NEW X-MEN YEAR-IN-REVIEW

[Brian Wilkinson]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen130.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen130t.jpg" align=left alt="New X-Men #130"></a>Reviewer: Brian E. Wilkinson, bewilkinson@yahoo.ca
Quick Rating: Great

A new look, a new attitude, and overall, a new X-Men for the millennium

Written by: Grant Morrison
Penciled by: Frank Quitely, Igor Kordey, Ethan Van Sciver, Phil Jimenez, Keron Grant, John Paul Leon
Inks by: Tim Townsend
Colors by: Chris Chuckry
Letters by: Comicraft’s Wes!
Assistant Editors: Pete Franco, Mike Raicht, and Nova Ren Suma
Editor: Mark Powers, Mike Marts
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

Over the past year I’ve found quite a few parallels between the characters in the book and the creative teams behind it. Both have become a melting pot of politically charged ideas, constant change, and a bit of controversy. In any case, it’s made for an interesting and fun year, whether you’re a fan of the X-Men or not.

Let’s talk about the comic first. I’ll admit that from the beginning I wasn’t a huge fan of the evolution of the X-Men. Spending the past 12 years getting to know the characters and the kinds of stories that one can expect, you can imagine that one deals with change badly. I’m used to creative teams coming and going, and ‘brand new’ directions that will ‘change the X-Men forever’ but never before did Marvel mean it. And perhaps that’s why the book works so well.

For one thing, the X-Men have slowly become the kinds of people they always wanted to be. The public knows about them, they’re taking steps to make sure that man and mutant can get along together, and they’ve even opened up the school to a decently sized student body. Though this last move had already been done in the pages of Generation X a couple of years ago, this time it’s actually being done properly.

And for myself and a lot of old readers, it’s a new world.

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen132.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen132t.jpg" align=right alt="New X-Men #132"></a>I don’t know these characters. Or at least, I don’t know them as well as I thought I did. They seem to have lost the humour and innocence that being young and full of adventure brings to them. Cyclops, Beast, Emma, Jean, Xavier, and Xorn are all relatively hardened individuals. Other than the running joke over Beast’s ‘supposed’ sexual preference switch, Morrison has essentially dropped the humour from this book.

In its stead we have a moving and compelling political drama. Whether it is Xavier taking steps with the X-Corporation to police the worlds mutant population, or the students within the school challenging the ideas that founded mutant rights, the X-Men have become more than super-heroes and are now politicians. They argue their cases, try to do what’s right, and fans seem to be enjoying it.

For my part, I’m enjoying it less than some. For one thing, I miss the super-hero side to the X-Men. While you could argue that I can get my fix in books like Uncanny X-Men or X-Treme X-Men I have only to argue that writer Mark Millar seems to have bridged this gap in the pages of Ultimate X-Men. Morrison has so many great villains (such as Cassandra Nova and the U-Men) that I wish he’d make them more of a threat to the team. Though personality clashes and bickering may tear them apart first.

Morrison instead has chosen to make the X-Men themselves both the heroes and the villains. Whether it is rebellion against Xavier’s new attitude, Jean and Scott’s crumbling marriage, or the introduction of at least a dozen new students to the book, Morrison has all the conflict one could hope for. I suppose I just miss the true peril that I’m used to in an X-Men book, but at least I’m not bored in the meanwhile.

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen127.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen127t.jpg" align=left alt="New X-Men #127"></a>Several new characters have joined the book over the past year, and while some are better than others, all work together to make the book a success. My favorite, though has to be Xorn. I’m not sure why I feel such an affinity for the character, but it reminds me of how impressed I was by the early designs for Chamber. Maybe I just find drastic and tragic mutations more interesting than the more subtle kinds. Perhaps it’s because these characters have to work so much harder to be human, and to enjoy the life that has been given to them.

Xorn works on a number of levels, though. For one thing, he could easily have switched gears after being imprisoned for so long and become a true threat to the world. Instead, he is a peace-loving and kind man who finds beauty in the most simple of things. The fact that he appears oblivious to the horrors of the world isn’t a fault in the character, but rather his strength. Xorn is perhaps one of the purest characters in the X-Canon.

Other characters haven’t impressed me as much. Most of the student body, in fact, I could do without. Though they provide an interesting foil for the X-Men, and are a great sounding board for political ideals, they haven’t been flushed out much yet. There are a few exceptions, such as Beak and Angel, though these two in particular are a bit confusing. Both have potential, but I was lead to believe they would be much more central to the book when each had their own cover, in full X-Men uniforms, early on in the year. Guess you can’t judge a book by its cover.

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen125.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen125t.jpg" align=right alt="New X-Men #125"></a>I’m pleased that Morrison hasn’t felt the need to juggle his cast around, though. You definitely get the feeling that he has specific plans for each and every person, and until he’s done with them, there will be no new blood. He makes up for this by shoving in several guest appearances by old characters like Rictor, Warpath, Feral, Cannonball, Multiple Man, Siryn, and more without any of these really stealing the spotlight. It’s a smart move, actually, as it makes for contented fans while not interrupting the core story.

I’d kind of like to see him make better use of Wolverine, though. Both he and Austen have been neglecting the character lately. Whether it is so that Chris Claremont can have him for a month or two over in X-Treme X-Men is unclear, but there is plenty of untapped potential there. Though, for once, the X-Men are about more than just one man.

