It has taken me a few days to process this new title from Marvel, as I felt conflicted after reading it…twice. I was extremely excited about the concept of the series from the get-go and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the inaugural issue. The creative team that assembled for this project was another reason I jumped onboard, as Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, John Romita Jr. and Ed Brubaker, just to name a few, have built solid careers on telling stories that capture the imagination while using each character’s canon to the fullest. With that group in place, excellence is effectively guaranteed, right? Not so fast, dear reader…
The basic premise is this; the Phoenix Force is, once again, headed for Earth in search of a human host. Meanwhile, Cyclops AKA Scott Summers is training Hope Summers (Cable’s adopted daughter) whom he believes to be the target of the Phoenix and regards as the savior of “mutantkind”.
The Avengers also believe that Hope is the target and Captain America travels to the island of Utopia (the X-Men’s current residence) to take the girl into custody for protection.
Cyclops has other ideas, which lights the proverbial fuse for future conflict.
As you can see in these panels, the artwork is tremendous. From Jim Cheung’s cover to Romita’s bristling and energetic pages inside, there is a lot to love, which is not surprising. What is surprising is the story. Before reading this book, I surmised that an event of epic proportions would be necessary to set off an all-out war between these two groups but the Phoenix coming back? Really? (Okay, sure, the Phoenix is a formidable foe, I would agree, but I think it’s time to back the bucket and stool away from that heifer, as those teats are as dry as the Sahara!) Then there is the characterization of Scott Summers to consider. He seems to be going through some kind of male, mutant menopause, as he is unreasonable, reactionary and downright rude. All of his behavior seemed to be out of character, in my opinion, and that would be fine and dandy if it were earned. Since I don’t feel that it was, I immediately smelled a hint of Skrull. (I know, I know! The brain trust at Marvel won’t go there again! Or will they? Yikes!)
Then we have Hope Summers. Really? Her name is Hope? She is a tangible representation of Scott’s possible reconnection with Jean Grey (supposedly?) but the lack of subtlety really bugged me. Sorry…
All of that aside, seeing all of these characters together in one book is a genuine thrill and the battle scenes to come are sure to be spectacular and that is the main reason I can still give a positive recommendation. And I know I am being beyond nit picky with my criticisms and I hope that the writers are going to shock and amaze me by introducing some mind-blowing plot points that I never saw coming. It is that hope that will keep me reading the next eleven issues. Unless a Skrull shows up, of course. Then I’m out…
