ASTONISHING X-MEN Review
ASTONISHING X-MEN Vol. 1: Gifted
MARVEL COMICS
Writer: Joss Whedon
Penciller/Inker: John Cassaday
Whedon (TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Cassaday (Planetary, Captain America) remind readers of the classic eras of Claremont and Byrne/Cockrum and Claremont and Paul Smith without forgetting some great additions to the lore by folks like Grant Morrison.
Readers who remember the X-Men of the early 1980s loved Kitty Pryde. She hasn’t been this in-character since those days. Whedon uses her as the heart of the team. She is also here to be a counterpoint to some of the hardening of the team and particularly to Emma Frost. A revelation in this story is especially important to her character.
If you are a fan of both X-Men and Buffy, then you are in for a real treat. Whedon always approached Buffy and the gang as a superteam and they reminded me of the X-Men in a way. In Astonishing X-Men Whedon shows all of his amazing talent for characters and dialogue through the harsh banter between Kitty and Emma, and the way Logan is positioned as the moral center(!) of the group. Wolvie takes Scott and Hank to task for two different reasons. Whedon brings out all the major themes of the X-Men and Buffy: growing up, angst, romanticism, love, loss, and fear.
Cassaday’s art is jaw-droppingly great. The new costume designs are fantastic without being silly. His camera angles are thrilling. The art is so clean and powerful. It reminds one of Steve Rude and Paul Smith.
The trade collects Astonishing X-Men #1-6.
Rated PG
May 18th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
This comic book series is the reason why I got back into comics!