6/13/12
X-Men 30/Before Watchmen Silk Spectre 1
X-Men 30
Count me in as one of the people who found Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men to be underwhelming; that series was the last time I sat down and read a chunk of modern X tales (with the exception of the Xenogenisis mini, but that was all for the Kaare Andrews arty). Since then the books have featured creators I don’t care for and cross-overs I didn’t want a part of, so reading the core X-books seemed uninviting. Yet now, in the midst of Avengers vs. X-Men, it seems a writer has me willing to spend a little spare change.
I’m familiar with Brian Wood originally from his terrific maxi-series Local, and even on the books of his I haven’t read his reputation is sterling. I was originally planning on bypassing the title, because as good as Wood is the X-Men titles have always seemed so insular, and now when they’re more open it’s only because of a cross-over hero-vs-hero book. But X-Men 30 wasn’t branded AvX, and it had a pretty catchy cover by Jorge Molina so it was my Marvel pick of the week.
First thing – and I’m going to keep stressing it since it’s something Marvel is doing right – is the recap page, letting me know who’s in this team and what it’s goals are. In this case, Storm has been in charge of a security team that looks out for mutant interests and answers to Scott Summers. Pixie is the only new cast member for me, but her power description on the recap page and the way she’s used in the opening of the book dispel any major questions I had.
Despite being 30, this felt like a #1, which is a good thing for us new readers. I don’t know how long this team has been active, and it doesn’t matter because I don’t need to. The issue revolves around the group responding to an attack that could be from a mutant, and the ramifications that follow. Storm fans should be happy to know that while she officially answers to Scott, she has no problem doing things on her own agenda and standing up to him or even flat-out lying. The pencils are done by David Lopez, who I’ve admired since his stint on DC’s Fallen Angel. The man can deliver consistent quality.
This first issue sets up a nice little mystery with a murderous prologue two years prior, and ends with a giant monster, so it achieves my goals for keeping me interested.
Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre 1
As much as I enjoyed X-Men 30, Silk Spectre completely over-shadowed it. It was always going to be a tough fight to over-come the dream-team of Cooke and Conner, but if the quality remains this high over the course of the mini-series then I may have a consistent ‘book of the month’ all the way until fall. It’s funny but it’s the Watchmen characters I care about least that have me the most intrigued for this whole project. Silk Spectre was by no means my favourite, and Laurie isn’t even my favourite Spectre! But, Cooke and Conner.
The two co-wrote the script, which is about a young Laurie growing up living in and hiding from her mothers shadow. I want to call it an update on the teen romance genre. There’s a boy and girl, and obstacles, and yet love wins out, just because people are young and stupid. I honestly like it, and the only thing I’ve read recently that I’d want to relate it to was Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, which is one of the best books of the past decade.
The writing is great, but this is AMANDA CONNER, so know matter how perfect it is, her art is going to find a way to be that much better. The stories told in mostly nine-panel grids, meaning we get a lot of Amanda drawing faces. It’s evident by page 3 that the book is going to be a showcase for her to show emotions, and she’s among the best in the business at doing that. If Amanda and Kevin Maguire just did a book of talking heads, I’d pre-order it instantly. There is a little action, and the fantasy images in Laurie’s head range from genuinely funny to saccharine sweet. The cutaways are so well done – and drawn in styles to fit the particular emotion. If you’re a Conner cheesecake watcher, there’s very little of that. I’m sure more is forthcoming, but as is the book is amazing to look at.
The Before Watchmen comics come with varient covers, but the main is by Conner and quite frankly I don’t see why you’d want to pick up anything else.
Last weeks comic, The Minutemen, had to set up a loftier world with a larger cast and did suffer for it. This is a fairly small, self-contained story. I know the story doesn’t end here, but if it did I’d still be satisfied seeing this slice of life from the Jupiter women. This is a book you don’t even have to have liked – or read – Watchmen to enjoy. It’s very strong on it’s own.