X-Men #18 Review

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Age of X, Darwin, House of X, Johnathan Hickman, Karkoa, Mahmud Asrar, Marvel, Marvel Comics, NCBD, Power of X, Sunny Gho, Synch, The Children of the Vauly, The Vauly, Wolverine, X-Men #18, X-Men #18 Review, X-Men The Vault

X-Men #18

Review by Paul Bowler.

The secrets of the mysterious Vault are finally explored in X-Men #18 from writer Johnathan Hickman, artist Mahmud Asrar and colorist Sunny Gho. It has been a long time since this team of specialist agents were sent by the Quiet Council of the Mutant nation of Krakoa to investigate the Vault – a place where time moves differently and a chronal lock makes it impossible for anyone to rescue them. 

Along with the central premise of establishing the new Mutant Island nation of Krakoa, Johnathan Hickman’s relaunch of the X-Men, which began with House of X and Power of X, also revealed that Professor X’s long-time friend, Moria MacTaggert was really a Mutant with a Groundhog Day style power that allowed her to relive multiple irritations of her timeline. Having spent many lifetimes trying to advance the X-Men’s cause and rebooting the timeline each time to learn from their setbacks, House of X and Power of X saw Moria discover that the ultimate threat and suppression of Mutantkind rested with an artificial intelligence that would be created in the distant future – Nimrod. 

So when a Child of the Vault managed to escape from the Vault – a technological marvel that uses time dilation and advanced technology to alter humans — the X-Men sent the Mutants Darwin, Wolverine (Laura Kinney) and Synch to South America to enter the Vault and assess the potential threat, along with the capabilities of the children, and uncover any inherent weaknesses in the children’s powers or the Vaults remarkable technological infrastructure. The only trouble is the team never returned. They’ve been gone for months, but as time moves differently inside the Vault, Darwin, Wolverine and Synch have now actually been inside the Vault for centuries!

The ongoing narrative of Hickman’s new X-Men run has sometimes felt less of the compelling blend of fresh ideas and innovative character arcs that spun our of House of X and Power of X, and more like a case of two-steps forwards and two-steps back as branches of the storyline unconsciously folded back over itself or became diluted with meandering events like X of Swords. Hickman is keeping a lot of plate spinning — some more successfully than others — but so far its been enough to keep everyone guessing and excited about where all of this is essentially  going for the X-Men.

Darwin, Wolverine and Synch entered the Vault way back in X-Men #5, now with X-Men #18 Hickman is finally addressing this tantalising plot thread, and he certainly doesn’t disappoint with the often bizarre and mind-boggling revelations that are divulged thick-and fast throughout this issue with almost serendipitous glee. Having this issue narrated via Synch’s recollections of events is also a clever move by Hickman which organically drives the plot from key selective viewpoints, with the inner machinations of the Vault and the motivations of the Children of the Vault converging on parallel lines with the X-Men’s incursion, and the series’ now iconic bullet-point style info-graphics filling in the blanks — especially the insightful information concerning the evolution of Synch’s powers post resurrection and what this could mean for mutant kind going forward.

This team was selected for their unique survival abilities: Darwin can adapt to any life-threatening situation, Wolverine has her healing-factor, and Synch can duplicate their powers. They were ideally suited to this mission, especially as there was no way back if things went wrong (which of course they did), and X-Men #18 details what happened in the initial moments of the relative 537 years that the team have effectively been missing. The Children of the Vault are purportedly the true heirs of the world, meant to be vastly superior to humans and Mutants, so how they react to the “wild gods of the outside world” proves decidedly disturbing, and the technological wonders of the  Vault are an uncanny challenge in itself for the X-Men’s team to experience — let alone  fully comprehend. 

Artist Mahmud Asrar and colorist Sunny Gho give substance and clarity to the finer vagaries of Hickman’s storyline, with hauntingly futuristic landscapes, advanced machinery and technological interfaces, and the almost palpable mix of awe and trepidation the team experience permeates every page. Asrar does a fantastic job of rendering these powerful emotional moments as the mysteries of the Vault begin to unfold, with intricate, sweeping page-layouts seamlessly condensing the narrative, there’s an action-packed encounter between the X-Men and the Children of the Vault that is also impressively realised, while Sunny Gho’s subtle use of delicate tones and shade brings an almost spiritual quality to the teams journey into the unknown and the ensuing centuries of discovery that await.

