Jim Lemoine
Oct 23, 2003, 09:33 pm
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/agentx15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/agentx15t.jpg" align=left alt="Agent X #15"></a>Reviewer: Jim Lemoine, darkkelf@earthlink.net
Quick Rating: Great
Story Title: Deadpool Walkin' - Part Three: A Means To An End
The show-stopping finale!
Written by: Gail Simone
Pencilled by: Alvin Lee & UDON
Lettered by: Virtual Calligraphy's Cory Petit
Assisted by: Andy Schmidt
Edited by: Marc Sumerak
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
It's the last issue of one of my very favorite series, and although it didn't quite live up to potential (or the standard set by the last two issues), it still serves as proof that in a just world, Agent X would not be cancelled. It's just too good.
Agent X plays to its series-ending status nicely: it ties up most of the remaining plot-points, forcibly resolves the battle with Alex's archnemesis, straightens out our hero's love life, restores Wade Wilson for the upcoming Cable & Deadpool ongoing, and creates a nice set-up for a possible relaunched spin-off title, complete with a new logo masthead on the second-to-last page. Where many of Marvel's series finales have been somewhat disappointing lately due to their unanswered questions and unresolved plot points, Agent X #15 satisfies. And as much as Marvel touts their arc-based storytelling format yet sloppily packs longer stories into smaller chapters, it's nice to see an arc that actually has a clear beginning, middle, and end for a change.
Although Simone and UDON promote their desired follow-up title as Agency X, it's clear that their run on Agent X may as well have already had that new name. The book isn't simply about Alex Hayden anymore... it's about Outlaw, and Taskmaster, and Sandi, and... hey, whatever happened to Mary Zero? Regardless, Simone's supporting characters are deeper and more fleshed out than many mainstream comics' main characters. Simone's dialog isn't necessarily just funny jokes and potty humor - there's some really great psychology going on there if you bother to read carefully. And Agent X works just as well as a dramatic adventure, as it does as a simple comedy.
Then again, there's also some fantastic funny jokes and potty humor. Simone writes a slightly more serious Alex Hayden in this issue (sensible considering the events of last issue), but his new professional outlook is made up for by the full-on return of the Merc with a Mouth. Deadpool's lines at the end, as he verifies his mental health and later insults Agent X, are priceless. And that's not even mentioning the antics on the book's last page... laugh-out-loud stuff that had me chuckling uncontrollably for several minutes. I had a bet with a friend that Simone and UDON would sneak in a last-minute gag a la Deadpool #69, and I'm happy to say I won that bet. Our First Company Vacation, indeed. I can't even type that without smiling.
I'm surprised to find that the character I think I'll miss most of all isn't Alex, or Outlaw... but of all people, Taskmaster. Never has this guy been cooler than when he admitted to watching soap operas, or better yet, when asked if he could rig an impact detonator, he replied simply, "I've seen it done." After years of being mistreated by writers as a one-dimensional standard raving villain, getting by on the simple innate coolness of his photographic memory, Simone and UDON have done this classic Marvel "villain" justice. I'll really miss that fresh approach.
The conglomeration of personalities in Alex Hayden's head have never been more clear than they were in Agent X #15, and with the respective mental states of Alex, Wade, and the Swan somewhat straightened out, it makes sense. Alex seems like a much deeper hero now, arguably much cooler, as opposed to the admitted Deadpool ripoff he's always acted as. Sadly, so much time was spent in the climactic battle with the Black Swan that we got to see very little of how Alex reacted to his new mental state, or how Outlaw dealt with what she found on her return. If I have any complaint about the story of Agent X #15, that's it: too much flash and battle, not enough personal moments.
Artwise, I have to ask UDON: What happened? While the styles are certainly very similar, most of the panels in the book appear to be very different from what we've seen from Alvin Lee in the last few issues. The art in this issue seems, at times, to eschew the dramatic in favor of the cartoony... which is a shame, since if ever there was an issue of Agent X that deserved dramatic art, this was it. While there are some great panels, don't get me wrong (such as Alex saying "Pity" into his cell-phone and Outlaw skidding in the dust after shooting the Swan), there are many others that just don't live up to Lee and UDON's usual standards. Sandi's eyes seem to have tripled in size since the last issue, the Swan has lost much of his cultural refinement, and Alex's opening dream-sequence mixes perspectives to the point of confusion (although I rather liked the Agent X Big Wheel).
Comparisons between Agent X #15 and Deadpool #69 are inevitable, the dramatic finales of Marvel's best two comedic series... and by the same creative team, to boot. (Heh. "Boot.") Although I loved Agent X #15, the closing issue of Deadpool is its superior for its more dramatic conclusion and its simply better art. Still, Agent X #15 is a fantastic and worthy ending to the adventures of Alex Hayden (for now, anyway). The Simone penchant for mixing high drama and deep characterization with hilarious schtick is on full display, and shouldn't be missed by any comics reader.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axnone.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axnone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axnone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axhalf.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axnone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=218&cat=AGENT+X+%28DEADPOOL%29)
Quick Rating: Great
Story Title: Deadpool Walkin' - Part Three: A Means To An End
The show-stopping finale!
