The six-part “Muertas” arc kicks off with the return of Lady Deathstrike!
Can a new Sisterhood be far behind?
Meanwhile, the X-Men regroup following the Battle of the Atom – and a new member joins the team!
The Good
Cover- Lady Deathstrike in her new Latino body is distinctive and quite cute if I do say so myself.
Monet– So most of my long time fans know I’m a huge fan of the Generation X series so as you may have guessed I’m on cloud nine now that Monet St. Croix is in an X-men book alongside fellow alum and rival Jubilee. This issue Monet joins the teaching staff at the Wolverine school for the gifted and immediately bonds with Karima Shapandar, the former Omega Sentinel. There is a certain level of maturation that can be seen in Monet. The vapid, bitchy school girl we knew and love has mellowed over the years. Interestingly Peter David’s stamp on the character remains ever present as Brian Wood has given our girl full on telekinesis capable of knocking over even a moving vehicle. Kudos to Wood but I hope he realizes her power set is far more diverse and her go to’ power has always been her superhuman strength.
Chemistry– This team has a very distinct feel. Monet and Jubilee are more civil than their earlier Generation-X days but there is a certain dalliance that the two possess which still shines through. I get goose bumps thinking about a rematch faceoff between these two with their upgraded power sets. Rachel and Storm are having a hard time getting along and I can see the leadership tension mounting in the near future.
LGBT– Bling explains to Jubilee what happened in X-men (2013) #1. She also explains that she has a new crush; Jubilee however clearly does not realize it’s here! Hilarity will ensue in the coming months I’m sure!
Black Heroes– Storm, Monet and Bling were all present and accounted for this month.
Villain– Lady Deathstrike is an interesting choice for the second arc of this series and her redesign is pretty damn hot! Am I the only one psyched to have Typhoid Mary playing in the mutant books after years of simply being kicked around by street level fighters? Last Time I saw her was in Black Panther Most Dangerous Man Alive where Panther defeated her and Lady Bullseye.
Art– Terry Dodson, how I’ve missed you! Terry, Monet, Jubilee and I go way back on the Generation X gravy train! I love the style and always found it very suited for female characters. I mean if you experienced Dodson on Wonder Woman you would know he’s synonymous with shapely strong comic book vixens while still maintaining a handle on action and emotion. Cheers Terry, I feel like a kid again!
The Bad
Color– Ever seen Generation X artists and colorists have moved Monet away from the deep chocolate sister she was to the more Arab look despite her creators both saying on separate occasions she’s black. To add insult to injury the colorist wrongly made Monet’s eyes blue.
Continuity– Did Reiko not die back when Wolverine’s lady loved was poisoned (Wolverine Vol.2 #57, for those who need to know)? By way of Hara Kiri I believe. Now she’s just back? Methinks Brian Wood either has a continuity problem or has some serious explaining to do!
Baggage– I hope Brain Wood doesn’t plan to continue the terrible trend started by Peter David where Monet sleeps with her teammates randomly. In X-factor she shagged Multiple man, Strong Guy and Darwin. Please let ‘that’ version of Monet fade from memory please!
The Ugly
Brian Wood and Terry Dodson deliver a beautifully characterized issue sure to bring pure unadulterated nostalgia to Generation X fans while titillating news in bold new ways. 4.5/5