It has felt like a hell of long wait for Marvel’s flagship X-Men title to finally get back to addressing the mystery of the Vault and the fate of Darwin, Wolverine and Synch after they failed to return. In that respect X-Men #18 certainly gets the ball rolling again, even though it frustratingly poses just as many questions as it answers. However, if you’ve stuck with Hickman’s new X-Men this far your patience is rewarded as X-Men #18 finally gives us a clear sense of progression, and in that respect above all it delivers in spades. 

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer Johnathan Hickman / Artist Mahmud Asrar 

Colorist Sunny Gho / Letterer VC’s Clayton Cowles 

Design Tom Miller / Cover Leinil Francis Yu & Sunny Gho

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About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

Logan Film Review

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Boyd Holbrook, Caliban, Dafne Keen, Donald Pierce, Dr Rice, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Hugh Jackman, James Mangold, Logan, Logan film review, Marvel Comics, Old Man Logan, Patrick Stewart, Professor X, Richard E Grant, Sci-Fi Jubilee, Stephen Merchant, The Reavers, Wolverine, X-23, X-Men

Logan

Review by Paul Bowler

Logan embarks on a violent, bloody, finale stand as Hugh Jackman returns to the role of Wolverine, the iconic Mutant X-Man with the unbreakable adamantium skeleton, retractable claws, and incredible healing factor. Based loosely around the Marvel Comics classic Old Man Logan storyline by writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven, Logan is tenth instalment in the X-Men film series from 20^th Century Fox where Jackman originally debuted as Wolverine in X-Men (2000), its also the third Wolverine film after the less than favourable X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and the far superior The Wolverine (2013).

Set in 2029 where Mutantkind is on the brink of extinction, Logan (Hugh Jackman) finds our erstwhile hero now a shadow of his former self, ravaged by age, world weary, and slowly being poisoned by the Adamantiun in his body. Logan is carving out a meagre living as a chauffeur in El Paso, his only ally is the albino Mutant Caliban (Stephen Merchant), and together they care for the X-Men’s former leader Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) – who is now suffering from a degenerative neurological condition – in a derelict hideout across the border in Mexico.

But danger and tragedy strikes when the nurse Gabriella (Elizabeth Rodriguez) from the secret Transigen project entrusts Logan with a mission to escort Laura / X23 (Dafine Keen), a mute child with powers savagely akin to Wolverine‘s own abilities, to a sanctuary in North Dakota. Logan and Laura set out a dangerous cross country journey, closely pursued by Transigen’s deadly operatives The Reavers and their vicious cybernetically enhanced leader, Donald Pierce (Boyd Holbrock), and as the final stand looms on the Canadian border Logan must confront the dark secrets of his past as he faces his ultimate destiny…

Hugh Jackman give a powerful, emotive, and rip-roaring performances as the aging Mutant, who proves he’s still a force to be reckoned with even though his fabled healing factor isn’t exactly what it used to be. If anything, Jackman’s grizzled portrayal as the old man Logan is probably his finest turn yet in the iconic role that he‘s undeniably made his own since he first played it seventeen years ago. Despite Logan’s ragged and downtrodden appearance, Jackman’s brooding physical presence is still every bit as imposing as ever, and when those claws pop you better watch out bub!Just like 20^th Century Fox’s smash-hit X-Men spin-off, Deadpool, Logan positively revels in its fifteen certificate. The violence is brutal, visceral, and unflinching, but it feels good to see Jackman portray Logan in a movie that finally allows Wolverine a chance to really cut loose against his enemies with the full-on savage fury that the character is so well-known for in the comics.

Patrick Stewart is also on fine form as the ailing Professor X, and his scenes with Hugh Jackman are utterly sublime. Charles is like a surrogate father figure to Logan now, the bond between them is as unbreakable as adamantium itself, and the combined tragedy of their circumstances coupled with the Professor’s terrifying psychic seizures brings added gravitas to many of Logan’s most poignant and powerful moments. Stephen Merchant is also excellent as the Mutant tracker Caliban, while Dafne Keen is a revelation as Logan’s young prodigy, the stoic, and sometimes frighteningly feral, Laura / X23. Richard E Grant is also good as the sinister Dr Zander Rice, the head of Transigen, and Boyd Holbrock is brilliant as the ruthless Reaver henchman Donald Pierce.

