X-MEN UNLIMITED #49 REVIEW

[Al Harahap]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/xmunl-49.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/xmunl-49t.jpg" align=left alt="X-Men Unlimited #49"></a>Reviewer: Al Harahap, alharahap@xfan.cjb.net
Quick Rating: Good

Story Title: Untitled

Nightcrawler must venture alone into a strange, underground world to rescue a kidnapped surface girl.

Written by: Bill Willingham
Illustrated by: Kelsey Shannon
Coloured by: Kelsey Shannon and Guru EFX
Lettered by: Randy Gentile
Cover by: Joshua Middleton
Assistant Editor: Stephanie Moore
Editors: C.B. Cebulski
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

Scribe Bill Willingham (Fables, Elementals) brings his brand of hijinks and misadventures into the world of the X-Men with this issue of X-Men Unlimited starring everyone’s favourite swashbuckling elvish mutant, Nightcrawler. Willingham sets up the issue-long story quite nicely with Nightcrawler (and Cyclops) on a mission that’s acknowledged by the rest of the X-Men at the mansions. So, unlike some X-Men Unlimited stories, there’s less of a detached “when the hell did this happen?” feeling for continuity enthusiasts. And we all know the numbers are huge amongst X-fans.

The premise of the story uses the typical “isolated civilisation/culture kidnaps girl/woman/virgin for their own benefit” template. But Willingham puts his own interesting spin. The fact that this unnamed subterranean race is kidnapping girls once every generation to diversify their genes, as not to become biologically decrepit inbreds, truly shows Willingham’s creativity and intelligence. It's reminiscent of how writer Mark Waid often uses science-related plot devices for JLA and Fantastic Four stories. Being scientifically aware and correct isn’t a requirement to write comics, but every time I read a story whose writers are knowledgeable in that area, it’s just that much more of an enriched reading experience – not to mention educational. Willingham does take some liberties by introducing this “new” and unrecorded subterranean race, which could be perceived as somewhat of a copout. But really, all he’s done is give himself a clean slate to work with, instead of having to work with the convoluted histories and continuities of those such as the Morlocks or the Mole Man’s Moloids, and therefore giving much leeway for himself to focus on developing a quality story.

Most fans of Nightcrawler will love Willingham’s take on the character, as it harkens back to his pre-brooding days of yesteryear. Who doesn’t love the Nightcrawler of witty quips and blasé attitude? Don’t be expecting the angsty Nightcrawler of Uncanny X-Men because you won’t find him here. Yes, I realise that that Nightcrawler is attempting to reach back into his roots, but with the book's attention divided between his plethora of teammates, I’m not so sure it’ll be soon, if ever. In this issue, you’ll find the Nightcrawler who’s full of bravado in both speech and action/combat, and who nonchalantly hits on women – the quintessential Nightcrawler. Perhaps a little too exaggerated in one or two scenes. Although, it might just feel that way after years and years of an overbrooding Nightcrawler. The news interview scene where he toys with the reporter is especially representative of the character’s personality fans had grown to love.

Joining Willingham is artist Kelsey Shannon (Bastard Samurai), who regards his style as “ghetto-manga,” like that of originator art house, Ghostwerks. Now, I’m a big fan of manga, and frankly, not one who likes pseudo manga styles like this or “Amerimanga.” However, Shannon’s style is just so appropriate for the mood of the story and Willingham’s rendition of the happy-go-lucky Nightcrawler, that I couldn’t help but warm up to it. There are a couple of problems I have with the art though. First of all, the non-use of inks takes away whole dimensions from the scenes. Shannon and Guru EFX instead use darker shades of colours to accentuate lines and shading. But I’ve always felt that the unorthodox effect this creates is better used for irregular scenes such as flashbacks or dream sequences. Here, all it does is make the whole mood of the issue overly cartoony. Secondly, I find Shannon’s depiction of the underground race’s culture to have an Arabian influence to be unbelievable for one that resides under New Mexico. In my opinion, original cultural trademarks that're unlike any familiar ones would’ve been better suited, especially to go along with Willingham’s intent. Also, the lines are inconsistent in certain places, most notably in the epilogue with Sammy, where it looks very rushed. But overall, Shannon’s dynamic angles and moods are a fitting choice for this story.

