X-MEN: LEGACY #209 REVIEW

[JD Francesco]

<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/marvel/0308/XMENLEG209_col.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/marvel/0308/XMENLEG209_colt.jpg " hspace=10 align=left alt="X-Men: Legacy #209"></a> Reviewer: JD Francesco, vos_attestor@yahoo.com
Story Title: From Genesis To Revelations, Part 2

“No hard feelings, old friend. We both know that this is not the end.”

Writer: Mike Carey
Pencils: Scot Eaton/ Billy Tan
Inks: John Dell
Colors: Frank D’Armata/ Brian Reber
Letters: Cory Petit
Assistant Editor: Will Panzo
Editor: Nick Lowe
Executive Editor: Axel Alonso
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Published by: Marvel Comics (http://www.marvel.com/)

Contains some spoilers!

At the end of Messiah Complex, Bishop shot Xavier in the head. Soon after, the Acolytes spirited away the body. The last issue of X:Men Legacy dealt with Exodus repairing the damage to Xavier’s brain and scouring it of all memories (for safe keeping of course). Unfortunately it turns out that healing the brain wasn’t enough. Xavier is not waking up and according to Exodus he’s not accepting back the memories. Enter: Magneto.

After getting the ritual soliloquy over his fallen enemy out of the way, Magneto is approached by Karima and the two have a brief discussion over who Magneto thinks won the “argument” between Mag’s and Xavier’s ideals. The mood suggests that it’s all over just because both men have fallen from glory in their own way. It’s not like this is the first time either has ended up in a coma or lost his powers though. History has proven that even if they are physically out of the picture, their followers will continue the fight. It’s their legacy. However that is not grounds enough for either character to make a final exit. Together both Karima and Magneto work on getting Xavier’s brain going. Karima’s contribution is jump starting the brain activity and Magneto’s contribution is….his voice.

The whole bit about talking someone out of a coma is simultaneously emotive and cliché, but for the sake of getting baldy to wake up I’m willing to run with it. Admittedly I’ve grown bored of Magneto ever since Magneto War. I just don’t feel any writer has used him correctly in years so the final page of the previous issue kind of induced a groan and a roll of the eyes. Yet when I think about it, who else could Exodus call on to help kick start the Professor’s mind? Every other likely candidate is either dead (Moira, Jean), across the universe (Lilandra) or just doesn’t care (Scott). I suppose Exodus desperately turning to someone he currently loathes for the sake of saving Charles shows how important it is to him that the Professor lives on. This is a terrorist madman though so I wouldn’t encourage anyone to take this seemingly noble gesture at face value just yet.

There are mixed reviews among the rest of the Acolytes as to whether Exodus should be bothering at all. Last issue we learned that Amelia still carried a torch for Charles and is hoping for a full recovery. I wouldn’t mind seeing the possibility of a rekindled romance between the two addressed in future issues. Charles hasn’t had a girlfriend for awhile now so it would be good for him. Joanna on the other hand views Xavier as a threat to mutant supremacy and carries much bitterness toward the man who was behind the strike force that repeatedly stood in opposition to the Acolytes’ bid for dominance. In this issue her anger gets the better of her and she attempts to kill him. Luckily Magneto stops her, possibly permanently.

No longer threatened by imminent death the Professor promptly declares both Magneto and himself as irrelevant. That’s right you heard it straight from the horses mouth as Magneto gleefully points out with what appears to be a smirk. Mike Carey would have us believe that House Of M made Xavier’s dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants obsolete by getting rid of all the mutants. The problem I’m having with this is there are still mutants running around (no, not just 198) and the beginning of Messiah Complex already showed a new mutant birth. Even over in Young X-Men we are going to be introduced to two brand new mutant characters next month. If anything it isn’t Xavier and Magneto’s ideals that are becoming irrelevant. That’s actually what is happening to House Of M, and rightfully so in this reader’s humble opinion.

Xavier also mentions that he noticed some of his memory was missing. We know Exodus has them. Whether or not Exodus will give the memories back (as well as the condition of those memories once returned) could make for some interesting reading. After all, the issue ended with the two men preparing for psychic battle so anything could happen. Yes, rejoice fellow readers who have commented that this storyline had no action. Next issue it looks like we’ll be seeing a lot of that. As for Xavier himself no matter the outcome of this battle I have a nagging feeling that he will come out losing in the end as a character. I don’t want it to be true but current trends do not lead me to believe otherwise. If I continue reading this title at all, it will be with fingers crossed in the hopes that Mike Carey will turn things around.


RATING:

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Buy X-Men: Legacy at X-World comics and save! ( http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopexd.asp?id=26359)

[Radiate]

Aren't i right in saying that this whole title is meant to be about Xavier re-evaluating himself, his purpose, his dream and his position in the world? While it's cool that he calls himself irrelevant lol, cos i'm a firm believer that Xavier and Magneto are, i don't think he'll come out as losing as a character.

