All New X-Men 15
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils / Colors by Chris Bachalo
Inked by Tim Townsend, Mark Irwin, Al Vey & Jaime Mendoza
We pick up with Dazzler and the Medina family. Fabio’s sister recognizes Dazzler from her original singing career. His father just comes off super racist instead of being overly protective.
Really liking Bachalo’s redesign for Dazzler, glad it got the cover treatment.
New mutant, David, gets given his mutant name, Hijack. Pretty decent name coming from Cyclops.
Irma gets a new hair style, so now we can tell one of them apart. That other one should dye her hair red.
Favorite part of the issue would have to be the interactions between Dazzler, Emma, Scott, and Illyana. A quick and fast way to show their history, and really fun.
I feel really bad for those Dazzler fans who thought she was being given a a huge push.
Brian is back at it with another list opportunity, due to popular demand.
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/08/06/vote-for-the-50-greatest-x-family-stories/
My list is this:
1. Kitty Pryde: Shadow and Flame 1-5
2. Kitty Pryde and Wolverine 1-6
3. Excalibur 61-67
4. Wolverine (2003) 20-25 Enemy of the State
5. Pryde & Wisdom 1-3
6. Wolverine (1988) 125-128 Viper Wedding
7. X-Men True Friends 1-3
8. Mekanx 1-6
9. Generation Next 1-4
10. Kitty Pryde: Agent of SHIELD 1-3
I should have added the Demon Bear Saga from New Mutants 18 – 21, but that’s okay. None of mine are going to make the overall list, except for maybe Kitty Pryde and Wolverine.
The results start on August 21.
The list should be all over the place so my heart goes out to Brian Cronin, as he’s going to have a load of work ahead of him. Voting stops on the 18th of August.
My wife and I saw The Wolverine last night.
It was nice to see additional Catching Fire footage, the Games’ uniforms don’t look as bad as I thought they would.
The only other remarkable trailer to note is the sequel to Thor, which I was not expecting to see. I prefer my Thor to be on Earth, so hopefully we get plenty of that.
I really dug The Wolverine.
I liked how they kept making baby steps toward making Movie Viper match Comic Viper, but they stop short of giving her green hair. Which is disappointing.
I thought the actress playing Mariko did an amazing job. Once they get off the train, she becomes instantly likeable.
I could have done with three less scenes with Jean Grey. The first one is a nice surprise but then we keep getting more. The final one is cool with the White Hot Room.
I liked the battle with Mariko’s father, they probably threw that in there so that the fight from the Claremont / Miller miniseries would be represented.
Hopefully they do release an Unrated edition as Wolverine stabs a bunch of fools in the film. It was cool to see him unleashed.
Mariko gets three love interests in the film, good for her.
I wish Yukio was given more of a free spirit in the film. Or maybe just not with red hair, as if she can have red hair, why couldn’t Viper get green haur? It really did bug me, I thought that’s why they did it, to get us used to non-traditional hair colors.
Mariko’s father was played by the actor who played Dogan on Lost. I knew I recognized him from a television show.
Really couldn’t believe they took Wolverine’s adamantium claws away, that’s insane to me.
Some really good action sequences. Some good characterization. I wish Mariko was still alive in the comics as I never really got any exposure to her outside of the failed wedding.
Not to many jokes, but they do stick out. I guess they were looking for a balance. Surprised about the profanity, made the film feel like it was more mature, which is what I want from a Wolverine film.
Hopefully Tao Okamoto, Mariko, gets to break out in the states as she was quite good in this film.
I wished we got more of Viper and Silver Samurai on screen together. Or rather that Silver Samurai’s concept was more in line with the comic version and less of a giant robot / battlesuit. Though it never felt like Wolverine vs. Iron Man, so that is good.
Also would have been cool to get Wolverine vs. Ninjas but Yakuza was awesome.
I had plans to ramp up to this post with reviews of the other films, but my wife surprised me with this. Either I will do it for the DVD release or for Days of Future Past, probably for the latter.