As for the story itself, the only I problem I have is with the sudden moral lecture by Nightcrawler to Sammy during the epilogue. It feels forced, like one of those one-minute moral lessons at the end of 80’s cartoons. Although, the subjects Nightcrawler speaks of – such as pride, honour, promise, and the typical mutant prejudice talk – do correlate to the scenes throughout the issue. And the dialogue itself is very well written. It’s just that it came out of left field and feels patronising because of the sudden shift in mood and tone.

Overall, this issue has it all – drama, action, comedy. I haven’t been piqued by an issue of X-Men Unlimited for months. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come. I think the whole-issue format (as opposed to the two half-issue short stories) also has a lot to do with it, since writers are able to develop their stories and flesh out their characters without limiting page restrictions. Willingham proves that here with his treatment of Nightcrawler, and makes me want to see his take on other X-characters. Give this guy an X-book!


ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=223&cat=X%2DMEN+UNLIMITED)

[thewrite1]

I agree with the whole review. The costumes of the underground race did seem out of place, and I didn't realise it was Sammy with Kurt at the end. The interview was hilarious but the lecture at the end could have been shorter and sweeter. I really enjoyed this issue.

[Zachary J. Morrison]

The issue looked good, but I wasn't into the art. I might pick up this issue this coming week maybe.

[Airhead]

Good review!
I agree totally!

[Rictor]

Very well written review and i must say im glad its full length. xmen unlimited has always been the ugly duckling of the collection. I had high hopes for the betsy issue, but apart from an AWESOME cover it was a bit...meh, so hopefully its a sign that there are more good'uns to come.

Oh, and since when did ron livingston become a horseman of apocalypse!?!?!? ha ha

[Riliss]

my favourite issue of X-Men Unlimited ever. i'd love to see this team take on an ongoing Nightcrawler series.

[UMichWolverine]

This issue was good. I enjoyed it quite a bit. My only minor quibble is that Sammy, (if that truly is him, we never did get a name for him) now looks like a Catfish.

[zookeeper]

Originally posted by Al Harahap
Most fans of Nightcrawler will love Willingham’s take on the character, as it harkens back to his pre-brooding days of yesteryear. Who doesn’t love the Nightcrawler of witty quips and blasé attitude? Don’t be expecting the angsty Nightcrawler of Uncanny X-Men because you won’t find him here. Yes, I realise that that Nightcrawler is attempting to reach back into his roots, but with the book's attention divided between his plethora of teammates, I’m not so sure it’ll be soon, if ever. In this issue, you’ll find the Nightcrawler who’s full of bravado in both speech and action/combat, and who nonchalantly hits on women – the quintessential Nightcrawler. Perhaps a little too exaggerated in one or two scenes. Although, it might just feel that way after years and years of an overbrooding Nightcrawler. The news interview scene where he toys with the reporter is especially representative of the character’s personality fans had grown to love.


Thank goodness. Kurt certainly needed a break.

This issue was more interesting than any issue of Uncanny in about six months.

Well articulated review Mr. Harahap.

[silverboy]

Well, I have to whole-heartedly disagree with everyone on this issue. I hated it...it was boring, irrelevent, uncharacteristic of Kurt and just all-around not well thought out. The plot was disgraceful. The only saving grace was the pretty art.

[Suzene]

Originally posted by Al Harahap
Don’t be expecting the angsty Nightcrawler of Uncanny X-Men because you won’t find him here.

Thank God, I say! Nightcrawler's faith was always shown to be an important part of his life back in the day, but somewhere along the line the people handling the writing lost all sense of subtlety and perspective and set aboui making it very damn near his [b]only defining characteristic. (Though I thought the "Holy War" story in UXM was utterly wretched in all aspects of its execution, I will at least give Austen props for making the attempt to rip Kurt away from the priesthood thing.) The break was, to say the least, refreshing.

I'll agree with Mr. Harahap with the writing quality of this issue. I picked this one up not for the nice Nightie art on the cover, but because I saw Willingham's name. I adore "Fables" and just had to see what he had planned for Nightcrawler...or maybe it was seeing Kurt represented in the old-school costume that gave me hope. Either way, I'm glad I picked this up. Even more than the joie de vivre and wit shown in every aspect of the character, it's nice to see a member of the X-Men acting intelligently and utterly selflessly once in a while. I still love the many of the characters in the various X-Titles, but most of what I've seen of them lately has them acting like endlessly self-pitying gits. As the story demonstrates, honor is all well and good, but one's personal goals sometimes have to be set aside in favor duty...especially when someone else is depending on you. I agree the end was a bit preachy, but the rest of the issue was such a treat that I wasn't inclined to be too upset about how it closed.