Another complaint I may have about the book is that there are simply too many characters. Though it makes for a great book to read month after month, I’m still waiting to see a plot line involving Jean, Scott, and Emma to be tied up that was began months ago. Not since the potential love-triangle was first revealed has there been a hint of a follow-up. I’m used to Morrison’s writing style, and I don’t really mind the slow reveal, but I can see fans not used to this sort of direction becoming frustrated and confused by the books pacing.

I’m curious to see how Morrison will direct his book around May when the X-Men 2 movie hits theatres. The other books will be beginning new arcs featuring many of the characters from the movie, and though I can see the other core books doing admirably, I’m not quite sure how well New X-Men will fit in. Then again, the drastic costume change initiated by this title was partly a result of the first film.

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen134.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen134t.jpg" align=left alt="New X-Men #134"></a>This could easily be one of the best X-Men books that Marvel puts out, but it was one major factor working against it: the creative teams. Though Morrison has been a steady and strong writer for the series, we’ve seen several artists take on the book month after month when ‘regular’ series artist Frank Quitely wasn’t able to make his deadlines. This has left many fans complaining that the book doesn’t seem to flow from one issue to the next. Marvel assures us that this won’t be a problem for 2003, but it certainly was a detracting factor for the book in 2002.

Mike Marts, the senior editor for the X-Men line would like to see make sure they “have complete story arcs with one artist on all issues.” Above all, Marts wants “on time issues, great creators and more than a few surprises!” Something tells me he’ll get it.

“I really enjoyed New X-Men #132,” says assistant editor Mike Raicht. “Grant did a really great job and it was especially cool to have Phil Jimenez on board for that issue.”

“Consistency in our art teams is something which I think we're accomplishing now,” says Raicht about upcoming stories in 2003. “With four straight issues of Frank Quitely coming up and Phil Jimenez coming on board, I think fans are going to get consistent art to match Grant's great stories.”

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen124.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/newxmen124t.jpg" align=right alt="New X-Men #124"></a>Part of the blame for this could be attributed to the massive shake-up in the X-Office. Senior editors Mark Powers and Pete Franco were unexpectedly let go from their positions in April last year. Though Mike Raicht and Mike Marts have done a fantastic job of filling their shoes, many wondered how it affected the direction the series was going in. For one thing, editors are usually replaced when something isn’t quite up to snuff in their work. Marts and Raicht are well known for supporting their creative teams to take the books where they want them to go, so one has to wonder where the decision came from to remove Powers and Franco. Were they over-directing the teams, or was it just time to go?

This shake-up theme is present in the books as well. Readers aren’t completely sure where they are being directed to. Is this truly the X-Men for the new millennium, or is this merely one stage of Morrison’s master plan for the series? One thing is for sure, fans will flock to the title.

The major detractor for this series has been the problem with art teams, though Marvel is working fast to fix this problem for the next year. Overall, the well-used characters, the creative forms of storytelling (involving mass genocide, Weapon XIII, a riot, marital troubles, and spotlight issues) all work to make New X-Men a fantastic read.

“Things have been great,” says Raicht. “Working on the X-Men is a dream come true.”

“There are a couple surprising developments at the mansion early on in 2003,” says Raicht. “And a pretty awesome Wolverine story that I think fans are going to really go nuts for.”

And I can’t wait to read them.

ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxnone.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxnone.jpg

STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxnone.jpg

OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/nxnone.jpg

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

[Andy James]

Didnt really enjoy New at all in 2002.
I liked the first arc by Morrison and the beginning of the second but to me it all went down hill from there.
i think the art inconsistencies played a part in this as well.
im hoping 2003 will be a better one for the New X Men book

[Anthony Zisa]

Morrison has the world's crappiest luck when it comes to artists. He gets tons of great, talented people to draw his stories...

...but they're drawing random issues, destroying the momentum of his work. (You forgot Keron Grant's contribution, as well, Brian, though perhaps you're trying to supress it, as I did. ;))

Which is a shame, because I do believe Grant has something to say with the characters. I'm hoping that the limited artistic stability Phil Jiminez will give the book helps Morrison really get grooving again (though even that is going to be interrupted by Marc Silvestri).

I'm still enjoying the book, but I just don't anticipate it's release like I used to. I hope Morrison can recapture that excitement and mad thrill in 2003.

--acz

[BoomBot]

I image Morrison will be able to get fans excited again. I have that same feeling of a little less anticipation. Although, the end of 'Riot' seems to be good and 'Murder at the Mansion' seems like a big event.

I think Silvestri's arc will be after Jiminez's and 'Murder' so it shouldn't interrupt the art cycle.

[Alex Guillen]

overall after reading Morisson's New X-men for two years now, I havre to say that the artist situation really kills the stories, yes the top notch talenet is there but the feel of the book is lost when the artists change, it might be a good thing but you never seem to grasp the X-men cast artisitcally wise at least.
What I really enjoy about the book its the cast, emma always being bitchy and Jean's new power surge and Scott on the downside (actually I don't enjoy that:(
But the ,most interesting story this year had to be New #132, carefully crafted and featuring art by Phil Jimenez, Morisson relly showed us the horros of the Genosha attack and why the world is more dangerous than ever for mutants.
Hope to have back the New X-men as they should be in 2003.

[Fetsur]

Don't forget John Paul Leon's contributions either! (He did more issues than either Phil Jiminez or Keron Grant) :)

[Neolithic]

After E is for Extinction, I stopped buying this book. Morrison was all over the place with his characters and it seemed he was just dragging the reader around without solving any plot points. I want a super hero comic and New X-Men wasn't doing that. Hell, they barely use their powers much anymore in battle.

