I should start coming up with monthly reading themes. Anyways, if I had to describe this month, it was about matching up books stacked in my To Read pile.
X-Men: Homecoming by Jed Mackay
"Of course I'm threatening you. Because, like I said, I'm doing you a favor. Psylocke. Kid Omega. Juggernaut. Magik. An assassin, a terrorist, a super villain and Illyana's half demon on a good day. Plus Magneto. You want them busy. Because you want them to be my X-Men. Not my Brotherhood."
A new age of the X-Men has begun! Their old home gone, Scott Summers (Cyclops) leads a new team from an abandoned Alaskan Sentinel construction factory. A new home and a new team, but the mission remains the same - protect their kind. They'll discover new mutants finding their powers for the first time, fight against threats both human and mutant, and stumble upon a new mystery of new mutants awakening their powers much later in life.
Uncanny X-Men: Red Wave by Gail Simone
"It was our home. Be a good houseguest. Because someday soon? We're gonna come to the gate and take it all back."
Scattered and driven from their home, the newlyweds Rogue and Gambit find themselves in search for a new home in Louisiana. Despite Charles Xavier's school lost and transformed into a prison, when a few stray mutants arrive on her doorstep, hunted and afraid, Rogue chooses to continue Xavier's dream. With no backup, the new team will need to defend themselves and their new home from a monster connected to Xavier's past life before the formation of the X-Men.
Exceptional X-Men: Duty Calls by Eve L. Ewing
"I told them I didn't want any part in ... anything. You can say I'm running away. Sure. But I'm choosing this. I'm choosing these kids. Choosing to be the teacher I wish I had."
Hiding herself away in Chicago, Katherine "Kitty" Pryde just wants to live a normal life far from her one with the X-Men. Her dreams of a quiet life are quickly abandoned when she intervenes in a couple of incidents involving young mutants with untamed powers. The young mutants seek out Kitty's mentorship, much to the delight of a bored Emma Frost. Dragged back into a life she tried to run from, can Kitty train her proteges to control their new abilities, and gain their trust despite her questionable past?
X-Factor: Please Like and Share by Mark Russell
In bright and sunny California, a new mutant team is formed: X-Factor! Thanks to an unlikely partnership, X-Factor is formed as a marketing tool for the US Military to recruit mutants and appeal to the public. Made up of relatively unknown mutants, the untested team is sent on dangerous missions in other countries, in space, and deep underground, all to appeal to the masses.
NYX: What Comes Next will be Marvelous by Collin Kelly
It's a new era for young mutants in New York City. The great city has always been alive and full of opportunity and now it's time for those coming into their own to find their place in it. The city isn't without its own dangers, however, dark corners looking to consume their hope. Do these young mutants have what it takes to forge their own path, build a new community, and survive in the city?
Sentinels: Necessary Monsters by Alex Paknadel
Sentinels were first created by humans born out of their fear of mutantkind. Though the autonomous machines were decommissioned, the need to keep the peace between humans and mutants still exists. Run from the newly established Graymalkin Prison, the program merges advanced nanotechnology with mutants. The unit will be sent to capture some of the strongest mutants and return them to the prison. All the while, they'll need to keep themselves in-check as their new implants harbor a deadly and dangerous life-threatening secret.
Dazzler: World Tour by Jason Loo
Alison Blaire, aka Dazzler, hopes her music can unite mutants and humans. Along with her road crew comprised of fellow mutants, she sets off on an epic world tour. Unfortunately, someone has it out for Dazzler, seeking to ruin the tour from the shadows with hired hands. Can Dazzler and the crew put a stop of the petty scheme and keep the show going?
Something big happened to the X-Men back in 2024 (no, I'm still not exactly sure what it was), and Marvel ended the current run of X-Men comics to start over with a bunch of new titles. These would supposedly be "new reader" friendly, allowing new fans to get into the story without needing to know a ton of background. To some degree, these titles achieved that goal as they use popular characters (characters even non-comic book fans might know) in new storylines with enough bits and pieces thrown in for reference, if needed. The three "flagship titles" - X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Exceptional X-Men - focus on tried-and-true types of stories with experienced mutants taking in less experienced ones while defending themselves from both humans and mutants alike. Other books focused on smaller groups in more niche stories. There are also a bunch of books I didn't buy just because that's so, so much money to spend. I had originally bought first issues of several of these stories, hoping to find one that might resonate with me to keep reading regularly (the X-Men are important to the Marvel Universe, after all) but I just never found the time to read them. Then, the trade paperbacks got released, so I picked up a bunch of these instead.
How are the stories? The three flagship books - X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Exceptional X-Men - are, well, they're okay. These three books focus on the typical X-Men stories: experienced mutants taking on young proteges and fighting back against both mutants and humans seeking to do them harm. They are exactly what I expected to get out these books, so solid C, C+ reads. I've got no issue with these. What I did have a problem with were the smaller books - NYX, Dazzler, X-Factor, and Sentinels. Though less marketed, I had high hopes for these books based on just how different they would be from the three major ones. NYX, focusing on mutants attempting to thrive in New York City, wasn't too bad just that the storyline felt confusing at times (and I think they even left part of it unfinished). Dazzler, a story about the title characters attempted world tour, too, wasn't bad, but just wasn't something I was interested in reading (I really wanted to see the actual tour). X-Factor, where a team of mutants put together by the military to push an agenda, felt like a joke the entire way through. Sentinels, in which a group of mutants are enhanced with Sentinel technology so they can hunt down their own to keep the peace mutant and human communities, felt lacking all the way through. These last two books I had high hopes for based on just how different they are from the usual X-Men stories.