Directed by James Mangold, who also helmed 2013’s The Wolverine, Logan is a film that side-steps the usual superhero movie conventions to take us, much like the comic book storyline that inspired it, into much darker territory. Logan is a no-nonsense, uber-violent, blend of western and road movie, tinged with a razor keen sense of humour, and a strong character driven plot.

There are a few pacing issues, but nothing too major. Mangold also skilfully bends in nods to the previous X-Men films and comic book references – quite literally in one instance – for fans, but don’t expect colourful costumes, or huge CGI action set-pieces. Logan is a bleaker, far grittier experience, and it makes for a film that feels all the more richer as a result.

Logan is the Wolverine movie we’ve always wanted. It takes us on an epic journey for what is, purportedly, Hugh Jackman’s final adventure as the ferocious Wolverine, and it brings the characters cinematic saga full circle. It’s beautifully filmed, the story is dark and compelling, and it races to a rampaging action-packed finale which in turn provides a brutally fitting and emotional swansong for Jackman’s time in the role.

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New Logan Trailer Released!

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Boyd Holbrook, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Eriq La Salle, Hugh Jackman, James Mangold, Logan official trailer, Logan Official Trailer 2, Logan trailer, Logan Trailer 2, Marvel, New Logan trailer, New Logan Trailer Released, New Wonverine Trailer, Old Man Logan, Patrick Stewart, Richard E Grant, Sci-Fi Jubilee, Stephen Merchant, Wolverine

New Logan Trailer Released!

20^th Century Fox has just released the brand new second trailer for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine film, Logan! In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hideout on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.

Staring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant,andDafneKeen.

Directed by James Mangold

Logan is in Theaters – March 3, 2017

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First Official Trailer for Logan

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Boyd Holbrook, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Eriq La Salle, Hugh Jackman, James Mangold, Logan official trailer, Logan trailer, Marvel, New Wonverine Trailer, Old Man Logan, Patrick Stewart, Richard E Grant, Stephen Merchant, Wolverine

First Official Trailer For Logan released!

Check out the first trailer Fox have released for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine film, LOGAN. I think it looks great, very mean, moody, and apocalyptic looking! Starring Hugh Jackman as Logan, Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Elizabeth Rodriguez , Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant and Eriq La Salle, Logan arrives in cinemas on March 3rd, 2017.

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X-MEN: APOCALYPSE Final Trailer Released!

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All New X-Men, Angel, Apocalypse, Brian Singer, Cyclops, James McAvoy, Jean Grey, Jennifer Lawrence, Magneto, Michael Fassbender, Mystique, New X-Men Apocalypse Final Trailer, New X-Men Apocalypse Trailer, Nightcrawler, Oscar Isaac, Professor X, Psylocke, Storm, Wolverine, X-Men Apocalypse, X-Men Apocalypse Official Trailer

New X-MEN: APOCALYPSE Final Trailer Released!

Check out the final trailer for Brian Singer’s X-Men: Apocalypse, even more action in this one, and a there’s even special surprise appearance at the end! It looks brilliant, can’t wait for this movie!

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X-Men Battle of the Atom #2 Review

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Battle of the Atom, Battle of the Atom #2, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Wood, Cyclops, Esad Ribic, Future X-Men, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Jason Aaron, Kitty Pryde, Marvel Comics, Original X-Men, Stuart Immonen, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine, X-Men

Battle of the Atom #2

Review by Paul Bowler

The Brotherhood from the future arrived in the present-day and convinced everyone they were the X-Men of the future. They conspired to get the modern-day X-Men to force the original X-Men to return to the past. Although the young X-Men disagreed, Wolverine and most of the X-Men at the Jean Grey School agreed. However, the scheme was foiled when the real future X-Men appeared, and the Brotherhood’s attempt to use the Time Cube to send the original X-Men home hit a snag, when they found it was impossible to send them back. Now the X-Men of the past, present, and future stand united against the Brotherhood, but when a fleet of S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarriers suddenly arrive Xorn and Xavier take control of their weapon systems and launches their missiles at the X-Men…

