X-Treme X-Men # 1-4
It’s a new era for the X-Men and Storm’s team is on the forefront. Storm is leading a team consisting of Rogue, Bishop, Thunderbird, Psylocke, Sage, and Beast. Gambit and Gateway pop by as their adventures go on.
This rogue team of X-Men heads to Spain to find Destiny’s books, only to be attacked by Spain’s special military unit Action Force, which captures all but Rogue and Sage. The X-Men then go through a maze, with Beast and Psylocke getting separated. The pair then have to face off against the super-super-human named Vargas, who beats the crap outta Beast, then kills Psylocke. It turns out he was there for Rogue (who he also faces) and tipped off the Action Force. Action Force and the X-Men make amends and haunt for Vargas . . . to no avail.
Beast leaves this team of X-Men because of his injuries. The X-Men then claim Destiny’s house and plan their next move and mourn while Gambit himself encounters Vargas.
Claremont definitely brings it back with this. Granted, he’s not at the top of his game, but these four issues are better than the entirety of his whole “Revolution” fracas. This is really Claremont is his element – with characters he’s either good at writing (Storm, Rogue, Sage), apparently likes (Bishop, Beast), and characters he’s created (Gambit, Psylocke, Thunderbird). The characters are done rather well. The action is nicely handled. There’s promise and hope and a lot of potential in all of this.
However, on top of all this, the writing suffers from some of Claremont’s biggest failings. There are very, very long-winded monologues. The characters seem to have to explain their powers to each other, which is quite annoying. When the dialogue becomes skippable or just skimmable, it’s a clear sign it’s either no good or not interesting.
The art is quite excellent. The Claremont/Larocca team is one that works. Larocca’s designs, actions scenes, facial expression . . . they’re fantastic.
A nice start, even if it could use some work.
~W~
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