Don't get me started on Fantomex, either. Whoa.

I may pick up the book once the whole Jean/Cyclops/Emma thing gets resolved.

[harlekein]

Like Neolithic I dropped after a while, before the Fantomex stuff. I can't say Morrison work is bad perse, I just don't like it. It ain't really superheroics anymore like in Uncanny or X-Treme.

[Stormy]

Brian, can you explain how you can attach a rating of "great" to your review? I myself don't read New (Morrison's take on the X-men doesn't interest me), but based solely on your review, you list a number of complaints with the book (lack of major villains, cast bloating, Wolverine underuse, pacing problems, boring supporting cast, and that's even before mentioning the art!)

Why does X-fan bother assigning these quick ratings when 99% of all issues and titles get a 'good' or 'great'? It's become totally empty by this point. The X-books may be good and consistent, but they're not *that* good. Is it the lack of objectivity that comes with X-fans reviewing X-books?

Reading your review, I would've thought that "above average" would've been more apt; I really don't get the sense that you think New is "great".

[anthomaniac1023]

hrmmm, new could use some more focus, but it remains my favorite of the 3 core titles

[Fetsur]

Originally posted by Stormy
Brian, can you explain how you can attach a rating of "great" to your review? I myself don't read New (Morrison's take on the X-men doesn't interest me), but based solely on your review, you list a number of complaints with the book (lack of major villains, cast bloating, Wolverine underuse, pacing problems, boring supporting cast, and that's even before mentioning the art!)

Reading your review, I would've thought that "above average" would've been more apt; I really don't get the sense that you think New is "great".

Because, I assume, it's easier to list solid faults with a book and flesh these quibbles out than it is to explain why and how that book works at great lengths.

Also, these "faults" can sometimes be a blessing. For example, I think that last year had moments of brilliance and a certain disintegration when the various artists started alternating issues (it was six different artists in a row at one point). But at the same time I appreciated being exposed to so much great artwork from such a wonderful variety of artists, and while the writing lost some of its lustre I still found it very enjoyable.

(Though I certainly wouldn't have minded fifteen issues illustrated by Frank Quitely...)

[Invisible Man]

I only started buying into New X-Men recently, with #135. I put it off for a while because I was still upset about the costume change and the overall revamp of the first two core books. But when I chose to buy into Uncanny X-Men because of the change in writers, I also chose to buy into New X-Men because "Riot at Xavier's" is the story that finally got my attention. Since I missed most of 2002, I look forward to the stories to come this year. There's not a doubt in my mind that they will be worth reading.

[PsiWar]

Despite the gripes, i believe that this is one of the best times for the X-Men.

each and every book caters to different needs.

me? i've always wanted to see back then an X-men book with kind of a vertigo-esque stuff...not a dumbed down version Harras had back then. i consider myself as an adult and i want an x-men book that can cater to my market.

imagine my surprise after reading new x-men 114.

but when i feel nostalgia, i can always read x-treme. claremont has been a big part of my life.

...sorry chuck austen fans...i miss joe casey.


as for art, my only gripe was the obviously rushed work of igor kordey during morrisons first year. i liked kordey during the Weapon XII arc.

New X-men isn't your ordinary superhero book. thus, i feel IMHO it needs artists who can draw them closer to reality. Quitely is good...(and i'm thinking of Charest, Jae Lee...his shadows really give the illusion of real faces...Bryan Hitch...Deodato...)



any more thoughts?

[Angela Orosco]

OMG! How many bad remarks is this reviewer going to give this New X-men title? I think this title deserves an Excellent rating! It is by far better than Uncanny and X-treme. All the X-men are 99% more interesting. Everything they say gives them more character because Morrison does give great dialouge. The artists on this title have been great! Frank Quitely, Ethan, and Phil showed us how wonderful they are. I don't know how you could give this title that rating for the art. It deserves a 4 and a half for art. :O

I just can't believe how biased this reviewer is to this title.

This title has gotten the best ratings for a X-men title on any other site then this. This shows that this reviewer is no good reviewer at all.

Will I get banned for saying this?

Also everything he mentioned in his review was negative. So why did you give it a great rating if everything was negative? That really doesn't make any sense. Also I don't understand how X-treme X-men #16 got a beyond excellent review. That really shows this reviewer is one to not even pay any attention to.

[xstormfan]

i love New i think Morrison's writting is refreshing and that he has done a great job of bringing these characters into the21st century,sure we don't get to see people flying around in leotards anymore,but i for 1 don't miss it and i don't think the art hurt it that much either.

[Jackraow21]

I suppose I just miss the true peril that I’m used to in an X-Men book, but at least I’m not bored in the meanwhile.

:?

So Cassandra Nova exterminating 16 million mutants and then bringing the Shi'ar Empire to Earth to cleanse it of mutants didn't give you a sense of "true peril?"

How about the revelation that the Weapon X program was not the only one of its kind, rather it was merely one in a series of Programs (which have gone far beyond that now) that experiments on mutants to find better ways to kill them?

No? Jeez, I'd hate to see the kind of villain who does give you a sense of true peril.

As for the rest of your reveiw, I do agree with a lot of it. Morrison has finally taken the X-men into the 21st century, and I'm extremely thankful for it. This is, hands down, the best X-book on the market these days---regardless of the art situation. The others don't even come close.