Besides the three flagship books, I'm honestly not sure if the others continue post this initial collection of issues. However, I learned something about myself after reading this huge chunk of X-Men stories: I don't care. As I said, besides these last two books they weren't bad stories, and are worth continuing if you're a fan of the X-Men. I just kinda realized I wasn't excited to read these books even as I was reading them. Maybe I just don't care about these characters or was just more excited to get to reading other books stacked in my TO READ pile (it is starting to get out of hand). So, yeah, I'm probably not going back to these books.
Batman: A Death in the Family by Jim Starlin / A Lonely Place of Dying by Marv Wolfman
"You've been a bad boy. You must be punished! Prepare yourself for a severe spanking, young man. But let me tell you right from the start ... this is going to hurt you a lot more than it does me."
After the deaths of his parents left him an orphan, Jason Todd was adopted by Bruce Wayne and trained to become Batman's new Robin. Jason, however, later discovered that the woman he knew as his mother was not really his birth mother - who may still be alive. Jason sets out to the Middle East to discover which of three women may be his mother. At the same time, Bruce Wayne also sets off for the region after learning of a possible Joker Plot. The pair team-up once more to not only search for Jason's mother as well as to foil the Joker's plans. When both missions overlap, Jason is captured and beaten, and eventually killed in an explosion. Batman sets out for revenge, but discovers The Joker is now untouchable as he has been appointed as Iran's U.N. Ambassador, granting him diplomatic immunity. Reluctantly, Batman steps aside despite knowing all to well the man behind the painted smile. As expected, The Joker attempts to kill everyone at the United Nations' conference, his plan foiled by a disguised Superman. Despite Batman's vow to finally kill The Joker, he still allows the villain to escape.
A mysterious figure stalks a now reckless Batman as he continues to spiral after the death of Robin. Set on returning the Dark Knight back to form, the young boy sets out to find a vanished Dick Grayson, however none of the Titans know where he has gone, now how this child knows Nightwing's secret identity. Eventually finding Dick at his old circus home, the boy asks Dick to once again don his old Robin costume as a way to bring Bruce Wayne back to his old self. Meanwhile, Batman and Two-Face face off, each attempting to lure the other into a trap. When Batman and Nightwing fall into Two-Face's trap, it is up to the young sleuth, Tim Drake, to save them, deciding to wear the Robin suit.
An important piece of Batman lore, "A Death in the Family" collects the four issues surrounding the death of Jason Todd/Robin and its immediate aftermath. Also, included in this collection I picked up, "A Lonely Place of Dying", a five-issue story introducing the new Robin, Tim Drake, as Batman always needs a Robin to keep him grounded and focused. A historic event as DC allowed readers to call one of two hotline phone numbers to decide if the boy lived or died. It's one of those stories I always meant to read being a major event in comic book history, but just never got around to doing since I basically knew the story. Then, one of the comic book shops put the book on display as part of their Book Club reading, so I decided to finally give it a read. Also, spurring me on was that I had already bought the recently published alternate version of "what if readers voted to save Jason Todd?" and thought "Wouldn't it be fun to read both stories back-to-back?"
So, how was the story? Surprisingly long and dark. The story is only four issues long, but it is almost 130 pages long with huge chunks of dialogue. I can typically clear 4 modern comic book issues in a lunch break, but these took me a lot longer than expected. Each issue also started with a couple of pages recapping the previous issue, something not found in most modern comics. Adding to its length is the whole chapter and a half after Jason's death with The Joker becoming Iran's Ambassador, which kinda lessens the impact giving a reason for The Batman not to kill The Joker despite his vow to do so this time. Despite the bright colors, the story itself is surprisingly dark as Batman takes on a child pornography ring and Robin brutalizes a bunch of villains all before The Joker beats Jason Todd to death with a crowbar over several panels without so much as a monologue first. That, of course, leads to Jason Todd's death. As mentioned, the readers got to decide if Robin lived or died. The story includes an ad proving the phone numbers to call to save or kill the boy - for fifty cents a call which is crazy seeing as each issue also costs fifty cents each. I knew some history going into the story, so I kinda expected the reader to decide whether or not Batman saves Robin from his injuries, or if he survives the vicious crowbar-beating - not if he survives an explosion! I don't know much about Jason Todd, but reading his character in this book, I can definitely see why some fans would vote to kill him off as I found him annoying as he is constantly going on and on about finding his mother through the whole story. It was definitely an interesting and historic read as it shows a major death, leads to a new Robin, and eventually transforms Jason Todd into Red Hood.