The art was another thing altogether. I thought the colors were appropriate to the tone of the story, but I just couldn't get past the style. I thought Kurt looked like The Joker from the Batman animated series, and the lack of inks on Nightcrawler's dark blue fur really made it look as if he was surrounded by halos left over from a bad Photoshop job most of the time.

As much as I liked this, though, I wouldn't want to see Willingham on an X-Book. An on-going series would likely suffer massive editorial interferance, and I don't know that Willingham is a big enough name to demand complete creative control. I'd rather savor a one-time treat than have to choke down a watered-down, flavorless imitation later down the line.

Suzene

[Hellion]

This issue made me realize how much I have missed the "fun" Kurt. I loved the interview at the end, this is how he should be written!

[Merlin]

I read in an interview with Bill Willingham that this issue was going to be just a fun Shawbucking Nightcrawler story.
And it was, I grew up reading Excalibur in the 90's with Kurt (instead of the uncanny's and other x-men) and this is the Kurt I've been missing since Chris C. and Joe C. and Alan D. wrote him in uncanny. I hope Chuck follows Bill's design. He has said he will.

One more comment:
What is the status of X-men Unlimited ??? is there going to be a comic after this months number 50?????????
According to the wizard x-men special unlimited will continue after #50. With more stories from different creators but for the past to months previews there has been no information??
Should we be worried??

[Cabbit]

swashbuckleness! :yes:

The art was extreamly cartoonie, which didn't really bother me that much since i'm a manga convertee; the sheer oddness of the issue compeled me to buy it.

It's nice to know that the fun Kurt still exists.

ah, btw at first glance "Sammy" looks like an old lady... O_o

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-6/234277/bamf.gif
-excalibur fan

[giantpacoctopus]

The story totally reminded me of the Nightcrawler mini from the 80s that involved swashbuckling pirates, Kitty, Illyanna and Lockheed (sorry it's been about 20 yrs since I read it- that's all I remember). At first I didn't like it but over the last few days I've thought about it and warmed to it a bit.

The art, however, I didn't like at all. This is the first time I've ever mentioned anything other than positive about an artist's work here on the boards. I found the style to be confused and over-simplified. I like Japanese influences but this didn't work for me. In particular, the well-lit pages were hideous (compared to the darker colored pages). Simple description, yes.

[thewrite1]

Originally posted by giantpacoctopus
[B]The story totally reminded me of the Nightcrawler mini from the 90s that involved swashbuckling pirates, Kitty, Illyanna and Lockheed (sorry it's been about 20 yrs since I read it- that's all I remember).

Do you travel through time or something? If its been 20 years since you last read it then it couldn't have been a nineties story. Sorry to be picky. :clown:

[giantpacoctopus]

Originally posted by thewrite1


Do you travel through time or something? If its been 20 years since you last read it then it couldn't have been a nineties story. Sorry to be picky. :clown:

Oops. I just edited it to say the 80s. About those time travelling powers of mine ... well that would certainly have been appropriate for the X-titles in the 90s with all of the alternate realities floating around then, now wouldn't it?

[Benjamin Ong]

I like how Shannon drew Nightcrawler. Looks like the devil we never knew so far ;)

[katryn]

It was a fun issue but NIghtcrawlers characterisation just didn't sit right with me, I think it was mainly the dialogue that was out for me.

I know the characters much loved swash-buckling side has been neglegted of late but this just seemed too gung-ho.

The art was good though, nice to see something different and the story was enjoyable but the dialogue brought it down for me.

Kat

[Phoebe Mittens]

Overall, I agree with the review.

A nice story - massively implausible "mysterious subterranean race whom we've never come across before and who look like escapees from Disney's Aladdin" notwithstanding. :D In fact the whole issue looked populated with Disney drawing-board rejects, especially poor Kurt. What kind of gremlin lady-killer was he supposed to be?? :eek:

But I like this new/old Kurt. I wish he was in uncanny. I loved the interview especially. I don't like too much exposition-heavy dialogue, but it wasn't too badly handled.

If they'd got Dave Cockrum to draw it - THAT would've made it a classic!