Faced with an onslaught of missiles launched by the S.H.I.E.L.D helleicarriers, all of the X-Men teams’ work together to fend off the attack, using every ounce of their combined powers to fight back as the Brotherhood version of the Beast urges them to all to join forces with them. But when he is suddenly cut down by blaster fire from some new arrivals – a group of Sentinels that have secretly been constructed by S.H.I.E.L.D – all hell breaks loose and the present day X-Men and future X-Men find themselves fighting a battle on two fronts. The battle is furious, casualties are high, and as the Brotherhood face defeat Jean “Xorn” Grey confronts Cyclops and Wolverine, blaming the Schism they caused that divided the X-Men for subverting the natural order of time, before fighting the original X-Men until her powers finally overload and she explodes!

By the time Mira Hill arrives at the battlefield the Brotherhood has escaped and the X-Men have teleported back to the Jean Grey School. As they mourn their dead the X-Men must also form a response to S.H.I.E.L.D deploying Sentinels against them. Despite everything that has happened, Wolverine and Cyclops are still unable to settle their differences, and their teams remain divided as the future X-Men prepare to return to their own time – though not everyone is going back to the future as Kymera opts to stay and hunt down the Brotherhood.

Heartfelt goodbyes are said before the future X-Men uses the Time Cube to leave, with the future Iceman imparting some words of wisdom to his present day self as they depart. Afterwards the X-Men gather outside the School where Kitty Pryde announces that she is leaving. Kitty explains she can no longer trust them after the way they acted during Battle of the Atom, saying they let her and the original X-Men down when they needed them most. The original X-Men have also decided to leave with Kitty, not wishing to stay where they are not really wanted. Wolverine and  the X-Men are shocked when Cyclops and Magik teleport in to collect Professor Kitty and her students as they set off to join the Uncanny X-Men at the new Xavier School…

Battle of the Atom #2 brings this 50^th anniversary crossover event for the X-Men to a close, with Jason Aaron tasked with wrapping everything up, with Brian Michael Bendis writing one of the issues four epilogues. After last issues terrific cliff-hanger Battle of the Atom #2 picks up the pace with a huge battle as the various teams of X-Men square off against the Brotherhood. The arrival of S.H.I.E.L.D’s secret supply of Sentinels is not an altogether unexpected twist; however, this is sure to have a significant impact on human-mutant relations in the future.

The climatic battle includes some brilliant action sequences, there are casualties, and I especially liked the part where the original X-Men took on Xorn. There was also a great showdown between Xorn and Phoenix Quentin Quire, where Jean taunts him about how the Phoenix force still whispers her name. While the battle does reach an explosive end, it all seems a little abrupt; giving way to a series of epilogues that shifts the emphasis towards setting up a plethora of future storylines – especially with the Brotherhood still at large.

This somewhat uneven approach to Battle of the Atom #2 is also reflected in the artwork as well, as the main storyline has art by Esad Ribic and Giuseppe Camuncoli, with Andrew Currie and Tom Palmer on finishes. The four epilogues bring more by Camuncoli and Currie, along with Kris Anka, Chris Bachalo, and Stuart Immonen. Sadly the end result is not all that good; it all feels a little cobbled together, and not a patch on previous instalments.

While Kitty’s decision to leave, followed by the original X-Men, in the final Epilogue by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen was a big surprise, I was a little uncomfortable about how smug Cyclops seemed when he arrived with Magik to collect them – it seemed a little out of character. Epilogue two by Brian Wood, on the other hand, contains one of my favourite scenes of this entire crossover, as the adult Shogo prepares to say goodbye to Jubilee. It’s a brilliant moment for the characters, and I thought it was the real highlight of the issue.

On the whole I have thoroughly enjoyed Battle of the Atom. I like how the story developed through each of the X-Titles involved in the crossover, there were some issues with constant recaps, but for the most part the story held together quiet well. Its just a shame that more time and care wasn’t put into making Battle of the Atom #2 more of an epic finale, rather than the last minute dash to the finish line that it turned out to be.

