Comic Reviews by Walt

Walkthrough, Part 2 of 2

Writer: Mike Carey
Penciller: Phil Briones
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorists: Brian Reber and Raul Trevino
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Production: Joe Sabino
Assistant Editors: Will Panzo and Daniel Ketchum
Editor: Nick Lowe
Executive Editor: Axel Alonso
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Cover: Salvador Larroca

This issue yet again reminds me that it is possible to have a very enjoyable story that is steeped in continuity. We open with Emma Frost holding sway over Xavier–she’d lurked in Cyclops’ mind, and when Xavier interacted with Cyclops, he also got her. She proceeds to lead Xavier through a review of some of the key moments in which he has seemingly abused his power…while she seeks to determine if there’s any remnant of Mr. Sinister lurking within this mighty mutant mind.

Looks at recruiting Henry McCoy, responding to Rogue’s first coming to him, and Scott Summers reacting to the defeat at Krakoa are three of multiple power-abuses Xavier is confronted with–these times that he “played God” with other living people, means to the end being all the justification he’d required.

Carey’s writing here seems spot-on. Whatever history the characters have had, I find his Scott and Emma to be quite believable, and I greatly enjoy the way he has Xavier “re-discovering” all these fragments of his past–which we as readers are shown as flashbacks. Carey picks out moments key to what makes–or made–Xavier WHO he is (or was, or will be again). Through this, we see how past events are stil relevant in the present, and in general get to take this journey of self re-discovery WITH Xavier.

The art also works very well….I like the way the characters look. I’m not left in confusion as to what’s going on visually; the art works right alongside the writing. That I recognize several of the flashbacks is great: while perhaps from a different camera-angle than the original, there’s a consistency that I almost wouldn’t expect these days.

This is the second of a two-chapter story, and so in and of itself unlikely to be a good jump-on point unless one looks simply to jump into the deep end and flail like crazy to find one’s bearings. With some context of the last couple years of X-stories, one wouldn’t be too badly off pairing this issue with the previous s a single go. As a continuing reader, this is another strong issue in what has come to be my favorite–and only–X-title to read each month.

Story: 8/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 8/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, MARVEL, X-Men: Legacy | Tagged: Comic Reviews 2008, X-Men: Legacy |