Writer: Kieron Gillen
Penciller: Carlos Pacheco
Inkers: Cam Smith, Dan Green and Nathan Lee
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Editor: Nick Lowe
Over the last five years, Kieron Gillen has been building a body of work that shows his versatility, and his ability to handle big casts of diverse characters. From his creator-owned Image series Phonogram, to his nearly yearlong run on Thor, he really showed that he can write characters with distinct voices. This will suit him well for what he has now, as he tackles one of the biggest casts in all of comics, the X-Men…and if this, his debut issue on the book is any indication…we’re all in for a treat.
The main plot of the issue focuses on Kate Kildare, the X-Men’s publicist, attempting to present Magneto to the world as a member of the X-Men. There is also a secondary plot that involves members of AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics) attempting to utilize a weapon of mass destruction close to San Francisco. Gillen does a great job telling the two stories, and weaving them together later on.
The opening sequence with Kildare and her photographer pretty much demonstrates why the main plot had to be dealt with: Magneto, who the entire world knows is a super-terrorist, is now living with the X-Men on US soil. The photographer’s reaction after he found out who he was going to photograph was believable, and leaves the reader wondering how if what they set out to do is even possible.
Carlos Pacheco turns in some of his best work since his return to Marvel last year. I particularly like his rendition of Magneto, and all the subtle characterizations he puts in each panel. Just look at the way he draws his face in the panel to the left…or look closely at his posture.
There’s a lot of attitude and personality there. The inkers did a phenomenal job defining all the linework, and embellishing each and every panel.
Now, my only real gripe to this issue is some of the coloring. I want to mention first that I actually like Frank D’Armata’s work, in fact I think his Captain America work has been perfect for the tone of that book. That said, his palette is a little too dark for this story, and I’m not entirely sure if he was a good match for Pacheco’s bombastic and upbeat art…though it is also conceivable that the book printed too dark. I guess we won’t know.
Gillen’s scripting is sharp. He also demonstrates a serious knowledge of all the characters he’s dealing with, and gives every member of the team a cool moment…all within twenty-four pages of story. His handling of Emma Frost, Namor, Magneto and Cyclops in particular has been nothing short of great. One of my favorite moments in the book involves Namor, as he fights through a horde of AIM agents, seen below…
There’s actually more to the punchline, but I’m not going to spoil ALL of it in this review.
What truly impressed me about Gillen’s handling of the characters is when he finally addresses an issue that’s been nagging X-Men readers since the end of Grant Morrison’s run on New X-Men all those years ago…
Magneto’s response is believable, and is very much in line with the character we’ve known for almost 50 years now, which is quite satisfying for someone like myself who has been reading the title for a long time now.
As mentioned earlier, the two separate plots eventually are intertwined in a satisfying manner, leading to a spectacular climax that demonstrates the power of one of the main characters of the story.
Gillen’s off to an amazing start, and I look forward to seeing what he does over the next few months. If you haven’t read an X-Men comic in years, this is the perfect time to jump back in. With Gillen on board, you can’t help but enjoy this experience.
The Grade: A-