Wolverine & The XMen #37 Review

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Battle of the Atom Part #9, Cyclops, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Jason Arron, Jean Grey, Original X-Men, SHIELD, The Brotherhood, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine, Wolverine and the X-Men #37, X-Men, X-Men from the future, Xorn

Wolverine and the X-Men #37

Review by Paul Bowler

A team of X-Men from the future arrive in the present day, demanding the original X-Men be sent back to he past. Wolverine and most of the X-Men agreed, but the young Jean and Scott went on the run, but eventually gave themselves up. The present day X-Men discover their visitors are really the future Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. With the school in lockdown the Brotherhood must face the combined might of the Uncanny X-Men and the real future X-Men. However, as the battle rages  they prepare to forcibly send the young X-Men home, only to find that strange universal forces now prevent the teen mutants from going back.

Jean “Xorn” Grey and Cyclops get up close and personal on the psychic plane, giving the Brotherhood the chance to escape in the Blackbird with the original X-Men. Wolverine is healed by Wiccan after being gutted by Raze, the son he will apparently have with Mystique, and meets up with the Uncanny X-Men and future X-Men in the lab.

Meanwhile, the Brotherhood decide to switch to plan B after the Time Cube was unable to send the original X-Men back. Now that Deadpool is dead, and Xavier crippled and confined to a floating wheelchair, it seems that desperate measures are called for to complete their mission. Power dampeners prevent the captive teen X-Men from using their powers. Scott asks Jean what she learned during her battle with Xorn, she reveals they must return home to save the future, and she is able to pick up enough of the Brotherhood’s thoughts to know they are being taken to Cape Citadel – the place where the original X-Men first fought against Magneto.

After news of a homeland security alert at Cape Citadel reaches the Jean Grey school, Wolverine and Cyclops set aside their differences and agree to work together to rescue the original X-Men. Colossus and Magik teleport everyone to Cape Citadel, where the present day X-Men and future X-Men attack the Brotherhood. Phoenix Quentin Quire frees the young X-Men from their power dampeners, and they team up with Cyclops to attack Xorn. With the Brotherhood almost defeated a fleet of SHIELD helicarriers commanded by Mira Hill arrives, demanding that everyone surrender, but Xorn is not prepared to give up just yet…

Jason Arron makes this penultimate chapter of Battle of the Atom the most action packed yet, as Wolverine and the X-Men #37 brings all of the X-Teams, past, present, and future, together for a titanic showdown with the Brotherhood. I really like how the characters interact this issue, Jason Aaron includes some great character moments: with Cyclops and Wolverine begrudgingly setting aside their differences, we learn more about the Brotherhood’s plans, discover the truth about the Ice-Hulk, and Phoenix Quentin Quire meets his younger self. This issue is a lot of fun too, with Wolverine getting all the best lines, and we learn a lot more about the future X-Men as well.

Although we are no closer to really understanding the bizarre paradox that seems to prevent the original X-Men from returning to the past, right now it is what young Jean’s battle with Xorn revealed that is perhaps more intriguing, especially when she reveals that if they stay one of them could be responsible for something terrible. However, this issues cliff-hanger could offer some clue, as Xorn resolves to show everyone what the future holds for the X-Men.

Wolverine and the X-Men #37 features some great artwork by Giuseppe Camuncoli and finisher Andrew Currie, and vivid colors by Matt Milla. I really like the early scenes, where the X-Men are planning their next course of action, the detail given to the characters and their conversations is exceptional, which is also reflected in the later scenes in the Blackbird as the Brotherhood discuss Plan B and the original X-Men try to figure a way out of their predicament. In fact, by the time the X-Men and Brotherhood face each other at Cape Citadel,  nearly every character in this issue has had a share of the limelight. There’s also a spectacular double page spread near the end of the issue, where all the X-Men are fighting the Brotherhood, its absolutely brilliant, and that nail-biting final page will leave everyone diving for cover!

Battle of the Atom is now hurtling towards a thrilling finale. Wolverine and the X-Men #37 continues the high standard set by previous instalments, Jason Arron delivers some excellent characterization, and  Giuseppe and Camuncoli’s work really draws you into the action as the story races towards the final moments.

