Astonishing X-Men #2 Marvel Comics
Written by Joss Whedon
Art by John Cassaday
Review by Jared Benson
Firstly, I must take a moment to make a small correction in regards to my last review. The error on my part became even more apparent upon finishing reading this issue of Astonishing X-Men. I said last time that this was the best take on X-Men Id seen in the last five years. That estimate should be a little bigger and Id say this is the best the X-Men has looked in about 14 years.
I dont talk to my comics very often but while reading this one I caught myself muttering cool somethings to my precious issue #2. Whedon has done a superb job of taking classic characters that have literally been through the creative wringer since passing through the hands of Austen, Morrison, Casey and others since Claremont initially left the series and restoring them to greatness without ditching the various tweaks and quirks theyve picked up along the way. Unlike previous writers who felt that in order to make their mark on the franchise they had to change everything that had come before, Whedon simply looks at who the characters are today and writes them. He tells it like it IS and his character become more real than they have been in a long time.
One of the secrets to his success so far has been the back to basics doctrine. Gone seems to be the overly complex sub plots. Its five mutants trying to save a world that hates and fears them.
This issue sees some great character interactions. Whedon shows his familiarity with the franchise in a short conversation between Emma Frost and Kitty Pryde that is long overdue. It also sets a tone for the book that has been missing in a while. These characters dont all get along but in this case this is something very personal between these two. Kitty loathes Emma. There have always been tensions in the X-books and on any team book it adds drama. But in recent years the tension had become flat and diluted with familiarity. Whedon has managed to put a fresh but familiar spin on it again and the book seems new again. Logan hates Scott. Kitty hates Emma. Kitty respects Scott. Emma loves Scott. Everyone likes Beast. And so on. There are all sorts of great emotional triangles in this book without being drowned out by convoluted plots and a deluge of characters to keep track of.
As well, when Whedon does make a tweak to personalities it is explained in the book itself as a plot point. Kitty in this issue questions why Scott cant seem to make good decisions anymore when hes been leading the team most of his life. So we the reader can feel relaxed knowing that our writer hasnt just decided to make Scott a weenie but clearly has something plot oriented in mind.
If youve missed the good old days of the X-Men they are back and Whedon is doing it better than anyone else has for 14 years. And that includes his X-partner on Uncanny, Claremont himself.
I would be remiss if I didnt mention the excellent art of John Cassaday though who has put a fresh face on the team as well. His nice blend of realism and comic styling make for a beautiful book. His ability to portray characters differently is a major plus to a team book. Meaning not all the women look like they are pressed out of a mold and neither do the men. Wolverine is short and stocky with a rugged face while Scott is tall, square-jawed and blemish/scar free. Emma and Kitty are also both beautiful but come at that comic beauty from different angles making them appear quite physically different.
The Bottom Line: The best X-Book you will have seen in 14 years. A return to classic form with a modern approach. All others can be missed but not this one.
