Jim Lemoine
Feb 5, 2002, 01:30 am
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/exiles-08.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/exiles-08t.jpg" align=left alt="Exiles #8"></a>Reviewer: Jim Lemoine, darkkelf@earthlink.net
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: A World Apart (Part One of Three)
Blink and company find themselves separated and defeated on an alternate Earth ruled by the Skrulls.
Written by: Judd Winick
Pencilled by: Mike McKone
Inked by: Mark McKenna
Lettered by: Sharpefont's Paul Tutrone
Colored by: Transparency Digital
Assistant Editor: Mike Raicht
Editor: Mike Marts
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
Wow.
Any words of mine will simply pale before the greatness of this story, so let me at least start out by saying this:
In this issue, as a writer, Judd Winick calls to mind folks like Alan Moore and Jim Shooter. As an artist, Mike McKone is comparable to Alan Davis and Bryan Hitch. Together, the two of them have taken one underused but popular character, given her a team of almost completely new heroes, and turned it into one of the best experiences Marvel is putting out month after month.
That said and out of the way, this issue was outstanding.
The first few pages are spent showing us that a bit of time has passed since we last joined the Exiles, and since then a lot has happened. Morph saved the day against the Spider Demon. Relationships have blossomed. And the Exiles have traveled across a wide variety of alternate dimensions in their search from home… some frightening, some realistic, and some even ludicrous.
Now the Exiles are shown as trapped on an Earth ruled by the Skrull empire since the dawn of the last century. And instead of seeing a world at war as the humans heroically repelled their invaders, (as many writers could be expected to portray) we see the humans completely beaten, their only real use left as gladiators and prostitutes. Nocturne, Thunderbird, Sunfire, and the Mimic are imprisoned in the arena, and only released to fight the superhumans who on other Earths had been their friends.
I know what you’re thinking here, “alternate earth, fighting versions of your friends, it’s all been done before,” right? Wrong. I say you’re incorrect because it’s very rare to see the raw emotions of captivity and hopelessness captured in a comic art medium. But together, Winick and McKone pull it off as well as Moore did in Captain Britain, as Claremont did in his original Brood saga in Uncanny X-Men, or as well as (dare I say it) Budiansky portrayed Ratchet in the early issues of Transformers.
Nocturne is losing her cool, the idealism given her by her father tested to its breaking point, slowly driving her to the edge. Calvin is becoming bitter and cynical, the essential jock trapped in a world he hates. Thunderbird seems to be growing even more suicidal than usual, and Mariko… well, we don’t know as much about her character yet, but I’m sure her reaction to all this will prove equally as interesting.
Blink and Morph, for some unexplained reason, are still free. After an explanation of how this Earth came to be the way it is, we’re treated to a scene of them trying (unsuccessfully) to break their friends out of the arena. We learn that Blink is becoming a bit bitter and pessimistic herself; obviously, the long and unsuccessful time she’s spent on this world has been trying for her. Morph, on the other hand, remains the refreshing bright spot in the book. Morph seems more bothered by the fact that he’s surrounded by people with the same power as him (insecurity, anyone?), than he does by the fact that he’s surrounded by evil aliens and his friends are gone. Watch his dialog carefully, people. There’s some serious character depth here.
After the dynamic duo’s escape, we’re treated to the coming of Galactus. Words don’t do it justice. Winick and McKone give this the terror and majesty that Galactus deserves. You get that special feeling when you see him that so many creators have tried to evoke, but very few have attained.
Finally, Blink and Morph meet the man who seems to be Earth’s last and best hope. Predictably, that man is Reed Richards. From the details in the lab to his attire and history, the scene is great, whether you’re an FF fan or not. As a long time fan of the Four, I was expecting this scene, but it didn’t let me down.
As a comic book continuity nut, I was a bit bothered by how mirrored some of the characters in this world seemed to be with some of our own. For instance, we learn that Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm are also the Thing and the Torch in this alternate universe. We learn that Bruce Banner somehow became the Hulk here as well. And we learn that no matter the universe, Marrow likes the way the color green sets off her skin. A bit too coincidental, perhaps?
Perhaps. But we can overlook that because the story’s so darn good. And they’ve gotten through two issues in a row now without a Wolverine appearance (hooray!).
The little details that have made Exiles so special in other issues are back too… Winick’s dialog is always ultra-realistic and insightful, the captions are especially well done, and McKone and McKenna seem to have almost mastered the art of drawing facial expressions that tell you exactly what the character is thinking.
So to put all of that into one sentence, I sorta like this book.
Exiles is quickly becoming one of the best comic books produced by Marvel. The characters are believable, the dialog is catchy, the plots are great, and the art is magnificent. Exiles is setting a high standard for 21st century superhero comics.
