Monday, March 06, 2006

Uncanny X-Periment # 9: "Giant-Sized"

A brand-new beginning for the X-Men!

When the original X-Men are captured by the living Mutant island Krakoa, Professor X and Cyclops recruit new Mutants Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Banshee, Thunderbird, and Sunfire. This new team interacts, doesn't quite get along, rescues the old X-Men, and goes off and doesn't get along with them.

Along with Giant-Sized X-Men # 1, I tossed in Giant-Sized X-Men # 3 (as it has a short story by Joss Whedon) and Classic X-Men # 1), which gives the new team and old team some down time. It's surprising to see just how well these all interconnect. We're given an adventurous and (with these issues) emotional look at all of these characters, both new and old.

The foundations for what happens in this issue were set-up by what has come before. The characters introduced here, of course, go on to make the franchise strong. It's cool to see them laid out, in their early incarnations. They each have their own little niches and even though I know where it's going (for the most part), it's still interesting.

Since this was a huge issue and a massive milestone, I decided this should have it's own little milestone. Also, I've noticed in X-Men lore, that every decade or so, there's a kinda clearing of the house so that the new writers can come in. I see the whole "Secret Empire" as the "clearing of the house" and "Giant-Sized" (plus) as the new beginning.

We're moving upward and onward, Muties.

~W~

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