Uncanny XMen #13 Review

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Battle of the Atom, Battle of the Atom Part #8, Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Bachalo, Cyclops, Marte Gracia, Marvel Comcis, Original X-Men, The Uncanny X-Men, Uncanny X-Men #13, Wolverine, X-Men from the future

Uncanny X-Men #13

Review by Paul Bowler

 

After a team of X-Men from the future arrived, demanding that the Original X-Men  return to the past, the young Jean and Scott went on the run. The present and future X-Men tracked them down, and eventually they agreed to return. Magik took young Iceman and Beast to the future to investigate and discovered the future X-Men were actually the evil Brotherhood from the future. Back at the Jean Grey school the Brotherhood attacked the X-Men, leaving Wolverine, who has just lost his healing factor, mortally wounded and bleeding out. Emerging from the wreckage of the school, Jubilee was surprised to discover that Sentinel X is the adult Shogo from the future. Now its falls to Cyclops and the Uncanny X-Men, together with the real X-Men of the future who have travelled back with Magik, Iceman, and Beast to help the X-Men fight the Brotherhood and save the original X-Men.

Uncanny X-Men #13 sees Brian Michael Bendis bringing the various teams of X-Men, past, present, and future together against the future Brotherhood, as part eight of Battle of the Atom turns the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning into a battleground. The Uncanny X-Men and future X-Men are forced to dive for cover when a piece of the north tower is lobbed at them, enabling the Brotherhood’s shape-shifter Raze (who mortally wounded Wolverine in their surprise attack) to capture young Iceman and Beast.

Xavier’s grandson orders the future Iceman to attack the X-Men again, Phoenix Quentin Quire steps in to deflect the debris thrown by the hulking Ice creature, leaving the X-Men free to reach the school. Magik and Colossus get inside first and have to fight their way past Molly and Deadpool. The Uncanny X-Men and future X-Men run into trouble outside the school, when Xavier commands Krakoa to swallow them whole, leaving the rest of the Brotherhood free to activate the Time Cube and send the original X-Men home.

Chris Bachalo’s art for Uncanny X-Men #13 really captures the heightening sense of urgency as this time warping conflict escalates, with the fate of the original X-Men hanging in the balance, Bachalo delivers some terrific action set-pieces. His work is nicely complemented with inks by Time Townsend, Al Vey, Mark Irwin, Jamie Mendoza and Victor Olazaba, as well as the superb colors provided by Marte Gracia. This issue is full of spectacular, bone crunching showdowns, with Colossus and Magik in particular pulling no punches as they race to help the original X-Men.

Magik teleports into the lab to stop them, but she is held back by the future Jean Grey who tries to get Illyana to kill herself with her own soul sword. Colossus deals with Xavier as the X-Men break free of Krakoa, and the Brotherhood’s attempt to send the original X-Men back to their own time encounters an unexpected technical glitch – something which inexplicably transgresses all the normal laws of space and time itself…

If your thought things have been complicated so far, you haven’t seen anything yet, as Brian Michael Bendis crams so much into part eight of Battle of the Atom, that its no wonder the Brotherhood’s plans hits a surprising snag. For those of us who have long wondered what effect the original X-Men’s presence in the present day might have on the time continuum, let along the paradox’s it could potentially cause, well Uncanny X-Men #13 goes some way to finally addressing those issues.

We are also teased a few interesting points about Illyana’s involvement in events, after all, we know that she has already travelled into the future before in Battle of the Atom #1, and has long had her suspicions about these future X-Men. Her suspicions proved correct, as on her next trip into the future with Iceman and Beast, she learned from the “real” future X-Men that these mutants were actually the futures evil Brotherhood.  In Uncanny X-Men #13 Molly hints about what was unleashed hen she sees Magik, and later mentions the Stark Tower / Baxter Building Wars as she battles Colossus. The adult Jean also has a few choice “spoilers” for Magik as she fends off Illyna’s attack in the lab. Whatever it all means, it seems possible that Illyna’s role in Battle of the Atom could now be more crucial than we first realised.

Uncanny X-Men #13 is an absolutely cracking instalment of Battle of the Atom. It may have taken a bit of a protracted route to get to this point, but we are now beginning to see the various plot threads coming together at last. Things are really building up to a titanic showdown, which together with this issues time twisting surprise, will leave you eager to find out how the X-Men and the Brotherhood will deal with this unexpected turn of events.