Ultimate X-men---poorly redone versions of classic X-men tales.
X-treme X-men---stuck in the past.
Uncanny X-men---good characterization, but not very exciting villains.

This is THE X-book IMO, and 2003 is going to be incredible. The end of the 'Riot,' the resolution of the Emma/Scott/Jean triangle, Marc Silvestri drawing 'Assault on Weapon Plus," and Lord knows what else! Quite frankly (pun intended), I can't wait.

[Allison Wright]

The art in New has never bothered me, (except for the fact that Fathomex looks like Stormshadow from the old GI Joe cartoon.) Costume change was a good idea, never knew why someone like Wolverine would wear yellow to begin with. Speaking of Logan, I don't think he's been underused. He's typically in about five books at one time! The man can only do so much. ;)
Desiped the Scott/Jean/Emma thing. Scott's character did a complete 180 for no reason. :mad: I'm glad that subplot hasn't been around for a while.
The politics angle has been interesting. I didn't like the Cassandra Nova storyat first, but it grew on me. (I still think it was a basically an evil twin story)
One thing, I think there needs to be a slight bit more interaction between New and Uncanny. Iknow a lot of New fans don't like Uncanny, but both teams are based at the school. Logically they have to overlap sometimes. But it's like everyone disappears in each respective book. Theydon't have to be crossovers, just passing comments from time to time. Maybe have some people in the background.

[DCUnited]

Originally posted by Angela Orosco
I think this title deserves an Excellent rating! It is by far better than Uncanny and X-treme.

I just can't believe how biased this reviewer is to this title.

This title has gotten the best ratings for a X-men title on any other site then this. This shows that this reviewer is no good reviewer at all.

Also everything he mentioned in his review was negative. So why did you give it a great rating if everything was negative? That really doesn't make any sense. That really shows this reviewer is one to not even pay any attention to.
You said that you think that this title deserves an excellent rating. The thing is that that is what you think. The first post doesn't have your name attached to it so don't get so mad because someone has a different opinion than you. When you start writing reviews for this site you can give an excellent rating to every New X-Men book that comes out, but until then just calm down.

Again, every site but this one has given this title the best ratings and this proves that the reviewer is a bad reviewer how? Oh, I see, a reviewer is only good as long as their opinions agree with yours. How could I have possibly forgotten about that? Silly me.

The fact that he gave it a great for a rating should tell you something. It should tell you that he does indeed like the book, but all he had time to talk about right now was the obvious negative points. These are the things that stand out the most through out the year and thus should be focused on in a year-in-review article. This isn't an issue specific article which may be not be so negative, it's a review of the year as a whole. Those were some of the things that happened throughout the year, and while the individual stories may have been good they just don't stand out as much as the other things that were mentioned.

[Marty P]

I just don't like Morrison's version of the X-men. The only reason for me buying every issue, is just to keep the series complete. I have to admit that the current arc has got my attention, even if it is just a very little bit, though.
Silvestri's little run is the only thing that I'm looking forward to on New X-men this year.

[Zachary J. Morrison]

Great year-in-review, Brian! From the beginning of Grant Morrison's run on New X-Men, I've enjoyed reading all the issues he's done with this book. The first arc entitled "E is for Extinction" was good, but this book got way better with the artwork done by the other artists including Ethan Van Sciver, Phil Jimenez, Keron Grant, Jean Paul Leon, Igor Kordey, and Frank Quitely. Ethan was probably my most favorite New X-Men artist, while Phil Jimenez, Keron Grant, Jean Paul Leon were also my other favorites. Both Ethan and Phil made Jean look SOO hot & sexy, while they also made Logan and Scott look great. IMO, Frank's work made all the characters look too crinkly and old, when they didn't look like that way.

Oh and, by the way, did you forget to credit Leinil Yu...He did the New X-Men Annual 2001.

[Eric J. Moreels]

Originally posted by Angela Orosco
This title has gotten the best ratings for a X-men title on any other site then this. This shows that this reviewer is no good reviewer at all.

Will I get banned for saying this?

No. Warned most likely, but banned no. The thing you're obviously missing is that reviews are the personal opinion of the reviewer. So some are going to agree, whilst others, like you, are going to disagree.

Just because Brian's opinion doesn't gel with yours is absolutely no reason to call him a bad reviewer. In fact, it's downright rude to do so.

That really shows this reviewer is one to not even pay any attention to.

And this post shows that you're one poster to not even pay any attention to, unless you drastically change your attitude.

[raveneye]

New X-Men is easily the best of the X-Books. No, it's not the same old super hero antics, and thank god it's not. I appreciate the maturity, depth, and complexity of this book. I enjoy almost all of the X-Books almost all of the time, but New is in a league of it's own. (Well, maybe X-Statix is, too.)

[gatorgav]

I know this is kind of coming out of left field but, I just wanted to say that Ethan's art was definitely a bright spot in the title for 2002. The whole Dust issue just blew me away!:)
hehe of course that pretty much goes without saying:D

[FranklinRichard]

Yeah that issue was excellent...which brings me to another problem, the reviewer didn't mention dust at all, isn't she set to return after Riot at Xaviers?

[S3V3N]

RE: Artist Issue

Does anybody REALLY know why Marvel can't keep a single artist working on the X-books at all times (with the exception of X-treme)?

