Category Archives: X-Men
Review: X-Factor #228
The fallout from Multiple Man’s shocking murder hits the X-Factor family hard in this follow-up issue. Unfortunately, this is a shining example of how too many characters is hurting the book. What should be an emotional issue as X-Factor deals with both the death of their friend and the still-rampaging villain is instead a juggling of a dozen or so characters. Nobody gets more than a few panels to express themselves, and they have to choose between Madrox or Bloodbath, or sometimes squeezing feelings on both into one moment.
X-Factor #228
This robs Madrox’s death from any true emotional fallout. For a book based on character and team interaction, I was hoping for more of both.
Comic review: 3/5: Alright.
I suppose this could be considered a good issue. It’s solidly written and well-paced, providing a suitable climax for the Bloodbath arc. The new villain continues to be both fun and menacing, while the team has some good moments. But like I said earlier, it’s missing any true character-based reaction to Madrox’s death. X-Factor has always been more about its characters than overall stories. They’re something of a family, or at least a group of friends hanging out. And while the various members are clearly upset that Madrox is dead, none of it rings on any deeper emotional level.
The massive cast of characters leaves little room for any character depth. And that’s a damn shame. At least the cover kicks all kind of ass.
How X-Men: First Class Should Have Ended
If you’re like me, then you know all about the ‘How It Should Have Ended’ cartoon series on Youtube. The name is self-explanatory, and these guys have done it for a ton of movies, mostly superhero movies. X-Men: First Class is the latest cartoon, and it’s fantastic and funny! So consider this your introduction to the awesome world of these cartoons!
Avengers vs. X-Men in 2012!
It’s gonna be the brawl to end it all as Marvel Comics’ biggest heavyweights take to the squared circle in the next big Event Comic. The Avengers’ title belt is on the line as X-Men, far removed from their days of glory, steps up in a big way to reclaim the title of most popular franchise in comics! Children will be crying in the aisles and panties will be tossed into the ring as these two titans of tectonic terror prove once and for all who is the fans love most. Will the dynamic, eye-blasting Cyclops be able to lead his team to victory against the patriotic, shield-swinging Captain America? Or will the enigmatic Iron Man take it hardcore to the likes of Storm? And what about wildcard Wolverine, a member of both teams, will he be able to choose a side? It’s going to be the most hair-raising, spine-bursting, lip-quivering comic EVER!
Or at least that’s how I figure Marvel wants most people to react.
Me…I’m a little underwhelmed at the announcement. And I don’t know why.
My money is on Cyclops!
More after the jump.
Stage Five: Acceptance – Review of X-Factor #227
So at long last, it’s time to accept that my favorite comic book character has been killed and there’s nothing I can do about it. But considering he died in this issue, one might ask how I could possibly be expected to review it objectively. That’s a fair question. And my answer is: because I say I can. Simple as that. It’s still a comic book. I still read it. I even enjoyed it.
X-Factor #227
Even if those bastards killed him!
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
I’m going to spoil the character that was killed after the jump. In fact, I’m going to spoil the whole issue. That’s kind of my thing. A lot of other review sites don’t spoil the books, so good for them. But I’m something of a niche blog, so I’ve got no problem spoiling the stories. I like to think that some people might read my reviews just to get spoiled. I’m fine with that.
Suffice to say, the death in this issue of a prominent member of X-Factor doesn’t really have much at all to do with the story. It’s more like a big cliffhanger to lead us into the next story arc. Frankly, this whole story arc has seemed kind of lackluster. There are way too many members of X-Factor these days, and this issue has a completely unimportant guest star and serves as the introduction of a new villain. So there are a lot of characters to juggle. Peter David does an OK job with the juggling, but no one piece gets enough attention to be really good.
Still, at least my favorite character died in an issue that’s worth reading. Spoilers after the jump.
Stage Four: Depression – X-Factor #227
Oh woe is me.
Are comic books even worth it anymore? They’re just not going to feel the same. I won’t have X-Factor to look forward to every month, at least not my X-Factor. Sure the title will still be coming out, but my favorite character is dead. My favorite superhero has been killed. My favorite fictional character of all time has been mur-diddily-urdlered!
I am infinite sadness.
But cheer up, Sean, you might say. Death is a joke in comic books these days. Everyone from Bucky to Aunt May has come back from the dead, so it’s only a matter of time before your favorite character returns. Heck, he’s already ‘died’ once before and come back. His super power is essentially a get out of ‘dead’ free card.
Some of you might even punch me in the stomach and tell me to ‘grow up’ because it’s just a freakin’ comic book!
And to all of you I’d say, “It’s just not the same.”
Henchman-4-Hire 