That post credit scene is absolutely amazing! Glad I was able to stay clear of any spoilers. My wife believes that Wolverine got his metal claws back, vut they looked like bone to me. I like how Logan has two year’s worth of adventures out there.
Written by Rick Remender
Aritist is John Cassaday
Color Artist are Laura Martin and Larry Molina
I have made no secret about how I am a nut for covers paying homage to Uncanny X-Men 141. There is a splash page in this issue that also pays homage. I had to make a decision if I was going to start collecting interior art that does that. I know that it so rarely happens that I really should. It happens so rare that I bought two issues of Wizard that has a Joker / Harly Quinn homage. Issue 181 had the first ever and then issue 200 reprinted as a showcase of great original commission art. I figured I might as well buy it own it twice.
This issue if Uncanny Avengers, is the final part of the Red Skull has Professor Xavier’s brain storyline.
I like seeing the Cyclops’ origin story from Havok’s point of view, as it is Alex’s origin story as well. I just never have seen it as Alex’s as, to me, he is the lesser of the two brothers.
Though I must state, I freaking adored Alex’s ongoing series, Mutant X, back in the 90s, that was a great series. Also one of the better alternate timelines, it was well thought out and all of the changes that were made were from known storylines, so you knew where it happen. A real shame that the series doesn’t get more references made now, but it makes sense as the last issue came out in 2001, oooof, twelve years ago. Also, there are no available trades, so the series is not readily available. Some of Howard Mackie’s best work, outside of his Spider-Man career.
Scarlet Witch vs. Thor, pretty impressive of Wanda.
I like the idea of Red Skull and Captain America just walking around and talking. At this point, they have done it all, practically, so they might as well hold off on the pynching until it is truly necessary.
The Alex / Wanda budding relationship seems to be happening here.
Alex loses points for hitting Rogue, even if he was being mind controlled, nit cool dude.
It is not until Thor picks up Wolverine’s limp body that I realize we have not seen Logan until now.
I like the little moments at the end. Cap letting Havok stay as the leader. Rogue not trusting Wanda. Though that is super weird that Rogue abd Magneto have had a relationship, and niw she has to deal with his adult crazy daughter. Thor and Wolverine’s tender moment feels like two warriors talking to each other.
Issue ends with a three month time cut to Red Skull as Onslaught that just looks cool.
Not sure how they broke it down between Martin and Molina on art, as it looks like Martin’s high quality, maybe Molina helped make it look darker, or something. Just know this, if you have Laura Martin coloring your book, it will look timeless and beautiful. Marvel better make like Mark Bagley, and chain her to a desk as well.
Uncanny X-Men Volume Three 9
X-Men Volume Three 3
X-Men Legacy 14
Here is the break down between New Mutants’ list and Brian Cronin’s List
(and I promise this will be my last post on the subject)
Phalanx Covenant dropped from 15th place to 50th
Imperial dropped from 40th place (tied for 38th) to 44th place
Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire stayed at the same rank of 41.
House of M dropped from 14 to 39
Return of the Brood (Earthfall) stayed the same at 38
Rise of the Phoenix dropped from being tied for 45 to 34
Welcome to Genosha (which Brian called “A Green and Pleasant Land – no wonder everyone else calls it the other title) stayed at 33!
Here Comes Tomorrow dropped from 20 to 32
Second Coming dropped from 25 to 31.
X-Tenction Agenda dropped from 9 to 30
Supernovas dropped from 12 to 29
Crossroads jumped from tied at 41 to 28
X-Cutioner’s Song dropped from 11 to 27
Torn stayed the same at 26.
Mutant Genesis dropped from 23 to 25
LifeDeath jumped from tied at 53 to 21!
Planet X dropped from 18 to 20
Riot at Xaviers dropped from 13 to 17
The Brood Saga jumped from 21 to 16
Fatal Attractions jumped from 23 to 15
Fall of the Mutants dropped from 7 to 14
Asgardian Wars jumped from 16 to 13
Messiah Complex dropped from 8 to 12
Inferno dropped from 8 to 11
Preteus Saga jumped from tied at 41 to 10
Mutant Massacre dropped from 2 to 7
Gifted jumped from 21 to 6
From the Ashes would have jumped from 48 to 8, from the collected trade to the highest ranked story.