And I, for one, am thrilled to be along for the ride.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: A World Apart (Part One of Three)
Blink and company find themselves separated and defeated on an alternate Earth ruled by the Skrulls.
Written by: Judd Winick
Pencilled by: Mike McKone
Inked by: Mark McKenna
Lettered by: Sharpefont's Paul Tutrone
Colored by: Transparency Digital
Assistant Editor: Mike Raicht
Editor: Mike Marts
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
Wow.
Any words of mine will simply pale before the greatness of this story, so let me at least start out by saying this:
In this issue, as a writer, Judd Winick calls to mind folks like Alan Moore and Jim Shooter. As an artist, Mike McKone is comparable to Alan Davis and Bryan Hitch. Together, the two of them have taken one underused but popular character, given her a team of almost completely new heroes, and turned it into one of the best experiences Marvel is putting out month after month.
That said and out of the way, this issue was outstanding.
The first few pages are spent showing us that a bit of time has passed since we last joined the Exiles, and since then a lot has happened. Morph saved the day against the Spider Demon. Relationships have blossomed. And the Exiles have traveled across a wide variety of alternate dimensions in their search from home… some frightening, some realistic, and some even ludicrous.
Now the Exiles are shown as trapped on an Earth ruled by the Skrull empire since the dawn of the last century. And instead of seeing a world at war as the humans heroically repelled their invaders, (as many writers could be expected to portray) we see the humans completely beaten, their only real use left as gladiators and prostitutes. Nocturne, Thunderbird, Sunfire, and the Mimic are imprisoned in the arena, and only released to fight the superhumans who on other Earths had been their friends.
I know what you’re thinking here, “alternate earth, fighting versions of your friends, it’s all been done before,” right? Wrong. I say you’re incorrect because it’s very rare to see the raw emotions of captivity and hopelessness captured in a comic art medium. But together, Winick and McKone pull it off as well as Moore did in Captain Britain, as Claremont did in his original Brood saga in Uncanny X-Men, or as well as (dare I say it) Budiansky portrayed Ratchet in the early issues of Transformers.
Nocturne is losing her cool, the idealism given her by her father tested to its breaking point, slowly driving her to the edge. Calvin is becoming bitter and cynical, the essential jock trapped in a world he hates. Thunderbird seems to be growing even more suicidal than usual, and Mariko… well, we don’t know as much about her character yet, but I’m sure her reaction to all this will prove equally as interesting.
Blink and Morph, for some unexplained reason, are still free. After an explanation of how this Earth came to be the way it is, we’re treated to a scene of them trying (unsuccessfully) to break their friends out of the arena. We learn that Blink is becoming a bit bitter and pessimistic herself; obviously, the long and unsuccessful time she’s spent on this world has been trying for her. Morph, on the other hand, remains the refreshing bright spot in the book. Morph seems more bothered by the fact that he’s surrounded by people with the same power as him (insecurity, anyone?), than he does by the fact that he’s surrounded by evil aliens and his friends are gone. Watch his dialog carefully, people. There’s some serious character depth here.
After the dynamic duo’s escape, we’re treated to the coming of Galactus. Words don’t do it justice. Winick and McKone give this the terror and majesty that Galactus deserves. You get that special feeling when you see him that so many creators have tried to evoke, but very few have attained.
Finally, Blink and Morph meet the man who seems to be Earth’s last and best hope. Predictably, that man is Reed Richards. From the details in the lab to his attire and history, the scene is great, whether you’re an FF fan or not. As a long time fan of the Four, I was expecting this scene, but it didn’t let me down.
As a comic book continuity nut, I was a bit bothered by how mirrored some of the characters in this world seemed to be with some of our own. For instance, we learn that Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm are also the Thing and the Torch in this alternate universe. We learn that Bruce Banner somehow became the Hulk here as well. And we learn that no matter the universe, Marrow likes the way the color green sets off her skin. A bit too coincidental, perhaps?
Perhaps. But we can overlook that because the story’s so darn good. And they’ve gotten through two issues in a row now without a Wolverine appearance (hooray!).
The little details that have made Exiles so special in other issues are back too… Winick’s dialog is always ultra-realistic and insightful, the captions are especially well done, and McKone and McKenna seem to have almost mastered the art of drawing facial expressions that tell you exactly what the character is thinking.
So to put all of that into one sentence, I sorta like this book.
Exiles is quickly becoming one of the best comic books produced by Marvel. The characters are believable, the dialog is catchy, the plots are great, and the art is magnificent. Exiles is setting a high standard for 21st century superhero comics.
And I, for one, am thrilled to be along for the ride.
ART:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
STORY:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
OVERALL:
http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpghttp://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/xfull.jpg
Buy this issue online now from X-World Comics (http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/newbooksmain.html) and save!