As for "A Lonely Place of Dying", the five issues introduce Tim Drake, the newest child to take up the Robin mantle. I really like Drake's introduction as "The Detective" - having figured out Bruce Wayne's, Dick Grayson's, and Jason Todd's secret identities even before becoming Robin. He presents as a different type of Robin, especially compared to the one they just wrote out two issues ago. The story itself brings in Two-Face, a classic Batman villain, and teases perhaps bringing Dick back as Robin, which I'm glad they didn't do. It's a good way to introduce the new character that readers are going to be seeing more of.
Death in the Family: Robin Lives! by J.M. DeMatteis
"Well, then, let's start with one question: Why? Why expose a child to the dangers ... the insanity ... of the Batman's world?"
The Joker is dead! After surviving a near-death beating, Jason Todd returns to Gotham changed, violent, broken. Unable to connect with his young protege, Bruce Wayne reaches out for help to assist in healing his ward. The Joker, too, after being taken into custody yet again, is set up with his own expert looking to cure the Clown Price of his insanity. Meanwhile Bruce asks the question he had never thought to ask, "Was I right to bring children into Batman's world?" Of course, The Joker escapes Arkham once again and sets out on a new plan of mass-murder. Jason's anger finally taking control, he sets out to stop The Joker once and for all, but when the opportunity comes, he freezes. Batman sets out to stop the plan, but before he can capture The Joker, Jason arrives and shoots the criminal in the head. In an epilogue, Bruce sets aside the Batman mantle, and Jason goes on to work at Arkham, helping those he once put there - before turning into The Joker himself.
A continuation of the alternate ending in which Jason Todd survives the injuries he sustains in the historic "A Death in the Family" storyline. I got this book through the online comic shop mostly out of curiosity as to where they might go with an alternate storyline. Then, I decided to hold-off reading it until I read the original version, which, surprisingly, the comic shop's Book Club was reading that month (what great timing!). The first half of this book provides the original "A Death in the Family" storyline with the alternate ending of Jason Todd surviving his injuries before going on to the four-issue "Robin Lives" story. The story itself tackles the issues of trauma amongst those in the Batman universe as not only Jason Todd tries to deal with almost dying at the hands of The Joker, but Bruce Wayne too looks at his role in bringing these young boys into his world. It's a pretty good spin through the first three issues but definitely fumbles the ending.
So, let's talk about that ending. Up to the last issue, I was really enjoying the story, wondering how The Joker would eventually end up dead, and what atrocities Jason may commit while drugged with The Joker's serum. Jason, however, simply shakes off the poison in a couple of pages after being ordered to kill a single person. Then, The Joker actually tempts Jason to kill him as if the Clown Price wants to die by Robin's hand, not Batman's. Finally, for seemingly no reason and with no explanation than ones I come up with in my head, Jason turns into The Joker. Yeah, it's a shock-value ending without rhyme or reason. The story really would've wrapped up nicely without the last two pages, instead ending with Jason working through his trauma and going on to help others. Instead, we're given a shock-ending with no real pay-off as this story is just a different ending of a storyline nearly 40 years old (why would they write a "Robin Lives II" after all?)
Absolute Wonder Woman #8 - 10 by Kelly Thompson
"That was an ancient monster from another world doing only what it knew how to do. It was not a clever human harnessing dangerous weapons it doesn't understand, only to use them to purposely hurt fellow citizens."
Having saved Gateway City, Diana turns her attention to finding her lost Amazonian sisters. She soon finds a lead when a government scientist reveals the location of a hidden base containing a labyrinth where one may be held prisoner. Traversing the maze, Diana instead finds a despot has taken control of the prison from within, one looking to harness the powers of the captured.
The start of a new story arc finds Diana establishing herself as the protector of Gateway City while a government force looks to harness the abilities of the recently slain monsters. Despite all the pain forced upon her in Hell, Diana still hasn't lost her hope in finding her missing sisters, nor her compassion to help those in trouble. Though she has fought terrifying monsters, it is in their nature to be monsters. Facing new threats that choose to be monsters, will witnessing such atrocious acts finally break her?
Absolute Superman #7 - 9 by Jason Aaron
"I have to get away from these people. I'll go to the top of their tallest mountain. Or maybe I can jump to the moon. Some place no one can find me. No one who can possibly need anything from me. No one screaming for me to save them. Join them. Liberate or avenge them. No one lost and in need of salvation. No one else like me. "
Brainiac continues his search for the identity of The Superman, remembering his rise to power amongst the other Brainiacs. Caught in Smallville, The Lazarus Corporation's Peacemakers injure Kal-El with a special bullet made of the remains of Krypton. Saved by the Omega Men resistance fighters, Kal-El joins with them for a mission to free those take prisoner.
"Absolute Superman" continues with more background into their big villains - Brainiac and Ra's al Ghul - and into a new storyline pairing Kal-El with the Omega Man resistance group. It is not only a story of resistance against the exploitation of the weak by the powerful, but also address keeping one's hope in the face of hopelessness. Kal-El, having already witnessed the destruction of his home planet, is now seeing the same follies play out on this new planet. Can he fully move on from this trauma when the radiated remains of Krypton have literally come back to try to kill him once again?