I hear this point raised a lot in reviews and forums, without explanation, and there doesn't seem to be any sort of solid reasoning offered by Marvel (just apologies now and then).

Is the industry that tapped for talent? Have the X-books created a stigma with the talent community?

Enquiring X-fans want to know! ;)

Originally posted by PsiWar
New X-men isn't your ordinary superhero book. thus, i feel IMHO it needs artists who can draw them closer to reality. Quitely is good...(and i'm thinking of Charest, Jae Lee...his shadows really give the illusion of real faces...Bryan Hitch...Deodato...)

any more thoughts?

GIVE US BILL SIENKIEWCZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
His art was sublime, dark, realistic and ahead of its time. A perfect match for the tone of NXM if you ask me. Wonder why they haven't asked him?

[Anthony Zisa]

Originally posted by S3V3N
RE: Artist Issue

Does anybody REALLY know why Marvel can't keep a single artist working on the X-books at all times (with the exception of X-treme)?

Poor planning and unrealistic expectations of the artists they've hired. Plus, sometimes it's just plain bad luck. Quitely is slow, but personal issues caused his output to trickle down to even less than normal. His fill-in, Ethan, was just as equally slow, and unfortunately wasn't much of a help with the deadlines. Thus, fast illustrators like Igor were often tapped with a scant few days to do entire issues.

However, Marvel's poor planning kicked in after the early emergency, and they once again kept scheduling different artists in different points in arcs, destroying the flow. What could have been easily controlled by reassigning Frank to an arc in the far-flung future, and getting a faster, more solid artist to illustrate through until then, was allowed to fester until the title was suffering.

Hopefully, Marvel's got it under control with Jiminez becoming new penciller, but I suppose we'll just have to wait and see if the train can get back on the rails.

--acz

[Spider-Wolf]

Well i have to say i reckon this review was pretty much spot on.

When i started reading comics through the claremont days i adored new xmen/uncanny xmen. however i had a brief period of about 5 yrs when i couldnt lay a hand on a comic and when i finally found a shop, the first comic i picked up was the very start of Morrisons run on New-Xmen. I loved it!!!! After about 5 issues of new x-men i decided to have a look back at my old claremont xmen comics. The thing was, was they were ok but they just didnt do anything for me anymore, they seemed outdated and thats the thing.

Morrison has updated and refreshed the whole comic. Hes taken old ideas - weapon x and injected new theories into them. U have to admit weapon x/weaon x program had become stale, old story but Grant has brought a new twist to it which adds more life. CasandraNova was a great villain - new and not a supervillain as such.

Admittedly apart from Kordey who was at best average, the artwork was good but just inconsistent, which spoils the look of a story. Quitely is an awesome artist and Marvel should put up with his slowish rate, he should def stay as the artist on new-xmen.

When u look at Xtreme xmen ith the whole Kang storyline i was bored out of my skul. Same old story, same old supervillain, nothin different. This is why Batman and Superman struggle to sell now, their to much in the past. Batman is my fav hero along with spiderman and the only reason it is selling well now is cuz of jim lees artwork. Loebs story is pretty average to be honest.

The ultimate xmen have done more to cyclops' character then in the whole history of the newxmen until recently. When he punched wolverine it was awesome. All Marvel need to keep doing is ultimatise a comic with an excellent consistent writer and artist. Hopefully Fantastic 4 will be ultimatised with waid and werringo as the team as there doing a good job on the oriinal.

[Jackraow21]

The ultimate xmen have done more to cyclops' character then in the whole history of the newxmen until recently. When he punched wolverine it was awesome. All Marvel need to keep doing is ultimatise a comic with an excellent consistent writer and artist. Hopefully Fantastic 4 will be ultimatised with waid and werringo as the team as there doing a good job on the oriinal.

Why would you Ultimatize the Fantastic Four with the same creative team on it that's on it now? Like you said, they're doing a good job on the original, so what would be the point of putting them on an Ultimate FF title?

[Brian Wilkinson]

What am I going to say about Dust?

She appeared. She has a power where she turns to dust/sand.

No one understands her. She doesn't speak.

She stopped being in the book.


I dunno. I'm curious about her, and she got a lovely cover (sort of) to herself, after that, she's gone. Like I said, I'm INTERESTED in all of these various plots, but they need to go somewhere faster than they are.

Actually, I'm kind of impressed that several things over the past year have escaped my notice in this review. It means that Morrison has been busy in the book and knows how to tell more than one giant story at once.

Good book.

And Angela, I appreciate the thoughts and the criticism, but X-Fan is right and you do indeed miss the point of the reviews.

You are more than entitled to your thoughts on the matter as long as you back them up, but just so know, put-downs and other rudeness often result in warnings.

[Wolverine]

2003 is going to be soooooooo mad with More of the Team supreme Grant Morrison, Frank Quitley, Phil Jimez and Marc silverstri. I'm not going to miss a page!

[Drackdallion]

I haven´t liked at all Morrison´s take of the book, at first I was excited ´cause a revamp usually means good things, and for a while It kinda did, I liked the new costumes, the new attitude of some of the characters (Emma and Cyclops), and the creation of new and interesting villains like Cassandra Nova or Sublime. Then it all started to bore me, the never-regular art, sometimes amazing (Jimenez, Ethan, Quitely, Grant) sometimes just crappy (Kordey, Leon) really puts readers off. The New "Boston Public" flavor of the book also isn´t really appealling, too many students portrayed or in the spotlight for an issue or two and later forgotten, not enough adventure, or better, stories with absolutely no sense or feeling of being a real adventure like in the old times. Or the introducction of new members like Xorn, who later do nothing in the book but teach a class of mind-kids. He hasn´t been on a real mission with the team, heck!, I don´t think he has had an on-panel conversation in the book with anyone except Cyclops.

