NEW X-MEN #124 REVIEW

[Ben Hutton]

<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=left alt="New X-Men #124"></a>Reviewer: Ben Hutton, bhutton@froggy.com.au
Quick Rating: Average
Story Title: Superdestroyer

The Imperial Guard attacks the Institute while Scott and Xorn face execution.

Written by: Grant Morrison
Cover by: Ethan Van Sciver
Art by: Igor Kordey
Lettered by: Comicraft
Colored: Hi-Fi Design
Assistant Editor: Pete Franco
Editor: Mark Powers
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

It’s been suggested that I’m one of those rabid X-Men fans that is a little bit stuck in the past, unwilling to embrace the great new ideas this title has to offer, and that’s why I have a few problems with it. Well this is the perfect issue to refute that.

I don’t have a problem with new ideas. I do have a problem with throwing new things into a book for the sake of it, when they have no consistency with past continuity and don’t fit the title. A good writer should be able to do new and interesting things while still remaining true to the book. If you can’t do this… Well maybe you’re not as great as everyone tends to think you are.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying this title. A lot. This is the best Emma Frost we’ve seen in a long time and Jean Grey finally has a backbone again. It’s just that every now and then I get a slap in the face that mars my enjoyment of this book.

Case in point this issue. Oracle. Hardly a major player in the X-Universe, but we’ve seen her enough times to be familiar with her personality and background. Yet here she’s morphed into a babbling nudist!

While a naked alien telepath might be a fun idea for a new character it made no sense to me as an evolution of Oracle. We’ve seen no hint of these traits before. Indeed Oracle has usually been presented as a fairly capable, intelligent, fully dressed individual.

Having said that many of the new Imperials we meet this issue are a lot of fun, particularly Plutonia and Blimp, and Gladiator’s characterisation is fairly consistent.

Someone must have heard me complain last review, but this issue we get some good battle scenes, just not the all out fight I was hoping for. The problem is that it all seems very anti-climatic. The Imperial Guard are about to slaughter the X-Men and the students but they stop because Plutonia wanders in with Smasher who tells them of Xavier’s possession. What???

Two seconds ago these people were willing to commit genocide and then the change their minds on the word of a team mate; one who could very well be infected with the mind disease they’ve been sent to eradicate.

I was hoping for a more original resolution to the battle than this, and it was a very disappointing development after the issues build up.

The Plot of the issue is also a bit tired. Isn’t this almost a retread of last arc? In “Germ Free Generation” Scott and Emma were captured while Jean had to defend the school. This time Scott and Xorn are captured and Jean and Beast are defending the school. Very original.

And how exactly did Scott and Xorn free themselves from their restraints and take on the many Shiar guards that we’re watching them without getting killed? It made no sense, and was some very sloppy writing.

Art wise things weren’t much better. Kordey’s pencils, while adequate, seemed rushed and unfinished. I’d much rather see Ethan Van Sciver’s fill in than this.

All in all a very disappointing outing, with only some strong Jean Grey characterization really standing out. Maybe this is what happens when you don’t give Emma any dialogue for an entire issue?

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://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html)

[omegastorm]

I agree with most of what you said in your review. The art did seem rushed. Is it me or does Grant always have to have excellent build up and then a really bad resolution to the plot. How do the X-men beat these odds?

o

[jono]

Yeah, the battle was a bit repetitive of the last story arc, i agree. The art was really sloppy in some parts (just look at the page where oracle's nose is bleeding in one panel and then suddenly it isn't). But I thought overall it was still pretty good. 3/4 is my rating for this one, but probably a low point for the series. can't wait till frank quitely comes back!

[hellshock]

Great review, although you're a little more generous than I would have been.

The art was brutal, and the only thing I liked about this story was when Smasher showed up. Nothing else.

And, how did some of these characters make it into the Imperial Guard? They're supposed to be the Shiar's elite warriors, but some of these characters were lame, like that balloon guy. :x

[ShaggyDiz]

I agree with you on the art on this issue by Kordey, definitely not his best work by far. But seeing that it gets a title back on time sacrifices are to be made (if it were Van Sciver, it might have not seen the light of day till the beginning of May for all we know).

The preview pages for next issue look awesome though, so it looks as if Kordey did a much better job with that one.

The story was kinda rocky, but it did move the story forward in a somewhat logical sense that Nova is behind all things that are nasty. Still two more parts though, so hopefully this will finish up with a huge bang.

[Twilight]

Uhm, looked like Kordey forgot to sharpen his pencil. Art like that is why I didnt buy Uncanny #400. Funny comment about Emma, dude.

This review was better than the issue. Ouch!

[Hulk]

I'm new to "New X-Men". Jumped aboard only 3 issues ago. I'd been very impressed up until this issue. I finished reading and just kinda shook my head in confusion. I figured the upcoming battle would last at least an issue. I'll stay on board atleast a few more issues, but if it stays similar to #124 I'll abandon ship and spend my $2.25 elsewhere.

Hulk Smash bad issue!

[Wolverine]

I love new x-men. oh and you are wrong. THe cover is by Ethan Van Sciver.