X-Men #6 Review

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Battle of the Atom, Battle of the Atom Part #7, Brian Wood, David Lopez, Jubilee, Marvel Comics, Original X-Men, Psylocke, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine, X-Men, X-Men #6, X-Men from the future

X-Men #6

Review by Paul Bowler

 

After the young Cyclops was injured, temporarily erasing his adult self from existence, the modern-day X-Men decided to send the original X-Men back to their own time. The young Jean Grey is reluctant to go back, but a team of X-Men suddenly arrive from the future, and say the world is doomed if they don’t return.  Jean and Scott turn to the adult Cyclops and the Uncanny X-Men for help, while the X-Men set out to bring them back. Magik, suspicious of the future X-Men, together with the young Iceman and Beast, travels to the future where they discover a pleasant future and meet a new team of X-Men. They reveal how the “future” X-Men that Magik and her fellow X-Men are helping, are not really X-Men anymore. The X-Men from this time period have not associated with them since the death of Alison Blaire, who was killed just after she became the first mutant president. Back in the present, the “future X-Men” have captured three of original five X-Men, and set about making preparations to send them back to their own time period.

Part Seven of Battle of the Atom kicks off in X-Men #6 as the Blackbird and the Dove return to the Jean Grey School, where the X-Men are greeted by Jubilee and Roxanne. Xorn accompanies young Jean, Scott, and Warren to the Time Cube, but Wolverine suspicions soon prove correct when Xavier becomes enraged after learning that Magik, Beast, and Iceman have gone. With their cover blown, the bogus X-Men of the future attack. A surprise transformation catches Wolverine off guard and he is mortally wounded, while in Beast’s lab Xorn locks down the Time Cube and quickly secures the three original X-Men.

This leaves Rachel, Jubilee, Rogue, and Betsy to take on the rest of the future X-Men, while trying to keep baby Shogo safe at the same time. With the school in lockdown, Krakoa subdued, Psylocke keeps Deadpool busy while Jubilee and Roxanne try to escape and get Shogo to safety. The Uncanny X-Men arrive near the school, along with the “real” future X-Men who have returned along with Magik, Iceman, and Beast to help them. The Uncanny X-Men and genuine future X-men hold back to assess the situation from afar, but Sentinel X is not prepared to wait, and takes off to investigate the damage to the school. Jubilee, who is carrying Shogo, Roxanne, and then Psylocke emerge from the rubble as Sentinel X lands. The armoured figure approaches, removing its masks when Jubilee asks it to identify itself, revealing the identity of the armours occupant…

So far, Battle of the Atom has been a hugely entertaining crossover event. The only real downside being that some issues have spent a lot of time recapping events, which sometimes made them feel like they were going over the same ground. Now that we are well past the halfway point, the mystery surrounding the time travelling X-Men from the future has taken a significant twist, and it looks like the present day X-Men are going to have one hell of a fight on their hands.

Brian Wood’s X-Men #6 places Jubilee right at the heart of the action. There are some really fun moments with Shogo and some great action scenes when the X-Men are fighting the future X-Men, which leads to Jubilee taking a much more prominent role in Battle of the Atom than expected. When the “fake” X-Men from the future reveal their true colors,  even Wolverine is caught off guard, and the psychic powers of the future Xavier and Xorn quickly overpower the rest, leaving only Wood’s team to oppose the future X-Men. Rachel battles against  Xavier psychically, while Rogue gets a surprise when she tries to absorb the Ice-Hulk’s powers, which offers us some insight about this lumbering ice creature. Psylocke is also right in the thick of the action, while protecting baby Shogo at the same time, and later ends up fighting Deadpool. I thought baby Shogo’s “panic button” was a really fun device as well.

There is a lot going on in this issue, even though the majority of the other X-Men are either unconscious or trapped in Hank’s lab. The art by David Lopez is excellent, every character is well defined, and his work is complemented by Cam Smith and Terry Pallot’s inks, with colors by Laura Martin and Matt Milla.

