over and advised that they have a hostage etc.

What they were pulling under the X-Men's noses - the assaults and murders of humans on the street etc. Fine that I can buy - I could even see them continuing with that activity for some time without the X-Men's knowledge or at least without getting caught. But this?

On the other side of things - Xavier got what he deserver. Yeah I know that was harsh, but how many times does the bald headed bud have to get his head boshed in before putting up or implementing some sort of psychic warning signal for himself? No one can tell me the prof. doesn't have the ability to keep up a low level scan that registers any thoughts of 'ill will' or 'hostility' directed his way. He could keep his morals intact as he wouldn't be reading thoughts only using his own version of Spiderman's 'spider sense' to recognize that he is entering a dangerous area, or confronting dangerous people :D

[Anthony Zisa]

Originally posted by Rogue1969
Sure what you said is very true - but truly would the writers ever do the same to the Avengers - don't think so.

Well, if it served the story, a talented writer would find a way to catch the Avengers off-guard in service of the story. And, under the current leadership of Marvel, I suspect such a story would be extremely well-received.

Originally posted by Rogue1969
And surprise - no. Quentin just announced to everyone within earshot of the blowhorn that they are taking over and advised that they have a hostage etc.

But they DID catch the X-Men by surprise. Morrison made no allusions to the X-Men believing that the most talented students in their school would hold the headmaster hostage and declare their intentions to start a riot. In addition, they timed the declaration for the worst possible moment--the X-Men, engrossed in preparing for the upcoming expo, were distracted from the very real problems in the school.

Don't forget, too, that the X-Men will find their hands particularly tied in this matter, because not only do they have the media watching this day of mutant/human mingling, they now have a media situation to deal with. And while they might have been able to beat the crap out of the Omega Gang in the privacy of the school, it's not media-friendly or good PR to be caught savaging your students on national television. :)

I'd say the Omega Gang, with careful planning for the correct date, has the X-Men bent over in this case, and are going to be significantly more difficult to deal with than your average villain.

--acz

[Erwin Rafael]

yes, this is not just a superhero vs. supervillain stuff. this is something like, if the President of the Philippines visits us here in th University in a grand occassion covered by media from all ove rthe world, and then suddenly, a bunch of activists conduct a lightning rally in the middle of the celebration, what would the university authorities do? would they whack the heads of these activists right in front of the cameras? :p

[the_neptune]

Originally posted by AnthonyL


More and more I look less and less forward to both New and Uncanny (while having a re-newed interest in X-treme)


Anthony L

glad you're coming to the dark side heh heh heh. Dont deny what you know feels so good (reading xtreme baby!) and soo natural.
before you know it, youll be totally envelopped with shicism that youll go back and buy all the back issues you missed.

its only a matter of time my friend. only a matter of time.

[Rogue1969]

Originally posted by Anthony Zisa
But they DID catch the X-Men by surprise. Morrison made no allusions to the X-Men believing that the most talented students in their school would hold the headmaster hostage and declare their intentions to start a riot. In addition, they timed the declaration for the worst possible moment--the X-Men, engrossed in preparing for the upcoming expo, were distracted from the very real problems in the school.

I believe we are looking at different aspects of surprised. I not saying the X-Men were expecting Quentin and company to pull something like this. So yes that would be a 'surprise'. How they deal with the 'surprise' is something else though. That is my point not so much the surprise portion. Anyone can be caught off guard - honestly it the tried and true method of how 95% of villians get the jump on the hero. :p My argument is based on what should happen in regards to this so called riot vs. what in all likelyhoood will happen in this so called riot.


Don't forget, too, that the X-Men will find their hands particularly tied in this matter, because not only do they have the media watching this day of mutant/human mingling, they now have a media situation to deal with. And while they might have been able to beat the crap out of the Omega Gang in the privacy of the school, it's not media-friendly or good PR to be caught savaging your students on national television. :)

This is my arguement - They have two very powerful telepaths on the X-Men team (Jean and Emma). With Jean away, Emma is still no pushover. What's more is that Emma could (and should) be able to deal with these kids without anyone being the wiser. Are we forgetting what she did with the media only a few issues ago. Or how she dealt with the whole angry mob before that? Are they going to tell me that Emma couldn't do anything even similar to Quentin and gang?? That she couldn't push their 'bliss' buttons until after the expo - rendering them harmless?? If she wanted she could even use the 'stepford sisters' who after all were able to take out some of the Shi'ar empire guards, not to mention being instrumental in dealing with Cassandra Nova.

So 1) Emma scans all or even just one of the 'gang's' minds to determine where they are, where Xavier is and what their plans are. 2) Emma shuts off their minds so they fall unconscious, or 3) Takes control of their minds and tells them to leave and go to their rooms or even to report for detention. End of riot - no fuss no muss. Or Emma tells the 'stepfords' to 'occupy' Quentin and friends until after the expo. - Considering their apparant skill - as shown in previous issues - again no fuss no muss.
Another option - Logan goes in to 'negotiate' with them. Might be a little more noisy but over within seconds. Emma being Emma wouldn't have any qualms to 'alter' any perceptions of guests who were privy too, or scared by any 'odd noises'.
Beast - see Logan's scenario above.
Scott - would probably take a few bruises as he tried to reason with them - and tried harder not to 'harm the children'.

Anything else, in my opinion cheapens the X-Men.

If Emma weren't the 'bending the rules' type of lady she currently is - okay maybe her morals would be outraged at the thought of taking control of the kids minds. But do you really think that would stop her in her current incarnation? No, me neither ;)


I'd say the Omega Gang, with careful planning for the correct date, has the X-Men bent over in this case, and are going to be significantly more difficult to deal with than your average villain.


:sigh: I think it best just to say we agree to disagree. :D

[BenedictX]

I really enjoyed this issue. Since his introduction, Xorn has become one of my favorite characters. This issue we got not only some Xorn spotlight time, but a hint at his incredible potential. Loved that. Also, i think Xorn verified that no-girl is indeed real, didn't he? Maybe I read that scene wrong.

As a teacher, I'm finding Morrison's portrayal of the students to be spot-on. This material in anyone else's hands might become cliche, dawson's creek (gack!) garbage, but here . . . love this too.

anway, i'm looking forward to where this is going. And i think the implication may be that Emma is distracted with the Scott business, and is so being taken off-guard.

BenX