Change isn´t always good, now I know. Specially when it totally disregards who the characters have benn for the last 30 or so years, turning them into unkowns.

X-treme X-men is an amazing book, new and old things thown into a blender creating amazing stuff. The sam is happening with Austen´s UncaNNY, wichhas turned it into my numer one x-book out here.

[Howlin James]

I for one really enjoyed Grant's take on New X-men, and can't wait until Phil Jiminez comes aboard with some more kick ass asrt work!!!!

:beast: :emma: :jean: :logan: :chuck: :manroomx: :cyke:

[russbrett77]

To sum up New X-Men in 2002: Great ideas, poor follow through.

I think Grant has spent so much time making the X-Men more interesting, that he forgot he was writing X-Men. I would have been very curious to see how a different writer handled Morrison's plots.

Sentinels wiping out 16 million mutants in Genosha: Great idea. In actuality it was a hyped up "evil-twin" storyline that had no repercussions (yes, the death of 16 million mutants has yet to have repercussions upon our merry mutants).

Humans who envy mutants and their powers and try to become mutants themselves: Great idea.
Too bad the U-Men themselves were weak characters. Perhaps if we got to know them a little bit more instead of them just being "anonymous guys in suits" I would have cared. No serious repercussions from this storyline either (except for the re-emergence of uber-Jean).

A mutant so dangerous that not even Xavier's more experienced students can handle it: Great idea.
What we got was a convoluted story about a "mysterious" character (like we don't have enough of those), who knows everything about everyone, and acts more like a villain then a hero, who screws with the minds of two of the greatest telepaths on the planet (who, by the way, spend the entire time ignoring the fact that their friends may be dead or dying), and is subsequently set free by Jean after he callously murders one of her teammates (but not after revealing to her that he's been lying to her and Xavier the whole time). Bad story, period.

9/11 / Genosha tribute story: Nice story, but certainly nothing spectacular.

Emma and Scott Psychic Affair: Very interesting idea.
Too bad we haven't seen much development with this storyline. I would be most interested in knowing Scott's rationalization for his actions. So far we have had nothing except bearing witness to excerpts of the flirtation.

An Afghani mutant: Controversial (but only based on the current political climate)
I was expecting so much from Dust. As yet, Grant has yet to deliver. I guess we'll have to wait and see what he does (perhaps she is the one to die in the "Murder at Xavier's" arc; hate crime and all that; or perhaps she is the suspected murderer).

Xavier's students riot and bring down the school from the inside: Great idea.
Issue #134 was hands down the greatest X-Men issue of 2002. Grant started the Riot story arc in a BIG way. Too bad the subsequent issues have been a bit of a let down. Since it's not over yet I reserve judgement, but neither #135 or #136 have lived up to the expectation set in #134, or the hype surrounding this book (and this arc in particular).

Final thoughts:
Morrison trult shines while writing character's of his own creation. The current handling of Xorn and the Special Class in #136 is proof positive of this. Marvel should consider a new X-Men book centered around the students, and this is the book Grant should be writing. That way he doesn't need to worry about messy continuity or consistent characterization.

New X-Men: 2002 in Review
Great ideas, poor follow through.

[Negasonic Warhead]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Neolithic
[B]
Don't get me started on Fantomex, either. Whoa.

Yeah, that's how I felt at first about the character, but when I reread the whole Fantomex arc, there's a lot there that I didn't pick up on at first. I was so busy bad-mouthing it that I didn't catch on to the potential of this character. I think Morrison has managed to create an interesting new character; and I'm pretty sure most of the burning questions about Fantomex will be resolved before the end of Morrison's run.

[Nick Costanzo]

Ok, before I begin I gotta make ONE stab at good ol' Brian... i WONDER what rating Xtreme'll get... hehe

I agree with pretty much everything you said. I loved the stories but even I got sick of the rotating art in Imperial (when it was at its worst). But this book has peril, drama, relevance, and though you dont seem to think so humor (though admittedly it is pretty dark humor).

When everything is done right, this book outshines all the rest by a HUGE margin. Hopefully we'll see alot more of that quality as the next year unfolds!

[Jackraow21]

I think Grant has spent so much time making the X-Men more interesting, that he forgot he was writing X-Men. I would have been very curious to see how a different writer handled Morrison's plots.

I wouldn't. IMO the fact that Grant "forgot he was writing X-men" was a good thing. Finally we're not getting the same old hackneyed, sappy dialogue. We've moved beyond storyline after storyline that will "change the X-men forever" but never really does. The X-men have finally grown up and come into their own, and it's brilliant IMO.

Sentinels wiping out 16 million mutants in Genosha: Great idea. In actuality it was a hyped up "evil-twin" storyline that had no repercussions (yes, the death of 16 million mutants has yet to have repercussions upon our merry mutants).

