The Uncanny X-Men # 19-28
Well, this was a pretty interesting era for the X-Men. Roy Thomas and Werner Roth take over the book with issue 20, and we're suddenly tossed into a time in where the villians are awful, but the characterization is top-notch.
The threats the X-Men face are not Mutant at all. Lucifer (again), Count Nefaria (a name like that and he has to be evil), El Tigre (ugh), Colosso (a robot), and the Locust (um . . . yeah) all line-up to face off with the X-Men in what are pretty much lame attempts at evil-ness. None of them succeded, though technically, Colosso was just a big robot in the Danger Room. Each one is dispatched with ease.
Despite the C-List baddies, the X-Men themselves get a fair share of character development. We begin to understand the X-Men as more than just Mutant super-heroes. Bobby and Hank start dating Zelda (a waitress) and Vera (a libraian) whilst they hit the town, often headed to the cafe called Coffee-A-Go-Go, located in Greenwhich Village. Jean starts school in New York and goes to part-time status with the X-Men, with both Warren and Scott pursuing her. Even Xavier deals with his handicap in a unique (if not stupid) way.
Issues 19 and 28 both deal with the kinda-sorta-Mutant called Mimic, who has the powers to mimic those of any Mutant he's around. He starts off as quite the menance for the X-Men, but eventually joins in their ranks when the X-Men find themselves knocked down a few pegs.
The character interactions are at top, with each individual character developing nicely. Xavier is struck with moments of angst at not being able to walk. Scott has a deep rivalry and jealously with Warren. Jean is interacting with normal students and humans. Hank finds dating difficult and Vera to be quite the challenge. Mimic (Calvin Rankin) is having problems dealing with the fact that his powers depend on everyone elses. And Bobby is trying hard to balance super-heroics and a normal life.
All in all, this is an interesting if not somewhat low time for the X-Men. While the super-hero aspect of the story is weak, the characterization is strong. I wish more time had been spent on giving us more time with the characters rather than with these lame threats.
~W~
No comments:
Post a Comment