[Maximus Prime]

it was an alright issue and i agree that the art was a bit rushed at times but grant morrison rocks anything he touches turns to gold
guess hsi powers have been playing up?
anyone read blade #o intro to the MAX series?
kicka--
read it at www.marvel.com

[Tommy Boy]

Originally posted by Ben Hutton

All in all a very disappointing outing, with only some strong Jean Grey characterization really standing out. Maybe this is what happens when you don’t give Emma any dialogue for an entire issue?



She probably did, but due to the evils of Kordeys pencils we will never know.... :rolleyes: :mad:

Although the preview pages for #125 do look awesome, even if it is Kordey.

Maybe he just needs to relax, why doesn't he take his time with the pencils and let someone else take the inking duties for him?

[Monolith]

Originally posted by Tommy Boy
She probably did, but due to the evils of Kordeys pencils we will never know.... :rolleyes: :mad:

How exactly are the pencilings going to affect the dialogue? :help:

[gambitX]

BAD ISSUE.

ANd I totally agree about Oracle. that is one of hte things that ****ed me off the most.

[stormwatch]

Alright, I agree pretty much with your review, I don't mind the art actually, at first, it looked, bleh, but it was rushed. But for being rushed it looked pretty good to me. I'd have probably given it 3.5 for art, and 1.5 for the story.

This is my view on the current title, and how New is doing for me.

Okay, the story, now I do like some of Grant's writing, I don't like New that much. I am still going to get it, hoping valiantly that the next two issues are better. But his writing is, one, not for me, and two, way too much planning on the plot and hero characters,
when there is little for the villains and flow of the story. This story was put well togethor, but I'm giving some of that credit for Kordey. Although Grant is good, he plans way to much and this title should be more organic by now. And the villains, Cassandra Nova and John Sublime and his U-Men, I can understand the connection there. And the U-Men and Sublime were decent. But Nova, as being a major villain, seems lacking. She is a manipulator, and has some great plans. Really, what exactly are they, set up a colony on a new world that is mutants and live under her rule. Thats my impression. And some of her methods are good, but Nova herself isn't explained. Her birth, okay, werid, but I don't mind it that much, but if she is going to be creepy, she has got to do more.

And if I hear that, oh, she destroyed Genosha, I might just spontaneously combust. What did she do at Genosha, killed off the way too many of Acolytes, and is now a mass murderer. And she has eliminated a huge number of possible organ donors. Its the connection between her and the U-Men. There is a connection, the book says so, and I love how it was done. But the connection, of her wanting that planet of mutants, wow, well then that helps. Oh yes, we are going to say that there is a definite connection. But then the conection doesn't even follow continuity, of the same writer, not even a year ago. And I like Grant's writing, he does it well, (yes, I am saying that is a prayer of hope for New's future), but I liked the X-Treme Savage Land more than this. And the fact that Grant hasn't kept his own continuity, well, that is just sad.

But I like Leash and the Supreme Pontiff more than Nova. I'm sorry, but I highly doubt she would make it onto my current top ten villains list. I find Nova like the second grade Sinister. Maybe even third grade.

Now I think that little rant is over. And that is my opinion of New generally and this issue. Kordey, how he did it, except for some of the character shots, was good. The Story, went as either not up to par, or confusing and not making sense.

The dialogue was good. And the quotes were the best part of the issue. Now that is both good and bad, and that I am starting to appreciate Kordey style.

My final score would have ended up the same I guess, but not for the Story and art. But of course, that is just my opinion.

oh man, that probably sounded a bit ugly, but that is how I feel. Sorry, if you either didn't like what I said, or just don't agree with me. But that is my opinion. And if you are going to criticise me, make sure you at least read it all and take everything in. Thanks,

Stormwatch82

P.S. that was quite therapeutic, and only my opinion, but also, to counter balance the popularity of New. And just to let you know, Grant's two issues of solo parts I loved.

[DeadmanWade]

i really think that grant and kordey don't mesh well together

[Mike-O]

Originally posted by DeadmanWade
i really think that grant and kordey don't mesh well together

I don;t see the problem as being that Kordey and Morrison don't "mesh". If you look back to Kordey's original issues on New, #'s 119 and 120 respectively, you can see that he's put in a great deal of effort, and as a result the book becomes incredibly enjoyable because it's COHESIVE, in addition to being beautiful.

Now, I'd have to say that #124 has been my least favorite issue to date, namely for concerns that have already been brought up, which are essentially that the art was ABSOLUTELY rushed, and that there were a few inconsistencies in plot. My concerns are not with Oracle's costume -- ppl change their costumes ALL the time, so believing that she's decided to go nudist isn't impossible (after all, she IS smokin', no? ;)). However, the relatively far-fetched resolution to the Imperial Superguard Elite/X-Men conflict was a tad too much for me. There's no way, with the amount of devotion to their cause these characters had only moments ago, that they would have essentially no trouble believing the X-Men's word based solely on one of their injured and possibly mind-infect teammates say-so. An all-out battle was begging to happen here, and it didn't, so I was left disappointed.