Really? You mean New X-men #132 wasn't enough to convince you that it had some repercussions? How about Xavier and the X-men being publicly outed? Or the breakup of Hank and Trish Tilby? Or Xavier and Lilandra's "divorce" and the Shi'ar Empire's refusal to have anything to do with mutants or the planet Earth anymore? Scott and Jean's marriage going down the tubes? Xavier walking again? None of these are repercussions of that storyline? Jeez, I'd hate to see what you call repercussions. IMO it sure beats making it seem as though two major characters have died only to have them pull through in some hackneyed life after death scene. But maybe that's just me.;)

Humans who envy mutants and their powers and try to become mutants themselves: Great idea.
Too bad the U-Men themselves were weak characters. Perhaps if we got to know them a little bit more instead of them just being "anonymous guys in suits" I would have cared. No serious repercussions from this storyline either (except for the re-emergence of uber-Jean).

I'd agree with you on this one, but I don't think Grant's quite done with the U-men. So I'll reserve judgement until he is. However, the re-emergence of the Phoenix is a pretty big deal IMO.

A mutant so dangerous that not even Xavier's more experienced students can handle it: Great idea.
What we got was a convoluted story about a "mysterious" character (like we don't have enough of those), who knows everything about everyone, and acts more like a villain then a hero, who screws with the minds of two of the greatest telepaths on the planet (who, by the way, spend the entire time ignoring the fact that their friends may be dead or dying), and is subsequently set free by Jean after he callously murders one of her teammates (but not after revealing to her that he's been lying to her and Xavier the whole time). Bad story, period.

Did we read the same story? Cause the one I read added an incredibly new and interesting layer of depth to the previously stale and beaten to death origin of Wolverine. It introduced an exciting new character who is completely different from anyone we've seen before. And as for Jean "setting Fantomex free after he callously murders one of her teammates," well, I think it was pretty obvious that Darkstar was gone the moment Weapon XII touched her. Like some nano-tech-infected vampire, she was already dead. And Jean let him go because she didn't want the Weapon Plus folks to get their hands on him again.

I thought it was a brilliant story. Period.

9/11 / Genosha tribute story: Nice story, but certainly nothing spectacular.

Aside from Jiminez's artwork I'd have to agree.

Emma and Scott Psychic Affair: Very interesting idea.
Too bad we haven't seen much development with this storyline. I would be most interested in knowing Scott's rationalization for his actions. So far we have had nothing except bearing witness to excerpts of the flirtation.

Don't worry. I have a feeling the $#!t's gonna hit the fan soon.

An Afghani mutant: Controversial (but only based on the current political climate). I was expecting so much from Dust. As yet, Grant has yet to deliver. I guess we'll have to wait and see what he does (perhaps she is the one to die in the "Murder at Xavier's" arc; hate crime and all that; or perhaps she is the suspected murderer).

Again, I'm sure Grant will get to her in time. Much of your criticism of his work is based upon things that haven't even happened, but that you think might not be addressed. Have a little faith.

Xavier's students riot and bring down the school from the inside: Great idea. Issue #134 was hands down the greatest X-Men issue of 2002. Grant started the Riot story arc in a BIG way. Too bad the subsequent issues have been a bit of a let down. Since it's not over yet I reserve judgement, but neither #135 or #136 have lived up to the expectation set in #134, or the hype surrounding this book (and this arc in particular).

Again, the story's not over. After issues 137 and 138 we'll see if you still feel the same way.

[Mr. Brootz]

I agree with basically everything Jackraow21 said.

Except for #132. I really loved that story, and it was one of my favorite issues of the year. Maybe I'm biased because I'm a huge Polaris fan, I dunno.

[russbrett77]

Originally posted by Jackraow21
Finally we're not getting the same old hackneyed, sappy dialogue. We've moved beyond storyline after storyline that will "change the X-men forever" but never really does. The X-men have finally grown up and come into their own, and it's brilliant IMO.


Admit it. You copied that from a solicitation for New X-Men in Wizard, didn't you.


Really? You mean New X-men #132 wasn't enough to convince you that it had some repercussions?

Nope. Bunch of mutants cleaning up the remains of a fallen empire. Nothing really going on there.

How about Xavier and the X-men being publicly outed?

It didn't really change anything did it? The X-Men are still being portrayed the same way in the media, they are still "mutants who live in a world that fears and hates them." Only difference, is now the reporters know which door to knock on.

Remember, Xavier has been the "face" of the mutants problem since the beginning. Whenever a mutant issue came up, it was either him or Moira who were making the rounds on the news shows. Now people know he's a mutant. Has anything really changed?

Or the breakup of Hank and Trish Tilby?

I don't see how this is a repercussion of Cassandra. Trish has always been about the story first. It's not like they haven't broken up over a story before (remember the Legacy Virus?).

Or Xavier and Lilandra's "divorce" and the Shi'ar Empire's refusal to have anything to do with mutants or the planet Earth anymore?

I can't say. Nothing has been done with these storylines since then. Hence: no repercussion.

Scott and Jean's marriage going down the tubes?

How are the two related?

Xavier walking again?

Ok, you got me on this one. But again, how has this actually impacted the X-Men's lives?


Jeez, I'd hate to see what you call repercussions. IMO it sure beats making it seem as though two major characters have died only to have them pull through in some hackneyed life after death scene. But maybe that's just me.;)

I was looking for actual character development directly linked to the destruction of Genosha (we might get something ftom Lorna, so I'm holding out hope). The X-Men were like, "boo-hoo, Genosha was destroyed, what a waste of life... what's for dinner? Quentin is the first person we've seen truly reacting to what happened in Genosha and trying to do something about it. Unfortunately it was not even Genosha that was the catalyst, but the death of Jumbo Carnation and his discovery of being adopted.