If at all this series will ADD to Xavier and explore what he's like, making him a better and more rounded character. Xavier and Magneto respectively NEED to be re-evaluated, to show us why they should be important now. The X-Men haven't needed them in a long time...They have to serve us something, and i reckon Carey is working towards giving Xavier and Magneto a new lease on life!

RADIATE!

[Commander Breetai]

Admittedly I’ve grown bored of Magneto ever since Magneto War. I just don’t feel any writer has used him correctly in years so the final page of the previous issue kind of induced a groan and a roll of the eyes.

Heresy! Burn the unbeliever! BURN HIM!

;)

Seriously, though, Marvel has misused the character terribly, IMO. But then again, I am a firm believer in the Magneto of the New Mutants old days, so I hope it is understandable that I didn´t like him as a raving lunatic. Chris Claremont used him well in his short-lived Excalibur revival on Genosha and Mike Carey is doing him justice also, so I hope we´ll get a more moderate Magneto for the coming times. Our Lord and Saviour doesn´t merit any less. :)

Magnus

[Jason Grasso]

I've actually preferred the withdrawn Magneto of recent years because it just doesn't make sense to me everytime he's amped up to become world-threatener....seemingly after a hibernation. They've actually given up giving him a new impetus for snapping, too. It's just a constant reference to his homo superior theories. If nobody's going to give him a clever bent for destruction, than I'd prefer him depowered and apathetic.

But someone will always come along and make him the grand evil threat every few years. Phooey. Ever since Joseph landed on the ground and they decided to make him a clone or whatever...the character (in evil form) has always come off as a lampoon of his former self with writers or Editorial constantly tinkering and ruining his legend.

[iceman06]

Yet when I think about it, who else could Exodus call on to help kick start the Professor’s mind? Every other likely candidate is either dead (Moira, Jean), across the universe (Lilandra) or just doesn’t care (Scott).

And we know Scott doesn't care whether or not Xavier lives or dies because he has Beast, his smartest and closest friend, trying to find out what happened to Xavier right? I'm thinking he left the X-Men out of this for the same reason he snuck Xavier's body out of their presence in the 1st place.

[the_captain_smiley]

Aren't i right in saying that this whole title is meant to be about Xavier re-evaluating himself, his purpose, his dream and his position in the world? While it's cool that he calls himself irrelevant lol, cos i'm a firm believer that Xavier and Magneto are, i don't think he'll come out as losing as a character.

If at all this series will ADD to Xavier and explore what he's like, making him a better and more rounded character. Xavier and Magneto respectively NEED to be re-evaluated, to show us why they should be important now. The X-Men haven't needed them in a long time...They have to serve us something, and i reckon Carey is working towards giving Xavier and Magneto a new lease on life!

RADIATE!

I think that was also the purpose of Claremont's Excalibur series with Xavier and Magneto on Genosha.

[Phoenix_Force]

Yeah I agree, and I really think that this is a fair follow up to that run.

[JD Francesco]

Aren't i right in saying that this whole title is meant to be about Xavier re-evaluating himself, his purpose, his dream and his position in the world? While it's cool that he calls himself irrelevant lol, cos i'm a firm believer that Xavier and Magneto are, i don't think he'll come out as losing as a character.

If at all this series will ADD to Xavier and explore what he's like, making him a better and more rounded character. Xavier and Magneto respectively NEED to be re-evaluated, to show us why they should be important now. The X-Men haven't needed them in a long time...They have to serve us something, and i reckon Carey is working towards giving Xavier and Magneto a new lease on life!

RADIATE!

I take issue with the declaration of irrelevance because mutants did not go extinct, they were merely decimated. If a minority group drastically decreases in number does fighting for that groups' rights really become obsolete? Is the cause any less worthy just because they stand to go extinct in one or two generations? Isn't the fact that they still exist in the here and now enough to continue fighting for their rights and working toward a peaceful co-existence with their fellow man? I think so and that is why Xavier's sound bite is a tough pill to swallow.

What this series will actually achieve remains to be seen but I think it's great that others can maintain a more positive outlook. Writers have been deliberately chipping away at Xavier's moral character for these passed three (?) years. Perhaps X-Men: Legacy came about because someone finally decided enough is enough. I didn't find the first two issues to be very encouraging but like I said, I'm hopeful. Somewhat.

[Ann Nichols]

Good review!