Kordey has been signed as an official regular penciler, and with that I'm expecting the quality I was given in his previous two issues. The preview to NXM #125 seems to display this, though time can only tell if he has truly stepped up. As for Grant, if he turns the build up of all of this year's plot elements into the great story it CAN be, he has my respect forever. The choice is really his. He hasn't let me down yet, even with this issue, but that is based on the condition that all comes together by issue #126. Godspeed, Grant.

[The Machine]

I agree with most of the point s that were brought up in this issue.

For starters the worst thing about this issue was Igor Kordey's art, I don't like it, I've always hated it and this issue showcased his worst art so far, the glossy paper did not help either, maybe that's why it seems especially bad this time. I am very pickey when it comes to art and quite frankly this stuff was not fit to wipe my butt with.

Second of all is the fact that Jean Grey and the other X-Man have been trying to convince Gladiator and the other members of the Imperial Guard that they have not been brain washed , rather it is the Imperilal Guard who are under Nova's influence, natrually Gladiator does not buy this story and dissmisses it as lies, yet when his comrade shows up he believes everything that is said. In a more realistic storyline Gladiator would have ( and should have ) doubted his collegue and also accused him of being under Nova's influence after all how long has it been since he went missing, during that time period anything could have happened to him, Gladiator should have been more suspisious, it is after all his nature. I know it is a small problem and that I am just nit-picking but it is something that has botherd me since I first read this issue.

I did not question Cyclop's and Xorn's escape all that much since by then I had already given up hope on this issue and was just going through the motions, and was no longer paying much attention, I did notice that Xorn all of a sudden speaks perfect English. Last time we saw him he could only speak Chinese and the only way him and Cyclops could communicte was by speaking Chinese, like the above scenario I found this small mess up awfully distracting.

One good thing I can say about Morrison's writing of the X-Men ( and for the record although I do not hate what he is doing I do find alot of his X-men stuff is overated. The U-Men thing had potential but that storyarc sucked, without a big time villain like Nova Morrissons work is almost as directionless as Casey's pre X-Corps stuff ) is his Phoenix. I am not a Phoenix fan but I am happy that she is no longer Cyclops' trophy wife anymore and has once again become her own person, her character has lacked direction since she and Cyclops tied the not, ever since she has gotten smaller roles in the book and has become un-interesting.

[Ben Hutton]

I think my feelings on Morrison can be expressed as such:

(In as few words as possible) Great ideas, horrible follow through, non-existent payoff.

[Stapler]

Originally posted by Ben Hutton
I think my feelings on Morrison can be expressed as such:

(In as few words as possible) Great ideas, horrible follow through, non-existent payoff.

I'll have to agree.

About Kordey's art: I like it, but I don't think its right for the X-Men. I thought (for example) Cable 100 looked great.

And to whomever said they didn't buy UnXM 400, you missed a great issue, my opinion.

[stormwatch]

Originally posted by Stapler


I'll have to agree.

About Kordey's art: I like it, but I don't think its right for the X-Men. I thought (for example) Cable 100 looked great.

And to whomever said they didn't buy UnXM 400, you missed a great issue, my opinion.

I gotta agree with both your points here. And with Ben's.

For the record, nice review, although, I am kind of more of a fan of Kordey though. I think he is better than Quitely, and like how he is staying on. Although, I am not sure about the conclusion to this arc. Not at all. Although, once I get the last issue, I'll read it, then read through the whole arc again. Hoping of course.

[Ben Hutton]

I don't think artists, no matter how good they are, should be hired if they can't handle the rigours of a normal books schedule.

[KidX]

I was really bummed how bad this issue was. Morrison need to learn how to fallow through with his arcs. They start off hardcore but end patheticly weak.

[Stapler]

About Quitely, I really do NOT like how he draws women. They all look the same, to me. Rest of his art is good though.

[stormwatch]

Originally posted by Stapler
About Quitely, I really do NOT like how he draws women. They all look the same, to me. Rest of his art is good though.

True, neither do I like that aspect.

[Nyssane]

He drew the Imperial Guard-ettes good. Manta, Monstra, and the black/white girl especially.

The students were drawn very badly, though (Kato, Emma's Girls, and Angel). Oh well.

[stormwatch]

Well, Actually, this is the 124 review thread, their should eb a thread at Xavier's Instititue.

[Michael Fisch]

I really enjoy Emma's students...I'm glad to see them getting some development.

[Brandon Yates]

I love this book. I wasn't too thrilled with #125, but the run has been otherwise classic, IMO.

[D4773T]

as long as kordey is the artist the book is just not as good as quitely's drawn issues. ill be back when kordey is off the book.

[Monolith]

I can understand why people don't like Kordey's art, but it didn't bother me as much here as it did in Cable. I think it has to do with the inking. In Cable, everything is bland: just normal people wearing normal clothes going about in normal places. In NXM, however, the heavy use of colored inks makes Kordey's that much better.

[theprofessional]

A weak story has hindered by horrible art. and the next ish isn't any better

[tyran80]

This definitely wasn't Kordey's best issue.