E is for Extinction stayed at 5
God Loves, Man Kills jumped from 10 to 4
Age of Apocalypse stayed at 3
Days of Future Past jumped from 6 to 2
Dark Phoenix Saga stayed at 1
The stories that did not change were:
Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire at 41
Return of the Brood (EarthFall) at 38
Welcome to Genosha/A Green and Pleasant Land at 33
Torn at 26
E is for Extinction at 5
Age of Apocalypse at 3
Dark Phoenix Saga at 1
In the end though, like any of these lists, it usually just boils down to, these are the 50 best X-Men stories, you may disagree with some of the rankings but just use it as a way to know which stories are worth checking out. X-Men have a bunch of crossovers so those will always make the list.
21 stories didn’t make the CSBG list so that’s really 71 stories to check out. Pretty impressive that New Mutants’ compiled list starts has the top 16 making the list. Some newer stories show up if you don’t want just the best of the 80s and such. Plus with Paul Smith’s run being made into one entry, it did open the list for five additional stories so there’s that as well.
Seems like the between the two lists, New Mutants’ was about actual storylines whereas CSBG’s list was about storylines and individual issues.
Brian Cronin is a true gentleman for compiling this and I respect the heck out of that guy.
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/07/21/50-greatest-x-men-stories-master-list/
Here is the list:
50. Phalanx Covenant Only read the Excalibur portion of this, Life Signs
49. Trial of Magneto Magneto in France, takes over the New Mutants and joins the X-Men
48. Wounded Wolf Solo Wolverine tale
47. Magik Where Illyanan becomes the character she is today
46. I, Magneto Awesome Magneto battle, he believes he kills Kitty and realizes he is a monster
45. In the Shadow of … Sauron Classic X-Men
44. Imperial Morrison
43. World Tour Half of the X-Men believe the other half are dead, leads to Proteus Saga
42. An Age Undreamed Of Never quite “got” this story, a fun alternate history story, reminds me of Busiek/Perez’s first Avengers arc
41. Rise and Fall of the Shi-Ar Empire Skipped this, don’t care for the X-Men in space. Shame we lost Nightcrawler and Rachel for a year for this
40. Professor Xavier is a Jerk! Classic Paul Smith! Kitty earning her role on the X-Men.
39. House of M Kitty doesn’t play a huge role but I like that in that timeline, she became a teacher.
38. Earthfall Sequel to the Brood Saga
37. From the Ashes The two part Mastermind epic, by Paul Smith
36. He’ll Never Make Me Cry Colossus breaks up with Kitty and Wolverine gets Juggernaut to beat the crap out of him
35. Blood Fued Dracula vs the X-Men! Storm and Kitty in the Mutant X universe are based on if this went wrong
34. The Rise of the Phoenix The precursor of the Dark Phoenix Saga
33. A Green and Pleasant Land
32. Here Comes Tomorrow Morrison
31. Second Coming Nightcrawler dies in this
30. X-Tinction Agenda
29. SuperNovas Mike Carey!
28. Crossroads
27. X-Cutioner’s Song
26. Torn Whedon’s best arc and can’t believe it’s the lowest of the ranked. Danger did not make the list
25. Mutant Genesis Claremont’s farewell to the X-Men
24. Dancin’ in the Dark The Morlocks’ origins done by Paul Smith
23. Demon John Bryne’s final issue of his legendary run. Kitty Pryde is put to a test that she has to pass, such a great issue. I own this as a novelized Marvel Chiller
22. Magneto Triumphant
21. LifeDeath Storm solo
20. Planet X Morrison, probably my favorite until Marvel undid everything about it. Magneto on a grand stage and this is the last time Jean died, and she remains dead to this day. I’m sure that’s the only lasting effect to Morrison’s run now that I think of it.