X-Men #6 really captures the essence of Brian Woods  X-Men, its one of the best instalment so far in Battle of the Atom, and the final scene is made all the more exciting by the reveal of who is inside  Sentinel X.

Wolverine & The XMen #36 Review

Tags

Battle of the Atom, Battle of the Atom Part #5, Cyclops, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Jason Aaron, Jean Grey, Marvel Comics, Oringial X-Men, Wolverine, Wolverine and the X-Men, Wolverine and the X-Men #36, Xorn

Wolverine and the X-Men #36

Review by Paul Bowler

Dr Henry McCoy brought the original X-Men to the present to try and reunite mutantkind. When young Scott Summers was almost killed, temporarily erasing his older self from reality, the X-Men argued whether or not they should send the young mutants home. Matters were complicated further by the arrival of a team of X-Men form the future, who insist the original X-Men must return to their own time. Jean Grey refuses and goes on the run with Scott; they evade the pursuing X-Men and seek help from the adult Cyclops and his Uncanny X-Men. Cyclops agrees to help but Emma Frost has contacted the X-Men who quickly arrive on Utopia. Confronted by the future version of Jean Grey, who wears a Xorn mask to control her abilities, the X-Men of the present and the future stand ready to fight to protect the past and save the future.

With Xorn, the young Jean Grey, Emma Frost and the Cuckoos standing motionless as they battle psychically, the adult Scott Summers and his younger self begin to realise that Xorn is actually an older version of the young Jean Grey – the one who never returned to her own time and consequently grew up in the future.

Faced with the X-Men from the future, Wolverine, and the present day-day X-Men, the Uncanny X-Men watch on as Logan offers the “slim and slimmer” incarnations of Cyclops a chance to be reasonable and stand down. Wolverine is quick to criticise the adult Cyclops for brining his young team into the field of battle, however Cyclops is having none of it, stating that he believes the responsibility for their conflict rests entirely with Logan and Hank McCoy.

The teenage Cyclops brings their argument to a head by attacking Wolverine. After ordering Magneto to gets their students to safety, Cyclops remains to help young Scott fight the present-day X-Men and their future counterparts. Meanwhile, Emma’s psychic battle with Xorn begins to falter as first the Cuckoos, and then Emma herself, succumbs to Xorn’s telepathic assault, leaving Jean alone against her future self. As Jean gets an unexpected glimpse into Xorn’s mind, back at the school the young Beast and Iceman travel into the future with Magik to try and discover what the X-Men from the future have been hiding from them…

Wolverine and the X-Men #36 sees tensions between X-Men strained to breaking point as Battle of the Atom explodes into all-out-action. Jason Aaron keeps the action moving at a break-neck pace as standoff between Cyclops and Wolverine inevitably leads to conflict, with the future X-Men also becoming more aggressive, Storm tries to calm the situation and Beast admits he regrets bringing the original X-Men to the present. We also get a great scene where Kitty and Rachel discuss the situation with Kitty’s future self, with Rachel noting that she is no longer the leader she once knew.

With some great art by Giuseppe Camuncoli and finisher Andrew Currie, along with colorists Matt Milla and Edgar Delgado, Wolverine and the X-Men #36 has some excellent fight scenes, with everyone getting a good slice of the action. However, it is the psychic combat with Xorn that is the real highlight this issue, and I really like the way Camuncoli portrays the raw power of this psychic battleground. We also get to see the toll this fight takes on the combatant’s physical bodies, as blood pours from their noses, and in Xorn’s case, from the corner of one eye of her mask as she fights Jean on the psychic plane. This issue features another eye-catching cover by Arthur Adams, with the X-Men attacking en masse as Cyclops and his younger self, together with Rachel and Kitty, stand their ground to protect Jean.

Jason Aaron maintains the tone and style already established for this crossover event by Brian Michael Bendis, while adding just the right amount of humour to Wolverine and the X-Men #36 as each twist and turn of the plot unfolds. It’s good to see some of the other X-Men from the future taking a more active role in proceedings, with Deadpool giving a heartfelt – if not entirely honest – speech and the hulking Iceman going on the rampage.

Wolverine and the X-Men #36 introduces some significant plot developments, decisions are made that will no doubt have a big impact as Battle of the Atom progresses, and the startling ending will leave you  eager to find out what happens next.