In case anyone is interested, that line Magneto quoted to Xavier: "We are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven" comes from the last verse of Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Ulysses":

"Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

I recommend reading the entire poem: http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/tennyson/ulyssestext.html

[Radiate]

I take issue with the declaration of irrelevance because mutants did not go extinct, they were merely decimated. If a minority group drastically decreases in number does fighting for that groups' rights really become obsolete? Is the cause any less worthy just because they stand to go extinct in one or two generations? Isn't the fact that they still exist in the here and now enough to continue fighting for their rights and working toward a peaceful co-existence with their fellow man? I think so and that is why Xavier's sound bite is a tough pill to swallow.

What this series will actually achieve remains to be seen but I think it's great that others can maintain a more positive outlook. Writers have been deliberately chipping away at Xavier's moral character for these passed three (?) years. Perhaps X-Men: Legacy came about because someone finally decided enough is enough. I didn't find the first two issues to be very encouraging but like I said, I'm hopeful. Somewhat.

Oh i agree with you, the fight for rights and co-existence is still important despite the mutant population being drastically reduced. But it's not the top priority. From the impression i get from Marvel, the X-Writers and the X-Men universe in itself, the situation as gotten so dire that no one's thinking about mutant-rights and co-existence at first; it's about survival.

So it seems to me the top priority is survival first and everything else like mutant-rights comes after that. Whether this attitude that Cyclops has taken is right or wrong is another issue. The fact is that this is the reality the X-Men are living in. And with survival comes suspicion of humans and really not enough room to concentrate on rights and co-existence, so Xavier's role in the grand scheme becomes a little questionable. He's not fit to ensure the survival of mutants because he's not prepared to do what needs to be done to ensure that. Cyclops is. Again, whether he is right or wrong is another issue.

Although, i have to say if the mutant population is so low wouldn't the government think it were a good idea to start registering mutants? I know apparently that the MRA has been around for ages, but not enforced. I could see the government wanting to capitalise on DeciMation and start to properly register mutants. This would infrine on mutant rights. If the Government decided to start doing this i could easily see Xavier becoming a political figure to oppose this, hence he'd have a definitive role and a purpose in this new environment!

RADIATE!

[Cerberus_Rex]

I'm really hoping this little arc will finally give Xavier and even Erik some purpose within the X-world. Charles said it himself when he believed that the future simply walked around them. He groomed Scott, Hank and the rest to take his place as teachers yet never gave them the oppurtunity until he was forced for some reason or another to leave. The same can even be said for Erik and whatever group du jour was following him that day. Now that they've left the scene others with different philosophies have taken their place and left Charles and Erik in the dust. They've floated in limbo without a purpose and it's nice to see the possibility that maybe they still have something to contribute to their world.

[JD Francesco]

Oh i agree with you, the fight for rights and co-existence is still important despite the mutant population being drastically reduced. But it's not the top priority. From the impression i get from Marvel, the X-Writers and the X-Men universe in itself, the situation as gotten so dire that no one's thinking about mutant-rights and co-existence at first; it's about survival.

So it seems to me the top priority is survival first and everything else like mutant-rights comes after that. Whether this attitude that Cyclops has taken is right or wrong is another issue. The fact is that this is the reality the X-Men are living in. And with survival comes suspicion of humans and really not enough room to concentrate on rights and co-existence, so Xavier's role in the grand scheme becomes a little questionable. He's not fit to ensure the survival of mutants because he's not prepared to do what needs to be done to ensure that. Cyclops is. Again, whether he is right or wrong is another issue.

Although, i have to say if the mutant population is so low wouldn't the government think it were a good idea to start registering mutants? I know apparently that the MRA has been around for ages, but not enforced. I could see the government wanting to capitalise on DeciMation and start to properly register mutants. This would infrine on mutant rights. If the Government decided to start doing this i could easily see Xavier becoming a political figure to oppose this, hence he'd have a definitive role and a purpose in this new environment!

RADIATE!

I understand what you're saying about survival being paramount. Fighting for the rights of mutants can also include their right to survive. I don't think it's ever been shown that Xavier doesn't get that. He's never had the chance to do anything about it post decimation because Brubaker was too busy demonizing him then shooting him into space. Then when he came back he was automatically benched. Then shot in the head and declared irrelevant.

He's more than just some guy in a wheel chair preaching about peace and love. We've seen him go out on field missions with the teams before even when he was still in a wheel chair. The guys is incredibly intelligent and a powerful telepath. We also know he can play hardball when necessary.

Three X-titles gave three writers ample opportunity to at least let the guy try leading once (while still on Earth) post decimation and none wanted to take it on. It is no wonder people are jumping on the irrelevance band wagon.

[Ann Nichols]

Charles did ask Hank to take over the mansion activities way back in "X-Men" v.2, #31:
http://www.uncannyxmen.net/db/issues/showquestion.asp?fldAuto=1662

Personally, I'm now glad that Charles has been kept out of the leadership role for awhile, just as I'm glad that Nick Fury was kept out of Marvel's Civil War. Cyclops and Iron Twit work better as the arrogant guys who think they know what's best.