19. The Sentinel Live! Classic X-Men
18. Second Genesis The All New All Different team, first apperances of Nightcrawler, Storm, Illyana – which is why I own it for her. I really need to find that short box and see if I own a first edition or not, it was like $30 on eBay and in a “readable” condition, so I doubt its first edition but I am curious to figure it out
17. Riot at Xavier’s Morrison
16. The Brood Saga Starts with Cockrum and ends with Paul Smith, probably the only time I liked the X-Men in space.
15. Fatal Attractions Magneto rips out Wolverine’s adamantium
14. Fall of the Mutants So many characters are changed, Doug dies and Angel becomes Archangel
13. Asgardian Wars People usually just think about the Art Adams two parter but there is an X-Men/Alpha Flight mini that sets it up drawn by Paul Smith
12. Messiah Complex Kitty is barely in this but its Hope Summers’ first appearance
11. Inferno The storyline that cost us both Maddie Pryor and Illyana Rasputin
10. The Proteus Saga The storyline that takes place right before Dark Phoenix Saga
9. Unstoppable A decent story, X-Men in space, Cassaday gets to draw most people’s favorite Marvel characters. The ending was rough for the three years she was stranded, until Matt Fraction corrected it
8. To Have and Have Not Paul Smith, Wolverine’s failed wedding, Storm gets 80s
7. Mutant Massacre Kitty and Kurt get so hurt they are sent to England, Excalibur is born later
6. Gifted Whedon’s first arc, put Kitty Pryde back on the map.
5. E is for Extinction Morrison’s first arc, Emma joins the team proper
4. God Loves, Man Kills Amazing story, basis of X2, really wish they kept it religious instead of military for the movie. Has more punch that way.
3. Age of Apocalypse This gave the world Kitty Pryde with an extreme edge that I really dug. My disdain for Colossus starts with this
2. Days of Future Past Two part story that changed X-Men forever. Time travel and alternate timelines, plus they come back to this so much. Battle of the Atom future X-Men are from this, the next X-Men movie uses this as an inspiration
1. Dark Phoenix Saga Kitty’s first appearance and Emma Frost’s first appearance. Kitty never meets the real Jean Grey until so many years later.
Written by Brian Wood
Penciled by Alvaro Martinez
Inked by John Lucas
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
World War X Part One
This is the final comic of the ones I didn’t get last month. Apparently the mutants beat the American soldiers. Now, Kitty has to fight against Jean Grey.
James breaks up with Kitty. As her third boyfriend, he is better than Bobby, but still nowhere near Peter.
Glad Wood remembered that Ultimate Colossus is into dudes, yet another reason why I like the Ultimate version better.
Jean is all types of crazy in this universe!
Should be a very interesting arc.
Apparently, there is a variant cover for this issue, that I will have to add to my wishlist once comicbookdb has it updated.
I am going to do a proper post once all 50 are announced but with yesterday’s post, the entire Paul Smith run has made the list.
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/07/21/50-greatest-x-men-stories-master-list/
Issues 165 to 175, not counting 171
40 Professor Xavier is a Jerk (168)
37 From the Ashes (174 & 175)
24 Dancin’ in the Dark (169 & 170)
16 The Brood Saga (165 – 167)
8 To Have and Have Not (172 & 173)
Throw in the Asgardian Wars two parter (13) and that’s his entire run proper. He did the, what I would call, the prelude to the two part Art Adams story, but you need to read the Smith issues, as that is where Loki first experiences the X-Men, and promises to leave that cast of X-Men alone, hence why Loki goes after the New Mutants.
 | John Klein III on X-Men United 1 |
 | MoxieMk5 on X-Men United 1 |
 | Ron on Emily VanCamp |
| John Klein III on Exceptional X-Men 12 |
| MoxieMk5 on Exceptional X-Men 12 |
| John Klein III on X-Men United 1 |
| MoxieMk5 on X-Men United 1 |
| Ron on Emily VanCamp |
| John Klein III on Exceptional X-Men 12 |
| MoxieMk5 on Exceptional X-Men 12 |
Shadow and Flame with Magik 