Written by: Gail Simone
Pencilled by: Alvin Lee & UDON
Lettered by: Virtual Calligraphy's Cory Petit
Assisted by: Andy Schmidt
Edited by: Marc Sumerak
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
It's the last issue of one of my very favorite series, and although it didn't quite live up to potential (or the standard set by the last two issues), it still serves as proof that in a just world, Agent X would not be cancelled. It's just too good.
Agent X plays to its series-ending status nicely: it ties up most of the remaining plot-points, forcibly resolves the battle with Alex's archnemesis, straightens out our hero's love life, restores Wade Wilson for the upcoming Cable & Deadpool ongoing, and creates a nice set-up for a possible relaunched spin-off title, complete with a new logo masthead on the second-to-last page. Where many of Marvel's series finales have been somewhat disappointing lately due to their unanswered questions and unresolved plot points, Agent X #15 satisfies. And as much as Marvel touts their arc-based storytelling format yet sloppily packs longer stories into smaller chapters, it's nice to see an arc that actually has a clear beginning, middle, and end for a change.
Although Simone and UDON promote their desired follow-up title as Agency X, it's clear that their run on Agent X may as well have already had that new name. The book isn't simply about Alex Hayden anymore... it's about Outlaw, and Taskmaster, and Sandi, and... hey, whatever happened to Mary Zero? Regardless, Simone's supporting characters are deeper and more fleshed out than many mainstream comics' main characters. Simone's dialog isn't necessarily just funny jokes and potty humor - there's some really great psychology going on there if you bother to read carefully. And Agent X works just as well as a dramatic adventure, as it does as a simple comedy.
Then again, there's also some fantastic funny jokes and potty humor. Simone writes a slightly more serious Alex Hayden in this issue (sensible considering the events of last issue), but his new professional outlook is made up for by the full-on return of the Merc with a Mouth. Deadpool's lines at the end, as he verifies his mental health and later insults Agent X, are priceless. And that's not even mentioning the antics on the book's last page... laugh-out-loud stuff that had me chuckling uncontrollably for several minutes. I had a bet with a friend that Simone and UDON would sneak in a last-minute gag a la Deadpool #69, and I'm happy to say I won that bet. Our First Company Vacation, indeed. I can't even type that without smiling.
I'm surprised to find that the character I think I'll miss most of all isn't Alex, or Outlaw... but of all people, Taskmaster. Never has this guy been cooler than when he admitted to watching soap operas, or better yet, when asked if he could rig an impact detonator, he replied simply, "I've seen it done." After years of being mistreated by writers as a one-dimensional standard raving villain, getting by on the simple innate coolness of his photographic memory, Simone and UDON have done this classic Marvel "villain" justice. I'll really miss that fresh approach.
The conglomeration of personalities in Alex Hayden's head have never been more clear than they were in Agent X #15, and with the respective mental states of Alex, Wade, and the Swan somewhat straightened out, it makes sense. Alex seems like a much deeper hero now, arguably much cooler, as opposed to the admitted Deadpool ripoff he's always acted as. Sadly, so much time was spent in the climactic battle with the Black Swan that we got to see very little of how Alex reacted to his new mental state, or how Outlaw dealt with what she found on her return. If I have any complaint about the story of Agent X #15, that's it: too much flash and battle, not enough personal moments.
Artwise, I have to ask UDON: What happened? While the styles are certainly very similar, most of the panels in the book appear to be very different from what we've seen from Alvin Lee in the last few issues. The art in this issue seems, at times, to eschew the dramatic in favor of the cartoony... which is a shame, since if ever there was an issue of Agent X that deserved dramatic art, this was it. While there are some great panels, don't get me wrong (such as Alex saying "Pity" into his cell-phone and Outlaw skidding in the dust after shooting the Swan), there are many others that just don't live up to Lee and UDON's usual standards. Sandi's eyes seem to have tripled in size since the last issue, the Swan has lost much of his cultural refinement, and Alex's opening dream-sequence mixes perspectives to the point of confusion (although I rather liked the Agent X Big Wheel).
Comparisons between Agent X #15 and Deadpool #69 are inevitable, the dramatic finales of Marvel's best two comedic series... and by the same creative team, to boot. (Heh. "Boot.") Although I loved Agent X #15, the closing issue of Deadpool is its superior for its more dramatic conclusion and its simply better art. Still, Agent X #15 is a fantastic and worthy ending to the adventures of Alex Hayden (for now, anyway). The Simone penchant for mixing high drama and deep characterization with hilarious schtick is on full display, and shouldn't be missed by any comics reader.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axnone.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axnone.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axnone.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axhalf.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/axnone.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=218&cat=AGENT+X+%28DEADPOOL%29)