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 ULTIMATE
X-MEN TPB"The Tomorrow People" Comicbookus Popcornius Written by Mark Millar Art by Adam Kubert, Art Thibert, Joe Weems and Danny Miki Marvel Comics $14.95 US Reviewed by Brent A. Keane I tend to have a love/hate relationship with the X-Men, insofar as the concept/franchise is concerned. When it works -- as a cautionary tale against discrimination, dressed in superhero rags -- it works well. When it doesn't -- dragging in concepts such as alternate timelines and/or futures, magic and mysticism, and an inordinate number of ongoing plots -- the results tend to speak for themselves. For what it's worth, ULTIMATE X-MEN does work, as it hews close to the original premise Lee & Kirby developed nearly 40 years ago, while successfully re-inventing that premise for the new century. Newcomers will enjoy themselves thoroughly, while those of us accustomed to the characters and concepts can revel in this refreshingly distinctive "widescreen" take. There are significant flaws, though. ULTIMATE X-MEN was essentially designed to appeal to an audience who had seen the X-Men motion picture and wanted to go to the source. Granted, ULTIMATE X-MEN will satiate their interest, the storytelling is grand and pyrotechnic, there's a great deal of posing and trash talk as well as a goodly dose of character conflict, but, at points, it feels all too familiar. Like junk food reheated the day after, it's not quite as appealing as it used to be; in fact, it tastes like it's been regurgitated. Cases in point: The Wolverine/Cyclops/Marvel Girl love triangle; The Xavier/Magneto schism; Cyclops' momentary "turn to the dark side" (a hoary old plot device if ever there was one). There are story and logic lapses as well: Wolverine shifts personality from hardened killer to fervent believer in Xavier's Dream, all because he has the hots for Jean; Xavier himself tossing around cars telekinetically with nary a care; etc. These things tend to distract, rather than intrigue -- you can include only so many "gosh-wow" scenes before they lose their freshness. Don't misunderstand me, ULTIMATE X-MEN is fun, like a blockbuster movie or roller-coaster ride is fun, but when it's over, more often than not you'll say to yourself, "What the heck was that?" ULTIMATE X-MEN is showy, shiny, and enjoyable...but not very deep. Turn your brain off when you open the book, and enjoy ULTIMATE X-MEN for what it is: high-octane pop thrills. If you want in-depth discussions of weighty issues, look elsewhere. RECOMMENDED (with reservations).
Brent
A. Keane is not a mutant, nor does he play one on television. |