And since this is a New X-Men review threadm I did not feel the need to bring up X-Treme X-Men. They are two completely different books. If you need to bring up the shortcomings of one to defend the other, perhaps what you are defending is not worth it.

Did we read the same story? Cause the one I read added an incredibly new and interesting layer of depth to the previously stale and beaten to death origin of Wolverine. It introduced an exciting new character who is completely different from anyone we've seen before. And as for Jean "setting Fantomex free after he callously murders one of her teammates," well, I think it was pretty obvious that Darkstar was gone the moment Weapon XII touched her. Like some nano-tech-infected vampire, she was already dead. And Jean let him go because she didn't want the Weapon Plus folks to get their hands on him again.

Weapon Plus: The storyline has grown on me, but I can't fully commit to liking the idea because I think this all about a Grant ego trip. I think he's only interested in turning everything we know about the X-Men on their heads, and damned be the way he do it.

Fantomex: I would hardly call him "completely different from anyone we've ever seen before." He has striking resemblances to Gambit, Deadpool, and the guy from GI Joe.

Darkstar: This was argued ad nauseum when the issue came out. I think there are serious arguments to be made on both Fantomex's and Jean's behavior. But I refuse to get into them again. Once was enough.

Again, I'm sure Grant will get to her in time. Much of your criticism of his work is based upon things that haven't even happened, but that you think might not be addressed. Have a little faith.

I wasn't criticising. Just pointing out what I'm looking forward to.

[PsiWar]

Originally posted by russbrett77

And since this is a New X-Men review threadm I did not feel the need to bring up X-Treme X-Men. They are two completely different books. If you need to bring up the shortcomings of one to defend the other, perhaps what you are defending is not worth it.




* on detox from psychic amphetamine

hmm.

i'd like to see your opinion/s when the review for x-treme x-men comes out.

:emma:

[russbrett77]

Originally posted by PsiWar
* on detox from psychic amphetamine

hmm.

i'd like to see your opinion/s when the review for x-treme x-men comes out.

:emma:


I can assure you, my opinions on X-Treme will be just as straight-forward and honest as were my review for New.

I do my best to be as objective as possible when forming an opinion of these books (though there will always be a measure of subjectivity in my enjoyment of them). I'm not someone who will praise X-Treme simply because Claremont is writing it. My endorsement needs to be earned (not that it actually means anything, but then what would be the point of these message boards).

[russbrett77]

Originally posted by Jackraow21
Really? You mean New X-men #132 wasn't enough to convince you that it had some repercussions? How about Xavier and the X-men being publicly outed? Or the breakup of Hank and Trish Tilby? Or Xavier and Lilandra's "divorce" and the Shi'ar Empire's refusal to have anything to do with mutants or the planet Earth anymore? Scott and Jean's marriage going down the tubes? Xavier walking again? None of these are repercussions of that storyline? Jeez, I'd hate to see what you call repercussions. IMO it sure beats making it seem as though two major characters have died only to have them pull through in some hackneyed life after death scene. But maybe that's just me.;)

Just to clarify my earlier comments; the following is precisely what I was looking for in way of repercussions (it's like Claremont read my mind).

Originally posted by Chris Claremont
Sixteen million people died when Cassandra Nova's uber-Sentinel annihilated Genosha. Now, a group of survivors - ordinary citizens of that country, some mutant, some not - have banded together to exact what they consider is appropriate (and Biblical) retribution on the world at large that stood by and allowed their country, their friends, their families be murdered. In all the time that's passed since that terrible event, one has been publicly and legally brought to account for that crime against humanity, and for all these people know it could happen again, anytime, anywhere, to any group of mutants seeking to build a decent life and homeland for themselves. They don't consider this terrorism - terrorism was what was done to them in the first place, they consider it justice. Eye for eye, life for life."


I can't wait for this arc. I am a little surprised to see it in X-Treme though, rather than New.

[Tan K.]

russbrett77, you pretty much summed up my thoughts on New XM. I have made my opinions clear in the past, but you clarified them better. Good concepts, poor follow through. However, I am planning (assuming life will allow it) on giving an in depth personal take on NXM and maybe xxm/unxm, so I'll hold off on more anaysis.

[mutant freak]

I HAVE enjoyed the run grant has provided on new x-men very musc. His concepts and ideas are awesome and are just what the x-men needed . I can only pray that we have more of grants excellent stories in all the x-books.

[Raiden]

I'm a Grant fan and I had trouble accepting the New X-men. It was a little to damn different for me at first. It has however grown into a great comic. Morrison has really taken the X-men to a strange new but interesting place. I like the pacing and the fact that they don't run out and fight every issue. The artist situation is ridiculous. It ruins the flow of the series for me. I loved Quitely's work though. I really wish he could have stringed together a longer more consistent arc. Jimenez was great! I look forward to seeing his future issues. The rest, even though I like them, can get lost. They just don't fit here.

[evenstar]

I read X-men for 10 years and then on and off for about 5 years. I started reading it again when Grant Morrison started writing. I have to say that I've been very disappointed with most of this years stories. I very much enjoyed the beginning of Grant's run but then the stories got bogged down in hate and darkness. The book just doesn't make me feel anything more than annoyance recently. I expect better stories than that. I've got a subscription, but if things don't improve, I'll be giving up on this series once the subscription runs out.