Review: Astonishing X-Men Xenogenesis 1

Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis #1 (of 5)
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Kaare Andrews

The moment of truth has arrived. After the release of jarring promotional art for the new (but not really improved) Astonishing X-Men mini-series, the first issue finally hit stands two weeks ago and I now feel as though I can reveal my informed opinion after reading Ellis and Andrews' take on all things Astonishing.

You may recall my original post in which I critiqued (quite negatively) the first promotional image (this issue's cover) for the series. I could deal with most of the characters' new looks, but Emma looked horrendous and - having read the first issue - that opinion still holds true. Most of the characters actually look better in the interiors. The covers that have been released suggest a style that leans toward caricature, which thankfully is barely present once the book is opened. Cyclops, Wolverine, and Beast are pretty much perfect. I must commend Andrews on bringing back Storm's mohawk (I was orginally one of its biggest detractors, but it really fits his style) and Armor is acceptable, although I wish she looked more like a teenager and less like an eight year old girl. The one week link, just like on the cover art, is Emma. I cannot get over the exaggerated breasts and buttox, the ridiculous hair, the ugly (yes, ugly) face, and the beyond stupid costume. There are approximately two panels in which she looks somewhat acceptable, one of which is pictured above. I must commend Andrews however, on his unique style that - minus Emma - proves to be, if nothing else, an interesting deviation for the X-universe. If only we could (and I think Jared will agree) remove Emma, we would have an undoubtedly flawed, but generally stylish and fun-looking book on our hands.

What the art is lacking, Warren Ellis makes up for in the script department. His writing is fast, witty, and sometimes...

If you're interested, continue reading here.

Astonishing Junk in the Trunk

*An excerpt from a post I wrote for my site early last March, posted here at Jared's suggestion.

Thrilling, well-written, and beautifully drawn, Marvel's current Astonishing X-Men series, launched by fanboy god Joss Whedon and artist John Cassaday, is getting a relaunch of sorts. I guess the official word in the comic industry is "reboot," which I don't really understand as this new arc, set to be released later this spring, is less of a reboot and more of a creative new direction. It won't be starting from scratch. Rather, this new story-line, a limited series titled Xenogenesis, will simply offer new readers a chance to jump into the Astonishing mythos without having to have read the thirty-five issues that will have already gone to print.

I'm cool with that idea. What I'm not entirely sold on yet is artist Kaare Andrews. I've glanced at some of his other work and, truth be told, he has some great stuff out there, but unfortunately his promotional art for this series isn't doing him any favors. I'm okay with Cyclops, Wolverine, and Beast, and Armor's look is pretty neat, but I'm not sure how I feel about Storm going back to the Mohawk, and I am definitely not a fan of Emma Frost's ghetto booty. I mean, I am all for artists making comic book women more real, but come on, that is way more than just a little bit of junk in the trunk. And is that her hair flowing down to her feet? What is up with that?

I only worry so much because a large part of why...

If you're interested, check out the rest of my original post here.